Magic Ring (left-handed)
Looking for the right-handed instructions? If not, read on…
What is this ‘Magic Ring’, anyway?
A magic ring is a way to begin crocheting in the round by crocheting over an adjustable loop and then pulling the loop tight. The advantage of the magic ring method (below, right) is that, unlike the regular “chain 2, x single crochet in 2nd chain from hook” method (below, left), there is no hole left in the middle of your starting round.
L: ch2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in each st around.
R: magic ring, 6 sc in magic ring, 2 sc in each st around.
How do I make a Magic Ring?
- Make a loop a few inches from the end of your yarn. Grasp the join of the loop (where the 2 strands of yarn overlap) between your right thumb and forefinger:
- Insert hook into the loop from front to back. Draw up a loop:
- Ch 1. Note: this does NOT count as a stitch:
- Insert hook into the loop, so you are crocheting over the loop and the yarn tail. Draw up a loop to begin your first sc:
- Complete the sc. Continue to crochet over the loop and the yarn tail until you have the required number of sc for your first rnd (6 sc shown here):
- Grab the yarn tail and pull to draw the centre of the ring tightly closed:
- Begin your second round by crocheting into the first stitch of the first round (below, left). At the end of round 2 your work will look like this (below, right):
You’ll never go back to your old method again, I promise!
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Angela Marconi said
Thanks so much for the info and especially for posting lefty instructions!!!
Andre said
Thanks for this info.
I’ve started crochet yesterday and my book explanation wasn’t really helpfull (and they’re all RIGHTY).
Your photo really help me !
I want more lefty instruction
Mya said
Thanks for the visual instructions! I have a book but it was all words and no pictures and I am a visual person (and a lefty). Maybe now I’ll have the courage to make a hat.
Thanks again!!!
Susan said
Thanks so much! Awesome technique. Really easy to master with the left-handed insructions and photos. You are right, I will never go back to chaining to begin projects in the round!
Maria said
Thank you SO MUCH for the lefty instructions!!! I was trying to adapt this from a righty set of instructions given in a pattern and I was SO confused! Your instructions and photos are clear as a bell, thanks so much!
Judit said
Hooray! It’s MAGICAL! I just completed the ring by following your clear photos! Thanks a million! Another Desperate Lefty.
Liz said
thank you for the lefty instructions. is there a slip stitch to close the round before you start each round? or is that left out of ami-crochet?
June said
Liz: there are two ways to crochet in the round:
1) join with a sl st at the end of each rnd and then ch 1 to being the next round
2) crochet around and around in a continuous spiral
Amigurumi typically uses the second method, although you could also use the join with sl st, ch 1 method with the magic ring if you prefer!
Grace Norcott said
Thank you so much for the left-handed tutorial. I tried using a right-handed version and couldn’t figure it out. I will have to try this. I am used to translating directions from right to left but sometimes I just can’t do it so I miss out. I’m sure I speak for other lefties in saying how great it is to have left specific directions. Bravo!
kathy carraher said
BLESS YOU ! For the left-handed instructions.I love crochet but some patterns are hard to figure out when you are going in the opposite direction.
The Crafty Librarian said
Left handed instructions! Hallelujah! I will be giving these a go, because there has been so many cute things I wanted to make
) Thank you!
evie said
thanks for the lefty instruction!!!!! XD love it!
Jennifer said
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I’ve been trying over and over to make this magic ring. I watched videos, followed the instructions in my book (all right-handed of course), but I could never get it to close cleanly. It worked out on my first try using your instructions and has worked perfectly every time since!
Debbie said
THANK YOU!!! for the left handed instructions I get soooo frustrated reading everything for the right handed person and can never figure it out…LEFT HANDERS MATTER TOO….and thanks for helping us all out just looking at the photo I know I am going to be ablr to do this..you are wonderful…
Shell Russell said
Hello! Thank you for the lefty instructions. I, too, am a lefty, & it IS hard to figure out sometimes. I’ve tried scanning the pics in books & reversing them, kind of works, but I’ve actually sat down & went through pattern books with a pencil & re wrote the places I needed. This is SOOOO much nicer…thanks again!
Kaylesha Blackheart said
Thanks a million for making left handed instructions. I am very frustrated with pictures in articles always showing RIGHT handed crochet techniques.
Sometimes it makes it annoying to do the ‘mirror flip’ as they always recommend.
June said
You’re all very welcome! I’m a lefty too, so I know how frustrating living in a right-handed world can be! I try to give both options wherever possible