Adjustable magic loop comes in handy whenever your work starts as a crocheted circle and you do not desire a visible hole in the middle. Examples of such work include coasters, placemats, hats, doilies, rugs, or basket bases. In fact, I use this technique to start all of of my baskets.
In essence, adjustable magic loop allows you to comfortably crochet any number of stitches into a sliding loop rather than into a chain stitch, which is the alternative of starting crochet circles. At the end of the round, you simply tighten the sliding loop to close the gap, creating a center with a barely there or completely invisible hole.
Magic loop, magic circle, adjustable loop, magic ring, adjustable ring, drawstring ring – this fundamental crochet technique goes by many names. Not surprisingly, there are also quite a few ways to execute it and each crocheter has their favorite.
Below you will find my favorite way of creating the adjustable magic loop. I will demonstrate the technique on a basic crochet circle consisting of 6 single crochets.