Also referred to as a magic loop, the magic circle is a great way to start a project in the round. I know some people absolutely hate magic circles, but stick around because I also have some variations. For example, have you ever heard of the locking magic circle? Plus, don’t tell anyone, but I don’t always feel like doing a magic circle either… So, I came up with my own way of doing it and it’s stupidly easy. Let’s get into the magic circle crochet tutorial.
Why use it?
With it being so controversial, why is the magic circle still so popular? Quite simply, because when you use it, you can pull your opening completely closed and just sew it in to secure it. Which means, whether it’s a top down hat, an amigurumi project (like my Crochet Octopus Tutorial), a bag (or a pouch like my Crocheted Drawstring Pouch Pattern), a granny, or an easy little heart like this Easy Cute Crochet Heart.
I love using this method when I don’t want any gaps in my work. Especially when is comes to amigurumi, you don’t want stuffing to be able to escape.
Here’s a picture of a little ball I made using the crochet magic circle. As you can see, it’s completely sealed on the bottom.
The Magic Circle crochet tutorial
To start a MC, wrap the end of your yarn around two fingers twice, spread the two fingers, take your hook and pull the strand closest to your palm up as a loop, yarn over and pull through this is a chain.
Cinch it closed by pulling the tail and weaving in it around the base stitches.
The Locking Magic Circle Tutorial
I know there’s mixed feelings about this particular way of starting in the round. It’s great for ami, shawls, grannies and so much more! I’ve seen some pretty interesting ways of making Mcs everyone seems to have their own way. so I’m going to throw mine out there too! It’s really easy to do so make sure you give it a try. The best thing about this method is that you don’t have to weave in the end with it!
To start a locking MC, wrap the end of your yarn around 2 fingers 3 times, spread the two fingers, take your hook and pull the strand closest to your palm up as a loop over both strands, yarn over, and pull through, this is a chain.
To cinch this one closed, pull at one of the strands to see if it’s pulling the tail or pulling the other loop, pull the one not connected to the tail tight, then pull the tail to close it completely. You can snip off the excess because it’s already locked in.
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Easy Magic (faux Magic Circle)
Okay, so I don’t know if this is a method anyone else does… but this is how I sometimes start when I don’t feel like doing a magic circle. It’s super easy to do!
Chain 2, work into the first chain, pull the tail when you’re done. That’s it.
All of these tutorials are for a single crochet or a stitch that needs a chaining of 1. Just do chains to the appropriate height and then work into the chain or MC base.
Weaving in the ends
That’s it! I might make suggestions in my patterns, but you can use any of these pretty much interchangeably. As you can see in this photo, there’s really no difference between them visually.
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This written pattern and all it’s photos are copyrighted by Becka Hons, please do not take them and use them as your own work. Please link back to this page if you wish to share it.
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