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?
Please note: in the following photos, the starting yarn tail is always on the left and hanging down. The working yarn begins on the right and is then picked up over my left forefinger in Step 2.
- 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!
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Please note that I respond to comments here on the blog, so please return to this post to see my reply, or check the above box to subscribe to comments on this post by email. -June
Sandra said
Great tutorial. I had to try it three or fout times before I got it right, but now I have it down. No more holes!
Etha said
hehe, I just looked it up because it was mentioned in the patterns that I bought. I know no other way of starting a crochet ring, so I guess I’m good
-STR/+CHA » Blog Archive » Virka Super Mario-svampar! said
[...] Magic ring är en fiffig metod för att få en fin och tight mittpunkt när du vill virka något runt och den kan du lära dig här. [...]
Louetta Lee said
Thank You June!!! For the first time, now I really understand! I have been crocheting for many years and have never used this trick. Thanks for all the effort and trouble you took to make it so clear. Your directions are great and are much appreciated! I will now use this technique forever!
Blessings and Best Wishes
Louetta Lee
Crochet : Jem Yoshioka said
[...] for me, there was a power cut! I spent the 3 hours that power was out learning how to make a magic ring. By the end of the cut I not only had a magic ring, I had a small pink ball of amigurumi! [...]