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journalMagic Ring (right-handed)
Looking for the left-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 left 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!
29 Comments »
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Rayne Said,
September 10, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Cool. Bookmarking this site. I’ll have to remember this when I start my next granny project.
dulcet Said,
September 12, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Did you slip-stitch into the first single crochet to join the first round, before starting on the second round?
June Said,
September 12, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
dulcet, no slip stitch required - amigurumi are typically worked in a continuous spiral with no joining between rounds.
Of course, you could also use the magic ring with the “join with sl st, ch1″ method if you prefer - it’s a great starting technique either way!
Jessica Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
These pictures would help a lot if it showed which was the end of the yarn, as in all the pictures the end is out of the picture, so I can’t tell which way to hold the yarn. Also, the overlap is not clear, because of the fingers in the way.
June Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
I’m sorry if this isn’t clear to you, Jessica. The starting yarn tail is always on the left and hanging down in all the photos.
You should be able to see the overlap by looking at the first two photos - the first photo shows the yarn wrapped over my fingers, then the next one shows the loop being held together with my thumb at the top of the loop (where the ends cross).
I hope that helps!
Jessica Said,
September 23, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Thanks, that makes it much clearer! I was finally able to do this one
CubedPop » Catnip Mouse! Said,
September 24, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
[...] out really well. Also, I finally figured out how to do the magic adjustable ring, thanks to this awesome tutorial by June at Planet June. This was really helpful with the ears, otherwise the middle of the ears [...]
ANGELOFIRE Said,
September 27, 2007 @ 2:40 am
would this magic ring work on slippers because i found this sight and ive been tryin to crochet it put haveing problem with row 18 its not clear 2 me about do i put the first st past my sl st or do i start row 18 behind the sl st. i hope some one can help me here. the slippers name is snow kissed slippers the web site is http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/snow%20kissed%20slippers.html
and i hope I can use this magic ring on it . plz someone help me im making them 4 my mom’s b-day ty from Denise a.k.a angelofire
Jessica Said,
October 5, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Thank you so much. I love the magic ring. It is amazing.
Shellie Said,
October 12, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
That is a neat trick but the funny thing is if you make a ring with your chain, sl st, then sc or dc over the ring AND the tail, you can pull a regular ring tight at well. Since the tail is under all of the stitches you just created a drawstring.
I will have to try this one as well, I just thought I would mention the other method so there are choices.
futuregirl Said,
November 8, 2007 @ 12:55 am
I *love* the magic ring technique. Since I learned it, I haven’t started a round in any other way. Great tutorial and wonderful photos.
heather.m Said,
November 9, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Wow! That is the BEST tutorial on this method, that I have seen. I finally figured it out. Thank you SO much! I can’t wait to finish this amigurumi teddie for my son! I’ll post when finished.
syeda Said,
November 15, 2007 @ 7:10 am
This is great and i am going to use this metod always.
Hookers N’ Junkies » Blog Archive » » Woo Hoo! I figured out how to log in! Said,
January 6, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
[...] http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/size-chart.html http://www.planetjune.com/blog/tutorials/magic-ring-right-handed/ http://www.crochetcabana.com/tutorials/joining_squares5.htm [...]
charu Said,
January 13, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
i always thought how not to leave that hole, your illustrations are neat and expalnationis simple. eep up the gud work!
Sandra Said,
January 20, 2008 @ 7:00 pm
Thank you so much for putting together this tutorial. Your instructions were clear, concise and well illustrated, and I am finally able to crochet a magic ring!
Rebecca Said,
January 21, 2008 @ 2:44 am
Hey there,
I really like this tutorial because there are a lot of pictures to help me out. However, I’ve tried to do this magic loop thing so many times that I’m about to give up on crochet. I can’t do it. Your tutorial was a big aid in helping me figure out what I was doing wrong, but now that I’m doing it “right”, I’m getting the working yarn trapped inside of the loop, and it’s REALLY hard to work the stitches into it.
So I just tear my work apart and start again, but the same thing always happens. In all your pictures, the working yarn is never wound up inside the loop. How in the world do you prevent this from happening? I don’t understand what I am doing wrong. And I am so frustrated.
I’d love it if you could help a poor girl out.
Rebecca Said,
January 21, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Nevermind! I just figured it out! I guess I just had it confused when you mentioned about making the stitches around the loop and the tail; I thought that you actually had to put the working yarn around it. That’s what I hate about learning new crafts, is that you always and up making things so much harder than they really need to be. Nevertheless, I’m so excited to buy a few of your patterns; I first saw them at your Etsy store and I fell in love with your hedgehog dude.
Alyson Said,
February 10, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Thanks, this is amazing. The instructions were really clear! HAve a great day! Go llamas!!!!!!!!!!!
Teddy in a Tee - With pattern! « CraftyRahRah Said,
February 17, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
[...] with your main colour, and make a magic loop. Now you are ready to startyour [...]
miserablebliss... · Magic Ring = Good. Said,
February 18, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
[...] Yes magic crochet ring! [...]
anusha Said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:50 am
thanks a lot. it is very clear even to a dull head like me
Jana Said,
February 19, 2008 @ 10:06 am
Hi. Thanks for the directions! I tried to get on CrochetMe this morning (that was the most mentioned site for the magic ring on google) but I kept getting this weird “drugal” thing! If anyone knows what is going on with that site, please let me know! I have an account with them and everything and no way to contact anyone about this!
)
I got a great pattern for a dragon, but this is my first toy animal, so I was stumped on her directions! I am a teacher in Saudi Arabia (grade three) and I really want to start making crochet toys for my students (the GOOD ones, of course!
Thanks again!
Anillo mágico (técnica de gancho para hacer proyectos circulares) | Gancho y Agujas Said,
February 21, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
[...] El anillo mágico ajustable en inglés (pero con muy buenas fotos) por Planetjune. [...]
Adjustable Magic Ring (a crochet technique for circular proyects) | Hook and Needles: Knitting and Crochet Blog (cool stuff, techniques, and things I find) Said,
February 22, 2008 @ 12:17 am
[...] The Magic Ring with great pictures, by Planetjune. [...]
Joy Abara Said,
March 5, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
Thanks a million for this! I’ve been struggling on my first amigurumi (the Lion Brand octopus for my little girl) because the starting loop always seems so small and difficult to work with, but now things should go ’swimmingly’
Tawny Said,
March 9, 2008 @ 4:50 am
Thank you for the great instructions and wonderful idea. My Grandmother would have loved this. Creativity moves on!
Amie Said,
March 25, 2008 @ 4:21 am
Wow, thankyou!
SARA Said,
April 17, 2008 @ 4:55 am
Thanks for this… one of those things I learnt last year and forgot! Very well explained, in fact best instructions I could find on the web.