Magic 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!
74 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.
zabacorporation Said,
May 14, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Thank you. This way of beginning is genial:)
Jenny Said,
May 26, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
I am stuck on step 4. What does it mean by draw up a loop? Loop one of the chains? I put my hook through the loop like instructed and I’m trying to sc but, when I pull the working yarn through the first loop it just goes in a circle, it’s not doing anything. Please help!
Rebekah Said,
June 12, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
I am slightly confused and will try to explain it so it makes sense.
I am just starting the dachshund pattern. I got the magic ring down, but am confused where to start on the pattern after the magic ring is done….for instance. The pattern says this: make a magic ring, ch 1, round 1: 6sc in magic ring, round 2: 2 sc in each st round….ok…. when you say how to do the magic ring, you make the ring and then crochet 6 sc in it, then pull tight, then do another round of 6 and then there is the magic ring…..ok, so my question is after the magic ring is done….what part of the pattern do I start on? round one? round two? or the part where it says ch1.
I’m sorry if I explained my question in a confusing way.
June Said,
June 13, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Rebekah, the magic ring instructions include that first round of 6 sc. The “magic ring” is basically just wrapping the yarn around your fingers – the 6 sc you crochet into the ring before you pull tight is Rnd 1 of the pattern. So make the ring & stitches into it, pull tight, then continue with Rnd 2.
(If you have a pattern where Rnd 1 has e.g. 4 sc, you just make 4 sc into the ring before you pull it tight.)
shay Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
hi this is a great method. im making some very simple buttons for a bracelet i’ve made. this is good for making quick simple buttons as i have found out
shay
spiral Said,
July 11, 2008 @ 1:23 am
I finally got it! This site has by far the clearest and best directions for making a magic ring. Thanks planetjune! A headhole-less ami is now in my future…
Christy Said,
September 20, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Thank you, June, for this awesome tutorial. The magic ring has intimidated me for months, but after reading through your tutorial twice and then trying it myself, I got it! You are the best!
Helen Said,
October 20, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Hi,
the pictures are really clear, but I really need your help, there’s something which is really confusing and frustrating me!
In Step 4 and 5 your crochet hook is pointing to the left, so when you pull the yarn it pulls through the hoop from left to right.
When I copy this, my row of stitches travels around the circle away from the yarn tail not over it, and my hook is at the right hand end of the row of stitches. In the second picture of Step 5, you have completed a row of stitches but your hook is on the left of the row and you have gone over the yarn tail.
I am pretty inexperienced so may be missing something – please can you help? Should I be turning the work, or my hook or something?
I’d be really really really grateful for your help, I’m probably being really stupid!
June Said,
October 20, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
Helen, don’t be disheartened – I’m sure we can figure out the problem. I’m not quite sure what’s going wrong with your ring, so I’ll try to clarify a few things and maybe one of these points will help you to realise your problem:
1. In my photos, the starting yarn tail is always on the left and hanging down. The working yarn end (going to the ball of yarn) starts off pointing to the right in my pics, but is then picked up by my left hand so it’s at the top of the pic.
2. If you are crocheting right-handed (hook in your right hand), each stitch should always be made to the left of the previous stitch.
If you are following the two points I just clarified above, you should automatically crochet over your yarn tail, as you are crocheting right to left, and your yarn tail is pointing to the left.
If that’s not the case and you still can’t figure it out, please leave another comment with more details of what’s going wrong and I’ll see if I can help!
[Cosplay] Trident, Shirt « JenniferPlague Said,
November 15, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
[...] worked on the amigurumi-learning, and found another tutorial. I think this tutorial is the best of them all, it helped me a lot. I still have a hard time figuring out what they did to [...]
Susan Said,
November 17, 2008 @ 1:38 pm
I’m sorry to bother you, but you’re the only person I’ve found who explains this WELL (Thank you for the explanation by the way! It is VERY useful!), so I thought maybe it would be alright if I asked?
