The magic ring is a great way to start crochet projects worked in the round. This clever technique creates an adjustable ring that can be pulled tight, eliminating the little hole at the center of your work.
Reader’s Comment
FINALLY. I’m a knitter who has been trying to learn how to crochet for weeks. Every tutorial I’ve read has only frustrated me and made me wonder what I’m doing wrong.
Today, I found yours and discovered why I wasn’t getting it — NO ONE ELSE has explained the chain and turn or anything after that. Which is, like, HALF the instructions!
Leave A Comment
The Magic Ring, also known as the magic circle or magic loop, is my favorite way to start projects like amigurumi, granny squares, and top-down beanies.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process of creating a magic ring, and show you how to work your first round of stitches into it.
New to crochet?
How to Crochet Guide
If you’re new to crochet, then be sure to check out this complete guide on how to crochet for beginners.
Read Article
Video Tutorial
What You’ll Need
- Yarn.Smooth, light-colored, medium-weight yarn makes it easy to see your stitches.
- Crochet hook.Choose a hook size based on the thickness of the yarn. For example, a size H-8 (5.0mm) hook is a good choice for worsted-weight yarn.
Terms and Abbreviations
- sc:single crochet
- MR:magic ring
- working yarn:the strand of yarn coming from the yarn ball.
- yarn tail:the end of the yarn
Instructions
The magic ring is worked in two parts. First, we’ll make the adjustable loop. Then, we’ll work whatever stitches the pattern calls for into that adjustable loop. (Note: This tutorial uses standard US terms and demonstrates a right-handed method.)
1
Step 1: Create the Loop
Place the yarn tail in your open left hand.
Wrap the working yarn around your index and middle finger twice. Cross the yarn in front to form an “X,” with the working yarn hanging behind your fingers.
Pinch the yarn with your thumb to hold it in place, and rotate your hand toward you until your palm faces down toward the table. Looking at the back of your hand, you should see two parallel strands of yarn. The left stand is the working yarn, and the right strand is the yarn tail.
2
Step 2: Insert Hook and Yarn Over
Hold the crochet hook in your right hand. Insert your crochet hook from right to left, underneath the right strand of yarn.
Grab the left strand of yarn (working yarn) with your hook. Pull it under the right strand and rotate your hook up to form a loop. (Note: This loop does not count as a chain stitch.)
3
Step 3: Chain Stitches
The number of chain stitches you make in this step depends on the type of stitch used in the first round of the pattern.
- If your pattern starts with a round of single crochet, you’ll make 1 chain.
- If your pattern starts with a round of half double crochet, make 2 chain stitches.
- If the pattern starts with a round of double crochet stitches, make 3 chain stitches.
Since we’re working with single crochets in this example, we’ll chain 1.Wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front, and draw the yarn through the loop on the hook. This completes one chain stitch.
At this point, the magic ring is secure enough that you can remove it from your index and middle fingers.
4
Step 4: Work Stitches into the Ring
In this step, we’ll work the first round of stitches into the center of the magic ring. For this example, we’ll make 6 sc.
Insert the hook into the center of the ring, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops. Repeat 5 more times for a total of 6 stitches.
Important: When you insert your hook into the center of the magic ring, make sure you’re working under both strands: the loop itself and the yarn tail.
Tip: If it feels like your stitches are twisting, or it feels hard to manage, try making the ring smaller. Pull on the yarn tail just a bit, and make the magic ring a little smaller. This should make it easier to work into the ring.
5
Step 5: Tighten the Ring
Hold the stitches with your right hand, and pull the yarn tail to close the ring. Keep pulling until the hole is as small as possible.
Tip: Hold the stitches somewhat loosely so that you can pull the yarn tail to close the ring. If the ring won’t close, you might be holding on too tight!
As you close the ring, the turning chain and the last stitch of the round will meet.
Optional: Join the Round
At this point, some patterns will instruct you to “join the round with a slip stitch .”To do so, work a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round. Then, continue with the pattern.
Other patterns are worked in continuous (aka spiral) rounds. In this case, do not join the round with a slip stitch, but simply start the next round in the first stitch of Round 1.
6
Step 6: Weave in the Yarn Tail
Use a tapestry needle to weave in the yarn tail securely to prevent the magic ring from coming undone.
Variation: Double Magic Ring
This variation is very similar to the standard magic ring, but has an extra loop of yarn to give the magic ring greater durability.
