Starting an item so it stays circular but doesn’t have a hole can be a bit of a challenge – but it doesn’t need to be!

One of the most popular ways to do this is with a magic ring. Once you learn how to do it, it can be used when you don’t want to waste a lot of yarn but still create a firm start for your project.

How to work a Magic Ring

Step 1: Pull out approximately 12 inches of yarn.

Step 2:  Wrap the yarn around your finger twice, winding it toward your body.

Step 3: Insert the hook under the first strand and over the second strand.

Step 4: Pull the yarn through, just like you would when working a YO.

Step 5: Twist the hook so it’s pointing upward.

Step 5: Ch1.

Step 6: Insert the hook through both wraps of the ring, YO and pull through a loop.

Step 7: Finish making a SC. One SC made.

Step 8: Repeat steps 6 and 7. Crochet into the ring the specified amount of times. Make sure you crochet over both the ring *and* the yarn tail. You’ll have 2 strands of yarn that you’ll be crocheting over.

Step 9: Once done, pull the cut end of yarn to tighten up the start and also make it into a circle. This will also make the SCs be only over one strand (like normal) At this point, you’re ready to work the next round as per the pattern.

Once you’ve worked several rounds, you can weave in the end and stuff it on the inside of your project. If the object isn’t going to be worn or handled (say, for a bunting) I might just tighten the ring and stuff a few inches of the tail on the inside and call it a day. In those cases, I make sure that the ring will remain tight. This often doesn’t work with very slippery and smooth yarns. If it won’t stay nicely, I’ll weave in the end a bit to secure it.