Hold the yarn tail in your palm and wrap the working 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 up a loop
Chain 1 to secure the loop
Work the required number of stitches into the circle
Hold the tail and pull it to tighten the circle
Continue crocheting into the tightened center as needed
Weave in or secure the tail to finish