Crochet Stitch Tutorial: How to do the Magic Circle (also known as Magic Ring or Magic Loop)

People have often asked me how to do the magic circle stitch (which goes by several names – magic loop, magic chain, etc.).  The magic circle is a great way to begin most projects that are worked in a round (ie amigurumi, hats, etc.). The purpose of this stitch is to give you a nice tight beginning round, regardless of how many stitches are in the round.

Terms Used:
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet
sl st: slip stitch
( ):  the number of stitches worked in a round

Many patterns will begin with instructions similar to the following:

Round 1: Ch 2, sc 8 times in second chain from hook. (8)

After working 8 sc stitches in a single chain stitch, it may be difficult to tighten that chain so there is not a big hole in the center. Anytime a pattern calls for chaining at the beginning and working several stitches in the chain, you may use the magic circle instead. In a pattern, it would read something like this:

Round 1: Begin with a magic circle, sc 8 times in circle. (8)

NOTE: If the pattern were to call for dc stitches instead of sc stitches, it would read something like this:

Round 1: Begin with a magic circle, ch 2, dc 7 times in circle. (8)

In the case of double crochet, your round will begin with a “ch 2″ (prior to working the 7 dc stitches) which will count as the first dc stitch.

Now that you understand the purpose of the magic circle and how it might be written in a pattern, let’s begin!
PLEASE NOTE: There is more than one way to complete this stitch!  If you have been using a method that is different from the one I use and it is working well for you, by all means, continue to use it!  This is the method that I find works best for me.

For this tutorial, we will be creating the magic circle and completing it with 10 dc stitches.  (I used cotton worsted weight yarn and one of my random dollar store hooks (4.50mm) since I couldn’t find any of my nice ones at the time!)
In a written pattern, this would read something like this:

Round 1: Begin with a magic circle, ch 2, dc 9 times in circle. (10)

Step 1: With your index and middle finger of your left hand extended and your yarn on the left side of your hand, bring the tail of the yarn in front of your hand and wrap it over both fingers from front to back two times.
(To see photos in a larger form, hover your mouse over or click on each photo.)

Step 2: Insert your crochet hook from right to left under the loops on your finger and hook the open strand of yarn (closest to your palm).

Step 3: Pull the strand on your hook under the two loops on your fingers.

Step 4: Carefully slip your fingers out (without disturbing the loops).

Step 5: Yarn over, pull yarn through loop.  Tighten stitch.  This is your anchor stitch and isn’t counted as the first chain.   Some people will leave this anchor stitch out and simply begin with the next step, however I find that the stitches work out to be better sized if the anchor stitch is included.

(Alternatively you may ch 1 prior to sliding the loops off of your fingers.  However, I find it easier to yarn over with the loops off of my hand.)

Step 6: Ch 2.  (This ch 2 which will count as your first dc stitch in the final stitch count.) (1)

Step 7: (Yarn over) Complete one dc stitch in loop. (2)

Step 8: Continue to dc in the loop for 8 more stitches (a total of 10 dc – counting the first ch 2 as one dc stitch). (10)

Step 9: Look closely at the threads that make up the center loop.  If the strands haven’t twisted there should be an inner thread and an outer thread visible.

Step 10: Grasp the inner thread at the “bottom” edge (where the arrow is pointed in the previous photo) and pull to tighten the center of the magic circle.

Step 11: Grasp yarn tail and pull very firmly to tighten the loop left over from the previous step.

You have just completed the magic circle!!

If your pattern instructs you to join your round with a slip stitch, continue on to step 12.

Step 12: Join with a sl st to beginning ch 2.

See how nice that looks?

I hope you have found this tutorial helpful.  As always, feel free to leave a comment with any questions or input you may have, or send me an email: Tricia@BusyMomDesigns.com