Making a magic circle is about to be your new favorite trick in crochet. You are going to ask yourself, “WHY DIDN’T I TRY THIS SOONER??!!” Consequently it will change the way you look at working in the round. As a result you will learn the trick to giving your project a clean look with a tightly closed center. Additionally you won’t have that loose opening that you have to figure out how to sew closed when you are all done.
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To be honest, this was another life changing trick that I learned that helped me improve the finished look of my projects tremendously. I was so tired of not being able to close the top of a hat, stuffed animal or anything worked in the round completely without the sagging yarn. Then I learned this trick to help me to make everything look SO much more professional. And as soon as I learned it, I wanted to share it with everyone I knew who crocheted.
What patterns can this technique be used on?
Actually, you can use this tip in ANY pattern that is worked in the round. Not only if the pattern calls for it, but EVEN IF the instructions you are given are written with working a certain number of stitches into a starting chain.. All you need to do in this case is to look at how many stitches the pattern is calling for to be worked into the starting chain. Then you work that number into your magic circle instead.
So, for example, the pattern says to chain 2 and then to work 6 sc into the 2nd chain from the hook. Using the magic circle, you will make your magic circle up to Step 4 below (where you ch 1) and then on Step 5 is where you will work 6 sc into the magic circle. You will have the same number of starting stitches in round 1 as the pattern but you will have a much tighter close in the center of your project.
(If you are having trouble with figuring out the start of a pattern, just leave a comment here and ask. I’d be happy to help you adjust your pattern and get you started with the magic circle!) :0)
Magic Circle Photo Tutorial Steps 1-4
Step 1: Start by taking the starting end of your yarn and crossing it over into a loop (making the breast cancer awareness symbol). You will insert your crochet hook into the opening of this loop from back to front.
Step 2: Using your crochet hook, pick up the working yarn.
Step 3: Pull the working yarn through the center of the opening.
Below is what your work will look like at this point.
Steps 4 and 5 to include instructions for SC, HDC and/or DC
Step 4: Chain 1 – making sure to keep that loop open
For a SC Step 5: Insert your hook back through the opening, making sure your hook is under where your loop is crisscrossed. (Working your stitches over this crisscross is how you will be able to pull this circle completely closed when all your starting stitches are made.)
For a HDC (or DC) Step 5: You will first YO before inserting your hook into the opening. Again you must make sure your hook is under where the loop is crisscrossed.
Below is what your hook will look like if you are working a HDC from your magic circle. At this point you have YO and drawn up a loop through the magic circle from your working yarn. So now you have your 3 loops on your hook to make your HDC.
Here is what one complete HDC will look like worked into the magic circle
Steps 6-8 An example of 8 HDC worked into the Magic Circle
Step 6: You will continue working the number of stitches called for in the pattern you are working on for your 1st round. Here is what the starting round looks like in a hat pattern I designed that called for 8 HDC worked into the magic circle.
Step 7: Pull the tail end of your work tightly, drawing the center of your magic circle closed. Make sure you pull completely closed, leaving no opening in the center.
Step 8: Join the circle with a slip st to the 1st st of the round. to complete the magic circle (unless your pattern specifies to not join with a slip st ).
Need a little more help?
Still feel like you might need a little extra assistance? If so, you might want online classes to help you. With this in mind, check out the links below for Craftsy or Annie’s. To be honest I take online classes often to improve and advance my skills. You can always learn something new! I actually taught myself to knit and crochet through “Teach myself” kits. In addition I’ll share a link for something very similar to what I purchased for myself below as well.
Wrapping Up
I truly hope this tutorial has helped anyone that has struggled in the past with making the magic circle. Indeed videos can be incredibly helpful to learn a new technique. However, I find myself pausing, rewinding and trying to slow it down to watch it over and over again. And that’s fine when the video is short. But sometimes I’m in a hurry and I just need to see one quick part over again to clarify if I’m doing it right. Then I get a little frustrated with having to watch the whole thing over again. If you are like me, I’m hoping this tutorial has been what you have been looking for. :0)
If any part of this tutorial is confusing, please write your feedback. That being the case, I can be sure to make adjustments for anyone else looking for a photo tutorial on this technique in the future. I’m so familiar with doing the magic circle. Because of this I might have left out a step. Or just something simple that would make this more understandable. Either way I won’t know that unless someone who has tried to use this tutorial leaves feedback, positive or constructive. :0)
Good luck on your new favorite technique!!
Happy Stitching!
🧶💖
~Mindy~
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