Beginner's Guide to Crochet - UK (2019-10)

CROCHET AMIGURUMI

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migurumi toys are some of the most

popular projects for crocheters and

it’s easy to see why – they’re high on

aah-factor and low on difficulty, plus they

make great gifts. In fact, many crocheters

start learning the craft in order to make these

adorable toys.

The trend for crocheted toys started in

Japan with ‘amigurumi’, a word used to

describe crocheted or knitted stuffed toys. In

Japanese, ‘ami’ means ‘crocheted or knitted’,

and ‘nuigurumi’ means ‘sew and wrap’. These

cute dolls and animals soared in popularity

during the 1970s in Japan, and it was from

this craft form that the famous ‘Hello Kitty’

brand was born.

The original style of amigurumi toys had

very specific characteristics: oversized

heads; sweet, human-like features; a small,

cylindrical body; undersized arms and feet or

no limbs at all. Many amigurumi toys have a

head and body that is crocheted as one piece.

In the world of crochet nowadays, the word

‘amigurumi’ has come to describe any cute

crocheted toy, whether or not it fits into that

original amigurumi style. Animals are the

most popular toys, but there are also dolls,

aliens, plants, food, furnishings and more

that are made into toys with human features.

Amigurumi is great for new crocheters

because the toys are usually small and

straightforward to make. The minimal

amounts of yarn involved make them

inexpensive and a great portable project for

taking out and about. Most only use double

crochet stitches, worked in the round but in

spirals of stitches without closing off each

round – we’ll show you how to do this.

We’ve already covered most of the skills

you’ll need to work amigurumi patterns,

including double crochet shaping and the

magic loop technique, but there are a few

more techniques we’ll show you to make sure

you can create perfect toys.

DENSE FABRIC

Amigurumi toys are usually made using only

double crochet stitches. The yarns involved

are usually around DK in weight, with a hook

that’s smaller than you might normally use

for that weight of yarn. All this helps to create

a firm, dense fabric that won’t allow the

stuffing to show through.

SIMPLE TECHNIQUES

Amigurumi patterns may seem daunting, but

these toys usually use only simple

techniques, most of which we’ve already

covered. You’ll need to work double crochet

stitches (see page 34) in the round (see page

56), but in spirals, which we’ll show you how

to do overleaf. You’ll also find it helpful to use

stitch markers to keep track of each spiral

round, so we’ll show you how to do this on

page 118. Finally, you’ll also need to work

THE RUNDOWN

Get your hook at the ready for these

fab patterns from Simply Crochet

magazine! To get the issues mentioned

here, you can buy digital versions of

back issues from Apple Newsstand

to view on your iPhone and iPad or

Google Play to view them on Android

devices. For more information and to

find out which other digital platforms

are supported, take a look at the

website address below:

http://www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/digital

Start your amigurumi fun with

these fun eggs, they’re easy for

beginners to crochet in spirals.

Turn to page 120 for the pattern

then focus on bringing them to life

with felt and embroidery details.

This cutie from issue 86 of Simply

Crochet dips into fantasy, and

will challenge your crochet and

finishing ability. Designed by Kate

McCully, he’s based on a Fennec fox

• but also looks a bit like a bunny!

How could you resist making these

adorable reindeer? He’s designed

by Becky Skuse, from issue 76 of

Simply Crochet. It’s a chance to

try brushed amigurumi – another

useful and simple technique.

DESIGN IDEAS

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AMIGURUMI

Creating cute critters and adorable toys is a

great way to use your crochet skills, whether

you make them for yourself or as gifts for all the

family. By Becky Skuse & Emma Clegg

ALL ABOUT...

Fluff it up!

IMPROVER

Stiff upper lip!

BEGINNER

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