- Place the yarn tail in your open left hand.
- Wrap the working yarn around your index and middle finger three times. Cross the third loop of yarn in front to form an “X,” with the working yarn hanging behind your fingers.
- Turn your hand, palm facing down. Insert your crochet hook from right to left, underneath the right two strands of yarn.
- Grab the left strand of yarn (working yarn) with your hook. Pull it under the right strands and rotate your hook up to form a loop.
- From here, make as many chain stitches as called for in the pattern, and start making the first round of stitches into the center of the magic ring.
Projects that Use the Magic Ring
Now that you know how to make a magic ring, I bet you’re eager to go practice it. Here are some easy beginner patterns that start with a magic ring.
- Classic Granny Square
- Crochet Heart
- Easy Cotton Bucket Hat
Troubleshooting
Can I use the magic ring instead of other methods?
Yes. For most crochet projects that are worked “in the round,” you can simply substitute the Magic Ring technique for other starting methods.
I still have a hole in the center.
If your first round of stitches still has a hole in the center, it could be your yarn to blame. Some fibers don’t compress as well as others.
Or, it could be that you are trying to make too many stitches in that first round. Usually, the magic ring is worked with a starting round of 6-12 stitches.
My work is unraveling.
Remember to leave a long enough yarn tail to weave in at the end of your project – at least 6 inches. Weave in the yarn tail as securely as you can. Otherwise, the magic ring might come undone.
My yarn breaks when I tighten the ring.
It’s harder to make a magic ring with fuzzier yarns, like chenille, velvet, and blanket yarns. The yarn can get stuck when you try to tighten the ring, or even snap.
In this case, you can try making your first round of stitches very loose to make it easier to close the ring. If you’re still having trouble, make the magic ring with a similar shade of cotton yarn, and switch to the fuzzy yarn to make the first round of stitches.
More Beginner Crochet Tutorials
If you’d like to learn more crochet stitches and techniques, you may be interested in these posts:
- How to Single Crochet (sc)
- How to Half Double Crochet Stitch (hdc)
- How to Double Crochet (dc)
- How to Slip Stitch in Crochet (sl st)
How to Crochet a Magic Ring
Yield: 1
Active Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 1 minute
Difficulty: Easy
The magic ring is a way to begin projects that are crocheted in the round. To do the Magic Ring method, crochet the first round of stitches into an adjustable loop. Then, pull the loop tight to close the hole in the middle of your first round.
Materials
- yarn
Tools
- crochet hook
Instructions
- Lay the tail end of the yarn against your open hand. Loop the working end of the yarn loosely around the first two fingers.
- Working from right to left, slide the crochet hook under the right-hand piece of yarn and over the left-hand piece. Grab the left-hand yarn and pull up a loop.
- Using your hook, grab the left-hand piece of yarn again, and pull it through the loop on the hook. Chain 1 (if doing SC)
- Make your first round of stitches into the ring. Insert the hook into the magic ring, and draw up a loop to begin your first SC. (You will be crocheting over the loopandthe yarn tail.) Complete the SC as usual. Continue making stitches until you have the required number for your pattern.
Did you make this project?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
Have questions? Join the Facebook Group!
We hope this article was useful for you! If you have any additional questions, feel free to join myFacebook Group. We created this group for you to share pictures, ask questions, and help each other out.
What’s Next?
Pin this post: Save this tutorial to your Pinterest boards so that you can come back to it later.
Leave a comment: We love to hear your feedback. Tell me in the comments below!
Share on Instagram or Facebook: When you make this project, share it on social media and tag me @sarahmaker_. We love to see what you make!
Sarah Stearns
Sarah Stearns has helped millions of makers find their next craft project with free patterns and step-by-step tutorials on her blog, sarahmaker.com. Read more.
With over a decade of experience in knitting and crochet, she has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, Apartment Therapy, and Lifehacker.
Hey, I'm Sarah!
If you love yarn, you'll love Sarahmaker.com. Join us for free crochet and knitting patterns, easy-to-follow tutorials, and lots of crafty inspiration!
Meet Sarah
Crochet With Me
Crochet is a fun and relaxing fiber craft that is quick and easy to learn!
Crochet Patterns
Crochet Tutorials
Crochet Roundups
Subscribe For New Patterns!
Get updates on the latest posts and more straight to your inbox.
