Magic Ring / Loop in Crochet

Often a pattern calls for a magic ring or loop to start a project.  The difference between using a magic ring and say a chain of 4 and a slip stitch, is that you can pull the MR shut and therefore making the hole in the middle disappear.

Magic loops are so much easier to demonstrate than explain, so let's see if I can do a step-by-step photo tutorial to try and make things a little easier.

So, instead of making a normal slip knot, you do this  (no knots)...

• Wrap the yarn around your fingers like shown in this photo.

• Pop your hook through the hole and pull the yarn through from the back to the front.

• As if doing a chain stitch, pull your yarn through the loop you have just made.

• Pull upwards until it is tight.

• Now, pull the working end of your yarn so the stitch tightens up enclosing your hook (keep your tension tight here as this loop will work loose otherwise).

• Start working your pattern, working your first number of stitched into the loop.

• Once all the stitches are in place, pull the tail tight and slip stitch into the first stitch to join.