107 responses

  1. Sandy
    February 15, 2012

    Lots of folks like to use this to start their granny squares. I don’t have much problem with a little hold, I must have a tighter gauge then some, plus I don’t do sc between the shells/clusters which make the whole thing more solid for me. A good trick though and good of you to post for folks.

    Reply

    • Terry Welch
      January 23, 2013

      I have been looking for the instructions for this technique – everywhere online and could not find it. THANKS so much.

      Reply

      • ambassadorcrochet
        January 24, 2013

        Terri, you’re welcome! Let me know if there are any other tutorials you would like to see.

        Reply

  2. ClauPego
    November 11, 2012

    The best tutorial I found on Magic Rings – thank you som much

    Reply

  3. Charlene♥SC
    January 30, 2013

    I would love to see crochet instructions on which loop to insert the hook from beginning AND after turns.

    Thanks for asking!

    Reply

  4. Kim
    February 6, 2013

    Thankyou SO MUCH for this guide. I have driven myself crazy trying to follow other guides and getting frustrated and feeling like I must be totally stupid. Yours was the only one I could follow successfully.
    Bless you for your kindness.

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      February 6, 2013

      Thank you! Glad to hear. Let me know if you would like to see any other tutorials.

      Reply

      • Kathi
        October 23, 2016

        Oh how I wish I didn’t have to mirror image these directions! I’m a lefty and I crochet in the opposite direction. Trying to do this is making me a crazy person. Any help you can give?

        Reply

  5. Pamela
    March 4, 2013

    I have been searching for a crochet pattern using embroidery floss for a large hackie sac. The ones I find seem too small, much smaller than the purchased ones. Do you have one or know of a website that has one?

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      March 11, 2013

      Pamela, I don’t know of one, but I have asked on my facebook page. Maybe someone can help. I’ll let you know.

      Reply

  6. Cathy
    March 8, 2013

    Thank you, I have tried and tried and I had given up I had another look and came across your site thank you now I can do it.
    Cathy

    Reply

  7. Ayanna
    June 14, 2013

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I had given up on learning how to do this and then your post came along to save the day!!!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      June 14, 2013

      So glad it helped, Ayanna!

      Reply

  8. greta
    July 13, 2013

    ooh it’s magic! thank you so much – very easy instructions to follow :)

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      August 8, 2013

      Thanks, Greta!

      Reply

  9. Trish
    August 14, 2013

    Success! Was beginning to feel like a magic ring failure, your instructions by far the best! Thanks so much :)

    Reply

  10. Jessica
    August 15, 2013

    I follow these instructions but my circle never closes all the way. What am I doing wrong

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      August 15, 2013

      Jessica, how many stitches are you putting inside the ring? If it’s more than 10 or 12 it may not close all the way. Try it with a smaller amount and see if it works. If not, let me know and I’ll come up with some other suggestions.

      Reply

      • Sarah
        December 14, 2013

        I am having the same problem, but I am confused as to a part of the instructions: Step 8. When you finish making the circle and start to crochet, the loops are in front of you. Do you crochet on top of them, or do you turn so that the plain yarn is in front of you and crochet on top of that? That(the second one) is what I’m doing, but when I pull the yarn, the circle doesn’t close

        Reply

      • ambassadorcrochet
        December 26, 2013

        Ok, ladies. Let me make one and see if I can get some better pics for you.

        Reply

  11. D
    August 16, 2013

    These are great instructions and a big help! Thank you.

    Reply

  12. Karen
    September 9, 2013

    Thank you for the magic circle instructions. Yours are the best I’ve found.

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      October 9, 2013

      Thank you!

      Reply

  13. Gayle
    September 24, 2013

    Thank you very much. I had no problems following your instructions.

    Reply

  14. Vero
    September 26, 2013

    Hi,
    Thank you for the tutorial! If I were to continue with a round of dc stitches after doing a round of sc stitches (like you did), would I chain 2?

    Thank you

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      September 30, 2013

      Yes, most people do a ch2 to start a new round.

      Reply

  15. Maria
    October 9, 2013

    I was looking at a book on Amazon and wanted to buy it but got scared off at the mention of “magic” circle”. So, I decided to do an Internet search to find out what it was. Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. It is so clear and it is just what I was looking for. I need not look any further. Now I know what magic circle means and I will buy that book that looks so appealing. Thanks again. =)

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      October 9, 2013

      So glad it helped!

