Magic Circle Crochet: Best Way to Start a Project in the Round
You’ve almost certainly heard of the crochet magic ring. It’s also known as magic circle crochet, magic loop crochet, and adjustable ring crochet. Whatever you call it, it’s a simple method for starting a crochet project in the round. Of course, you can start crochet projects in the round in other ways, as well. However, the crochet magic ring has advantages, especially for certain types of projects. Therefore, let me show you how to do in this magic ring tutorial video.
Want to learn more crochet basics? We cover so many of them in the lessons in BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner Crochet Lessons for Knitters. Non-knitters also welcome. Join anytime.
Benefits of Learning Crochet Magic Ring
If you already know how to crochet in the round, then you might wonder why you would even need to learn the magic circle crochet technique. Fair enough. If what you’re doing is working for you, then that’s cool. But what’s even cooler is having a wide range of tools in your crafty toolbox. This allows you to choose the right one for the job. And starting a project with magic loop crochet has its benefits.
Leave No Hole In Your Work with Magic Loop Crochet
The main reason that people use the adjustable ring crochet technique is that it allows you to crochet in the round without leaving a hole in the center of the work. Think, for example, when you crochet a classic granny square. You often begin with a short, joined together with a slip stitch, and then you work your first round into the circle. This leaves a small hole in the center of the square.
Of course, there are times that won’t bother you at all. Many crochet motifs look great with that hole in the center. However, what if you’re making an amigurumi project? Or perhaps you’re starting a top-down crochet hat in the round? In those instances, you don’t necessarily want a hole in the center of the work, right? Therefore, you can learn the crochet magic ring technique. The rest of your crochet project will proceed the same as normal, but you won’t have that hole in the center.
Magic Circle Crochet Replaces Starting with a Slip Knot
Almost every crochet project that you’ve ever done has started with a slip knot right? Well, that’s about to change. The magic circle crochet technique does not use a slip knot. Instead, you create the crochet magic ring to begin the project. Effectively, it works in place of the slip knot. The difference is that as you begin your work, you can tighten this ring. Therefore, you close up the circle.
Magic Ring Tutorial
Okay, so how do we make the crochet magic ring? Well, here’s my step-by-step video tutorial to show you exactly that:
As you can see, this video is shorter than five minutes long. And yet, it gives you the tools that you need to completely change the way that you start crochet projects in the round. You can use it for pretty much any crochet in the round project. But, as aforementioned, it’s ideal for crochet hats, toys, amigurumi, and other projects where you really don’t want to see a hole that shows you where you started the work.
How to Weave in Tail on Adjustable Ring Crochet
When you use the crochet magic ring technique, you do end up with a starting tail. As you can see in the video above, the tail helps you pull that circle closed so you don’t have a gaping hole in your work. However, what are you supposed to do with that tail? Well here’s what I think is the best way to weave in the yarn tail on adjustable ring crochet:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the magic circle in crochet?
The magic circle (also called the adjustable ring or magic loop) is a technique for starting projects worked in the round… instead of chaining and joining into a ring (which leaves a small hole in the center), the magic circle creates an adjustable loop that you can pull tightly closed after the first round, leaving no hole. It’s the standard starting technique for amigurumi, hats worked in the round, granny squares, and any project that starts from a center point. Once mastered, it’s the superior way to begin round work.
Why is the magic circle better than a chain ring?
The magic circle closes completely… you pull the tail to cinch the center shut with no gap. A chain ring (chaining 4 and joining to form a ring) always has a small hole in the center that can’t be fully closed. For most projects that start in the round, especially amigurumi and anything where a hole would look unfinished, the magic circle produces a much cleaner result. It also allows you to adjust the tightness before setting the ring, which gives you more control over the center size.
How do I make a magic circle?
Here are the basic steps. Make a loop by wrapping the yarn around your fingers (usually two fingers or one… find what works for you). Insert your hook through the loop, catch the working yarn, and pull it through. Chain the required number (usually 1-3 for the height of your first round). Work your first round of stitches into the loop itself. Pull the tail to close the center. Join the round and continue. It sounds complicated in text… Marly’s video makes it very clear. Most people get it in their first 5 minute practice session.
Is the magic circle difficult to learn?
It can feel tricky at first… holding the loop open while working into it requires a bit of coordination. But most crafters master it within one short practice session, especially with video instruction. The key is watching someone do it and mimicking exactly where they’re placing their fingers and hook. Written instructions for the magic circle are famously hard to follow; video is how this technique actually clicks. Practice on a scrap piece of yarn 3-4 times before using it in an actual project. It’s worth learning properly because you’ll use it constantly.
Can I use the magic circle in knitting too?
There’s no direct equivalent in knitting (knitting doesn’t work the same way for round starts), but knitting has its own solutions for starting from a center point! Judy’s Magic Cast On and other provisional cast ons achieve a closed center for top-down circular knitting. The magic loop technique in knitting (different from magic circle!) is for knitting small circumferences on a long circular needle. If you’re coming from crochet and learning to knit in the round, Marly’s BiCrafty Bootcamp covers the knitting equivalent techniques that serve the same purpose.
