What you need to make amigurumi
Find out what items and materials you need to start making adorable amigurumi.
If you already crochet, you won't need many more items to get started making amigurumi. However, if you're brand new to crochet, you'll need some basic crochet materials plus a few extra items.
I've outlined what beginner Crocheters need in a previous post, but don't worry, I'll go over all the items you'll need in this blog post too plus the extra items you’ll need for amigurumi.
Check the Amigurumi pattern you plan to use
Before I go on further to explain what items you need to crochet amigurumi, always first check the materials list within the Amigurumi pattern you're using.
As an example, here is a material list taken from my Pip the Penguin crochet pattern.
While there are always common materials you'll need to make amigurumi, the crochet pattern you're using will specify the type of yarn you'll need, how much yarn you'll need, and also a suggested crochet hook size to use.
Depending on the complexity of the amigurumi pattern, there also may be extra materials required that are not necessarily common amigurumi-making materials. Like for example the pom pom maker listed in Pip the Penguin’s material list above.
In this post, I'll be solely focusing on the generic items you need for making amigurumi. I'll also help you figure out what type of yarn (and yarn substitutes) and hook sizes you can use for making amigurumi. However, if in doubt, always read the pattern you’re using carefully.
Yarn
Let's start with yarn. All amigurumi patterns will require yarn and will state a recommended yarn to use for the crochet pattern.
Remember, you aren't confined to the exact same yarn or colours stated within the pattern. But if you want your amigurumi to look as close as possible to the crochet designer's amigurumi, you will need to follow these recommendations to a tee.
But it is important to let you know that you can change the yarn brand you use, the material and weight (size) of the yarn, and the colours you choose according to your own preferences. Just be aware that if you choose a different yarn brand and/or yarn weight, this will impact the crochet hook size you'll need to use and also the size of your final make.
Top Tip: If you’re brand new to crochet, I highly recommend veering away from really dark colours (like black or navy) and white. These yarn colours will make it very difficult for you to see your stitches. And when you’re first learning, this can be super frustrating.
Crochet hook
The type of crochet hook you'll need for making amigurumi is either a simple aluminum crochet hook or a more comfortable ergonomic crochet hook (one with a squishy handle). The choice is yours and both will do the same job. However ergonomic hooks are slightly more comfortable.
Now the other thing you'll need to be aware of is the size of the crochet hook you use. The crochet hook size is largely dependent on the type of yarn you've chosen for your amigurumi project.
If you're using the exact same yarn (brand and weight) stated in the Amigurumi pattern you're using, you can simply use the crochet hook size that's recommended within the pattern.
But if you've chosen a different yarn brand and/or yarn weight, you may need to adjust the size of crochet hook you use.
To determine the size of crochet hook you should use simply look on the yarn label. Each yarn label will state either a yarn weight or a recommended hook size. For the recommended hook size, this will normally be a range like 3.5mm to 4.5mm. For yarn weight it will be something like DK (Double Knitting) or Light Worsted Weight, Worsted Weight (Aran if you’re in the UK), Bulky/Chunky. There are a few more variations which you can read more about on the Craft Yarn Council website here.
For amigurumi, I always recommend going down a hook size so your stitches are nice and tight. And more importantly, so the stuffing doesn't appear through your stitches. So I look at the lower hook recommendation on the label and go down a hook size by 0.5mm. For example, if the recommended hook size was 3.5mm to 4.5mm, I’d choose a 3mm crochet hook.
Now if your yarn label only has a size recommendation for knitting needles, these are not the same as crochet hook sizes. In this case, you'll need to go by the yarn weight noted on the yarn label.
As a guide, here are the hook sizes I use for the most common yarn weights used for amigurumi. Before you read these however, please note that these are solely my personal preferences. You may need to tweak the hook size according to your own preference and/or skill level.
Light Worsted / DK yarn = 2.5mm crochet hook
Worsted / Aran yarn = 3.5mm crochet hook
Another great guide on hook size can be found on the CraftyYarns blog here. However, please note that hook sizes you use for amigurumi should be smaller than hook sizes used for standard crocheting. So while the CraftyYarns blog post is a fantastic guide for hook size when crocheting, you should reduce the hook size you use for making amigurumi.
Top Tip: Simply try out a hook size first with the yarn you've chosen and make sure you can't see any gaps in your stitches. This is really the most important part as you don’t want the stuffing to be visible.
Stuffing
Basically all amigurumi require stuffing. Stuffing is what goes inside your amigurumi pieces to help them keep their shape.
