Hold the yarn tail in your palm and wrap the yarn around two fingers to form a loop
Cross the working yarn over the tail to make an X
Insert your hook under the first strand and over the second strand
Catch the working yarn with the hook and pull it through the loop
Chain 1 to secure the ring
Work the required number of stitches into the center of the loop
Hold the tail and pull it tight to close the ring
Continue crocheting into the closed center as needed