Amigurumi: Tips and Tricks Crocheting Stuffed Toys
Amigurumi is the Japanese term for crochet or knit stuffed toys. Amigurumi items are a lot of fun to make. They can be a challenge the first few times you make them.
Last summer, I crocheted 26 unicorns in 24 weeks. It was crazy, but I learned a lot from that experience and I’m going to share with you, what I learned and some great tips and tricks!
Read the pattern through before starting to crochet.
Not all patterns are written in the order you should crochet each piece.
For example: a teddy bear pattern – you would want to crochet the snout before starting the head – right?
Well, one pattern I like to use has instructions to stop a few rows before finishing the head to add the snout and then crochet the remainder. It is so much easier if you already have the snout made but in the instructions, it comes after the head. Gets me every time!
Crochet the magic circle
Use the magic circle, in place of chaining and slip stitching to form a circle. The magic circle allows you to completely close the circle and not have a hole.
Work in continuous rounds
Some amigurumi patterns call for slip stitching and joining at the end of the rounds. This leaves a visible seam so I prefer to work in continuous rounds. I just ignore that part of the instructions.
If you are working in continuous rounds, you will not chain so ignore the slip stitch and chaining instructions.
Use stitch markers and count your stitches!
This is so important!!
I don’t usually count my stitches after every round on other crochet projects; I’m in too much of a hurry! I would count say, every couple of rounds just to be sure I’m on track. It’s a terrible habit to have but it’s what I do.
BUT when I am working on an amigurumi project, I ALWAYS count my stitches at the end of the round, every single time. Trust me! …. it will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Use pins to hold parts in place
This will give you a visual of what it will look like as well as help you to be sure everything is lined up evenly.
Use your lines (rows) to be sure sets are symmetrical.
For example: if you start an arm 8 rows from the magic circle on one side you will want to count 8 rows from the magic circle on the other side.
When sewing the parts on, work evenly across the row so it doesn’t turn out crooked – use your stitches and rows to help you get parts even!
Leave long tail ends
Leave longer tail ends than you think you will need – just in case! It is better to have the tail ends too long then too short!!
Don’t weave in the tail ends!
After you have attached a part, WAIT to weave in the ends, especially when it is a set.
For example: when I attach an arm and then attach the other arm. I may not have them symmetrical but, I like the way the last one looks compared to the first one. By not weaving in the end, I can easily undo the first one and reattach.
I wait until the parts are completely put together before I weave in the ends.
Stuff with polyfill as you go
This will keep your amigurumi from being lumpy and it is easier to stuff as you go rather than wait until the end. Stuff gently so you avoid lumps. Depending how big your project is you may not be able to get down to the bottom of your project to stuff it as evenly as the top part if you wait to stuff until the end.
You will use more polyfill than you think you will. After being played with your amigurumi will lose some of its fluff so I like to stuff with polyfill until it has just a little bit of give to it. Before I close the end on a part I will squeeze and squish it several times and stuff it some more.
Sew the parts together when you are not tired!
Don’t try to sew the parts on when you are tired.
I have made a lot of my errors when I’ve tried to finish an amigurumi project after a long day at work or after crocheting late at night.
It will take less time if you just wait until you are rested and then tackle the dreaded attaching of all the parts.
Safety Tip : Eyes & Noses!
ALWAYS use safety eyes and noses for your toys or, embroider these features.
Just be sure the face features are SAFE if you are making toys for small kids.
Crochet the same parts as one process
When you are making two of the same items for your amigurumi – legs, arms, ears, etc; make them one after the other. This will give you a better chance of having them turn out the same size. Making each on a different day, you may discover that your tension may not be the same!
Use the same hook throughout your project!
Always use the same hook throughout the amigurumi project.
You wouldn’t want the head of your amigurumi to be the same size as the body and if you use a different hook size parts could be out of proportion.
Changing your hook could cause your stitch sizes and tension to differ.
If you are a loose crocheter, you may want to go down a hook size because you want tight stitches for amigurumi so your stuffing doesn’t come out.
Use ideal yarn for your amigurumi
Some patterns call for small yarns. Most amigurumi projects call for worsted weight yarn or smaller. I don’t like working with small yarn so I use Bernat blanket yarn for most of my amigurumi projects even if the pattern calls for smaller yarns. Using a bigger yarn and hook will make your amigurumi bigger than what the pattern called for but that’s how I like them. Bernat blanket yarn is so soft and squishy, it makes the best teddy bears!
I have learned something from every amigurumi that I’ve made.
The more you make amigurumi, the more you will get the hang of it and come up with tips and tricks that work for you.
If you have wanted to crochet amigurumi and have put it off, I hope this will inspire you to tackle that first ‘ami’ project! They can be frustrating but it is so worth it just to see the joy in the little ones faces!!
You can find all my recommended crochet items for amigurumi in my Amazon Store.
Happy Crocheting!
8 Comments
Missi Ream Murvin
This blog was very helpful. I mostly work on amigurumi projects and learned a couple of new tricks from your blog. The main one I wasn’t aware that I should be doing is to wait on weaving in ends until I finish attaching all my parts. And also nit sewing parts on when tired, I have definitely made this mistake LOL. Thank you, this will be very helpful in the future.
Pat Blumstein
Thank you for sharing these great tips. I am a “rookie” at amigurumi, and the tips are very helpful.
Shayne Duran
This was soooo helpful. I’m actually trying to make a few animals and these tips will help out a lot.
Nicky
I am so glad to hear that this was helpful for you!!
Teri
Lots of great info here. Thanks!!! I’m a beginner and these are very helpful!!
Terrie
I love the fact that you use Bernat Baby Blanket yarn for all these projects but what hook do you recommend?
Nicky
Hey Terrie! I usually use a size N hook. I am a tight crocheter and I had to play around with a few sizes to see what I felt looked best.
Terrie
Hey Nicky, Thank you for the information, it will be very helpful.mi can’t wait to try one.