Loopy PandaHow to Make a Magic Ring
A magic ring is an adjustable loop you crochet into and then pull tight, so the centre of your round has no hole. Wrap the yarn around two fingers, pull up a loop, chain 1, work 6 single crochet into the ring, then pull the tail to close it. Most amigurumi start this way.
What you need
- Yarn (any weight; worsted or DK is easiest to learn with)
- Crochet hook one size smaller than the yarn label suggests, for amigurumi
- Stitch marker
Step by step
- Wrap the yarnLay the tail across your palm and wrap the working yarn around your index and middle fingers so the working yarn crosses over the tail, making an X on the back of your fingers.
- Pull up a loopInsert the hook under the bottom strand of the X (the ring), catch the working yarn, and pull a loop back under it.
- Chain 1Yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. This chain holds the ring and does not count as a stitch.
- Work the first single crochetInsert the hook into the centre of the ring so you go under both the ring strand and the tail, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops.
- Finish the roundWork 5 more single crochet the same way, for 6 in total. Slide them together along the ring as you go.
- Close the ringPull the tail firmly. The ring shrinks until the stitches form a closed circle. If it will not close, one stitch was probably worked around the tail only; undo it and redo it around both strands.
- Mark the roundPut a stitch marker in the last stitch. For amigurumi, keep crocheting in a spiral (do not join with a slip stitch) and move the marker up at the end of every round.
How the magic ring appears in patterns
| Pattern style | What you will see | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| US written | Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6) | 6 single crochet in a magic ring, 6 stitches total |
| UK written | Rnd 1: 6 dc in magic loop (6) | Same thing; UK dc = US sc |
| Chinese written | 环起6X | 环起 = magic ring start, 6X = 6 single crochet |
| Chart | A circle in the centre with 6 X or + symbols around it | See the magic ring symbol |
Common mistakes
- The ring will not close. A stitch was worked around the tail only. Every stitch must go around both the ring strand and the tail.
- The ring opens later. Weave the tail in one direction, then back the other way through a few stitches before trimming. Slippery cotton yarn opens more easily.
- Wrong stitch count. The chain 1 at the start does not count. Count only the single crochets.
- Too many stitches. Some patterns start with 5, 6 or 8 stitches. Follow the number the pattern gives.
If the ring won't close or comes loose
- It will not close at all. At least one stitch went around the tail only. Every stitch must go around both the ring strand and the tail. Pull out the stitch and work it again.
- A small hole stays in the middle. Pull the tail harder before you start round 2, while the stitches can still slide. A hook one size smaller also helps.
- It opens again after a few rounds. After round 2, pull the tail once more. Then weave it through the back of the first-round stitches in one direction and back in the other before you cut it.
- Slippery yarn keeps loosening. Cotton, bamboo and acrylic blends slide more than wool. Use the double magic ring below.
Double magic ring (more secure)
Wrap the yarn around your fingers twice instead of once, so the ring has two strands. Pull up a loop, chain 1 and work the first round over both strands as usual.
To close it, pull the tail gently and watch which of the two ring strands moves. Pull that strand until one loop disappears, then pull the tail to close the other loop. Two strands grip each other, so the centre does not reopen even in slippery cotton.
Left-handed magic ring
Left-handed crocheters hold the hook in the left hand and wrap the yarn over the fingers of the right hand. Every step is the same, mirrored, and the ring closes the same way. The video below is the same demonstration flipped left to right, so you can follow it hand for hand.
Alternative: chain 2 start
If the magic ring keeps slipping, chain 2 and work your 6 single crochet into the second chain from the hook. The centre stays slightly more open, but it is easier to learn and is a fine substitute in most amigurumi.
Magic Ring Symbol
The magic ring (also called magic circle or adjustable ring) is shown as a circle at the centre of a round chart. Stitches are worked into the ring and then the tail is pulled to close the hole. Chinese patterns write 环形起针 or 环起, as in “环起6X”.
| US name and abbreviation | Magic Ring (MR) |
|---|---|
| UK name and abbreviation | Magic loop |
| Chinese name | 环形起针 （圈起针、魔术环） |
| Chinese written shorthand | 环起 |
| Japanese name | 輪の作り目 |
What does “环起6X” mean?
Make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet into it. This is round 1 of most amigurumi pieces.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
Are there special tools or methods for a left-handed magic ring?
No special tools: use the same hook and yarn. Hold the hook in your left hand and wrap the yarn over the fingers of your right hand; every step is the same as for right-handers, mirrored, and the ring closes the same way. The left-handed video on this page is the same demonstration flipped, so you can copy it hand for hand. If the ring keeps loosening, try the double magic ring.
Is a magic ring the same as a magic circle or adjustable ring?
Yes. Magic ring, magic circle, magic loop and adjustable ring are different names for the same technique.
How many stitches go in a magic ring?
Most amigurumi patterns use 6 single crochet. Some use 5, 7 or 8. Use the number your pattern gives in round 1.
Do I join the magic ring round with a slip stitch?
Only if the pattern says to. Most amigurumi are worked in a continuous spiral with no joins, using a stitch marker to track the rounds.
What does 环起6X mean?
It is Chinese shorthand for “make a magic ring and work 6 single crochet into it”. 环起 is the magic ring and X is single crochet.
Why does my magic ring come undone?
The tail is not secured. After a few rounds, weave the tail through the back of several stitches in two directions before trimming it.
How do I make my magic ring stay closed?
Pull the tail tight before round 2, pull it again after round 2, and weave the tail through the back of the first-round stitches in two directions before trimming it. For slippery yarn, use a double magic ring.
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