Easy Crochet Magic Ring Tutorial Guide For Beginners
Would you like to conquer the magic ring? With this easy tutorial, that is beginner friendly, I am very excited to show you how to crochet a magic ring. This magic ring is used in round crochet projects such as doilies, or amigurumi crochet, which is a term for making crochet stuffed toys, or pretty much any other crochet project that is round.
How to Crochet a Magic Ring (Magic Circle Tutorial)
In this tutorial, I am going to walk you through the step-by-step process of how to make a crocheted magic ring. This magic ring is a special type of circle that allows you to tighten it, so that your crochet project has a lovely center, and overall better stitch than if you were to simply use a chain.
Below we are going to explore what exactly a magic circle is, as well as other helpful tips and tricks for making the crocheted magic ring. We are going to explore what you need to have on hand to make a crochet magic ring, then we walked through each specific step required to make the magic circle. We will finish off with tips for how you can make different stitches into the magic ring. You won’t want to miss out on any of these helpful magic ring tutorials!
What is a Crochet Magic Circle?
A magic ring is essentially a type of adjustable circle that is used as the base of any round crochet project. This special type of circle allows you to make your crochet stitches around the edge, then pull the circle tight, so that your crochet project starts with a lovely professional look, and does not have a gaping hole in the center.
As you may have noticed already, as we have begun talking about how to crochet a magic ring, I have also referred to it as a magic circle. This is because the two terms are commonly swapped out for each other. Just remember, both a magic ring and a magic circle refer to the same thing.
The Advantage of the Magic Ring Method
There are several advantages of the magic ring technique. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why you should use a crochet magic ring to start your projects.
A Tight Center
Using the crochet magic ring to start any round projects allows you to make sure that the start of your crochet project is nice and tight.
Adjustable Ring
When you use the crochet magic ring, it is also nice, because you can make the adjustable loop, and keep it loose while adding your desired number and type of stitches around the circle. Then all you have to do is pull the short end of your yarn to tighten the circle right up.
Professional Appearance
When you use the magic ring on your crochet projects, you get to work with a nice tight center. This is especially a good idea if you are making things like crochet doilies, crochet earrings, or crochet stuffed animals. When you are making any of these projects, you will want to have a nice center to start off your crochet project.
Can Beginners Use the Magic Ring?
Absolutely! Any level of crocheter can use a magic ring. No matter what your skill level is you will likely need to practice making it a time or two before you get started working on your pattern, but yes, even a beginner crocheter can learn how to crochet a magic ring.
When to Use a Magic Ring
The occasions when you will need to use a magic ring are when you are making a round crochet pattern. The instances that come to mind right off, where this would be used is when you are making a crochet stuffed animal, crochet ball, most crochet earrings, or a crochet doily. Essentially, it is a great idea to crochet a magic circle at the start of any round project you are making.
Replacing Other Starting Methods with a Magic Ring
When you are making a round crochet project, there are a few different ways you can start them. One way is to use a magic ring as your starting point so that you can pull it nice and tight. The other way you can start a round crochet project is to use the chain two method.
If your pattern instructs you to use the chain two method, but you would rather replace it with a crochet magic ring, all you need to do is create your magic ring following these easy steps, and then chain one for single crochet stitches in the ring, chain two for half double crochet stitches in the ring, or chain three for double crochet stitches in the ring. Then you can simply follow your pattern as otherwise instructed.
The Magic Ring Tutorial
Things You’ll Need
The materials you need to learn how to crochet a magic ring are very minimal, all you will need to have on hand are:
- Yarn
- A crochet hook
- Two fingers
How to Crochet the Magic Ring
Step 1: Loop the Yarn Around Your Fingers
To begin, we are going to make a loop in the yarn end. To do this, you will take the end of the yarn, leaving a few extra inches. Pinch the yarn between your pointer finger, middle finger, and thumb.
Wrap the yarn over the top of your fingers and back under to where your fingers have the yarn pinched.
Wrap the yarn over the top of your fingers again and form an “x” shape over the yarn that was already wrapped around.
Step 2: Insert the hook and pull up a loop
Now, take your crochet hook, insert the hook in the circle under the first loop of yarn, grab the second loop of yarn with the crochet hook, and draw the yarn through the circle as you twist it slightly.
Step 3: Chain 1 (or the required number of chains for your stitch type)
To secure the magic ring you will need to yarn over to start a chain stitch, then pull the loop through to complete the chain stitch.
At this point, you can carefully release the circle from your fingers but hold on to the loop so that it doesn’t get tangled.
Step 4: Make stitches into the ring
At this point, you can make the stitches into the magic ring. To do this, you will want to work your stitches around the yarn creating the magic ring.
Most projects will require single crochet stitches in the magic circle, but you can make any stitches needed. Just make sure to chain the appropriate number before making your stitches.
For a single crochet, insert the hook and start a single crochet stitch. Once you complete the first single crochet stitch, you can add more single crochet stitches to the circle as instructed by your pattern.
Step 5: Tighten the ring
Once you have made as many stitches as needed into the loose magic ring, you can pull the yarn end to close the center of the ring.
Pull the yarn tail until the circle is nice and snug.
Step 6: Slip Stitch to close the round.
To finish closing the magic circle, you can join the ring of stitches by making a slip stitch from the last stitch to the first stitch made. Pull the slip stitch tight, to complete your magic ring.
At this point, your magic ring, and first round of stitches are finished, and you are ready to proceed with the second round according to your crochet pattern.