      Reply

  16. rami
    October 14, 2013

    thank you for the tutorial
    i left so many patterns to do just for magic ring as the pattern suggested begin with magic ring

    Reply

  17. Shanna
    October 28, 2013

    Could you please explain how you crochet around the circle? I don’t get how to incorporate that piece of yarn into the chain. Really beginner. Thanks!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      December 3, 2013

      Hi Shanna,
      Step 7 shows the ring, Step 8 shows actually crocheting your stitches in the center. So, you’ll be crocheting over the ring you just made. Hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Aimee
        December 12, 2013

        So I’m crocheting over the two pieces of yarn on the left of the ring in the step 7 image? I just keep ending up with a messy knot when I pull the yarn at the end. Clearly I’m doing something wrong. :( I feel like I need another image between 7 and 8.

        Reply

  18. loren
    November 13, 2013

    Thank you so very much. Absolutely the clearest tutorial that can be found.

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      November 14, 2013

      Thank you, Loren!

      Reply

  19. Emmy
    December 28, 2013

    I am doing an amigurumi project that requires using the magic ring. It tells me to do about 8 increase rounds on it and I have so far done about 5. I noticed that it started looking odd. I have no idea how it got like that. It looks a little bit like a clover or a flower because it is kinda curling… I can’t really explain it…

    Reply

    • Emmy
      December 28, 2013

      I forgot to ad this :
      How did this happen and how do I fix it? Or is it normal for that to happen when doing a lot of rounds on a magic ring?

      Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      January 6, 2014

      Hi Emmy, without knowing what pattern you’re using, or what your project looks like, it would be hard for me to figure out what the problem is. Please don’t send me the pattern (copyright laws), but feel free to email me a picture of your project. Maybe I can help.

      Reply

  20. Sophia
    January 6, 2014

    Hi, I’m beginning to crochet, and after a few tries I’ve gotten the spiral down just fine, but what’s troubling me is after I’m done with the project is how to close the drawstring end. It seems different from the regular slip knot because it has MANY stitches around it. Help! And thank you for posting this guide!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      January 6, 2014

      Hi Sophia, you would pull the beginning of the yarn end and it will close the loop. Shouldn’t matter how many stitches, but if you have more than 10 stitches you may have to pull a little harder to get it to close fully.

      Reply

      • Sophia
        January 6, 2014

        I got that part. I mean when I’m ready to finish the garment completely. The loop is closed, but I have a string hanging off now.

        Reply

      • ambassadorcrochet
        January 6, 2014

        You would just tie it in like you tie in the rest of your ends. I try to weave in the opposite direction just so there’s no chance the loop would loosen over time.

        Reply

  21. Arianaz
    January 14, 2014

    Thank you for this tutorial! It’s super helpful and easy to understand.

    Reply

  22. Beverly
    January 30, 2014

    I have learned to use the magic circle and really like it. I am attempting to make a solid granny square into a blanket. My problem is that it keeps curling. I am an “advanced” beginner. Can you tell me how to get rid of the curling?

    Reply

  23. Missey Kerens
    February 19, 2014

    Hi, I’m trying to incorporate flower by doing a magic ring onto the end of a chain. I can’t get the ring to close up. Any suggestions? Thanks.

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      February 21, 2014

      Hi Missey,
      Normally when you crochet into the end of a chain that would not be considered a magic ring. Chances are you won’t be able to get it to close completely. (maybe with single crochet’s)
      If you need more help just let me know.

      ~Kristine

      Reply

  24. yara
    March 6, 2014

    do you know how to make a magic phone?????

    Reply

    • mia
      March 6, 2014

      (smile)

      Reply

  25. Jo Anna
    March 18, 2014

    I kid you not I have tried to learn this five other times, and yours is the first to make sense!! Thank you

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      March 19, 2014

      Glad it worked for you, Jo Anna!

      Reply

  26. Darlene
    April 12, 2014

    I’m a visual learner, I follow your pictures and finally got it. It took me a few times. Now it easy.
    Thanks so much.
    Dsrlene

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      April 14, 2014

      Glad to hear, Darlene!

      Reply

  27. Tawnia B.
    May 2, 2014

    I went through four other tutorials online in frustration trying to figure out how to do the magic circle. Thank you for your photographs and instructions, yours is the tutorial that worked for me!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      May 9, 2014

      So glad it helped, Tawnia!

      Reply

  28. Geri Bartz
    June 14, 2014

    God bless you, I was having SO much trouble with this! My stuffed wolf thanks you!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      July 16, 2014

      Glad it helped, Geri.

      Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      July 16, 2014

      Glad it helped, Geri.

