Emma's Animal Creations
  • home
  • blog
  • Free patterns
  • Patterns
  • Tutorials

Amigurumi tip: Magic ring

11/26/2013

2 Comments

 
Whenever I begin designing a new animal, whenever I make an animal that I have made many time before, I use this method to start off my amigurumi plushies.

I have heard of several people using the 'chain 2, sc X about of stitches into the second chain from your hook' because they can't really get the magic ring right. The 'chain 2' method is good if you are just learning how to make amigurumi, and you are just doing a small practice circle, but I don't recommend using it for a stuffed animal. Why? Because once you work the required amount of stitches into the specified chain stitch, you have to pull the beginning yarn strand tight to close the hole. But when you use the 'chain 2' method, the hole doesn't close all the way, leaving a hole in your stuffed cutie :(

The magic ring method solves that problem. When you are making the magic ring, you are basically making a knot.

Picture
← Take a look at this photo. If you were to cut the working yarn and pull it through the loop, after pulling the two yarn strands tightly together, you would have nothing but a tight knot. So would you rather have a hole in your amigurumi, or a nicely closed beginning ring? If you prefer the latter, keep reading!
Here is how to begin. Place the working yarn over you hand (I am right handed, so I am putting the yarn over my left hand. If you are left handed, loop the yarn over your right hand).
Picture
Then, loop the yarn under your index and middle finger (at this point, you can curl in your ring finger and your pinky).
Picture
Now, turn your hand so that the yarn looped over your fingers looks like this:
Picture
Looking good! Just a few more steps and you can begin crocheting. Now, insert you hook into both loops:
Picture
Now, do you see the loop to the left? That's what were focusing on.
Picture
With your crochet hook, pull the left loop through the right loop:
Picture
At this point, you can take pull the ring off of you fingers.
Picture
After that, chain 1 (this chain will look kind of strange, not like a normal chain).
Picture
Then, insert your hook into the loop, and complete the stitch. Then, crochet the required amount of stitches into the ring.
Picture
After that, you can close the ring by pulling the yarn strand tight (Don't be afraid to pull. If you don't pull, you'll have a hole!).
Picture
After that, you can begin on your stuffed animal, and you won't have a hole! Be sure to practice this several times before you begin an animal to ensure that you understand the magic ring and how to do it correctly. I hope this tutorial helps you will your future amigurumi plushies!
2 Comments
Lissa link
12/9/2013 11:39:13 am

You are very good at what you do, Emma. Your pictures are in-focus and show all the steps in a logical manner with no gaps. You explain the process clearly, encouragingly, and very simply. Even without doing the motions myself, I can easily understand how they work from your directions. Excellent tutorial.

I only have one suggestion to make your work pitch-perfect: Do a careful recheck for small typos like missing letters or punctuation before you post. Try reading it all out loud to yourself; it's truly amazing what I catch in my own posts by doing that. Remember it's the details that make the difference, and keep up the awesome work!

Reply
Emma link
12/10/2013 07:07:19 am

Thank you for the compliment! I am glad you like the tutorial.

Thank you for the tip! I apologize if I had any big typos that I missed. I'll try to catch them next time :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Hello!

    I'm Emma, a crocheter, knitter, yarn dyer, and the list goes on. I'm pretty much obsessed with anything yarn related (except arm knitting. I haven't tried that).

    Picture

    Archives

    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Please check out my Dad's real fur craft items!
    Auctions for free stuff at Listia.com
    Online Knitting Class
    BOGO Sale - Shapeology Nutrition Trim Trio
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.