A magic ring is an adjustable loop of yarn that you crochet into and then pull tight. It closes the center of your work completely, with no hole, which is why most amigurumi, crochet hats and many granny squares start with one. You may also see it called a magic circle, magic loop or adjustable ring: they are all the same technique.
It can feel fiddly the first time, but after two or three tries it becomes second nature. Here is how to make it, step by step, in US crochet terms.
What you need
- Smooth, light-colored yarn (easier to see while you learn)
- A hook that suits your yarn (see our crochet hook size chart)
- A stitch marker, if you will work in a spiral
- A tapestry needle for weaving in the tail
How to make a magic ring, step by step
- Make a loop. Leave a tail of about 6 inches (15 cm). Form a loop so that the working yarn (the end attached to the ball) crosses over the tail, making an X where they meet.
- Pull up a loop. Insert your hook through the center of the loop from front to back, catch the working yarn and pull it through the loop.
- Secure it with a chain. Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. This chain holds the ring in place and usually does not count as a stitch.
- Work your first stitch. Insert the hook into the center of the ring, so you are working over both the ring and the tail. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. That is one single crochet.
- Keep going. Work as many stitches into the ring as your pattern says. Many amigurumi patterns start with 6 single crochet.
- Pull it closed. Hold your stitches and gently pull the tail. The ring shrinks until the center is closed.
- Finish the round. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch if your pattern works in joined rounds. For amigurumi worked in a continuous spiral, place a stitch marker in the first stitch instead and keep going.
Starting a magic ring with double crochet
Hats, flowers and granny squares often start with taller stitches. Make steps 1 to 3 as above, then chain 3 (this usually counts as the first double crochet) and work the rest of your double crochet stitches into the ring before pulling it closed. Our classic granny square tutorial uses this start.
Secure the tail so the ring stays closed
A magic ring can loosen with time if the tail is not secured. When you finish your piece, thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and weave it through the stitches on the wrong side in at least two different directions before trimming it. On amigurumi, you can also hide it inside the stuffed piece.
Common problems and how to fix them
- The ring will not close. Some stitches were probably worked around the working loop only. Make sure every stitch goes around both the ring and the tail.
- The ring keeps sliding open while you work. Try a double magic ring: wrap the yarn around your fingers twice before pulling up the loop, and close each strand in turn at the end.
- The center reopened after finishing. The tail was not woven in securely. Weave it back and forth in different directions.
- Slippery yarn. Cotton and acrylic are easier to learn with than very slick or fuzzy yarns.
Alternatives to the magic ring
If the magic ring is not working for you yet, you can start in the round another way: chain 2 and work your first round into the second chain from the hook, or chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a small ring. Both leave a small hole in the center, but they are a good way to keep going while you practice.
Where you will use the magic ring
- Amigurumi heads, bodies and limbs, like our Anchor the octopus and Highland cow patterns
- Crochet hats and beanies worked from the top down
- Granny squares, circles and flowers
Frequently asked questions
Is a magic ring the same as a magic circle?
Yes. Magic ring, magic circle, magic loop and adjustable ring are different names for the same technique.
Does the chain at the start count as a stitch?
Usually not. The first chain only secures the ring. Always follow your pattern if it says otherwise.
Why do amigurumi patterns use a magic ring?
It closes the center tightly, so no stuffing shows through the top of a head or the end of a limb.
Ready to practice? Find your next project in our amigurumi pattern bundle and amigurumi crochet patterns, or read our amigurumi guide for beginners.