How to Crochet a Magic Circle for Beginners

What is a Magic Circle in Crochet?

Even the name the 'Magic Circle' sounds intriguing and illusive, and it can be when you're a beginner and learning to crochet! Here you'll learn how to crochet a magic circle, or magic ring. This is a popular way of starting a project that you're crocheting in the round, and it is used to begin most amigurumi crochet projects.

It involves creating a loop with your yarn, and then working stitches into the loop, to create your magic circle.

There are several different ways of doing this technique, but I'm going to show you my favourite method for a very neat magic circle method, and also a cheat method, which is perfect for beginners! The second 'Cheat Magic Circle' is easier, and starts with chaining 2 stitches. This method isn't quite as neat and leaves a small hole, but is great for beginners, and anyone who is struggling with the Magic Circle.

While this may seem like a challenging technique to learn at first, even as a beginner it can be done, it just takes practice.

Magic Circle Tutorials

From experience, we've found the easiest way to learn to crochet is by watching, so we've created video tutorials for both methods, so grab your yarn and hook, and a cup of tea, and let's get started!

The Magic Circle Video Tutorial

The Cheat Magic Circle

How to Crochet a Magic Circle

If you prefer to learn with images, find a step by step guide below! Do have patience as learning the Magic Circle is tricky, and people often need to practice lots of times before it clicks!

Step 1. Wrap the end of the yarn over the back of your dominant hand

Step 2. Wrap the end twice up and over the back of your middle and index fingers.

Step 3. Insert your crochet hook underneath the two loops which are around your fingers. Use your thumb to hold the wool leading to the ball. You will feel a little like an octopus, until you get used to holding everything in place!

Step 4. Hook the strand that leads to your ball of wool. Use your little finger if needed to hold this strand to keep it from moving around. Pull the strand you've hooked through underneath the two loops.

Step 5. This time putting your hook aver the top of the 2 loops, hook the strand that leads to your ball of yarn.

Step 6. Pull the hooked strand through the loop which is on your hook.

Step 7. This is the completed slip knot which holds your loops in place, it does not count as a stitch. You are now ready to begin adding your stitches into the Magic Circle.

Step 8. Use your fingers to keep everything held securely (this will get easier with practice I promise!) Put your hook underneath the 2 loops again, grab the working yarn and pull it underneath the loops (the working yarn means the strand that leads to the ball). You will now have 2 loops on your crochet hook.

Step 9: Now go over the top of the loops with your hook, grab the yarn and pull it through the 2 loops on your hoop. Angle the hook facing downwards, so that it doesn't catch and split the loops when pulling it through. Getting the correct angle will get easier with practice.

Step 10. You have now completed your first Double Crochet (DC) stitch! It looks like a small V shape, as you can see below.

Step 11. Now repeat steps 8 to 10 five more times. You will now have a slip knot and 6 DC stitches, which look like 6 clearly defined Vs. If your pattern calls for a different number of DC stitches, simply create the number required. We have shown 6 stitches, as this is the usual number for starting most Wee Woolly Wonderfuls crochet patterns for beginners.

Step 12. Now you will see that you have a strand leading from the base of your Magic Circle, and 2 loops.

Step 13. Firmly grip the bottom of the Magic Circle with your thumb and forefinger. Tug on each loop one at a time. One will not budge and the other will. Pull the loop of the one that will move until the other loop disappears.

Step 14. Next grasp the end of the yarn that dangles from the bottom, and pull it firmly. It will pull through and the large loop you created in Step 13 will completely disappear.

Step 15. Well done - you have created your first Magic Circle!

Close up image of the completed Magic Circle.

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