I’m trying to follow your instructions, but I always go wrong somewhere around step 4. I try to crochet over the loop and tail, and I just end up with a continuation of the chain instead of any actual single stitches over the loop! I’m not sure what exactly I’m doing wrong, but as I can sort-of (in that nine times out of ten when I pull the tail end nothing really happens) do it in double-stitch, I imagine I’m going wrong somewhere around the actual working over the loop and tail part. Is there anything you can suggest to help?
Thank you!
Susan
tammy leisure Said,
November 20, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
i have been crocheting since i was 16yrs old as a thearpy it has truly helped.. just tonight i made a majic ring for the first time ..Crocheting is my favorite hobbie ..Friends&family think i was born with a hook in my hand my great aunt who has since instilled in me by sitting at her side and watching her as well my cousin debbie who showed me the chain the rest my friend miss judy who showed me things before i went to work..theese ppl are the the 1 who taught me what i know i thank as much as i couldthe majic ring i learned on my own..
Chrissy Said,
November 21, 2008 @ 7:09 am
Here is a video! HTH! Hugs, Chrissy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg
Melissa Said,
December 24, 2008 @ 12:52 am
Ugh, I just can’t do this. To keep the tail from getting twisted, I pull the loop down taught, but then it’s so hard to stich, my stitches are either too loose or too tight.
Melissa Said,
December 24, 2008 @ 1:19 am
ah well, fifteenth time was the charm. i think.
Nicole Said,
January 2, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
i’m having a lot of difficulty with learning how to do this. i’ve gone around to many sites and this one has the most pictures and seems to go more step by step.
but being extremely new to crocheting, i’m having a little trouble. i can never seem to get the stitch that i did to tighten.
i’m not quite sure what i’m doing wrong, but i seem to be following all of the directions above. i’ve been trying to learn this for quite some time and it’s so frustrating!
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Angela Said,
January 3, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
Thanks so much for this! I was trying to learn a granny square this morning and starting off it just didn’t turn out right. This makes much more sense and I can’t wait to try it later!
Tone Karlsen Said,
January 15, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
THANK YOU! I finally got it!
Kathy Said,
January 16, 2009 @ 1:02 pm
Quite a while back I contacted you on how to do the magic ring. You were so quick to get back to me with the instructions, and I negeleted to reply. I have used the magic ring on everything I have made that calls for joining to form a ring. I just showed it to my daughter, who makes a lot of hats. She is really impressed with the magic ring.
I
have it in my favorites, and when ever I need it, it is there.
My daughter is interested in the continueous spiral without joining. she has not found a pattern with it.
Thank you so much for your help and information.
Kathy
Hackey Sack Pattern (crochet) « Dorf’s Dismal Diary Said,
January 26, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
[...] 1: leaving a long tail for sewing later, use magic ring method to sc 6 into ring & [...]
Kristen Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 11:54 pm
Oooh that makes sense now, lol. I’m a beginner with crochet, and I want to start something simple
Thanks!
Venna Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
Oh, my gosh!! It’s so beautiful.
marion Said,
March 23, 2009 @ 4:23 am
hello,
these explications with pictures are very, very useful…it`s really great to show it in this way. i thank you !!!
Ella Runciter Said,
April 8, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
Thank you so much for these clear, easy-to-follow instructions with photos! They were very helpful and much appreciated.
Páscoa! « Paths of Life Said,
April 13, 2009 @ 10:47 am
[...] Comece com um magic ring de 4 sc. Rnd 2: Faça 2 sc em cada sc – 8 sc no total. Rnd 3: *2 sc num st, 1 sc no próximo [...]
DianaG Said,
April 20, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
thank you, it’s been bothering me that there is always a hole in the middle of my amigurumi things… I hope I can grasp this and use it
gonna give it a try soon
KristaS Said,
April 28, 2009 @ 2:22 pm
Thank you so much
This is very comprehensive, SO much nicer than how I was doing it 
Thanks again!!!
