Double Magic Ring Photo Tutorial and Video Tutorial
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Here’s how it works.
Follow these simple steps to master the double magic ring. Once you’ve tried this technique you will never want to start a project that is crocheted in the round, any other way!
This crochet technique is the most secure way to start your projects in the round and it works for all yarn types, including thread!
I have included a step-by-step photo tutorial and a video tutorial below!
You can use the double magic ring to start any of your projects that are worked in the round, or in spirals, including:
- amigurumi
- hats
- mittens
- socks
- slippers
- bags
- baskets
Double Magic Ring Tutorial
When you begin your projects in the round and use the double magic ring, the top of your project will remain strong and secure. The beginning opening (the hole) at the top will be closed tightly and it will not slide back open over time. This technique even works well with slippery fibers and yarns!
Double Magic Ring Photo Tutorial
- Leave a 4 to 6 inch tail of yarn and then wrap the yarn around your hand (or 2 fingers) twice.
2. You will want to press your thumb on the 2 strands of yarn that you wrapped around your hand, to hold them in place. Insert your hook under the 2 strands of yarn and pull the third strand (the working yarn) of yarn beneath the 2 strands that are held in place by your thumb, to pull up 1 loop.
6. Chain 1.
4. Now we will begin to work our stitches into your double magic ring – so for this example we are going to be working some single crochet stitches. Insert your hook into the center of your double magic ring and under the tail of your yarn. So beneath all 3 strands of yarn.
5. Yarn over the hook and pull that loop beneath all 3 strands of yarn (the yarn tail and the 2 strands from the double magic ring).
6. You now have 2 loops on your hook.
7. Yarn over the hook and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes your first single crochet.
8. Work 7 more single crochets into the double magic ring and around the yarn tail.
9. Now pull the yarn tail to see which strand of the double magic ring moves and in what direction.
10. Once we determine which strand moves and in which direction, we pull that same strand but on the opposite end of the strand. So if the strand moved downwards like in the example below (see the arrows and my finger), we would pull the other end of that same strand (big blue arrow) to tighten and close the first ring of the double magic ring.
11. Pull the end slowly and firmly to close the first ring.
12. To pull the second ring closed, pull the yarn tail.
Double Magic Ring Video Tutorial
Other Options to Begin Your Projects in the Round
If you do not want to use the double magic ring to begin your projects in the round, there are other options you can use instead.
How to Start Projects Worked in the Round:
- chain a specified number of stitches and then slip stitch to the 1st st to join to form a loop (depending on the stitch you will be using, you may need to chain more chains in order for them all to sit flat within the loop you create)
- chain 2 stitches and then work your first round of single crochet stitches into the 2nd chain from the hook
- chain 3 stitches and then work your first round of half double crochet stitches into the 3rd chain from the hook
- chain 4 stitches and then work your first round of double crochet stitches into the 4th chain from the hook
- chain 5 stitches and then work your first round treble crochet stitches into the 5th chain from your hook
- magic ring (adjustable loop, magic adjustable ring, adjustable ring or magic circle) – magic ring photo tutorial
- place a slip knot on your hook and then expand that slip knot into a loop, insert your hook into this loop and begin working your first round of stitches around this preformed ‘ring’
If you are trying to crochet one of my patterns that I have started in the round with a double magic ring and you would like to begin in an alternate way but aren’t sure where to start, just send me a message 🙂 I’d be happy to help you choose a method that will work for the pattern.
Hi Micky, You can use the Double Magic Ring for any project started in the round (or spirals). The general rule of thumb is for single crochet begin the round with a chain 1, half double crochet a chain 2, double crochet a chain 3 and treble crochet a chain 4. Hope this helps! Best wishes, Rhondda
Anne,
Can you use this same method to start a beanie using half double crochet instead of single crochet? When you chain, would you chain 2 instead of 1?
Thanks. I’ve only been crocheting for about a year and I appreciate your tutorials.
Hi Anne, if you can only tighten the one ring it is likely that you tightened the wrong ring first. This quick video might help you: We don’t pull the yarn tail end to tighten the rings until the very last. We only pull it slightly to see which of the two loops are moving and then we pull that same loop, but the opposite end of it (from where it was moving into the stitches). https://youtu.be/gNr7j7FKOJ0 Let me know if this helps! Rhondda
I try to make me, but am only able to tighten one loop. What am I doing wrong. I hate to give up.
Hi Verna, Sometimes with washing hats, or wear and tear (or even more slippery yarns) the initial ring will start to slide out from under the stitches and it can come undone. It will begin by opening a bit then the hat will start unraveling from the top down. My nieces hat did this (I used super bulky yarn) (she is younger and there is more wear and tear on her items I think than most adult items I’ve made). I also weave in my end after I use the MR, which is a good thing as it provided us with enough extra yarn to repair the hat for her. It was her favorite. The double magic ring or double magic circle is more secure because you have 2 wraps hidden in the very top of the hat and the stitches are worked over-top of both wraps/rings. You have included the extra wraps right at the start and then when I am down R1 I only need to weave my end in a bit since it is so secure with the second loop – it provides a super strong start. I can’t even release the ring if I want to add a stitch into it, I have to completely take the top round of the hat apart and start over if I missed a stitch in my initial round (or change my mind on the number I want to start with). Hope this helps! All the best, Rhondda
I use the Magic Circle for most anything I can, along with the invisible. I’ve never had my mc come undone as I incorporate the tail into my stitches instead of just hiding the tail.
I’m trying to figure out why I would need to do this Double Magic Circle instead of the original MC. Can you help explain it to me?
Hi Tammy, I only have the video tutorial at the moment but I can write a photo tutorial for it. I’ve added it to my to-do list for this month. All the best, Rhondda
Are written directions available? Thanks!
Hello Rhonddha,
I am so glad to have come across your video of the Magic Ring. Thank you for making and distributing it.
I do have to agree with Sue that it is too fast — of course there is a way on YouTube to slow things down, but for future videos the key is slow and repeat! The number of fans will surely increase and so will our enthusiasm!
Thank you again!
Hi Sue, I have a photo tutorial for the regular magic ring if you’d like to take a look at it 🙂 https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/how-to-make-a-magic-ring/ Or if you view the Video on YouTube you can slow down the speed using the options in the bottom right hand corner of the video. You click the little ‘gear’ icon and then choice the speed option to make slow or super slow 🙂 Here’s the video link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLFTOm3SlqU&feature=youtu.be Hope this helps! Rhondda
Am trying to do my first ever hat & want to do the double magic ring. Are there photo or written instructions? If so, where do I find? The video is great, but a tad to fast for me. Sorry.