Essential Amigurumi Stitches & Techniques
| Technique |
Abbreviation |
Purpose |
| Magic Ring |
MR |
Creates a tight, closed circle to start projects. |
| Single Crochet |
sc |
The most common stitch used in amigurumi. |
| Increase |
inc |
Two single crochets in the same stitch to make parts wider. |
| Invisible Decrease |
dec |
Decreases a stitch count without leaving a noticeable gap. |
| Slip Stitch |
sl st |
Used to join rounds or finish off a piece. |
| Working in Rounds |
- |
Crocheting in a continuous spiral without joining rounds. |
Recommended Yarns & Hooks
| Yarn Weight |
Recommended Hook Size (mm) |
Best For |
| DK |
2.5mm - 3.5mm |
Small to medium projects, good stitch definition. |
| Worsted |
3.5mm - 4.5mm |
Medium to large projects, very common. |
| Aran |
4.0mm - 5.0mm |
Larger, sturdy projects. |
| Chunky |
5.0mm - 6.0mm |
Large, quick-to-make projects. |
Tip: Use a hook size smaller than the yarn label suggests to create a dense fabric that stuffing won’t show through.
Reading an Amigurumi Pattern
| Pattern Element |
Example |
Meaning |
| Round/Row |
R1, R2, etc. |
The current round you are working on. |
| Stitch Count |
(12) |
The total number of stitches you should have at the end of the round. |
| Repeats |
[sc, inc] x 6 |
Repeat the sequence inside the brackets 6 times. |
Stuffing Techniques
| Technique |
Description |
Tip |
| Firm Stuffing |
Pack stuffing tightly for a firm, solid shape. |
Use small bits of stuffing at a time to avoid lumps. |
| Adding Weight |
Place poly pellets in a small pouch inside the base. |
Helps the amigurumi sit upright. |
| Shaping |
Use the end of your hook or a chopstick to shape stuffing. |
Push stuffing into small areas like ears and limbs. |
Assembly & Finishing
| Task |
Tool Needed |
Technique |
| Closing the Hole |
Yarn needle |
Weave the yarn tail through the front loops of the final stitches and pull tight. |
| Attaching Parts |
Yarn needle, pins |
Pin pieces in place before sewing to ensure symmetry. Use the whip stitch. |
| Embroidering Faces |
Embroidery floss |
Use simple stitches like the back stitch for mouths and satin stitch for eyes. |
| Safety Eyes |
Safety eyes |
Insert before stuffing and closing the piece. Secure the washer on the back. |
Troubleshooting
| Problem |
Possible Cause |
Solution |
| Holes in Fabric |
Hook is too large for the yarn. |
Go down a hook size to create a tighter gauge. |
| Losing Stitch Count |
Forgetting increases/decreases, missed stitch marker. |
Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round. |
| Lumpy Stuffing |
Stuffing with large clumps. |
Pull apart stuffing into smaller, fluffier pieces before using. |
| Parts are Floppy |
Not sewn on securely. |
Use more stitches and pull the yarn tight when sewing. |