Why Crochet Plushies Are Taking Over TikTok
Few craft trends have the staying power of amigurumi. The Japanese art of crocheting small, stuffed figures has been around for decades, but a new generation of TikTok creators has pushed it into a full-blown cultural moment. Frog mochi. Sleepy axolotls. Mushroom gnomes. Tiny food characters. The “crafting while watching TV” aesthetic has made amigurumi one of the most accessible, affordable, and chronically rewatchable craft niches on the internet.
What drives the trend: the finished objects are irresistibly cute, the process is deeply satisfying to watch, and the skill gap between a beginner’s first frog and a master crafter’s intricate dragon is surprisingly small.
What Is Amigurumi?
Amigurumi (編みぐるみ) literally means “crocheted or knitted stuffed toy” in Japanese. Most amigurumi are worked in continuous rounds (rather than rows) creating a seamless, spherical form. The technique is almost always done in single crochet, which makes it very beginner-friendly once you’ve learned the basic stitch.
| Feature |
Description |
| Primary stitch |
Single crochet (sc) — the simplest crochet stitch |
| Construction method |
Continuous rounds with a stitch marker to track your place |
| Typical hook size |
2.5–4 mm (smaller than the yarn label recommends, to create tight stitches that don’t show stuffing) |
| Finishing technique |
Stuffed with polyfill, assembled with a yarn needle, safety eyes added before closing |
What You Need to Get Started
| Supply |
What to Look For |
| Crochet hook (3.5–4 mm) |
Ergonomic handle hooks reduce hand fatigue during long sessions. Clover Amour or Tulip Etimo are popular choices. |
| DK or worsted weight yarn |
Acrylic yarn is most beginner-friendly — it’s affordable, easy to wash, and comes in hundreds of colours. Cotton yarn gives a firmer result. |
| Polyfill stuffing |
Standard craft stuffing. Don’t overstuff — it stretches the stitches and shows gaps. |
| Safety eyes |
Plastic safety eyes with locking washers. Sizes 6 mm to 12 mm cover most projects. Note: omit safety eyes for toys made for children under 3. |
| Yarn needle / tapestry needle |
For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together (attaching arms, legs, ears). |
| Stitch markers |
Mark the first stitch of each round so you don’t lose count. Even a scrap of yarn works. |
| Scissors |
Small, sharp embroidery scissors make clean cuts in tight spaces. |
Estimated starter cost (CAD): $20–$40 for hook, a few skeins of yarn, stuffing, and safety eyes.
The Most Viral Amigurumi Patterns Right Now
| Design |
Why It’s Trending |
| Frog mochi |
The round, squishy, wide-eyed frog has become an internet icon. Simple shape, extremely satisfying to make. |
| Axolotl |
Feathery pink gill stalks and a permanent smile — endlessly photogenic and beginner-friendly. |
| Mushroom cottage / gnome |
Cottagecore aesthetic; mushroom cap hats and tiny doors make these highly shareable. |
| Sleepy bear or bunny |
Closed-eye, chubby-cheeked animals in pastel yarn photograph beautifully. |
| Mini food characters |
Tiny strawberry, avocado toast, boba cup — the food-character niche has its own passionate community. |
| Winged creatures (bats, owls, moths) |
Trending alongside dark academia and goblincore aesthetics. |
| Custom pet portraits |
Crocheting a likeness of someone’s cat or dog — a very popular commission item. |
Core Techniques to Learn First
| Technique |
What It Is |
When You Use It |
| Magic ring (adjustable ring) |
A starting loop that can be pulled tight to close the centre hole |
Starting every amigurumi body or head |
| Single crochet (sc) |
The basic stitch: insert, yarn over, pull through, yarn over, pull through both |
Nearly every stitch in the pattern |
| Increase (inc) |
Two single crochets in the same stitch |
Making a shape wider / rounder |
| Decrease (dec or sc2tog) |
Two stitches crocheted together as one |
Closing a shape toward the top |
| Slip stitch (sl st) |
A joining stitch with no height |
Closing a round or attaching pieces |
| Continuous rounds |
Working in a spiral without joining each round |
The standard construction method |
Reading an Amigurumi Pattern
Amigurumi patterns use abbreviations. Here are the most common:
| Abbreviation |
Meaning |
| sc |
Single crochet |
| inc |
Increase (2 sc in one stitch) |
| dec |
Decrease (2 stitches merged) |
| ch |
Chain stitch |
| sl st |
Slip stitch |
| MR |
Magic ring |
| R1, R2… |
Round 1, Round 2… |
| (6) |
Number at end of row = total stitch count for that round |
Example pattern line: R4: [sc 4, inc] × 6 (36) means “in round 4, single crochet 4 times then increase, repeat that 6 times; you should have 36 stitches total.”
Tips for Beginner Amigurumi Makers
| Tip |
Why It Helps |
| Go down one hook size |
Tighter stitches prevent the stuffing from showing through gaps. Most patterns note this explicitly. |
| Count every round |
A missed increase or decrease shifts the whole shape. Mark your stitch count after every round. |
| Insert safety eyes before closing |
Once the piece is stuffed and sewn shut, it’s very difficult to reopen. Add eyes while you can still reach inside. |
| Don’t overstuff |
Polyfill stretches the fabric and makes stitches visible. Stop when the piece holds its shape but isn’t tight. |
| Leave a long yarn tail when finishing |
Use this to sew limbs on. Weave in ends securely — plushies get handled a lot. |
| Block your finished pieces |
A light misting with water and gentle shaping before drying evens out any lumpy stitches. |
Where to Find Free and Affordable Patterns
| Source |
What to Expect |
| Ravelry |
Thousands of free and paid amigurumi patterns; filterable by difficulty and type |
| TikTok / YouTube |
Full beginner tutorials with video walkthroughs; search “beginner frog amigurumi tutorial” |
| Etsy |
PDF patterns from $2–$8 CAD; often include photo tutorials and multiple sizes |
| Pinterest |
Pattern boards and free blog patterns; great for curating a wishlist |
| Amigurumi.com |
Dedicated pattern database with difficulty ratings and community reviews |
Amigurumi as a Side Income
Handmade plushies consistently perform well on Etsy and at craft fairs. Custom pet portrait commissions in particular can command $40–$120+ CAD depending on complexity. If you’re thinking about selling, see our guide to Pricing Handmade Items and Starting a Craft Side Hustle.
Canadian Yarn Brands for Amigurumi
| Brand |
Available At |
Notes |
| Paintbox Simply DK |
Michaels, online |
Affordable, huge colour range, consistent quality |
| Bernat Handicrafter Cotton |
Walmart, Michaels |
Firm, good stitch definition, machine washable |
| Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice |
Michaels, Joann |
Soft, widely available, popular in the amigurumi community |
| WeCrochet Brava Sport |
Online |
Canadian shipping available; excellent value for bulk orders |