The magic ring (MR) - also called the magic circle or loop - is how projects worked in the round begin - things like amigurumi or hats. It lets you start with a tightly closed center, with no hole left in the middle.
It’s one of the fiddlier techniques to learn, so don’t worry if it takes a few goes. Follow the steps below and you’ll get there.
How to make a magic ring (MR)
Watch the lesson
Step-by-step instructions
Make the magic ring
The magic ring comes together in three parts: making the ring, stitching into it, then closing the center. We'll take them one at a time, starting here.
Hold the yarn tail:
Hold the yarn tail with the ring finger and thumb of your left hand, and hold the working yarn in your right hand.
Wrap over your fingers:
Bring the working yarn up and over your index and middle fingers, then down again toward your palm.
Cross into an X:
Cross the working yarn over itself to form an “X” shape.
Wrap around again:
Continue wrapping the yarn around your index and little fingers, then bring it back toward your palm.
Hold it firmly:
Hold the yarn firmly in place with your ring finger and thumb.
Turn your hand over:
Turn your hand so your palm faces down. You’ll now see two parallel strands stretched across your index and middle fingers. Take your crochet hook and turn it so the hook tip faces down.
Hook the two strands:
Insert the hook under the first strand of yarn, then over the second strand.
Pull through a twist:
Use the hook to pull the second strand underneath the first, forming a small twist on your hook. The hook tip should be facing you.
Yarn over and pull through:
Yarn over with the working yarn and gently pull it through the ring on your hook. You now have one ring on your hook.
Release the ring:
Carefully release the yarn from your left hand. You should now see a small circle of yarn (the ring) with the yarn tail hanging on the left side.
Tip: To check your magic ring formed correctly, gently pull the yarn tail. If the ring tightens neatly, you've made your magic ring.
Stitch into the ring
Now you’ll work stitches into the ring - the number depends on your pattern.
Hold the ring:
Hold both sides of the magic ring (MR) and the yarn tail with your left hand, keeping the tail on the left.
Hook into the ring:
Insert your crochet hook through the center of the ring from right to left, going under both strands of the loop.
Pull up a loop:
Yarn over with the working yarn and pull it through the center of the ring, drawing up a loop. You now have two loops on your hook.
Finish the stitch:
Yarn over once more and pull through both loops on your hook. You now have one loop left on the hook - that completes your first single crochet (sc) stitch
Tip: To find where the first stitch of the round begins, place a stitch marker through the first single crochet and lock it in place.
Close the ring
This is the satisfying part: drawing the center closed so your ring disappears into a neat, smooth start.
Make all your stitches:
Repeat the last three steps until you’ve made the number of single crochets (sc) your pattern asks for.
Close the center:
When all your stitches are done, put the hook down. Hold the stitches securely with your right hand, and with your left hand pull the yarn tail firmly to close the center of the ring. Done right, it closes with no visible hole, giving you a smooth, even foundation.
Start your next round:
Now that Round 1 is done, you can begin Round 2 by working into its first stitch. A stitch marker makes that first stitch easy to find - see the stitch marker lesson.
The magic ring is the trickiest start in crochet, so if it took you a few tries, you're in very good company. Once it clicks, you'll have it for every project that begins in the round. We're right here with you every step of the way.
You've got it when: The center pulls tightly closed when you tug the yarn tail, leaving no hole.