How to Crochet a Magic Ring

Let me show you how to crochet a magic ring...

Many of the projects you decide to make will involve a magic ring rather than starting with a chain, particularly if you get into Amigurumi.  So it is a skill that you need to master. You have a choice of several different methods of forming the ring, I suggest you try them all and then go with the one that works best for you.  

A magic ring is a circle of stitches that is formed to create the centre of your project.  Basically you form a loop, crochet your stitches into that ring and then pull it tight into a circle.  The next and subsequent rows are worked in rounds.  For some projects you want to completely close the circle, for example if you are making an amigurumi toy, but others might require a looser circle of stitches.

The method you use will depend on which one is most comfortable for you and the end result you are aiming for as some methods tighten up better than others.

How to Crochet a Magic Ring - Crossed Loop Method

This is the method I use most of the time.  To make this version of the magic ring, you wrap the yarn around two or three fingers on your non-dominant hand crossing the yarn over at the top. Insert your hook under booth strands and hook the higher yarn. Pull it under the other strand, wrap the tail over (or under) your hook and pull it through to form a stitch.

You are then able to crochet more stitches into the loop.  For Amigurumi that usually involves forming 6 single crochet stitches and then pulling the tail (underneath) tight to form the circle.  Granny Squares can also use a magic circle to start your square but this will involve more stitches (a multiple of 4) and different kinds stitches. But the method is basically the same.

This method creates a firm (and tight) magic ring.

How to Crochet a Magic Ring - 2 or 4 Chain Method

For this method you start with 2 of 4 chain stitches, for the 2 chain method you insert your hook into the 2nd chain from the hook and use that loop for all of your stitches. To close the circle you either slip stitch or crochet into the first stitch in your loop.

The 4 chain method involves forming a loop of chain stitches by doing a slip stitch into the first stitch in the chain. Then you can crochet into this loop.