      Reply

  29. Tricia Shyver
    July 7, 2014

    This may be the best and most detailed tutorial I’ve found. So many just give general direction and/or no pictures. Thank you!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      July 16, 2014

      You’re welcome! Glad it helped Tricia.

      Reply

  30. jessierayot
    July 10, 2014

    Thank you for the wonderful photo tutorial. I have a video tutorial and had a comment from a deaf woman asking for written instructions, as I do not have subtitles on my videos. I gave her the link to your tutorial. You saved the day!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      July 16, 2014

      I’m so glad this was a help Jessie! Thank you for letting me know.

      Reply

  31. Sher
    August 22, 2014

    Thank you for a great tutorial. After looking at your instructions, I understand the process, but as I’m trying to follow my pattern, which says:

    1ch, 8 sc in magic ring, 1 slst in 1st sc (8 sts)

    I end up with 9 sts. That first chain, plus 8 equals 9, not 8, so what am I missing?

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      October 10, 2014

      Hi Sher, most patterns do not include the beginning ch of a round in the stitch count unless it tells you to. Hopefully that helps. Let me know if you still have questions.

      Reply

  32. Gail
    August 25, 2014

    Thank you for this tutorial with stills! The videos are just so much harder to learn from; this is clear and easy to follow.

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      October 10, 2014

      You’re welcome, Gail! Glad it helped.

      Reply

  33. Dara
    September 29, 2014

    I could never get the hang of the magic ring. I tried so many different tutorials and videos and just got frustrated. But this one really helped! It only took me 3 tries instead of 20, :) THANK YOU!

    Reply

    • ambassadorcrochet
      September 29, 2014

      Awesome, Dara! Glad it worked for you.

      Reply

      • Carol
        February 2, 2015

        Thank you for sharing this tip. I too was a little confused as how to make a Magic ring.
        Your pictures definitely cleared any confusion I had….great job!

        Reply

      • Kristine
        February 2, 2015

        I’m glad it helped, Carol!

        Reply

      • Kristine
        February 3, 2015

        Glad it helped, Carol!

        Reply

  34. Anna Kaye
    October 25, 2014

    I am a self taught crocheter. I have been doing the “Magic Ring” for years. Didn’t know that as the name for it though. LOL. I went to the site you recommended where you mentioned “extended” sc and dc. I do not understand what an extended sc (single crotchet) & dc (double crotchet).
    If you answer this please let me know when & where I will find it. I loose to much stuff on the computer, and I don’t know HOW or WHY I do it. LOL Some times I do find it, but can’t always remember WHY I wanted it. Oh the joys of getting OLD. I’m 4 score PLUS some.

    Reply

  35. lenore24
    April 9, 2015

    After countless instructions on how to make a magic ring, I had given up on ever being able to do it. I just came across your site this morning, seen you had a how to and just tried it. A couple of times and I’ve mastered it. Then when I go to leave a comment I see everyone is echoing my success. I don’t know exactly what it is about it, perhaps the simplicity or we just found someone who teaches for the way we learn?? Anyway, thank you, so many more patterns have become accessible to me.

    Reply

  36. Storto97
    June 25, 2016

    I did it! I did it! Thanks for finally making a magic tutorial I could follow!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      June 29, 2016

      So happy to hear this!

      Reply

  37. Kathi
    October 23, 2016

    Oops, I put my question in the wrong place, I think. Anyway, I’m a lefty and learned to crochet mirror imaging my mother. This is giving me a headache! Do you have any suggestions or hope?

    Reply

    • Kristine
      October 24, 2016

      I’m not sure. Let me see if I can figure it out for you, Kathi.

      Reply

      • Kathi
        October 24, 2016

        If you can’t figure out a lefty way, how could I make it look approx. the same the old way. (Ch circle, stitches inside, etc)

        Reply

  38. Joan
    February 26, 2017

    My problem is my instructions say to only make a circle with 6 chains. Then I am supposed to make 20 DC in the circle. Can you help me with this? The circle is only 6 chains but I don’t think that is big enough for 20 DC in the circle.

    Reply

    • Kristine
      April 5, 2017

      I’m not sure what you’re making, but a magic ring can fit 12 dc in it (without a hole in the center). I would think, as long as your chains aren’t super tight, that you would be able to fit all 20. Try it first, you might be surprised.

      Reply

  39. Deborah Felts
    March 25, 2017

    Amazing – finally I get it! Great tutorial!!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      March 26, 2017

      Yay!

