CROCHET AMIGURUMI
double crochet increases and decreases,
which we covered on pages 76 and 78.
SEWING AND STUFFING
Some amigurumi patterns involve crocheting
lots of different pieces. It’s a good idea to
label each piece after you fasten off, so it’s
easier to identify the pieces when you come
to sew them together. Some patterns will ask
you to stuff the toy while you’re sewing the
pieces together, or even while you’re still
crocheting. Always use specialist toy stuffing
and insert small amounts at a time, adding
more stuffing slowly until you achieve the
right look. Your stuffing should be firm but
not distort the fabric.
IN THE DETAIL
One of the most important parts of
toy-making is the finishing detail, especially
on the face. Some patterns ask you to add
these details with pieces of felt, buttons or
embroidery threads and stitches. Take your
time when finishing your creature and pay
attention to the original photos, and you’ll
really bring it to life!
CROCHET SPHERES
Perfect for making headsSTARTING OFF
Most amigurumi patterns instruct you to start off by working
a magic loop. We’ve shown you how to do this on page 62.
This type of foundation ring is the best method to use for
amigurumi because it leaves no hole at the centre, unlike the
basic ring (see right), so you shouldn’t get any stuffing
creeping out of the hole. Magic loops are easy once you’ve
had some practice.SEAMLESS
ROUNDS
To work a sphere like
this, you need to work
in the round. Start
with a magic loop
foundation ring and
work the first round of
stitches into the
centre. By working in
the round, there will
be no seams to sew
up later – you can
crochet the creature
three-dimensionally
and even stuff it
as you go.SMALL FACES
Creating your creature’s face will bring it to life
so take extra care over this part. Personalise
your toy with felt, buttons, fabric and
embroidery. Try to plan ahead and don’t be
afraid to undo and rework any details
if they don’t look right.SPHERE SHAPE
Most amigurumi creatures involve making a basic sphere
shape, which is perfect for the heads and bodies of your
toys. Making spheres involves increasing the number of
stitches on the first few rounds, and then decreasing the
number of stitches on the last few rounds. We covered
increasing in double crochet on page 76 and decreasing on
page 78. If you can make this shape, you can make almost
any amigurumi toy.FIRM
STUFFING
When stuffing, it’s
best to stick to
specially made
polyester toy
stuffing, which is
available in most
craft shops or
online. When you’re
stuffing your toy, do
it slowly and gently,
adding stuffing in
small amounts until
you achieve a neat,
firm look.USING STITCH
MARKERS
With tubes like this, you’ll have a
small number of stitches and
large number of spiral rounds to
cope with. You’ll find it helpful to
use a stitch marker to mark the
start/end of each round and help
you keep track of where you are in
the pattern. We’ll show you how to
do this on p118.STUFF AS YOU GO
To work a tube like this, you need to work in the round. Start
with a magic loop foundation ring and work the first round of
stitches into the centre. Continue on these stitches, around and
around. By working in the round, there will be no seams to sew
up later – you can crochet the creature three-dimensionally
and even stuff it as you go.TUBE SHAPE
Many amigurumi toys involve crocheting basic
tube shapes and you can see from the photo
(right) that the tubes are ideal for the arms and
legs of your amigurumi creature. Making tubes
is very simple because they’re worked
straight. You simply work on the same number
of stitches around and around in a spiral. If you
can make a sphere and this shape, you can
make almost any amigurumi toy.DENSE DOUBLE CROCHET
Most amigurumi patterns stick to using
double crochet stitches and fairly small
hooks. The result is a dense fabric that will
hold in all that polyester stuffing.Magic^ l
oop Basic^ ringCROCHET TUBES
Great for making limbs