Join our Mailing List and Receive a…
Magic Ring Crochet Technique Tips
Determining How Many Chain Stitches To Make
Standard Magic Ring
The standard magic ring uses single crochet stitches in the circle. In this case, you would only need one chain stitch, before making your desired number of crochet stitches.
Half Double Magic Ring
When you are making half-double crochet stitches in your magic ring, you will want to chain two stitches before you start making the half-double crochet stitches in the ring.
Double Magic Ring
Then when you are making double crochet stitches in your magic ring, you will want to first chain three stitches before you proceed with making the double crochet stitches in the ring.
The Tail End of the Yarn
I would recommend that you leave a few inches of a yarn tail when making your crochet magic ring. This will make it easier for you to tighten the circle so that your stitches are nice and snug. When you reach the end of your project, you can simply weave in the yarn tail so that it isn’t visible in your project.
Magic Ring (AKA Magic Circle) Video Tutorial
Check out this quick and easy video tutorial on how to make a magic ring!
Projects that use a Magic Ring (also known as Magic Circle)
There are many different projects where you might consider using a magic ring. Pretty much any round crochet project can start with a magic ring. Some of the most common crochet projects that you a magic ring are:
- Crochet amigurumi projects (crochet stuffed animals)
- Crochet doilies
- Crochet earrings
Alternative Methods for a Magic Ring
Chain Two Method Alternative
The most common alternative method for a magic ring is to use the chain method, or chain two method, although it could be 1 chain + however many are needed for your stitch type. For example, when you are making a round single crochet, the alternative method for using a magic ring is to change two stitches. Then skip the stitch closest to your crochet hook and make however many stitches are needed in the first chain space you made.
Although the chain two method does work, you might end up with a larger hole in the center than you want. This first chain stitch (your slip knot) can be tightened, but it is often not quite as easy to tighten as a magic circle.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is your work unraveling?
When you are making the magic ring, it is very important to leave a few inches of yarn as the tail to tighten the circle. Then you will want to weave in the ends of the yarn so that your project doesn’t unravel. If you are struggling with the project wanting to unravel, make sure to pull the yarn tail at the beginning extra tight, and weave in the ends. If your project is still struggling, you may need to slip-stitch it to another nearby stitch, then tuck it inside to hide it from sight.
Do you still have a hole in the center of your project?
Are you struggling with still having a hold in the center of your project even after you have tightened your circle? If this is the case, it could be due to a couple of reasons.
The first reason is that you might have too many stitches in the ring. Usually, the ideal number of stitches to make in a magic ring is between 6 and 8 stitches.
The other reason why you might be struggling is due to the type of yarn you are using. Some types of yarns will cooperate by pulling tight, better than others.
Are you struggling with using bulky yarn or velvet yarn?
I have noticed that when crocheting with bulky weight yarn, or sometimes even velvet yarn, it’s a lot more difficult to tighten the magic ring than it is when working with a medium weight or worsted weight yarn. If you are using a bulky weight yarn, you might be better off using the chain two method instead of the magic circle.
How to Crochet a Magic Ring
Now that you have walked through the step-by-step instructions with me on how to crochet a magic ring, it’s time for you to give it some practice, then begin making your round crochet project using the magic circle as the base for your project.
I hope that you have found this tutorial to be very helpful. Thank you so much for stopping in to learn how to crochet a magic ring!
Happy Crocheting!
More Beginner Crochet Tutorials
Join Me on Social Media!
Be sure to follow us online on your favorite social media platform!
how to crochet a magic ring
Materials
- crochet hook
- yarn
Instructions
Step 1: Loop the Yarn Around Your Fingers
- To begin, we are going to make a loop in the yarn end. To do this, you will take the end of the yarn, leaving a few extra inches. Pinch the yarn between your pointer finger, middle finger, and thumb.
- Wrap the yarn over the top of your fingers and back under to where your fingers have the yarn pinched.
- Wrap the yarn over the top of your fingers again and form an “x” shape over the yarn that was already wrapped around.
Step 2: Insert the hook and pull up a loop
- Now, take your crochet hook, insert the hook in the circle under the first loop of yarn, grab the second loop of yarn with the crochet hook, and draw the yarn through the circle as you twist it slightly.
Step 3: Chain 1 (or the required number of chains for your stitch type)
- To secure the magic ring you will need to yarn over to start a chain stitch, then pull the loop through to complete the chain stitch.
- At this point, you can carefully release the circle from your fingers but hold on to the loop so that it doesn’t get tangled.
Step 4: Make stitches into the ring
- At this point, you can make the stitches into the magic ring. To do this, you will want to work your stitches around the yarn creating the magic ring.
- Most projects will require single crochet stitches in the magic circle, but you can make any stitches needed. Just make sure to chain the appropriate number before making your stitches.
- For a single crochet, insert the hook and start a single crochet stitch. Once you complete the first single crochet stitch, you can add more single crochet stitches to the circle as instructed by your pattern.
Step 5: Tighten the ring
- Once you have made as many stitches as needed into the loose magic ring, you can pull the yarn end to close the center of the ring.
- Pull the yarn tail until the circle is nice and snug.
Step 6: Slip Stitch to close the round.
- To finish closing the magic circle, you can join the ring of stitches by making a slip stitch from the last stitch to the first stitch made. Pull the slip stitch tight, to complete your magic ring.
- At this point, your magic ring, and first round of stitches are finished, and you are ready to proceed with the second round according to your crochet pattern.
Video
PIN for Later!
