You are probably rite abt that one BufPuf and BaBy_JaP_WaWa.
Seen that programme in Discovery Channel sometime last year I
think.
The crop circle artists first planned out the designs to executing
the design on the fields in a step by step manner. Like what
BaBy_JaP_WaWa has mentioned.. they used wooden boards(yes.. wooden
boards) to flattened the grass and used some sorta string from the
centre of the design as a guide. Everything is done within that
little hours before early morning.