Magic Circle Crochet Explained
A magic ring or a magic circle is a technique to begin crocheting by passing the first through a loop next to it and then pulling the knot tight. A lot of the older patterns used tend to end up with a hole in the center of the round that you may have created. The stitches could be loosened due to the hole in the middle. This makes your work look really untidy and unprofessional.
Using the magic circle crochet method creates a neat closed circle in the center of the first round without any holes left. It is popular not only when making amigurumi and rugs, but people often use it when making shawls and hats that are worked top down as it allows you to use more stitches in the first round as compared to the other methods where you can’t form more than one stitch. It is also helpful when making patterns that require a circle to begin with such as the granny square. So, the next time you decide to opt for a round centered crochet project, using the magic ring technique could be exactly what you need to keep the center of the circle closed.
This technique may require a little practice before you master it but it will surely make your work neater once you get a hang of it.
HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET MAGIC RING
1. Make a Loop in the Yarn End
Firstly, you need to loop the end of the yarn such that it is the shape of a lowercased “e”. You should pass the yarn coming from the strand over the loose end so that it creates a proper loop required for the next stitches. It is best to hold this yarn in your hand so that you are ready to continue onto the next step. For people who may be left-handed, it may be more comfortable to flip the e backwards but make sure you still have the working yarn on top of the yarn end.
2. Insert the Hook
Pull the hook through the center of the circle you have formed with the yarn, while you still hold the loop in its place securely. This is done in the same way as any other yarn over you may have been using in other techniques previously.
3. Draw the Yarn through the Circle
Pass the yarn up through the circle that has formed between the hook and your hand. It may feel a little out of place in the start because the knot is loose, but make sure you hold the crossed point of the circle when you pass the loop through, so that it may hold together and not get tangled or open up.
4. Form a Chain Stitch
Wrap the yarn on your hook from the back to the front in order to form a turning chain. Do not let go of the circle while yarning over. Pass the hook through the loop on the hook. This completes your chain stitch.
This method used shows how to start the magic ring using the single crochet stitches. If you may be using some other types of stitches, use the appropriate number of chains needed for the turning chain of that size stitch.
5.Inserting the Hook and Start a Single Crochet
Now, you start your first single crochet stitch using the normal way it is done in every other pattern. Insert the hook into the center of the rings circle, yarn over like the usual way and then draw up a loop.
6.Complete the First Single Crochet and Add More
Next, you yarn over and pull the yarn through both the loops that have formed on your hook in order to finish the first single crochet stitch. Now, your circle of yarn should start feeling more secure as compared to the beginning of the circle. As the loose end could still be easily pulled, make sure not to tug at it while you are working.
Add as many more stitches required for the design you may be working on. Do not worry if the ring seems too open, this is part of the process, and may get better by the time you reach the end.
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