How to Make a Magic Circle

The Magic Circle...

It sounds like some kind of mysterious, mythical place where strange things happen, doesn't it?  And to think, it's only a really cool way to make a circle in Crochet!  When I was new to crochet and heard that term, I thought, ooohhhh I'll never be able to do such a complicated thing!  It's not that it's complicated at all, you just need to find that one tutorial that makes it click for you.  Everyone is a different kind of learner...what may help some may not help others.  And I'm not gonna lie, it took me a couple videos to finally have it click for me.  So I'm going to show you how I learned the Magic Circle, and hopefully it clicks for you!  

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Why Use the Magic Circle?

So why use a Magic Circle instead of just making a chain and joining the ends with a slip stitch?  The answer is, when we use the Magic Circle, the little tail allows us to pull our circle tightly closed, which looks neater in some cases.  See below.

You'll see some crochet patterns that give you a choice of either starting with a Magic Circle or using a chain that you close with a slip stitch.  In that case, it's up to you!  Hopefully this tutorial helps you feel prepared for either method!  So let's get started!

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What You'll Need:

I used a size H/5.00 MM crochet hook and some #4 weight acrylic yarn in this case, but this method can be used with any yarn.

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The Left Handed Magic Circle Video

The Right Handed Magic Circle Video

How to Make a Magic Circle 

Start by positioning your yarn like this; see below.

Step 1:  Bring the yarn toward you, under your middle finger, and back up over your middle and index fingers; it should look like an "X"; see below.

Step 2:  Rotate your hand so that you're looking at the tops of your fingers; see below.

Step 3:  Insert your hook under both of the loops; see below.

Step 4:  Grab the inside loop of yarn and pull it under the outside loop; see below.

Step 5:  Pull that loop up as that will be your working loop; see below.

Your Magic Circle is complete!  Now, depending on the pattern you're following, you may need to chain a certain number to secure the circle and prepare for the stitches that will go in the circle.  For example, to Chain 1 after forming your circle, you'll do the following:

Now you can work whatever stitches you need to work into the circle, depending on the pattern you're following.  In this example, I've worked 11 DC's into my circle.  Once you've worked your stitches into the circle, pull the center string to close the circle snugly.  See below.

And that's it!  Practice a couple of times, and it will become like second nature to you!

Insert quick, funny story here:  I'm sorry for the yarn color change!  I photographed this tutorial in pieces, and one of my kitties took it upon herself to steal my light blue yarn!  I have since found said yarn, but we're going to pretend it's the same color!  Thank you for playing along! 

If you absolutely don't want to do the magic circle...

Don't beat yourself up!  You WILL get it!  In the meantime, you can just crochet a chain circle.  Most patterns will tell you how many chains to make your circle with.  In this case, start with a slip knot and chain 5; see below.

Now, make a circle by inserting your hook into the first chain you made; see below.

Now you can work your desired stitches into your circle!

The Left Handed Video Tutorial for the Chain Circle

The Right Handed Video Tutorial for the Chain Circle

Okay!  Now do you feel ready to go crochet some circles?  Yesss!  I knew you would!  I'd love to hear from you and see how your circles come out!  You can comment below, sign up for my email below, or join my Facebook Group!  Until then, please stay safe and take care of you!
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Sending you positive energy always,
Krista ☮? 

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If this tutorial helped you out, you may like these tutorials as well!

How to Crochet the Single Crochet Stitch

How to Crochet the Half Double Crochet Stitch

How to Crochet the Double Crochet Stitch

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