purlJam

<pattern>

# Round Feelings Wheel

**A beginner-friendly flat circle divided into sections to explore and identify emotions**

## DESIGN NOTES
This therapeutic feelings wheel is worked as a flat circle in continuous rounds. The wheel is divided into 6 colored sections representing different emotion categories. Simple embroidery adds emotion labels and optional facial expressions. Perfect for counselors, teachers, parents, or anyone exploring emotional literacy. The flat construction makes it sturdy enough for frequent handling.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Worsted weight (4) acrylic or cotton yarn
- Main Color (MC): White or Cream - 50 yards
- Color A (Happy): Yellow - 15 yards
- Color B (Sad): Blue - 15 yards  
- Color C (Angry): Red - 15 yards
- Color D (Scared): Purple - 15 yards
- Color E (Calm): Green - 15 yards
- Color F (Surprised): Orange - 15 yards
- Black yarn for embroidery - small amount

**Suggested Yarn:** Any worsted weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver, Caron Simply Soft, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)

**Hook:** US G-6 (4.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

**Other Supplies:**
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends and embroidery
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
- Optional: Cardboard circle backing, fabric glue
- Optional: Black embroidery floss for finer details

---

## GAUGE
4 sc and 4 rows = 1 inch in single crochet

Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistent tension will create a flat, even circle.

---

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
- Diameter: Approximately 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
- Flat circle suitable for wall display or tabletop use

---

## ABBREVIATIONS
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- MC = main color
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round

---

## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction:**
This wheel is worked in continuous rounds (spiral method) from the center outward. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round. For a simpler version, work the entire circle in one color and add colored felt wedges. For the color-blocked version, change colors every 13 stitches to create 6 equal wedges.

**Flat Circle Rule:**
To keep the circle flat (not cupped or ruffled), you must increase by 6 stitches every round. The increase stitches should be evenly distributed around each round.

**Invisible Join:**
When finished, slip stitch to first stitch of last round, fasten off for a neat edge.

**Color Changes:**
For color-blocked wedges, change color by completing the last stitch before the new section with the new color. Carry unused colors loosely along the back, or cut and rejoin (creates more ends to weave).

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### MAIN WHEEL (Single Color Version)

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring. Do not join; work in continuous spiral. Place marker in first st and move up each round. [6]

**Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12]
- Math check: 6 increases = 6 + 6 = 12 ✓

**Rnd 3:** (Sc, inc) around. [18]
- Math check: 6 increases = 12 + 6 = 18 ✓

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around. [24]
- Math check: 6 increases = 18 + 6 = 24 ✓

**Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) around. [30]
- Math check: 6 increases = 24 + 6 = 30 ✓

**Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) around. [36]
- Math check: 6 increases = 30 + 6 = 36 ✓

**Rnd 7:** (5 sc, inc) around. [42]
- Math check: 6 increases = 36 + 6 = 42 ✓

**Rnd 8:** (6 sc, inc) around. [48]
- Math check: 6 increases = 42 + 6 = 48 ✓

**Rnd 9:** (7 sc, inc) around. [54]
- Math check: 6 increases = 48 + 6 = 54 ✓

**Rnd 10:** (8 sc, inc) around. [60]
- Math check: 6 increases = 54 + 6 = 60 ✓

**Rnd 11:** (9 sc, inc) around. [66]
- Math check: 6 increases = 60 + 6 = 66 ✓

**Rnd 12:** (10 sc, inc) around. [72]
- Math check: 6 increases = 66 + 6 = 72 ✓

**Rnd 13:** (11 sc, inc) around. [78]
- Math check: 6 increases = 72 + 6 = 78 ✓

**Finishing:** Slip stitch to first st of round. Fasten off, leaving 6-inch tail. Weave in end.

---

### COLOR-BLOCKED WEDGE VERSION (Optional)

For a wheel with 6 different colored wedge sections, work as follows:

**Rnds 1-6:** Work in MC (white/cream) following pattern above through Rnd 6. [36]

**Rnd 7:** Begin color blocking. Each color section is 13 sts (78 ÷ 6 = 13).
- With Color A: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color A]
- With Color B: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color B]
- With Color C: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color C]
- With Color D: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color D]
- With Color E: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color E]
- With Color F: (5 sc, inc) 2 times, 1 sc [13 sts in Color F]
- Total: [78 sts, 6 increases distributed] 

Note: This is advanced for beginners due to multiple color changes. The single-color version with felt wedges is recommended for first-time makers.

---

## ASSEMBLY & FINISHING

### Weaving in Ends
Use yarn needle to weave all ends securely on the wrong side of the wheel. Weave each end through several stitches in different directions for security.

### Blocking (Optional)
Lightly steam or wet block the circle to ensure it lies completely flat. Pin to blocking mat or towel in perfect circle shape and allow to dry.

### Adding Backing (Optional)
1. Trace the wheel onto cardboard and cut circle slightly smaller than crocheted circle
2. Cut fabric circle 1 inch larger than cardboard
3. Glue fabric to cardboard, folding edges to back
4. Whip stitch backing to wrong side of wheel, or glue with fabric glue

---

## EMBROIDERY GUIDE

### Dividing the Wheel
Using pins or removable stitch markers, divide the circle into 6 equal wedge sections (each section = 13 stitches wide at outer edge).

