Crochet technique

Amigurumi

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed figures such as animals, dolls and food. Pieces are worked in continuous spirals of tight single crochet, usually starting from a magic ring, then stuffed and sewn together. A smaller hook than the yarn label suggests keeps stuffing from showing.

By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 13, 2026 · Editorial policy

How to get started with amigurumi

Start with a magic ring and work 6 sc into it.
Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round.
Increase evenly for shaping, adding 6 stitches per round for spheres.
Work even rounds without increases to build height.
Decrease with invisible decreases, stuffing firmly before the opening gets small.
Close the final round by threading the tail through the front loops and pulling tight.
Sew limbs and features on with the long tails left at fastening off.

What is amigurumi?

Amigurumi is a style of crocheted or knitted stuffed toy that originated in Japan, typically worked in single crochet spirals.

Small, cute shapes with oversized heads are characteristic of the style.

What yarn is best for amigurumi?

The best yarns for amigurumi are cotton or cotton blends for crisp stitch definition, acrylic for budget and softness, and chenille or velvet for plush toys.

Pair each yarn with a hook one or two sizes smaller than recommended for a tight fabric.

Amigurumi yarn and hook pairings
Yarn	Typical hook	Result
Fine cotton (2)	2.0–2.5 mm	Small, detailed toys
DK cotton or acrylic (3)	2.5–3.5 mm	Standard amigurumi
Worsted acrylic (4)	3.5–4.0 mm	Larger toys
Chenille / velvet (6)	4.0–6.0 mm	Plush, cuddly toys