How to use the Magic Circle Hook

A magic circle is an adjustable starting ring, used for hooking animals, square patterns, and other shapes around the circle. You can create a basic magic circle or a double magic circle for a more secure result. If you struggle with making the magic circle, there are alternative methods to try.

Wrap the yarn into a circle. You will wrap the yarn around your fingers with the working end (the end attached to the ball of yarn) on the right, and the tail of the yarn on the left.

Insert the hook into the circle. You will slide the hook down under both strands of yarn from right to left.

Pull the yarn through the circle. You will pull the yarn, held by the hook, through the original circle to create a new loop on the hook.

Make a chain stitch. You will create the required number of chain stitches based on the pattern you are following.

Pull both ends of the yarn. You will hold the end connected to the yarn ball firmly and gently pull the other end. This will bring the stitches together at the center, forming a complete magic circle.

Slip a stitch into the first stitch. To close this round and start the next rows, you will slip a stitch into the first stitch and continue crocheting the following row.

Wrap the yarn around your left fingers twice. Instead of making one loop as with the basic magic circle, you will wrap two loops. The shorter end of the yarn will be positioned behind on the right, and the longer end will be in front, facing your palm.

Pull the yarn to create another circle. You will slide the hook under the two loops closest to your fingers, hook the yarn connected to the ball of yarn, and pull it through to form a loop on the hook.

Create a chain stitch. Hook the long end of the yarn and pull it through the circle on the hook to form a single chain stitch.

Pull the yarn end to tighten the circle.

• You might not be able to tighten both loops fully, but that's okay—just make sure one loop is tightened.

Create a foundation chain.

• The initial foundation chain is adjustable, but the final circle will not be, so make sure to tighten the circle as much as possible by crocheting evenly and firmly.
• Use this method as an alternative if you find it difficult to make the magic circle.

Work the first stitch into the second chain from the hook. You will insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, which is the first chain stitch of the series, and crochet the entire first row into that stitch.

Slip stitch into the first stitch. To close the round and start the next, you will slip stitch into the first stitch and proceed to the second round.

• Note that this circle is not adjustable like the magic circle, but it will still form the necessary ring for your patterns and is easier to create than the magic circle.

Create a slip knot. Tighten the yarn to form a circle on the hook.

• Note that this is an alternative method to use when you have difficulty creating a magic circle. The first slip knot is adjustable, but the final circle formed from this knot is not.
• This method works better for patterns using double crochet stitches, while the previously mentioned alternative method is better suited for single crochet patterns.

Crochet four chain stitches. You will crochet four chain stitches to form the starting chain.

Slip stitch into the first chain stitch. You will slip stitch into the first chain stitch, or the fourth chain from the hook.

• At this point, you will have one loop remaining on the hook.
• Note that this will form a circle, but since the circle is quite large, you may need to crochet additional stitches to tighten the circle.

Make the required chain stitches. You will crochet the number of chain stitches needed for the first round of your pattern, similar to the four methods discussed earlier in the article.

Work the first stitch into the circle. All the stitches for the first round (except for the chain stitches you just made) will go through the circle.

Slip stitch into the third chain stitch.

• Tighten the yarn end.

• Crochet Hook
• Yarn