Amigurumi patterns for beginners – a step-by-step guide

Hi! My name is Mari-Liis, and I’m an amigurumi designer from Estonia with over 15 years of experience in crocheting toys. Today, I want to take a deeper look into what amigurumi is all about and how to start as a beginner. So here we go!

What is amigurumi?

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed toys. It uses simple stitches and shaping techniques. These adorable (kawaii in Japanese) handmade creations can range from animals and dolls to food, plants, and fantasy creatures. From my experience, amigurumi is enjoyed by both seasoned crocheters and complete beginners who are just discovering crochet.

• The origins of amigurumi

The word “amigurumi” comes from the Japanese words “ami” (meaning crocheted or knitted) and “nuigurumi” (meaning stuffed doll). The craft gained popularity in Japan in the 1980s and has since spread worldwide, reaching huge popularity in the first decade of the 2000s.

• Why is amigurumi so popular?

Amigurumi has become a favorite among crafters due to its versatility and the joy of creating something unique. It has captivated crafters with its endless possibilities for customization and creativity. Many beginners love it because it requires minimal skills and materials. The small size of most projects makes them quick to complete. Plus, gifting a handmade amigurumi brings joy to both the maker and the recipient!

Essential tools and materials for amigurumi

• Choosing the right yarn

For beginners, cotton yarn is recommended as it holds stitches well and provides good stitch definition. Medium-weight yarns (such as DK or worsted) are ideal for learning, while fuzzy or stretchy yarns should be avoided until you gain more experience. I also do not recommend chenille for beginners because it’s a bit tricky and not the easiest yarn to start with.

My personal tip is to choose light-colored yarn for your first project. Remember that it’s much harder to count stitches on darker yarn.

• Crochet hooks – which size to use?

Hook size depends on the yarn you choose. Generally, a 2.5mm–3.5mm crochet hook is ideal for amigurumi as it creates tight stitches, preventing stuffing from showing through. Always check the yarn label for recommendations, but also remember that for amigurumi, we normally pick a hook one size down from what is indicated on the yarn label. That is because our goal is a tight and even surface with no gaps between the stitches.

• Other essential tools (stuffing, safety eyes, stitch markers, etc.)

To complete an amigurumi project, you’ll need:

• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill works best for shaping your toy.
• Safety Eyes: These add expression but can be replaced with embroidered eyes for child safety.
• Stitch Markers: Essential for marking the beginning of each round.
• Tapestry Needle: Used for sewing parts together and weaving in ends.

Basic crochet stitches and techniques

Below I will cover the very basic stitches you`ll need to start your first amigurumi project. The stitches are also explained in detail in my Beginners Guide to Amigurumi, which includes a video tutorial.

• Magic ring – the foundation of amigurumi

The magic ring (also called an adjustable loop) allows you to start crocheting in the round with a tightly closed center, preventing a hole at the beginning of your work. Although it’s possible to start the pieces with the Chain 2 method, I strongly advise learning the magic ring from the start, as this improves the quality a lot.

• Single crochet (sc) and increasing

Single crochet is the primary stitch used in amigurumi. Increasing (working two stitches into one) helps expand the circumference, giving the piece the desired size.

• Decreasing and shaping your amigurumi

Decreasing (combining two stitches into one) allows you to taper and define shapes, which is essential for creating rounded bodies, heads, and limbs.

Best amigurumi patterns for beginners

• Easy amigurumi animals (bears, bunnies, and cats)

Simple animal patterns with minimal shaping are great for beginners. Look for designs that use basic stitches only (single crochet) and minimal sewing. On my FREE PATTERNS page, you will find lots of beginner-friendly designs at no cost.

• Simple amigurumi food items (fruits, cupcakes, and more)

Amigurumi fruits and small treats are perfect beginner projects. Their round shapes and simple construction make them easy to master. Discover the simple Amigurumi Pear pattern among my free patterns.

• Cute and tiny amigurumi keychains

Miniature keychain amigurumi are fun, quick projects that help build confidence. They make great gifts and allow for experimentation with colors and details. You can turn any small amigurumi into a keychain by adding a hanger to it. For example the Little Amigurumi Heart from my free patterns makes a perfect keychain and a lovely gift for a friend.

