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Crocheted Little Ladybug
begins with a magic circle...
Crocheted Magic Circle Directions
by Christen Haden,
of needlenoodles.com.
Christen is also the author of Creepy Cute Crochet.
Many crochet projects begin with a circle (such as our Little Ladybug pattern). The problem is that standard directions usually say to chain two, then crochet a given number of stitches in the first stitch (or for double crochet, chain four, then work as many dc in fourth chain from hook as stated in your pattern).
These methods will produce a crocheted circle, but may leave a large, unsightly hole in the center of the circle. For some patterns, especially smaller scale toys or amigurumi, this just isn't good enough.
Welcome to the better mousetrap - a magic circle, or adjustable ring, that produces a well-shaped center for your patterns, with an adjustable hole in the middle of the circle. You can tighten the yarn to whatever diameter is pleasing to you, or close it entirely.
Magic Circle / Adjustable Ring Tutorial:
Magic Circle - Step One
Magic Circle - Step Two
1. Make a loop with the stray end under the working end of the yarn.
2. With the hook, pull the working end from behind the stray end under and back up to the top. Ch 1 or otherwise start as you would with any other type of ring.
Magic Circle - Step Three
Magic Circle - Step Four
3. Continue around, working as usual, with the sts worked directly over both cords.
4. Once the desired number of stitches have been worked, hold work with one hand and pull the stray end taut with the other hand.
Magic Circle - Step Five
5. Continue to pull the stray end until the ring is the desired size. Weave in end to keep ring from growing as piece is worked.
Make a CommentMore Amigurimi Crochet Projects:
Crocheted Ladybug
Amigurumi Bunny
Published with generous permission from the author, under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
I love the magic circle. I have wished for a way to close circles. Thank you for making it available to us.
Thank you for making this printable. Youtube is handy, but I don't DO memory so it's mighty handy to have visible instructions in my bag.
Thanks! This is a big help! I was reading directions for a stuffed elephant and the instructions said begin with a magic circle and I was looking for a definition for that but nothing helped. Then I found your webpage and it was amazing how much it made sense. I just started crocheting. I'm only twelve and I've made 13 toys for my siblings. Thanks so much!
This will get me started on my very first toy
As a beginner, I can't believe how much this magic circle is going to help me get a good start. Thanks for the great tip!
That is such a simple method and the best I have ever seen! Thanks a lot!
This is the best instruction I've seen - very simple, good pictures! I struggled for weeks with the You Tube videos - they largely don't consider the lighting, the blurring, the angles, the fussing with the yarn - so a waste of time mostly. I was able to get this right on the first try and am so enthused, I will teach this to my sisters this weekend. Thank you, thank you!!
Thank you for solving a vexing problem for me! It works well and is very easy too.
There needs to be more specific instructions to the " magis circle"
You need a larger Print Me icon for us senior citizens with poor eye sight.
