The crochet magic ring is a great stitch to learn for anyone who wants to crochet in rounds. When you crochet in rounds, you do not stop at the end of a row and turn your work. You just keep going in continuing circles. If you are making granny squares, you are still crocheting in the round, but just adding corner spaces into your work. Continue reading to learn how to crochet a magic ring with this easy magic ring crochet tutorial for beginners.
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Crochet Magic Ring
What is a Crochet Magic Ring
The crochet magic ring is the perfect way to start any amigurumi projects, as well as being useful when making granny squares, hats, gloves, bags, and so many more things. It involves crocheting into an adjustable loop of yarn that is pulled closed at the end of the first round of stitches.
ADVANTAGE OF LEARNING HOW TO CROCHET A MAGIC RING
The advantage of using a magic ring crochet is that you will have a smaller hole in the center. This is especially important for toy making as you don't want stuffing poking out of an open center. It is also aesthetically pleasing for many more crochet projects.
WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE TO A MAGIC RING CROCHET
Usually, when crocheting in the round, you would make a slip knot and then do a foundation chain of 2-4 chain stitches, then create a loop with a slip stitch, and crochet your first round into that loop.
The grey ring is made with a magic ring, the pink is made with a conventional chain ring. You can see the center of the ring on the pink sample is much larger.
How to Do a Crochet Magic Ring
The beauty of the crochet magic ring is that it can be pulled closed tightly, so you won’t be left with a large hole at the beginning of your rounds.
The crochet magic ring is also sometimes called a crochet magic circle, a slip ring, and adjustable ring or a magic loop. If your pattern tells you to start with any of those, just follow these directions!
CROCHET MAGIC RING – SUPPLIES REQUIRED FOR AN EASY MAGIC RING CROCHET
- Size H hook (4.5 mm) Size 7 UK.
- Medium weight yarn.
You can use any size hook and yarn, but do make sure they are compatible.
CROCHET MAGIC RING - STITCHES REQUIRED FOR AN EASY MAGIC RING CROCHET
Here are the stitches you will need to know for this easy magic ring crochet tutorial:
- Ch - chain stitch
- sc - single crochet
- dc - double crochet stitch
- sl.st.- slip stitch
HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET MAGIC RING
Step-by-step, here is how to crochet a magic ring.
Step 1 - Loop an "e"
Make sure you have pulled out enough yarn to work with. The yarn tail will need to be weaved in afterward. You need to have enough yarn to work with both to make the tail and to thread it through a needle to weave in later.
The yarn which comes out of your ball or skein is the ‘working yarn’, and the loose yarn end is called the ‘tail end’.
To start crocheting a magic ring, first lay down the tail end of your yarn and make a large, loose, letter 'e’ over the top of it. You can either do this on a table or in the palm of your hand. IMPORTANT - The working end of the yarn should go over the top of the tail end.
Step 2 - Insert Hook and Wrap
Continue crocheting a magic ring by inserting your hook into the upper part of the ‘e’. (The loop) When it is through the loop, wrap the yarn from back to front.
Step 3 - Pull Through
Keep the yarn wrapped around your hook, and pull the hook back up through the loop of the ‘e’. The loop is very loose right now, so keep the crossed point closed by holding it with your fingers.
Step 4 - Chain
Take your working yarn and make another loop on your hook from back to front. Be careful not to let the original loop fall apart!
Pull the working yarn through and up. This has made your first chain stitch onto the magic ring.
If you are using a stitch other than single crochet for your magic ring, you may be required to do a different number of chains. Double crochet for example would need 2 chains here to get the height needed.
Step 5 - Single Crochet into the Circle
Now stitch as many single crochet stitches onto the ring as your pattern tells you to do. For this practice piece, let's make these 6 single crochet stitches.
You will do this by inserting the hook into the ring, yarn over, pull the yarn up and through. These are just normal single crochet stitches, but they are all made into a loose ring. You will be crocheting over the double part. Pull the tail gently but don't close the circle all the way up.
Step 6 - Slip Stitch into First sc
Once you have crocheted your 6 single crochet, join the last stitch to the first on the magic circle with a slip stitch.
Your pattern may specify another required number of stitches. You may also not need to do the slip stitch if you are crocheting in a continuous spiral.
Step 9 - Pull
When you have joined your stitches to complete the round, pull on the tail end of the yarn to pull the ring tight and close it up completely. You are now ready to crochet more rounds. You can use a stitch marker to mark this spot where you will start the next round.
Troubleshooting the Crochet Magic Ring
If you find that the ring won’t pull tight, and there is still a hole in the center, it could be because you have too many single crochet stitches inserted into the ring. When using a rough or textured yarn, you may also have trouble. For beginners who are crocheting a magic ring, use a smooth yarn and hook, and a pattern that does not require too many stitches into your ring.
