How to Crochet the Perfect Oval (For Rugs, Bags, Baskets + More)
- Tiffany Hansen
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
— A Shape Guide You Can Use for Any Crochet Project —
Have you ever started a crochet rug or a tote bag and thought, “Why does this look like wrong?”
Whether your edges start ruffling, your shape looks off, or your project cups when it should lay flat—figuring out how to crochet a clean, well-shaped oval can feel like a mystery.
But not anymore.
In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how to crochet an oval shape that lays how you want it to—whether you’re making rugs, baskets, tote bags, or decorative pieces. I’m not giving you a set pattern here, but instead a technique you can customize for your exact project.
Let’s get into it.
🧶 Why Start With a Circle?
Before you crochet an oval, I recommend starting with a small test circle using the same yarn and hook you plan to use for your final project. Why?
Because this little circle gives you two huge pieces of information:
Does your yarn + hook combo work well together?
If your stitches start to ruffle, your hook or yarn may be too big—try going up a hook size.
If your stitches look tight or cupped, your hook might be too small—try going up a size or loosening your tension.
How tall is each round?
Knowing how much height your stitches add with each new round helps you calculate how big your oval will grow vertically and horizontally.
✍️ Planning the Size of Your Oval
Before you crochet, figure out these two things:
1. What size do you want your oval to be?
Length and width—write it down.
2. What shape do you want?
Long and skinny?
Egg-like and round?
Something in between?
This helps you reverse engineer your foundation chain length and how many rounds you’ll need.
➕ Here’s How to Do the Math:
Let’s say your test circle shows that each round adds about 1/4” in height (because you’re using single crochets). That means every round adds 1/2” total to the width (1/4” on each side).
If you want your final piece to be 15 inches wide, you’ll need:
15 ÷ .5 = 30 rounds
Now subtract the height of those 30 rounds from your total length, and that’s your foundation chain length.
📌 Pro Tip:
Longer chain = longer, skinnier oval
Shorter chain = rounder or egg-like oval
🧵 Where to Place Your Increases
This is where the real shaping power comes in. Your increase placement on either end of your foundation chain determines the final look of your oval.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
🔄 Increase Placement | 📐 Resulting Shape |
Increases on both sides at each end | Nicely rounded oval |
Increases only on one side at each end | Pointed/Football shape |
Fewer increases | Oval starts to cup – great for baskets |
Too many increases | Oval starts to ruffle or ripple |
Add extra stitches between increases | Ends begin to square off – good for structure |
🎯 Think about what you want your oval to do, and place your increases accordingly.
🧶 Stitch Type Matters Too
The stitch you choose will also affect your oval’s height and texture:
Single Crochet – tight and compact, grows slowly
Half Double Crochet – slightly taller, still sturdy
Double Crochet – grows faster, more fluid drape
Decorative Stitches – great for baskets and statement pieces!
🧪 Experiment With Shape Swatches
Here’s an idea: Make a few small ovals using different foundation lengths and increase placements. Take notes! Keep your favorites in a binder or project planner for reference later.
✂️ No Pattern Needed — Just Your Creative Vision
Once you understand how oval shaping works, you can:
Crochet your own oval rug
Design a basket base that curves up naturally
Make a custom tote bag with the perfect base size
Adjust and tweak to match your exact project goals
And remember—your test circle is your best friend when it comes to planning!
📺 Watch the Full Tutorial on YouTube
If you're ready to see this in action and follow along step-by-step, you can watch the full video tutorial on my YouTube channel. I walk you through making a test circle, explaining how to plan your shape, and crocheting a full oval from start to finish.
Click the link below to check it out: