Crochet stitch · Also called a magic circle or an adjustable ring
Magic ring
A magic ring is an adjustable loop of yarn that the first round of a circle is worked into. When the round is done, you pull the tail and the loop closes up, so the center has no hole. It is the usual start for amigurumi, and a common start for hats, mandalas and granny squares.
- Use it for
- Anything worked in rounds from the center
- Instead of
- Ch 4 and join, which leaves a hole
- First round
- Usually 6 sc or 12 dc
- UK terms
- Same name; the 6 sc are 6 UK dc
How to
How to make a magic ring
Make a loop with the working yarn crossing over the tail. Hold the cross and put the hook into the center of the loop. 
Yarn over with the working yarn. 
Draw up a loop through the center. Yarn over and draw through the loop on the hook (ch 1). 
Put the hook into the center and work the first single crochet over the ring and the tail. 
Work 5 more sc the same way, 6 in all, then pull the tail to close the ring. 
The ring closed: 6 sc with no hole in the center.
In more detail
- Make a loop: wrap the yarn around two fingers, crossing the working yarn over the tail, so the tail lies underneath where they cross. The tail is the drawstring.
- Insert the hook into the center of the loop from front to back, yarn over with the working yarn, and draw up a loop through the center.
- Yarn over and draw through the loop on the hook. For single crochet, this ch 1 holds the ring and does not count as a stitch. A round of double crochet usually starts with ch 3 instead, and that chain counts as the first dc.
- Work the first round into the ring: insert the hook into the center of the ring, under the loop and the tail together, and make each stitch as usual. For this swatch, 6 sc.
- Pull the tail firmly. The loop draws closed under the stitches, leaving no hole in the center.
- Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch, or keep going in a spiral, as your pattern says.
Chart
Magic ring chart
Reading this chart
- Start at the center and read each round counterclockwise, the way a right-handed crocheter works.
- Start at the center and read each round clockwise, the way a left-handed crocheter works.
- Each round begins at its green mark, its first stitch or chain; its number is printed beside it. Rounds alternate dark and blue.
- The key under the chart names every symbol, following the Craft Yarn Council chart standard.
Drawn by Krowshea from the checked counts. New to charts? How to read crochet charts.
Written pattern
The swatch, round by round
Written in US crochet terms
- 1
Make a magic ring, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 sc in ring, pull the ring tight, join with a sl st to the first st.
6 sc - 2
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 sc in each st around, join with a sl st to the first st.
12 sc - 3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join with a sl st to the first st. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
18 sc
Written in UK crochet terms
- 1
Make a magic ring, ch 1 (does not count as a st), 6 dc in ring, pull the ring tight, join with a ss to the first st.
6 dc - 2
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), 2 dc in each st around, join with a ss to the first st.
12 dc - 3
Ch 1 (does not count as a st), *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around, join with a ss to the first st. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
18 dc
Tips
Tips
Weave the tail
Before you trim it, weave the tail through the stitches of the first round, then back the other way, so the center cannot loosen with wear.
Count first
Count the stitches before you pull the ring closed. Once it is tight, adding a missed stitch is hard.
Not slipping?
A smooth yarn can slide. Wrap the yarn around your fingers twice for a double ring and work over both loops. To close it, pull the tail until one loop shrinks, pull that loop to close the other, then pull the tail again.
More stitches
Krowshea is in beta
Use it in your own pattern
In the Krowshea Studio, members will be able to:
- Start any round pattern from a magic ring
- See it as a chart, in color and in 3D Yarn as you build
- Have every row counted and checked
- Read it in US or UK terms and print it