Amigurumi Crochet Tips
- Help, I can’t make a Magic Ring!
No worries, if you can’t find an expert crocheter to guide you, there are many, many tutorials online to help you with crocheting amigurumi. Just remember to practise, practise, practise! And if you still can’t make a Magic Ring, a basic 6-chain ring will serve you just as well.
- Help, I can’t read the patterns!
Ah, what do those sc, st, inc and dec mean? These are standard abbreviations for crochet patterns and stitches. Look for the key accompanying every amigurumi crochet pattern. You will get used to the abbreviations as you practise doing more crochet patterns.
- Help, what is a stitch marker?
A stitch marker is a really useful little fella. In fact, some crocheters view them as life savers! Every amigurumi crocheter needs at least 2 in different colors. They mark the beginning of each round of crochet. This is very important as most amigurumi are crocheted in rounds. At the beginning of each round, put the stitch marker (they are just like a safety pin) on the first stitch. As you crochet around, you will eventually get back to your stitch marker. This is when you know that round is complete. Then simply remove the stitch marker, stitch the first stitch of the next round on that stitch and put the stitch marker back onto the stitch you just made to mark the first stitch of the new round you are making. Mind boggling? Not really, it just needs a little practise!
- Help, the amigurumi pattern is too difficult!
Beginner crocheters should start with basic patterns. A round ball, an egg, these are the easiest patterns to start with. Do not pick a pattern with several color changes of yarn and with arms and legs to attach. Already know basic crochet and stitch counting? Great! We have a whole range of adorable crocheted friends waiting for beginners just like you!
- Help, my amigurumi does not look like the picture on the pattern!
Don’t panic. This is more common than you think. Even expert crocheters make mistakes and crochet amigurumi dolls with octopus arms! Stay calm. Unravel, take a deep breath and restart.
Alternatively, embrace the little friend you made. Who says a dog can’t have long ears? You made it and you have every reason to love it!
- Help, I can’t seem to sew the expression I want on my amigurumi!
Once again, do not panic. Expressions are difficult even for experienced crocheters. The position of the eyes, nose and mouth is oh, so important for kawaii-ness! You can try out different expression before finally sewing them on. Some crocheters simply leave out the mouth. Our crochet kits come with just the right size eyes and (in some patterns) noses so you do not have to embroidery them on. We also have detailed instructions to sew a simple but cute mouth on your amigurumi buddy.
- Help, there is a knot/break/fray in the middle of my yarn!
Knots, breaks, kinks and fraying yarn are rather common occurrences when one is working with yarn. Due to the manufacturing process, tangles and breaks do occur (although not frequently). Do not let this minor setback keep you from crocheting your new amigurumi buddy. If you do encounter a skein of yarn with a knot or fray or any other imperfection, snip off the offending bit, join the yarn with a small knot and continue crocheting your amigurumi.
Once you have done a round or two, you might find that the knot is now at the back of your piece of work and not visible from the front. Once your stuff your amigurumi, the knot will be invisible.
If you see that the knot is at the front of your work, simply push the knot to the back and ta-da, its gone!
- Help, I don’t know what stitch to use to sew the parts onto my amigurumi!
My dear, you are not alone. Many beginner crocheters wonder how to attach the ears and tails of their crocheted amigurumi onto the main body. Relax! the wonderful thing about crocheting an amigurumi is that your amigurumi buddy will not mind whichever stitch you use (or make up!) to sew on its parts! Trust me when I say that if you are using the same colored yarn to stitch on the part (for example if you use, purple yarn to sew on a purple tail) whatever stitch you use will most likely be invisible to anyone looking at your completed amigurumi. A simple basic run-on stitch or blanket stitch is good enough. So long as the part is firmly attached, use any stitch you are comfortable with.