Flat versus In-The-Round. Which is best when knitting or crocheting?

Should your next yarncraft project be worked flat or in the round? If you’re deciding between working flat versus in the round for knitting and crocheting you’re in the right place. Both methods have unique benefits, and the best choice depends on your project, skill level, and personal preference. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each technique, so you can confidently pick the right approach for your next sweater, hat, or amigurumi

Which is most appropriate depends on both the specific project being  worked, and the crafters own preference. Prefer working in the round? Then working in the round is best for you. Find working flat easier? Then working flat is the ‘right way’

I spotted a comment on Facebook the other morning where a person with influence was expressing an idea that there is only one ‘proper’ way to knit. (In this case, knitted flat, and seamed).


If there is one idea I don’t like, it is the notion that there is only one ‘right’ way to do anything. Especially in knitting and crochet. And personally, I’m a big fan of top-down, in-the-round garment construction. But it also depends on the specific project. Some things I prefer to work flat, and seams have a purpose, so sometimes it’s good to include them.


In this blog, I will break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which approach is best for your next project.

Working In the Round: Pros and Cons for Knitting and Crochet

No Sewing: The Appeal of Seamless Projects

One of the biggest advantages of working in the round is that you create a seamless piece. This is ideal for anything that should be a tube, such as a sock, a sleeve or the body of a pullover.
The big bonus to this is a quick finish. I’m the type of crafter that has multiple Works in Progress on the go at any one time. I’m a starter. I loose interest and find it hard to push to the finish line. And I’ve been known to leave projects months before sewing them together and weaving in ends. The finishing is my kryptonite.

That’s why, to me, a knitted sock worked in the round is such a beautiful project. When it’s finished, it’s finished. Two ends per sock to weave in, no sewing up. (Confession, I’ve been known to strangle my little toe with an end not sewn in on a sock.) I just want to wear it, and if there is one more big hurdle between the finished knitting or crochet and the wearing… It might not get done.

The Challenge of Visible Joins in Crochet

On the other hand, it is not true to say there is ‘no seam’ when working in the round. There is still a point where the work is joined. In both knitting and crochet, this can create a visible, and sometimes uneven, jump. When knitting, this can be most obvious when doing colour work, but the nature of knit stitches means that it’s not usually a significant issue.

With crochet it can be more of a problem.

Using basic beginner crochet techniques, the join can be both unsightly, and significantly bias. What is bias? While a knit stitch is worked directly on top of the stitch of the previous round, a crochet stitch sits just to the side of the one on the previous round. Working in rows combats this, but working in rounds it builds up. And you get an obvious slant to your work.

The good news is that, in both knitting and crochet, there are ways of combating these problems. Depending on the stitches and project, a crocheter can use a variety of invisible join techniques to prevent both a visible join, and to prevent fabric bias.

But these are more intermediate and advanced techniques. Not all crocheters will have the confidence, or desire, to research and learn complex or fussy new methods. Especially when just starting out, they may get better results working flat, depending on the type of project. 

Smooth, even and easy

When working in a circle, the front of the stitch always shows. When knitting, this means you don’t need a purl row going back. A classic stocking stitch (stockinette) can be created using only knit stitches. Knit stitches take less time than purl. Over one stitch it might not be noticeable, but over a whole garment, it can make a big difference. It can save effort, time, and make the work more relaxing.

For crochet, it means only the front of your main stitches show. The appearance of a typical piece worked in UK treble crochet (US double crochet) will be much smoother than one where the work is turned and worked in rows, with the back of the stitch showing every alternate row. In some crochet stitch patterns this can be quite significant. In the image below, 2 ways of identifying that the back of the stitch is showing are marked in green and blue lines. Worked in the round, the work (sometimes) looks and feels better.

Great for projects with shaping

Knitting or crocheting in the round allows for smoother transitions and decreases, making it easier for complex projects like raglan sleeves or yokes in garments. And it’s perfect for small, complex shapes such as when making an amigurumi. 

Try on as you go

For garments, such as cardigans and pullover, mittens, slippers and socks, a project in the round means you are seeing the final shape and size of the section you make as you make it. This can give reassurance that you have selected the right size and the garment will fit as intended. It also makes it possible to adjust a pattern as you go intuitively while you work. Do you like a deeper armhole? You can pop the yoke over your head, notice it’s a bit short, and go rogue from the pattern, working a few more rows before dividing for the arms very easily.

On the other hand, I often feel this advantage is overstated, and will ironically mention it again below as a disadvantage (or as an advantage to working flat).

If you’re new to working in the round or flat, you might wonder how to handle yarn changes—especially if you’re mid-project and run out of yarn. Don’t worry! I have a beginner-friendly guide on how to add new yarn walks you through the process step by step, so you can keep your project smooth and stress-free

Knitting or crocheting flat: Versatile and beginner friendly

Simple to learn

Knitting flat (using two straight needles) is often where beginners start. It’s easier to manage smaller projects and master basic stitches.
In crochet it’s a bit different. Beginners often start with a basic ‘granny square’ which is worked in the round, and later struggle to keep edges straight when working a project that involves turning at the end of each row. But within crochet, too, there are some aspects to working flat that are just  easier. 

