Amigurumi Beginner's Guide: Crochet Stuffed Animals and Toys

Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed toys and creatures, has exploded in popularity over the last decade. From adorable animals and food items to characters from movies and video games, amigurumi combines crochet technique with creative design. I have been making amigurumi for over 12 years and have completed more than 300 individual pieces. They are my favorite thing to crochet, and they make incredible gifts, nursery decor, and even profitable products for selling online.

The great news for beginners is that amigurumi techniques are simpler than they appear. If you can single crochet, increase, and decrease, you can make amigurumi. The shapes are built from basic geometric forms: spheres, cylinders, cones, and ovals. A round ball is just a flat circle that keeps increasing, then works even rounds, then decreases back to a point. Everything else is a variation of these basic shapes.

Amigurumi Essentials

Key Techniques

Magic Ring: Start every amigurumi piece with a magic ring, not a chain ring. The magic ring closes completely with no gap, preventing stuffing from poking through the center. See our Crochet in the Round guide for detailed instructions.

Continuous Spiral Rounds: Unlike joined rounds (where you slip stitch to close each round), amigurumi uses continuous spirals with no joining. This creates a seamless fabric. Always place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round so you know where one round ends and the next begins.

Invisible Decrease: The standard decrease leaves visible holes in amigurumi. Use the invisible decrease instead: insert hook through front loop only of the next stitch, then through front loop only of the following stitch, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. This creates smooth, gap-free shaping.

Tight Stitches: Use a hook 1-2 sizes smaller than your yarn label recommends. For worsted weight, use a 3.5mm or 4mm hook instead of the recommended 5mm. This creates a dense fabric that prevents stuffing from showing through or poking out between stitches.

Assembly and Finishing

Safety Eyes: Install safety eyes before closing the head. Push the eye post through the fabric from the outside, then press the washer backing onto the post from the inside. Once locked, safety eyes cannot be removed, making them safe for children. For babies under 3, embroider eyes instead of using plastic safety eyes.

Stuffing: Fill firmly but not overstuffed. The piece should feel plush and hold its shape without being rock-hard. Stuff as you go: add stuffing every few rounds rather than trying to stuff through a tiny opening at the end. Use the eraser end of a pencil to push stuffing into small parts like arms and legs.

Sewing Parts: Pin parts in position before sewing. Use the same yarn color and a yarn needle to whip stitch parts onto the body. Sew around each part twice for security, then knot and weave in the tail inside the body where it is hidden.

Beginner Amigurumi: Simple Ball

Start here: Magic ring, 6 sc (6). Rnd 2: inc in each st (12). Rnd 3: *sc, inc* x6 (18). Rnd 4: *2 sc, inc* x6 (24). Rnd 5: *3 sc, inc* x6 (30). Rnds 6-10: sc around (30). Rnd 11: *3 sc, dec* x6 (24). Rnd 12: *2 sc, dec* x6 (18). Stuff. Rnd 13: *sc, dec* x6 (12). Rnd 14: dec x6 (6). FO, sew closed. You just made a crochet ball. Add safety eyes and embroider a face for an instant amigurumi character.