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The magic ring is a simple way to create a nice tight circle for #crochet in the round, or in a circle. Many crochet patterns, especially older ones, will tell you to chain several stitches and connect with a slip stitch, then crochet your first row over those chains. This is a fine way to begin, but often leaves a small hole in the center of the work. If you’d like to be able to create a tight beginning circle, then this is the perfect way to do it.
If you are a beginner to crochet, then I suggest learning some basic stitches in our beginner tutorial, here.
How to make a Magic Circle (Magic Ring)
1. Start with a slip knot, with a longer tail, about 10-15 cm (4-6″).
2. Chain 2 (for double crochet or however many are needed for your first row of your pattern).
3. Take your tail and make a circle with it.
4. Work your first stitch over both strands of the circle you made, continue working your first row over both strands of the circle.
5. When you have completed the correct number of stitches, I recommend 12 (including chains) for a hat, gently pull on the tail of your yarn, to tighten the circle. Slip stitch to the ch at the beginning of the row.
Check out this video for a step by step tutorial.
Simple Crochet Beanie Pattern
This is a very versatile pattern, that is the base for many different patterns. You can modify the body of the pattern, adding granny stripes, ribbing, shell stitches, puff stitches, etc. You can add a brim to the bottom, or ear flaps, or make the body longer than normal and it’ll become slouchy. Click here to download our FREE ebook to get the full tutorial with lots of extras to customize your hat patterns.
Materials: Some medium weight yarn (4) and a 4.5mm crochet hook (I will often use a small hook, 3mm, or a darning needle to weave in ends when I’m finished)
Gauge: doesn’t matter too much, just measure as you go using the chart at the bottom to check sizing.
Crown: 1. Ch 2(counts as a st), *make magic ring here from the tail of your slip knot* 11 dc Pull magic ring to tighten the circle, sl st together. (12 st)
2. Ch 2(as first dc), 2dc in each st. (24 st)
3. Ch 2(as first dc), * 1 dc in first st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *, sl st together (36 st)
4. Ch 2(as first dc), * 2 dc, 2dc in next st, repeat from *, sl st together (48 st)
Stop Here for Newborn size and skip to Row 7 (48st)
5. Ch 2(as first dc), * 3 dc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from *, sl st together Stop here for Baby size 3-6 months. Skip to Row 7 below.
6. Ch 2(as first dc), * 4 dc, 2 dc in next st, repeat from *, sl st together Stop here for Baby size 6-12 months.
For larger sizes continue adding 1 dc before the 2dc, in each row until the crown measurement shown below is close to the size hat you’re trying to make.
Body
7. Ch 2(as first dc), dc in each st around. This is for a Simple Hat, like the one pictured. Here is also where I usually suggest adding flair to your pattern.
8. Ch 2(as first dc), dc in each st around. (Continue this row, until ½” or 1cm from the full length for the size you’re making.
Finishing Rows: 9. ch 1, *sc in each of the next 10 st, 2sc, continue from * around, sl st to ch. Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to ch. You can repeat this row again, or finish here. Cut yarn, and pull gently on your hook to pull through the tail, and weave in your ends.
Download our full hat ebook with simple add-ons, beginner tips and tricks, like how to change colours seamlessly, and some hat examples, like different striping ideas.
Here, I’ve included a hat size guide to get you started. Show me your designs, by tagging us & #purplerosecrafts on Instagram.
