How to Crochet a Magic Circle: (Step by Step Guide)

Learn how easy it is to make a magic crochet circle or magic ring, even for beginner crocheters

So, maybe you are a newbie who is just learning how to crochet and you hear something about a mysterious Magic Ring or Magic Circle. What the heck is that??

Yes, it definitely is a pretty cool crocheting trick or hack but there is truly nothing too mysterious about it. And, the good news is that actually this is a pretty easy technique to learn, even for complete beginners!

image of a crocheted magic circle and a hook

In this tutorial:

Since you will probably only need to make one of these for any given pattern, my advice to you, if you are new to this technique is to practice, practice, practice how to crochet a magic circle over and over until it sticks.

Otherwise, you will have to look up and relearn how to do this every time you need it. (Ask me how I know)

What is a Magic Circle?

The traditional way of crocheting a circle calls for making a bunch of chain stitches, joining the chain with a slip stitch and then crocheting into each chain stitch.

This works just fine and is a straightforward technique and a good next step for someone who just learned how to make single crochet stitches (sc).

The disadvantage of making your beginner circle this way is that you end up with a visible hole in the middle. There is no way to pull it tight enough to disappear.

This is the biggest advantage of using the magic ring method; the circle can be pulled tight enough that there is virtually no hole visible in the middle.

Magic circle tutorial, step by step:

You do not need any special supplies to get started. Simply get some basic practice yarn and a suitable crochet hook and you are good to go.

1. Make a loop or circle

To begin your magic ring or circle, you must first create the initial loop. This loop is what you will then work your beginning single stitches into.

a. Place the yarn in your hand

If you are right handed, you will place the yarn on the inside of your left hand, cut end pointing down. (If you are left handed, place the yarn in your right hand, cut end down)

image of a hand with a purple strand of yarn

b. Wrap the yarn around your fingers

Next, you will take the working end of your yarn, wind it around the middle two or three fingers of your left hand (right hand for lefties) and tuck the cut end under the pinky. Hold the working yarn end with your thumb to keep it in place.

(Note: It may be hard to see in the photo above but the working end of the yarn is lying underneath the cut end which is tucked under the pinkie)

c. Make a slip knot

Now, take the crochet hook and slide it underneath the first strand on the top right (cut end) and grab the working yarn in a Yarn Over. Then, pull the yarn backwards, under the first strand.

image of hand grabbing yarn with a crochet hook

image of hand pulling yarn with a crochet hook

Next you need to turn the hand which is holding the hook toward you, thereby twisting the loop.

image of a hand working purple yarn with a crochet hook

To complete your slip knot, first move the hook over the loop and grab or yarn over the working strand. Now pull this yarn over back through the twisted loop.

Note: it helps to keep the yarn fairly taut against your fingers so it doesn’t move around too much.

image of hands yarning over with a crochet hook

image of hands making a slip knot with a crochet hook

2. Work single crochets into the circle

a. Make a single stitch into the loop

The basic loop is now completed. You will work your first single crochet stitches into the middle of this circle instead of into a row of chain stitches.

image of a circle with purple yarn and a crochet hook

Hold the yarn circle as you would normally hold your crocheting with the working yarn looped over your index finger.

To make your first single crochet stitch (sc), put the hook into the circle (from front to back), grab the yarn in a yarn over and pull this back through the circle. (You now have two loops on your hook)

image of two hands crocheting with purple yarn

Yarn over again (outside of the circle) and pull this strand through both loops on your crochet hook. This completes the first single stitch.

image of hands crocheting a single stitch

b. Repeat making single stitches

Continue making singles into the loop according to Step 2a above. How many you need will depend on the instructions in your pattern. If you are just practicing this technique, six to eight stitches is a pretty good number.

3. Close the circle

Now that you have worked the required number of stitches, it is time to close up the ring. To do this, hold the ring in one hand and pull the cut end of the yarn to tighten.

image of a finished crocheted magic circle and hook

How do you make a traditional crochet circle?

With the old way of making a ring or circle, you first have to work some basic chain stitches. These are then joined with a slip stitch (careful not to twist the chain). From there, you just have to work a stitch into each chain stitch.

This may all seem very complicated, but as you can see, the actual technique is pretty straightforward. The only real confusing part is making the circle itself.

As I said previously, my recommendation to you is to practice making a magic ring. Before you know it, it will become second nature.