Step-by-step guide to making your first amigurumi

• Understanding a basic amigurumi pattern

Amigurumi patterns typically include abbreviations, stitch counts, and step-by-step instructions. Learning to read patterns is crucial for successful projects. Take time to understand the logic of the pattern and the style of the pattern writer.

• Crocheting the body and assembling the parts

Amigurumi is made in continuous rounds. Once the pieces are crocheted, they need to be stuffed and sewn together. For some reason, sewing parts together is disliked by many who otherwise love to crochet the body parts. Here is one of my highly rated tutorial posts including 3 different techniques for sewing. I hope you`ll find it useful.

• Adding facial details and finishing touches

Facial features give personality to your amigurumi. Embroidering expressions or using safety eyes can make a big difference in the final look. If the toy is meant for an infant, try to use as little hazardous details as possible.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Uneven stitches and how to improve tension

If your stitches are inconsistent, practice maintaining even yarn tension. Holding the yarn comfortably and keeping a steady hand helps. My personal tip is to wrap the yarn over your fifth finger, which can help keep tension.

If none of this helps, try using a smaller hook.

• Avoiding gaps when stuffing your amigurumi

To prevent gaps, crochet tightly and use the correct hook size. Stuff gradually and evenly to avoid lumps. Adding stuffing in small amounts always brings better results than trying to push a huge amount in at once.

• Fixing misplaced safety eyes

There is no easy method for removing misplaced safety eyes. Neither can they be reused once they are already fastened with a washer. The method I use is to rip up the work until the eyes fall off, then go from there and try again.

Where to find free and paid amigurumi patterns

• Best websites for free patterns

Lilleliis offers a fantastic selection of well-written, beginner-friendly amigurumi patterns with clear instructions and step-by-step photos. Unlike some free sources, my patterns are tested for quality and ease of use, ensuring a frustration-free experience. Other sites like Ravelry and Pinterest also provide free patterns, though the quality and instructions can vary greatly.

Find great patterns from designers like Lalylala, Airaly Design, PicaPau, Granny’s crochet hook.

• Recommended books for beginners

Some great books for beginners include:

• Cuddly Amigurumi Toys by Mari-Liis Lille
• Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet by Ana Paula Rimoli
• Edward’s Menagerie by Kerry Lord

You can discover many wonderful books from Meteoor Books, a Belgium-based publisher focused exclusively on amigurumi.

Tips for improving your amigurumi skills

• Practicing with different yarn types

Experimenting with various yarns helps in understanding different textures. Although cotton yarn is commonly considered the best choice for amigurumi, I have to disagree with this narrow opinion. I really enjoy crocheting toys with wool and mixtures of different natural fibers. Also, I believe different materials have a great impact on a child’s motor sensory development as they provide varied textures. Some people say wool is too hairy to give to a child, but I’d say they will learn that not all materials are fun to put in their mouth :)

• Experimenting with colors and shapes

Trying different colors for the same pattern can be so much fun! You can crochet an entire collection of bears or bunnies in different colors and enjoy the process.

Also, making small modifications to an existing pattern can help you understand the logic of the construction and develop your own style.

• Joining amigurumi communities for inspiration

Online communities, such as Facebook groups and Instagram hashtags, provide motivation, pattern ideas, and troubleshooting help from fellow crocheters. But here is a big but—many of these communities strongly violate intellectual property laws and harm designers. Under the mask of gathering people to share their love for amigurumi, they actually distribute patterns for free or sell huge bundles of patterns from different designers without permission.

Being an entrepreneur and an amigurumi designer is a lot of work. Running your own website, social media channels, and newsletters also requires money. That’s why true designers mostly sell their patterns. They work hard to provide clear and high-quality instructions, and in return, they charge only a few dollars or euros so they can continue creating.

Think about this before entering any crochet groups. Consider it when you notice suspicious activity in these groups, and remember that you have the option to leave and report their actions. Support real designers, not scammers.

With these tips and resources, you’re ready to begin your amigurumi journey! Start with simple patterns, practice your stitches, and enjoy the creative process. Happy crocheting!