How to Crochet a Magic Ring

Crocheting in the round necessitates beginning with a chain to form a ring, which then leaves a hole in the center of the work. The "magic" of the ring is that the crochet starts, not with a chain, but with an adjustable loop that pulls tight and leaves no hole in the starting round.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Make a loop at the end of the yarn. Leave a tail about 3 inches long. Hold the "join" of the loop, where the two strands of yarn overlap, between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand.

2. Insert the hook from front to back into the hook and draw up a loop. Slip the hook into the loop to crochet over top the loop as well as the yarn tail. Draw up a loop for the first single crochet (sc).

3. Make the single crochet. Go ahead and crochet over the loop and the yarn tail until the correct (required) number of single crochets are in place for the first round, depending on the pattern.

4. Take the yarn tail between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand and pull. Draw the ring closed tightly around its center.

5. Start the second round by crocheting into the first crochet stitch of the first round. Continue per the instructions of the pattern.

6. Practice this method for patterns that start in the round. Remember that no slip stitch is required to start. Use the magic ring for all "granny" projects.