I don't have this particular magazine, and I don't know any of the background of this particular piece, but I know that often when someone submits a piece (and very often when they submit a tutorial), someone working at the publication will make the piece (from the instructions) and then use it for the photos. It may very well have been someone inexperienced in the fine art of perfect ring closures that made the photographed piece. Not trying to defend, and again, I don't know the story, just sayin'...
Cheers,
Mikaela