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This magic ring crochet tutorial will teach you a crochet technique to join your yarn to your hook. The magic ring a.k.a magic circle allows multiple stitches on the same slip knot; this makes for a tighter starting circle when working in the round. Whether you are looking for a refresher or a first time lesson, this free photo tutorial will allow you to learn the magic ring at your own pace with step by step photos.
When to Use The Magic Ring
The magic ring is used to start a new project, or a new piece of a project that is worked in the round. This technique is not an option if you are starting a project worked in flat, back and forth type rows. If you are looking for a tutorial to start a flat, back and forth project, try my chain stitch tutorial.
The magic circle is used in place of directions such as “chain 2 and work row 1 in the 2nd chain from the hook” (light blue in the photo below). It can also replace directions like: “chain 4 and join with slip stitch to create a ring, work row 1 into ring” (red in photo below).
Both of these methods leave a little hole in the center of your start. The magic ring is a great way to ensure that your center is tight and looks great!
It can be a tiny bit tricky to get the hang of, but mastering this skill can be so valuable and make your crocheted projects look much more finished and high quality. It is definitely worth learning, you can do it!
Hooks and Yarn for The Magic Ring
The Magic Ring is one of those amazing techniques that can be done with just about every kind of hook and yarn combo. A pattern will likely specify the hook and yarn pair to use.
For this tutorial I am using cotton, worsted weight yarn. The cotton yarn is a good practice choice because cotton fibers tend to show off the stitches nicely, so you can easily see what you are doing.
I am using an H8/ 5 mm crochet hook. When practicing, I recommend using whatever hook size your yarn calls for.
The Magic Ring in Patterns
The magic ring is used in tons of patterns when the pattern is worked in the round. The abbreviation for it can vary, based on the designer. Some refer to it as a magic ring, others call it a magic circle. Always check the pattern to see the stitch terminology and abbreviations used.
When you are looking at a charted pattern. There is a stitch symbol just for the magic ring. It looks like this:
The spiral pattern might look a bit different from chart to chart, but this is the only stitch symbol formed from a spiral.
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Magic Ring Crochet Tutorial
Since the magic ring is a method to join your yarn to your hook, this tutorial begins with the yarn and hook separate.
For this crochet tutorial I will add 6 half double crochet stitches to the magic ring. You can use the magic ring for more or less stitches, depending on what your pattern calls for. Also, most stitches can be worked into the magic ring, try it with double crochet stitches, or single crochet stitches too!!
Step 1) Start a magic ring with the tail end of the yarn between the pinky and ring fingers of your tension hand (my left, since I use my right for my hook).
Step 2) Grab the working end (the end connected to the yarn skein) and wrap it around middle and index fingers.
Step 3) Turn your left hand over to expose the tops of your fingers. You should see two parallel loops of yarn, like in the photo below.
Step 4) Insert your hook under the first loop and over top of the second loop. Use the hook to grab the second loop and pull it under the first loop.
Step 5) Rotate your hook away from you, so the loop you’ve grabbed in step 4 wrap around the hook throat.
Step 6) Pull your fingers out of the loop.
Step 7) Yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook. This step is similar to completing a chain 1.
Step 8) Pull on the loop to tighten the knot made in step 7.
Step 9) Chain 1. (This chain is to bring the hook to the height of my stitches, I used one because I am working a half double crochets. If I were doing double crochets, I would chain two.)
Start working stitches into the ring
Start your stitch as you would otherwise. Since I am working HDCs; I yarn over, just like I normally would…
Step 10) Insert your hook into the center of the circle.
Note: If you are working single crochets, you would simple insert your hook since there is no yarn over at the start of that stitch.
Step 11) Yarn over and pull up a loop through the circle.
Step 12) Then complete the rest of the stitch. For my HDCs, I yarn over and pull through the remaining 3 loops on my hook.
Step 13) Continue working steps 10 – 12 for all of the stitches needed for your pattern. I worked 6 half double crochet stitches into my ring.
Once all your needed stitches are on the ring, hold onto the stitches and pull on the tail of the yarn to tighten the circle.
Your magic ring is done!
If your pattern is working in un-joined rounds, you would simple work the next stitch into the first half double crochet.
If your pattern works in joined rounds, you could slip stitch into the first half double crochet stitch you make to complete the round.
