How to Crochet a Magic Ring {Video & Photo Tutorial}

The magic ring crochet technique is one of my favorite tricks! It can really improve the look of projects that are worked in the round, such as hats, granny squares, crochet amigurumi, and so on. The magic ring crochet technique creates an adjustable loop that lets you control the size of the center hole of your work by pulling the tail to close the loop. You can pull it all the way closed, as is desirable when crocheting hats and amigurumi. Or if you prefer a small opening in a granny square center, you can control that too!

That is the beauty of the magic ring … you have complete control of how it comes out!

In addition to the term magic ring, a pattern may instead refer to it as a magic circle, slip ring, adjustable ring, or a magic loop. These terms all refer to this same technique, though.

Magic Ring Crochet Technique

So now that we have covered the why of the technique, I want to show you the how.

In the instructions below, I will show you step-by-step how to crochet a magic ring. You can follow along by video or my written and photo tutorial further down the page …

HOW TO CROCHET A MAGIC RING

Video Tutorial

In this video tutorial, I will show you how to use the magic ring crochet method to start off a project in the round. Make sure to turn on your sound so you can hear as I walk you through the steps …

Or if you prefer, you can just follow along with the step-by-step directions and photos below.

Photo Tutorial

To make a magic ring, wrap the yarn around your fingers with the tail end of the yarn behind the working yarn (the yarn coming from the skein) and leaving a tail about 6 inches long (see Fig. 1). Hold the place where the yarn overlaps between your thumb and forefinger (Fig. 2).

Magic Ring Crochet Step 1: Make a loop with the yarn around your fingers with the tail end of the yarn behind the working yarn (the yarn coming from the skein) and leaving a tail about 6 inches long — Fig. 1 Make a loop around your hand with the tail of the yarn facing you.

Magic Ring Crochet Step 2: Hold the place where the yarn overlaps between your thumb and forefinger — Fig. 2 Hold the place where the yarn overlaps.

Insert your crochet hook into the center of the loop (see Fig. 3) and bring through a loop of the working yarn; you will now have one loop on your hook (see Fig. 4).

Step 3: Insert your hook through the loop — Fig. 3 Insert your hook through the loop.

Step 4: Bring through a loop of the working yarn, one loop is now on the hook — Fig. 4 Bring through a loop.

Work a chain stitch to secure and continue working the pattern as written (please note that the chain 1 stitch should count in your pattern; for example, if your pattern says Chain 1, work 6 single crochet stitches into ring, you have already made the chain 1 stitch and should just continue working the single crochets). See Fig. 5 below.

The magic ring crochet technique creates an adjustable loop that lets you control the size of the center hole of your work by pulling the tail to close the loop. — Fig. 5 Work stitches in ring.

Magic rings aren’t just for single crochet stitches, though. You can also use taller stitches like half double crochet, double crochet, and so on with the magic ring crochet method. Again, check your pattern for how many beginning chains and the number of stitches to work into the ring.

Once you have finished working your first round of stitches, join with a slip stitch or as directed in your pattern and pull the tail end of the yarn to close up the hole in the center (see Fig. 6).

Keep pulling tail until you close up the crochet center. And there's the magic of the magic ring crochet technique! — Fig. 6 Pull the yarn tail to close up the crochet center.

That’s all that’s to it! When you are finished with your project, use a yarn needle and weave in that beginning tail. I like to weave first in one direction and then bring the yarn through in the opposite direction to really lock that tail in place and decrease the chances of the middle of your circle coming loose.

Double Magic RING

There is also a variation of this adjustable loop technique called the double magic ring, or double magic circle?! To do the double ring, you would wrap the yarn around your fingers twice instead of once as shown in Fig. 1 above. You will now have two strands of yarn around your fingers.

Many crocheters find this double looped center adds some extra durability and strength to the crochet center. This would be especially useful for granny square afghans or other items that will get a lot of use. However, I find that in most instances, the single loop is all you need as long as you really weave your tail in securely.

Next steps

Ready to test out your new skill? Try out one of these patterns that are perfect for starting with a magic loop! …

Spiral Flower

Basic Adult Hat Pattern

Basic Baby Hat Pattern

You may also enjoy …

Magic Ring Crochet Technique {Video & Photo Tutorial}

Comments

Lucy says
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This was one of the easiest tutorials I have ever used. I did it on the first try.
- Kara says
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  Yay! That makes me so happy to hear 🙂
Janorah says
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Looks wonderfully easy… now back to my happy hooking!
Nelly says
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where can I find , whats means SC; DC, HDC, SC decrease
- Kara says
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  Hi Nelly 🙂 I have a chart of crochet abbreviations under my Resources Tab above. Just click here to get right to it: http://www.petalstopicots.com/resources/crochet-abbreviations/
  Hope that helps 🙂
- Hi says
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  They are for the US:
  SC means single crochet
  DC means double crochet
  HDC means half double crochet
  And sorry, but I’ve never come across SC decrease
Anonymous says
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I am confused about one thing are you putting the hook directly in the hole or between the two pieces of yarn?
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  I am putting the hook directly into the hole. Hope that helps 🙂
Anonymous says
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Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
Emma
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  You are very welcome!
Karie {Girl Going Country} says
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Oh this is SO MUCH easier than trying to crochet into the tiny hole. 🙂 I’m new to crocheting, so really appreciate great tutorials (and videos) like yours. Thank you!
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  I am so glad you found it helpful!
- Anonymous says
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  I find the traditional loop MUCH easier. Maybe it’s because I’m a lefty or I’m doing something wrong.
raventcbo1 says
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Thank you so much for these instructions. My Mother taught me one way to do this, but now I have an additional way, which makes me a happy crocheter! 🙂
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  Glad you liked it 🙂
Kristy says
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Easiest instructions I have found yet!!! Thank you so much!
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  I am so glad you like it! Thanks, Kristy 🙂
Shasta @ intheoldroad says
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That is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen for the “magic loop”. I just started crocheting again and LOVE it! I found your page from the Naptime Crafters linky party today. And I’m a new follower 🙂
Shasta@InTheOldRoad
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  I am so happy to hear that it helps you, Shasta!
Deana@CountryMommaCooks says
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Great tutorial……… I have always wanted to learn to crochet.
- Kara @ Petals to Picots says
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  Thanks, Deana!
- Ashley says
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  how do you fasten it off once you do the magic circle? I have tried fastening it off and it always seems to undo itself. 🙁
  - Joy says
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    Hi Kara! Great tutorial. I’ve crocheted for years and never saw this method. It looks easy and good. Yet, I was wondering the same thing too. How do you fasten off the first end of the thread after you have pulled it tight?
    - Kara says
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      I don’t fasten off that end but weave it in once I have closed up my center.