How to Crochet a Magic Ring?

Have you selected a pattern to make and it doesn’t begin with the traditional chain? Then it probably begins with something like “sc 6 in a magic circle”. Not sure what to do? In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to crochet a magic ring.

At first, it might look complicated and confusing but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time!

No time right now? Pin this tutorial for later.

How to crochet a magic circle : photo + video tutorial

*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.

When to use a Crochet Magic Circle?

A magic ring is a very convenient technique to start any project crocheted in the round. Whether you plan to make something flat like a placemat or coasters, or for 3D objects like my chair socks the magic circle is the best technique to start.

Materials

For this tutorial I used:

4 mm / US G – 6 crochet hook
Lionbrand 24 / 7 cotton worsted weight yarn

Using an average-sized hook and a medium-sized cotton yarn is easiest to learn. Depending on for what pattern you a crochet a magic ring you will need a different hook and yarn.

Abbreviations

This tutorial follows US crochet notations.

sc = single crochet

Magic Circle Crochet Tutorial

I’ve made a short video for you to visualize how a crochet magic circle works. You’ll find all the steps explained in detail with pictures below the video.

I’m left-handed so the pictures and video show the steps for left-handed. If you’re right-handed, it’s exactly the same but with inverted hands.

First make a loop around your hand. Cross both ends of the yarn and hold them with your thumb.
Insert your hook under the first thread and over the second one (which is the loose pat attached to your skein).
Pull up a loop.
Now, yarn over and pull up a loop. This is the trickiest part. Everyone has his/her own way to make this work. I remove my hand from the loop and hold the loose thread between my pinky and ring finger.
Pull this loop through the loop on your hook. Now you have secured your magic ring.
This first stitch does not count. Make the required number of single crochet stitches over both threads of yarn.
One sc.
2 sc.
6 sc.
Pull the tail to tighten your magic ring.
I like to only tighten it slightly at this point and work the next few rounds before tightening it further. This way I can get it more tightly closed.