How To Make a Magic Ring

If you prefer, you can check out the step-by-step tutorial on how to crochet a magic ring or circle on YouTube: 

A magic ring, also called a magic circle or loop, is a way to start crocheting with a tightly closed center. It is especially useful for amigurumi because it avoids the small hole that often appears when starting with a chain loop.

Step 1. Wrap the yarn around the little finger, then go to the index finger, go around it  and wrap around the middle finger and stop. The loop created on the middle finger, we can now take it and bring it into our palm and hold that loop between our middle finger and our thumb.

Step 2. Now I am in a crocheting position, ready to start the first stitch in the magic ring. We insert the hook and pull out a loop. In that loop, make 1 chain to secure it. 

Step 3. Now that we have the first secure loop on the ring, we insert the hook in the ring again, yarn over, and pull out another loop. You will have 2 loops on the hook now. Yarn over with the 2 loops on the hook and pull the yarn through both loops.

Congratulations! You have created your first stitch on the magic ring. You should have only one loop on the hook now.

Now, to crochet the second stitch on the ring, you need to enter the hook and pull a loop first. After that, you have 2 loops on the hook again, and you can yarn over again and pull the yarn through both of them. Now you have 2 stitches on the magic ring.

Crochet the number of stitches your pattern calls for directly into the ring, working over both the loop and the yarn tail. Once all the stitches are in place, we can close the ring. Pull the yarn tail firmly to close the center hole. You may need to pull harder than expected. 

Then continue with the next round as usual. You can start a new row by making a crochet stitch now in the first stitch to the left of your hook. This will be the first stitch in the row, and you can use a marker for reference. 

It can feel a little awkward the first few times, but once you get used to it, the magic ring becomes one of the most useful techniques in crochet. It gives your projects a much cleaner and more polished starting point.