Round 1: Make a slip knot and chain 2. Then, work 8 single crochets (sc) into the second chain from the hook. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You’ll have 8 sc.

Round 2: Chain 1 and then make 2 sc in each sc around. Join with a slip stitch. Now you’ll have 16 sc.

Round 3: Chain 1. Make 2 sc in the next sc, then 1 sc in the next sc. Repeat this pattern all the way around. Join with a slip stitch. You’ll now have 24 sc.

Round 4: Chain 1. Make 2 sc in the next sc, then 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc. Repeat this pattern around. Join with a slip stitch. You’ll have 32 sc.

Round 5: Chain 1. Make 2 sc in the next sc, then 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc. Repeat this pattern around. Join with a slip stitch. Now you’ll have 40 sc.

Round 6: Chain 1. Make 2 sc in the next sc, then 1 sc in each of the next 4 sc. Repeat this pattern around. Join with a slip stitch. You’ll have 48 sc.

Keep going in this pattern, increasing by 8 stitches each round until you have 144 sc (about 18 rounds total).

Now we’ll start shaping it differently:

Next Round: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each sc, but only in the back loops. Join with a slip stitch. Place a marker at the end of this round.

Following Round: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each sc, but in both loops this time. Join with a slip stitch. Repeat this round until your work measures 3 inches (7.5 cm) from the marked round. Then, switch to a new yarn color (let’s call it B) at the end of this round and break off yarn A.

With yarn B, continue working in the same pattern until your work measures 6 inches (15 cm) from the marked round. Then, switch to a new yarn color (let’s call it C) at the end of this round and break off yarn B.

With yarn C, keep going in the same pattern until your work measures 9.5 inches (24 cm) from the marked round.

Now we’ll shape the opening for the arms:

Next Round: Chain 1. Make 1 sc in each of the next 29 sc. Chain 14. Skip the next 14 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the next 58 sc. Chain 14. Skip the next 14 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the next 29 sc. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.

In the next round: Begin by crocheting 1 single crochet (sc) in each of the next 29 sc. Then, crochet 17 sc into the next chain-14 space. Continue by crocheting 1 sc in each of the next 58 sc, followed by 17 sc into the subsequent chain-14 space. Crochet 1 sc in each of the next 29 sc. Finally, join the round with a slip stitch.

Next 2 Rounds: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each sc around. Join. Fasten off at the end of the second round. And there you have it, your crocheted circle is complete!