      Reply

  40. Liz
    May 18, 2017

    Lovely clear instructions and photos. I’m just getting started with finger crochet and looking for best ideas for beginnings and ends! Think I will be referring back to this often. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Kristine
      May 20, 2017

      Glad to hear!

      Reply

  41. MissPapa
    August 2, 2017

    OMG ~~ Piece of cake! Starting out with a backwards ‘J’ is what helped me to understand. Thanks so much for your clear directions and pictures!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      August 2, 2017

      Yay! I’m SO glad this helped!

      Reply

  42. aileen kimel
    September 2, 2017

    When a pattern calls for a magic ring, but does not give you the amount of stitches
    to cast on……what do we do??……..I make baby hats with a charity group.. The hats are usually for a 0-6month old baby…thanks so much…cannot wait to
    make the kitten hat (without the flaps)…..

    Reply

    • Kristine
      September 5, 2017

      Hi Aileen,

      Without knowing which pattern you’re using, I’m going to say it’s just the number of stitches in the first row.

      Reply

    • Kristine
      October 12, 2017

      Hi Aileen, I’m sorry I’m just seeing this. It really depends on the stitch you’re using in that first round. But for basics I almost always use 6 sc, 9 hdc, or 12 dc in the magic ring.

      Reply

  43. Heather
    February 17, 2018

    You lost me at Step 6

    Reply

    • Kristine
      February 26, 2018

      Did I lose you because you can’t figure out how to hold it? Or because it’s a hard an awkward position to hold your hands until you get used to it?

      Reply

  44. aachurch
    September 7, 2018

    This is by far the best instructions,and that includes the ones on U-tube! Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      September 8, 2018

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

  45. Kate
    January 25, 2019

    I’m a complete beginner at crochet and an average knitter. I am stuck at step 7 because it feels awkward and am not sure exactly how to add the st on. Im also not completely familiar with crochet pattern abbreviations.

    Reply

    • Kristine
      January 28, 2019

      Hi Kate, I think it’s completely normal for it to feel awkward until you do it quite a few times.

      Reply

  46. Musical Lottie
    June 26, 2021

    Hi, I’ve watched many tutorials for this (an upside to starting to crochet in a time when videos are easily recorded and uploaded!) but this has been really helpful for jogging my memory of what the steps are – I can’t seem to get it to stick in my mind but I also don’t need a 5minute explainer any more, so this has been absolutely perfect to just remind myself and get on with it. Plus with help from the pictures I think I understand how the loop is formed, why it works, which I couldn’t get from videos. Thanks so much!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      July 22, 2021

      I’m so glad this was helpful!

      Reply

  47. Ember
    July 7, 2021

    Sorry but what do you mean by sealing the circle by pulling the end of the yarn?

    Reply

    • Kristine
      July 10, 2021

      You will take the end of the yarn (not attached to the ball) and slowly pull it. As you pull it will close the gap that is left at the center of the circle.

      Reply

  48. Joyce
    September 12, 2021

    I,too finally found the magic instructions for the magic circle.I no longer have to try bending my fingers in directions they were not intended to go.THANK YOU, THANK YOU. Had I only found you first

    Reply

    • Kristine
      September 12, 2021

      Thanks, Joyce! I’m so glad this was helpful.

      Reply

  49. Michelle Belcher
    November 6, 2021

    If a pattern reads as below do we complete your instructions and then start at #1 below? How do we know how many stitches the magic ring calls for?

    “Magic circle

    Round 1) Ch 1, then 8 hdc into the circle.”

    Reply

    • Kristine
      November 6, 2021

      Hi Michelle,
      What that pattern is saying is to make the magic ring and then ch 1, 8 hdc right into the magic ring. Some designers will write it as all the same line instructions but some will word it like this because the 8 hdc actually makes the first round. Does that help?

      Reply

  50. Missy
    December 3, 2021

    I have used magic rings multiple time over the years but always have to find a tutorial (or three to get started, lol). This is by far the best and easiest tutorial I have ever found and used! Thank you for posting it, for once my magic ring worked on the first try and closed correctly. This is a game changer! Thank you so much! Bookmarking this page. 😊

    Reply

    • Kristine
      December 3, 2021

      I absolutely love when this helps someone! Thank you for letting me know and definitely bookmark/Pin it so you can come back to it later.
      Kristine

      Reply

  51. Martine
    February 12, 2022

    I agree with previous comments. I looked a bunch of magic ring tutorials and this was the only one that made sense the whole way through. I’ve been crocheting for years but this is the first time I’ve had magic ring success. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Kristine
      February 15, 2022

      Yay! I’m so glad to hear that Martine!

      Reply

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