My newborn crochet pattern could also be created using the “magic” loop technique. Just make your loop and crochet your 12 DC (double crochet) in the center of the loop, join with a SL (slip stitch) in the first DC and continue to follow pattern with round 2. 
HAPPY CREATING!!
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I really like the “magic” loop crochet technique. There are many patterns that begin the project with this technique but you can also convert a pattern that begins with a joined circle to a magic loop if you so desire.
Here’s my version of a magic loop with close up pictures which I hope will help those of you learning to do this technique. This is how I weave my yarn through my fingers to get ready to make the loop. 
Now you want to form the circle or “loop” that you will be crocheting inside of. You need to form a counterclockwise loop with the tail or end of yarn heading down and on the bottom side of the loop and the yarn pulling from the skein off to the side and on top of the loop. Hold this loop join between your middle finger and your thumb to keep in place ready to make your first stitch.
counterclockwise loop
Insert your crochet hook through the loop and pick up the yarn pulling from the skein and pull it through the opening of the loop. Yarn over and pull through completing first stitch which is actually your slip knot. Be sure to keep holding the loop (the tail yarn and loop) between your middle finger and thumb so it doesn’t come apart. Now crochet your pattern designated circle stitches. I am showing double crochet (dc) stitches inside loop. Once you have a completed dc, your loop is pretty secure and it isn’t necessary to keep holding it securely between your middle finger and thumb. One thing you want to make sure of is to keep your tail yarn (which will be the yarn you will pull to tighten your loop) along the outside edge of the loop. It will want to twist around the loop as you make your stitches and it won’t be easy to close the loop if twisted.
completed first dc, untwisted yarn tail to keep along outer edge of loop
pulling loop through magic loop making slip knot
completed 3 dc
Finish the required stitches according to your pattern, my sample I am showing 6 dc stitches inside loop, now you will join with a slip stitch (sl) into your beginning stitch. Not the first loop which was actually a slip knot but your first actual stitch. Once you complete the slip stitch (sl) join, pull securely on the tail yarn to close the loop as tightly as you want it.
joining into 1st dc with sl stitch
completed “magic” loop
Now you are ready to begin your next round according to the directions of your pattern. I personally really like to do the “magic” loop and I hope you find these directions helpful too.
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I like to make bindings from my cotton scraps and have them ready in my stash pile for any current or future sewing projects. They are not hard to make and it is nice to have a one-of-a-kind trim available.
The type of binding that I am demonstrating is using the straight of grain or lengthwise grain on the fabric. Good for almost any type of project except a small circle which you might have puckering but a bias type binding would work for those small tight curves. Cut your strips on the bias (diagonal edge to diagonal edge) and follow these directions to create bias binding.
Using a 2 1/2″ wide cut fabric strip makes for a very nice binding finished width. What I prefer to do is to rip the cotton fabric on the straight of grain to create my working 2 1/2″ width. If your scrap piece is not wide enough to rip, then just utilize a good ruler and measure for a 2 1/2″ width using a rotary cutter. Your cut length can be whatever size you have remaining from your scrap fabric.
Scrap fabric that I will rip into strips.
Second side of rotary cutting strip
Rotary cutting strip with ruler
Make a small cut before you rip fabric.
My ripped strips, ready for joining!!
To sew your cut scraps together to form a professional looking seam, you will put right sides together making an upside down “L”. Take a good ruler, using a pencil or soap, make a stitching line to sew along for a perfect join. You will then sew from the top edge to the side edge on your binding strip. Trim your seam close to the stitching line and press seam open.
Stitching from top edge to opposite side edge
Right sides together forming an upside down and backwards “L”
Marked seam line
Trim seam close to stitching and press seam open
Once you have all your joins stitched together for your binding, fold the strip with wrong sides together and press.
Stitched and pressed with wrong sides together
This scrap had no joins so just needed to press wrong sides together
Now you have binding that is ready to be sewn to whatever project you are working on. When sewing the binding to my project, I always use a 1/4″ seam allowance.
Making binding is an easy scrap project for a child who has experience with a sewing machine. Ripping fabric is a fun thing for a youngster to do. I wouldn’t suggest letting them use a rotary cutter, only an adult should handle that sewing tool!!
I like to wrap my bindings onto index cards so they can be stored flat in a see thru type storage bin. You will find many different uses for bindings from quilts, bibs, hooded towels, placemats, clothing, etc.!!
HAPPY CREATING!!
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Just discovered a fellow crocheter from Ravelry (a wonderful crochet/knit site) who has been busy making my newborn/preemie crochet beanie pattern and donating them to her local hospital. Way to go Loz!!
Check out her website http://xloz68x.wordpress.com/ to see her cute beanies!!
Let me know if anyone else has been making these too!! They really are easy and loads of fun to make and for a wonderful cause.
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