The hidden beauty of seams

Earlier, I mentioned work biasing (twisting). All knit and all crochet projects will eventually bias. And the greatest defense against that is not a fancy stitch, but a sturdy seam. Seams give garments structure, shape and control the way they drape. A seamed pullover will hold its shape and continue to look well for longer than one worked in the round. 

Getting the fit right

Above, I mentioned an argument that it’s easier to try on as you go when working in the round. And for items like socks and mittens, that’s very true. But honestly? For a pullover? Yes, if you are crocheting, you can pop it over your head. And… does that tell you much about what the finished fit will be? If we are being truthful, the answer is, not really. 

If you are knitting, it’s even harder, as you need to move the project off the needles onto scrap yarn to do this, then transfer it back. Good luck with the dropped stitches. 
Whereas, a pullover knitted or crocheted flat from the bottom up, you just need to be an inch or two past the hem to be able to measure your work with a tape measure, or hold it up against your chest, to check the fit. 
In short, I personally don’t hold with an argument that either in-the-round, or flat, make it easier to check fit. I find both have their own benefits, and there are pitfalls within both.

Smaller pieces

Seamed projects are made in pieces. (in crochet, they aren’t always the same as those worked flat, as a Granny Square can be worked without turning, so here I’m talking just about projects that are worked in pieces and seamed.)
These also have the advantage of being more portable. If you need to grab your work and go somewhere, a small project has big advantages. If you are knitting a pullover top down in the round it might be too big and unwieldy to bring along to a medical appointment and keep you sane in the waiting room. Whereas a single sleeve, or single Granny Square, is much more portable. 

Easy Sections First

Working in the round versus flat isn’t exactly the same as working top down versus bottom up. Because it is possible to work a jumper in the round bottom up, or flat, top down. But both of those are unusual. When we work garments in the round we usually work top down. And when we work flat, we usually start from the bottom. 
A typical pullover, cardigan or vest has almost all the shaping above the arm pits. Even if there is a little waist or bust shaping, it’s a lot less than the shoulder shaping. Working bottom up (which normally means working flat) allows the knitter or crocheter to make friends with the stitch pattern and yarn before tackling complex shaping. Working top down in-the-round throws the knitter or crocheter in the deep end, requiring that they become familiar with the stitch pattern and yarn at the same time as dealing with the most complex shaping that the garment has to offer. 

Holding Work Right Side Up

Personally, I like to knit socks toe up, mittens fingertip down, and jumpers… It depends.
I’ve slowly noticed something about myself in this. If I am looking at the project I am making ‘right side up’ I can knit or crochet for longer. If I am holding the work upside down, I get tired sooner. I spend constant mental energy looking at it, and mentally visualizing it right side up. After an hour or two, I can even start to feel a bit sea sick from this, and need to put the work down for a while.

If you have also experienced this, do let me know. And also tell me if you, like me, are autistic, dyslexic or ADHD. I have a theory this is a neuro spicy thing, and not something neurotypical knitters or crocheters would be affected by. But I can’t say for sure. That’s just guess work. 

Final Thoughts

Pattern availability can be Subject to fashions and trends. 

If you are looking for a very traditional Aran jumper, you will find it hard to find a classic pattern worked top down in the round. If you are looking for a very contemporary pullover pattern written in the last couple of years, not many will be worked flat and seamed.

This is one key reason why it’s good to be versitite and happy to tackle any construction technique, rather than getting caught up with the idea that there is only one ‘right way’ to do things, and the other is ‘wrong’. 

Some crafters have such a strong preference for working flat versus in the round that it almost borders on superstition! (Want to know more about knitting and crochet superstitions? Check out this fun post.) And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that—you knit and crochet best when you do it the way you enjoy


Ultimately, the choice between working in the round and working flat depends on the specific project you have in mind and your personal preferences. There is no ‘right’ way to knit or crochet. Only what brings you joy and satisfaction. I love to use all kinds of techniques, and not limit myself to one way of crafting. You can see that in my four mittens patterns here:

My patterns for mittens here

You might also guess I’m over-fond of blue, and should probably take my own advice and be more adventurous in the colour choice of my next pair. In the image are:

Bluestack Mountain Mittens crochet pattern, worked flat

Hill of Tara mittens, worked sideways and flat
Mount Errigal Mittens, knitted in the round cuff up
Brandon Peak Mittens, knitted top down, in the round

And a free pattern on my blog for waffle stitch mittens worked in the round, Sugarloaf Mittens

What do you prefer? Drop a comment and let us know.

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter for a free knitting pattern and a free crochet pattern.