Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed toys and figures, is one of the most fun things you can make with a hook and some yarn. It looks fiddly, but it only uses a few basic stitches. These tips will help your first pieces come out neat and even.
1. Start with a magic ring
Most amigurumi start with a magic ring (MR): an adjustable loop you crochet into and then pull tight. It closes the center completely, so there's no hole at the top of the head or body.
2. Work in a spiral and use a stitch marker
Amigurumi is usually worked in a continuous spiral, without joining each round. That makes it easy to lose your place, so put a stitch marker (or a scrap of yarn) in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you go.
3. Use a smaller hook than usual
Amigurumi needs tight stitches so the stuffing doesn't show through. Most people go down a hook size or two from what the yarn label suggests. If you can see stuffing between your stitches, try a smaller hook.
A small toy like our free Honey Bee pattern is a great first project: it is mostly single crochet in the round.
4. Try the invisible decrease
For a smooth finish, work decreases through the front loops only of two stitches, then complete a single crochet. It leaves far less of a bump than a regular decrease.
5. Stuff firmly, and as you go
Add stuffing a little at a time, and start before the opening gets too small. Firm stuffing gives a better shape; lumpy or loose stuffing makes the piece look uneven.
6. Choose safe eyes for little ones
Plastic safety eyes look great, but they can be a choking hazard. For toys meant for babies and young children, embroider the eyes with yarn instead.
7. Count, count, count
Every round in an amigurumi pattern ends with a stitch count. Checking it at the end of each round catches mistakes early, before they change the shape.
Stitch counts matter even more on bigger toys, like our Sleepy Striped Cat, which is about 28 inches long including the tail.
Ready to make your first one?
Browse our amigurumi patterns or our beginner-friendly patterns, or start with a free pattern. All our patterns are in US terms with step-by-step instructions.