So you want to crochet something cure, but don’t know how to get started with amigurumi? This post is for you!
First: some basics. Amigurumi is the art of creating cute little creatures out of yarn. They’re usually crocheted (but not always!). You use a smaller hook than usual, to get a tighter fabric, so no stuffing will peek through.
One of the great things about amigurumi is if you have crocheted before, you probably have everything you need in your stash!
You need:
Even if you had to buy everything new, you can get started with amigurumi for under $20.
Assuming you’re crocheting in the round, there are two main ways of starting your amigurumi.
You can either chain three or four stitches, join, and crochet into the centre hole. Or, you can use the magic ring method. That’s tricky to explain in writing, so I’ve rounded up a few posts explaining how to do it here.
As well as the magic ring, the main stitch used in amigurumi is the single crochet. This creates a firm tight fabric which no stuffing will peak through. Double crochets would just be too lose!
Note that all the stitches and patterns published on this blog use the American terminology. This is different from UK terminology. Why? Just to confuse you!
A single crochet in “American” is made like this:
Insert hook, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch (two loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through both loops.
This is the same as a UK “double” crochet. I’ve rounded up more stitches on my techniques page.
There’s no right or wrong terminology to use. Even though I live in the UK, I use American terms… just because the book I learned to crochet from used it! That’s the whole reason.
It can be tricky to know when to stuff an amigurumi. Too soon, and you’re fighting wads of stuffing. Too late, and you’re using chopsticks and tweezers to try and force wads of stuffing into a too-small gap!
Here’s a basic rule of thumb to help you figure out when to stuff amigurumi: when the shape changes significantly, or when you’ve got an inch to go.
How simple is that?
So now you know how to get started with amigurumi, all you need are some patterns! Here’s some I’ve collected for you.
Happy hooking!
Creative Crochet Projects is a fast, fun book of delightful patterns which are accessible to beginning crocheters (and a treat for more advanced hookers).
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I'm a kiwi living in Geneva. Knititng and crochet are just two of my passions! Read more about me. or working with me.
When I started amigurumi I often used paperclips that I would have hung over my working yarn but I often found that this leaves a noticeable “gap” at the beginning of every round.
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