Cina Said,
May 9, 2009 @ 12:42 am
So good tip ! I Love it !! thanks
skrunkycat Said,
May 15, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
Wow I actually found a tutorial where the pictures matched the instructions clearly and everything was pointed out, not assuming you already know what they mean!
Thanks a bunch I am happy!
Kirsten Said,
May 30, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
I just began learning to crochet a few days ago, so naturally I had no idea what to do when I tried to follow my first pattern and saw “SC 6 into magic ring”. This tutorial, when paired with another one that made it a little easier to see how to keep a grip on both the loop and the crochet, was IMMENSELY helpful. It took me a couple of tries, but I eventually figured it out. My first ring was rather sloppy, but it worked!
Britin Said,
June 3, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
I find the magic ring to be next to impossible and prefer working in a continuous spiral but your pictures and explanations are much more useful then the ones found in the Creepy Cute Crochet book. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish my friends wedding present now.
Thank you!
Melissa Said,
July 3, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
Thank you so much for this! I’ve tried half a dozen different tutorials on the internet and this is the one that I finally got!!! You win!
Kira Said,
July 24, 2009 @ 1:25 am
Lol thank you for replying June! But I believe I have it now! Still stuck on the cone pattern…
Virkad nåldyna « a-e handmade Said,
August 4, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
[...] Virka 6 fm i en magisk ring. Här finns bilder och förklaring hur man gör. Det är på engelska men bilderna är lätta att följa och se hur man gör. -> magisk ring [...]
Bonnie Said,
August 25, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Thanks so much for the magic circle technique-am crocheting your Alpaca pattern and this is working out great- I have been crocheting for about 49 years -I started when I was 6 with my Mum and don’t know how I got by without this fabulous starting stitch. Thanks also for the great pattern- my grandkids are anxiously awaiting their toy Alpacas.
Amy Said,
September 5, 2009 @ 6:36 am
Wow….this is seriously a phenomenal trick! Thanks for sharing. =)
Jan Said,
October 8, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Thanks so much for this technique. It’s the first time I’ve tried it and it’s really nice to not have the hole!
Janetta Said,
October 16, 2009 @ 5:01 am
when i tried multiple different types of magic rings, when I pull
the tail it doesn’t tighten. Theres another loopy thing that prevents it from tightningwhy is that???
Lynda A Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
Thank you so much for the pictures and the wonderful instructions! I went to all sorts of websites and saw magic circle lessons on youtube, but I just cannot get the circle to work until I found your website! Your step-by-step instructions are very good and useful. Thank you very much!
June Said,
November 12, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Janetta: there is another type of magic ring called the double ring. I suspect you must have been using that. The double ring is more difficult to tighten – you have to do it in stages:
1.Pull the end a little, to figure out which of the 2 rings is drawn tighter when you do
2. Grab the OTHER ring and pull that tight
3. When it’s fully closed, grab the end again and use it to close the second ring
This is why I prefer the single loop magic ring shown in my tutorial – it’s much easier!
Mario Day 1 — Kim's Crotchet Blog Said,
November 15, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
[...] way. So I had to play around with making a smaller size square. I used the Magic Ring; found at PlanetJune, and through trial and error figured out which amount of single crochets in the ring would produce [...]
jane Said,
January 6, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
Thanks for this. I’d tried other tutorials on the magic ring, but always been confused by what to do after pulling that first loop through. At last!! I now understand and have bookmarked your instructions for the future. My chickens will no longer have holes in their heads!
Jane
x
tiny crochet heart pattern : julie kundhi Said,
January 22, 2010 @ 10:17 pm
[...] Tiny Heart (the one on the left) Make a magic ring. R1: chain 1, sc into loop 7 times, pull loop closed, join with sl st to chain 1 R2: sl st into 1st [...]
Nancy J Said,
January 29, 2010 @ 9:36 am
Thanks! Yay. It works so well.
willow Said,
February 2, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
Great tutorial. Thankyou!