### Emotion Labels
Using black yarn or embroidery floss and backstitch or chain stitch, embroider emotion words in each section:

**Suggested 6 Emotions:**
1. HAPPY (Yellow section)
2. SAD (Blue section)
3. ANGRY (Red section)
4. SCARED (Purple section)
5. CALM (Green section)
6. SURPRISED (Orange section)

**Embroidery Placement:**
Position words approximately 1.5 inches from center, curving gently to follow the circular shape.

### Optional Facial Expressions
Add simple embroidered faces in each section using French knots for eyes and backstitch for mouths:
- Happy: Curved smile
- Sad: Curved frown, downturned eyes
- Angry: Angled eyebrows, straight mouth
- Scared: Wide eyes, open mouth
- Calm: Closed eyes, gentle smile
- Surprised: Wide eyes, round mouth

### Surface Slip Stitch Lines
Use black yarn and surface slip stitch to create dividing lines between sections, working from center to outer edge.

---

## PATTERN VARIATIONS

### Larger Wheel (8-9 inches)
Continue pattern through Rnd 16 or 17:
- **Rnd 14:** (12 sc, inc) around [84]
- **Rnd 15:** (13 sc, inc) around [90]
- **Rnd 16:** (14 sc, inc) around [96]
- **Rnd 17:** (15 sc, inc) around [102]

### Smaller Wheel (4-5 inches)
Work through Rnd 10 only [60 sts]

### 8-Section Wheel
For 8 emotions instead of 6, adjust color-blocking to 9-10 sts per section. Add emotions like: Excited, Tired, Confused, Proud.

### Felt Wedge Application (Easiest for Beginners)
1. Work entire wheel in single color
2. Cut 6 felt triangular wedges
3. Pin wedges to divide circle into 6 sections
4. Sew or glue felt pieces in place
5. Embroider labels directly on felt

### Interactive Wheel with Pointer
1. Create a separate arrow/pointer (small elongated oval shape)
2. Attach to center of wheel with button or brad
3. Pointer can spin to indicate current emotion

### Textured Sections
Use different stitch patterns in each wedge section:
- Happy: Standard sc
- Sad: Bobble stitches for tears
- Angry: Spike stitches for texture
- Calm: Smooth surface crochet
- Others: Get creative!

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
- Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent
- Lay flat to dry
- Do not machine wash or dry (may cause embroidery to loosen)
- Press gently with cool iron if needed, avoiding embroidered areas

---

## TROUBLESHOOTING

**Circle is cupping/bowl-shaped:**
- You're not increasing enough. Verify you're adding exactly 6 stitches per round.
- Check that your increases are evenly spaced around the circle.

**Circle is ruffling/wavy:**
- You're increasing too much. Recount your stitches each round.
- Your tension may be too loose; try working more tightly.

**Circle is oval instead of round:**
- Tension inconsistency. Try to maintain even tension throughout.
- The magic ring may have been pulled unevenly.

**Color changes look messy:**
- Practice carrying yarn loosely on wrong side.
- Consider cutting yarn at each color change and weaving in ends for cleaner look.
- Use the "invisible" join method when changing colors.

**Embroidery puckers the fabric:**
- Don't pull embroidery stitches too tight.
- Use smaller needle for embroidery.
- Block the wheel before embroidering.

---

## SKILL BUILDING TIPS

**For True Beginners:**
1. Start with single-color wheel version
2. Master the flat circle technique (very useful skill!)
3. Add simple embroidery with just emotion words
4. Progress to facial expressions once comfortable

**Counting Stitches:**
Place a marker in the increase stitch of each round to verify you have 6 increases per round.

**Even Increases:**
The pattern staggers increases automatically. Follow the pattern exactly for even distribution.

**Magic Ring Tutorial:**
If magic ring is difficult, substitute: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

---

## DESIGN INSPIRATION

### Educational Uses
- Therapy offices: Help clients identify emotions
- Classrooms: Teaching emotional vocabulary
- Homes: Daily emotional check-ins with children
- Special needs: Visual emotional communication tool

### Customization Ideas
- Add photo of child in center
- Include intensity levels (mild, moderate, strong)
- Create matching smaller wheels for different emotion categories
- Add secondary emotions in outer ring
- Use texture instead of color for visually impaired users

### Gift Giving
This makes a thoughtful gift for:
- Teachers and counselors
- Parents of young children
- Therapists and social workers
- Anyone working on emotional awareness

---

## FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

**Q: Can I use DK or bulky yarn?**
A: Yes! DK yarn will create a smaller wheel (approximately 5 inches); bulky yarn will create a larger wheel (approximately 8-9 inches). Adjust hook size accordingly.

**Q: How do I make the wheel stiff enough to hang?**
A: Add a cardboard backing, or use fabric stiffener spray on the completed wheel. You can also work with two strands of yarn held together.

**Q: Can I machine embroider the labels?**
A: Yes, if you have an embroidery machine. Complete the crocheted circle first, then carefully embroider.

**Q: My magic ring has a hole in the center. How do I fix it?**
A: After completing the wheel, use your yarn needle to weave through the center stitches, pulling gently to close the hole. Secure on the wrong side.

**Q: How many emotions should I include?**
A: Six is ideal for beginners and young children. Adults may prefer 8-12 sections with more nuanced emotions.

---

## ABOUT THIS PATTERN

This feelings wheel pattern