Weaving In The Tail Of A Crochet Magic Ring
When you have completed your pattern, be certain to weave that tail end securely into your work. It is not completely stable by itself, and it would be so disappointing to complete your creature, only to have it unravel from the center!
Thread the tail through the eye of a tapestry needle. (This is why we needed to start with that long tail!) A tapestry needle is best because it has a large eye and a blunt tip. A sharp needle will split your yarn.
Your weaving in should only be at the back of your work. Weave all around that first circle of single crochet stitches that you made. This adds some extra strength. Make sure your ring is pulled as tight as you want it to be. Now loop the needle around the last stitch and weave in the opposite direction. Going in both directions locks up that magic circle. Some people prefer to go up and down the posts of their stitches as well, just to be sure! Only when you are sure it won’t come undone, (give it a little tug), can you cut off the end of that tail.
Crochet Magic Ring Variations
Different Stitches
It is also possible to crochet double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), or treble crochet (tr) into your starter magic circle crochet.
Double Magic Circle Technique
There is a variation on the magic ring technique, called the double crochet magic ring. (Or double magic circle crochet.)
To make this, your initial loop would be doubled, or wrapped around your fingers twice, instead of only once. This double looped center adds extra strength and stability to your crochet item, so it is good to use when your project will be getting hard wear or a lot of use.
Free Crochet Patterns Using Magic Rings
Ball Pattern Using a Crochet Magic Ring
Now I am going to give you a pattern to use your fabulous crochet magic circle. This pattern makes a small crochet ball. You can make it all in one color, or in stripes, by changing color every couple of rows.
Magic Ball Uses
Uses for this ball are many and varied!
- It makes a lovely baby toy, specially if you put something that rattles inside the stuffing.
- It makes a great bigger kids ball for indoor play on rainy days. (Aim the ball into a plastic bowl, or just practice catch)
- If you stuff it with something firm, it makes a fun stress ball.
- The ball shape is the basis for many amigurumi creatures, as a head or a round, fat body.
- You can make teeny tiny balls using a fine hook and thread for a necklace.
- You can make a huge ball with t-shirt yarn as a pouffe.
- Christmas decorations, with added shiny embellishments.
- Funny faces embroidered onto the ball, to look like emoji, as a toy.
- Add some catnip to the stuffing of the ball to make a great cat toy.
Ball Using a Crochet Magic Ring
Your yarn and crochet hook size will depend on what you are going to do with the ball!
- Follow the instructions above to make your magic ring.
- Sc 6 stitches into your magic ring and pull it tight.
- *Work 2 sc into the next stitch. * Repeat from* to * 6 times. You now have 12 sts.
- *Sc into next st, work 2 sc into following st* Repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
- *Sc into next 2 sts, work 2 sc into next st * Repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
- * Sc into next 3 sts, work 2 sc into next st* Repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
- Row 6-10, sc into each st. Keep your 30 sts.
- Now begin your decrease. *SC in next 3 sts, sc 2 tog * Repeat 6 tmes (24 sts)
- *Sc in next 2 sts, sc 2 tog * repeat 6 times (18 sts)
- Now start stuffing your ball, before the entrance gets too small!
- *Sc in next st, sc 2 tog* Repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
- Add a little more stuffing. Make sure it is very firmly stuffed!
- *Sc 2 tog *6 times.
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
- Using a tapestry needle weave the tail through those final 6 sts, then pull tight to close the opening. Weave in the end of the tail.
If you plan to make a huge ball, you will need to crochet more increasing rounds at the beginning, and then obviously more decreasing rounds at the end.
Crochet Magic Ring Technique - In Conclusion
It seems that a lot of crocheters, even experienced ones, are intimidated by this crochet magic circle technique. I am one of those people! It took me years to summon up the courage to try this mystical magic circle. And once I did, I wondered why it had taken me so long! If you just follow it step by step it is really quite easy. So now you can go out and test your new skill to make the soft ball explained above, or a stuffed animal or a hat using the crochet magic ring to give it a really professional look, and a neat finish!
Crochet Magic Ring
Tools
- Crochet Hook
- Scissors
Materials
- Yarn to match the hook
Instructions
- Make a letter "e" on your table with the working yarn on top.
- Insert the hook through the center of the "e" and wrap the yarn.
- Pull through. The loop should be very loose.
- Chain 1 with the loop still loose.
- 6 sc around the magic ring. (crochet over the double part)
- Slip stitch to close and pull the tail to tighten the center.
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