What To Do Next…
After you have mastered the magic ring, practice it! This will help the magic ring stick in your brain so you won’t have to re-learn it next time you try to use it. Though, you might still have to look at the tutorial, just to remember all the steps 🙂
My Ice Pop Cozy Free Crochet Pattern is quick to make and uses the magic ring. Make a few of these to help get the muscle memory down!!
I hope you enjoyed the magic ring crochet tutorial!! Thanks for being here 🙂
Hi Caitlin,
I had to sign up even though I really don’t crochet. Some of my knitting patterns call for crochet stitches…so I will check this site and learn from the best.
Good luck with this.
Linda (your Jersey Witty Knitters!)
Linda, Thank you so much for signing up and for commenting! I hope the tutorials help with your knitting lol. Miss You!! ~Caitlin
Thanks these are great little tutorials. Is there a difference between this method and the Irish magic ring? To me it looks the same, but I have seen that some patterns use multiple loops around the finger before starting to crochet in the ring.
Martha, I’m not entirely sure about the Irish Magic Ring. I’ll be adding that to my “to be learned” list. I do know that some people do more loops around the fingers before doing the slip knot, it can add security to the yarn if it is slippery type yarn. But it is more yarn a personal preference. Hope that helps!! ~Caitlin
Thank you for the tutorial. A few years back I never used the magic ring, but I’ve been trying to get better at it.
I’m glad you could join The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned.
Teresa, I’m glad I could join too. I love the magic ring. I use it wherever I can 🙂 ~Caitlin
Hi Caitlin,
thank you for this, I am attempting my first amigurumi and I only have a pattern for a small doll…
I would like to enlarge it by 4…Would that mean that I would increase my magic ring to 24 stitches to begin with…or I would double in each round until I get to the desired round width?
The rounds total at 30 stitches as the pattern sits now…
Not sure if I am conveying my question…I was thinking I would multiply…
but another suggestion was to increase the single stitch to a double…or to increase the thickness of the yarn…
not sure if you have any suggestions…
Thank you!
Melinda, Thank you for your comment. If I am understanding your question I would not recommend starting with 24 in your magic ring. It will not able able to tighten fully and you’ll be left with a little hole you cannot fill. I would start with the amount written and then increase until you get to the desired round width. You might have to fidget a bit with any appendages or shaping the pattern calls for, but that is how I would recommend making it bigger. You can try using a larger stitch or doubling up your yarn and using a bigger hook, but they will not be enough to make the item 4 times the size. I’d be happy to try and assist if you get stuck, please email me if you have any questions. It is easier than leaving a lengthly conversation here that is only mildly related to this post. Thank you!! ~Caitlin P.S. my email is CaitlinsContagiousCreations@gmail.com
Caitlin,
I just love how u do the magic circle. I will practice it and use it all the time I need to. Thanks so much. I have seen it done many ways but I love urs the best. Happy holidays from me to u
Merry
Merry, I’m very glad you like my tutorial and find it helpful 🙂 Thank you for your comment, and I hope you also have a wonderful Holiday season <3 Caitlin
I’m finally getting this magic circle thing, but have to bookmark your instructions! Working amigurumi sc…am i supposed to ch1 at end of the row, or just keep track and do the next row?
Sue, I’m glad to hear you are getting the hang of it!! It does take some practice. As for whether to chain 1 at the end or go straight into the next row, it depends on the pattern. If the pattern calls for un-joined rounds, you will just start the next row without the chain 1. If you are working in joined rounds, you will want to chain 1. A good indicator would be to look at the rest of the pattern. If the pattern tells you to chain 1 (or more) at the end of all the rounds, you will want to chain 1 at the end of the first round. If it doesn’t call to chain 1 after the end of subsequent rounds, you would not. I hope that makes sense. The good news is, in the long run it shouldn’t effect your pattern too much either way. I hope that helps 🙂 Thank you for your comment and question!! ~Caitlin
I need to copy your pattern for the magic ring pattern/instructions. I have made it many times before and, by the way, you do a beautiful job teaching how to do it. Please let me print your instructions so that I can use them to teach my great nieces how to crochet, especially the difficult magic ring. My problem is that I am old-fashioned soon to be 82 in May and I am forgetful. Help, please Gin
Gin, Thank you for your comment and your compliment for my teaching style. I’m glad you found my post helpful. I wish I could help, but what you are asking for depends entirely on your browser. I would suggest trying to print the magic ring tutorial page from your internet browser menu. It will probably not look very pretty, but it should include all the photos I have in the post. I hope this helps. Thank you again, have a great day! ~Caitlin