Now there are alternatives you can use for stuffing (like yarn scraps), but I generally always mix any alternatives with poly-fil stuffing as well. So it really does help having a bag handy.
When searching for stuffing to buy online, I always use the generic search term 'toy stuffing' which will bring up a truck-load of results.
The most intimidating part of buying stuffing for the first time is the amounts it comes in. They're usually quite large bags. The most common size I've always bought is a bag of 250g, and this size normally covers me for at least 4 or 5 medium sized amigurumi.
Top Tip: You’ll always use more stuffing than you think you’ll need, especially when you’re first learning to make amigurumi.
Tapestry needle
You'll also need a tapestry needle which is used for sewing your amigurumi pieces together at the end.
Please note that there is a difference between a tapestry needle and a standard sewing needle. Tapestry needles have blunt tips and sewing needles have sharp tips.
You want to ensure your needle has a blunt tip, as this will make it a lot easier (and less painful) for sewing amigurumi parts together.
Top Tip: I recommend investing in a blunt tip tapestry needle. These are great for sewing together 3D amigurumi shapes as the angle of the needle makes it much easier when pushing it through and pulling it out of 3D amigurumi shapes.
Scissors
Scissors are always needed when it comes to crocheting for cutting your yarn ends when you finish a project.
While you can use normal scissors (e.g. paper scissors or kitchen scissors), I highly recommend investing in some yarn scissors or yarn snips.
From my own experience, normal scissors are generally not sharp enough to cut yarn and I had a lot of difficulty trying when I first started crochet. Yarn scissors however are a lot sharper and cut through the yarn immediately.
Top Tip: You’ll save yourself a lot of swearing if you fork out a few franks (aka dollars, pounds) on a pair of yarn scissors, trust me! 😆
Stitch markers
Stitch markers are used to keep count of your stitches as you crochet.
As amigurumi are most regularly made by crocheting in the round (e.g. going around in circles), it's much more difficult to keep track of your stitches without some kind of marker.
Now, you don't necessarily have to go out and buy stitch markers (you can find some alternatives for stitch markers here), but if you want to there are a few types you can choose from including:
Plastic stitch markers
Metal stitch markers or Safety Pins
Lobster clasp stitch markers
Lever back clasp stitch markers
All of the above will work, and it's really up to you as to which one you like best.
Top Tip: My personal preference are the metal stitch markers that look like safety pins because they’re great with smaller yarn. Alternatively, I just love lobster clasp stitch markers with pretty charms (but that’s literally just for the ‘pretty’ factor).
Safety eyes or Embroidery thread
Safety eyes or embroidery thread can be used for making the eyes of your amigurumi.
Safety eyes are generally made out of plastic and have little plastic backs that you press on that keep them in place. They are however not suitable for children under three years of age as they do pose a choking hazard. So if you are planning on making your amigurumi for a young one, just be sure to use an alternative like embroidery thread or crocheted eyes that are sewn on.
Embroidery thread is thin cotton you can use to embroider eyes on your amigurumi. An example of basic embroidered eyes on Kira the Koala is below.
Many of my crochet patterns (not all, but quite a few) have the options for safety eyes and also instructions for embroidered eyes - so you have the choice. However be careful as many crochet patterns solely have instructions for safety eyes, so it's important just be aware of safety hazard posed by safety eyes and that you have other options.
As another alternative, depending on the size of your amigurumi, you can also just use standard yarn to embroider eyes. I did this a lot when I first started crocheting, as my makes were a little larger back then.
Another alternative is to crochet little circles as eyes and sew them into your amigurumi.
Top Tip: Veronica from Garnknuten has great crocheted eyes in her crochet patterns and so does Ellie from Foxy Crochet.
Pins
Last but not least, I highly recommend getting a handful of sewing pins for making amigurumi.
Pins are used for holding your amigurumi parts together and for figuring out the placement of these parts before you start sewing.
Normally sewing pins are fine for starting out, and they are what I started with. However, if you think you'll be making amigurumi for the long run, I highly recommend investing in some slightly larger sewing pins like these ones pictures below.
These larger sewing pins are 'Quilter's Pins' and are really robust for holding amigurumi parts together.
Top Tip: Quilter’s Pins, of course! 😉
Where to buy these items for making amigurumi
You should be able to buy most (if not all) of the items listed above from your local craft and yarn stores. To find what stores are near you, simply search on Google for 'yarn shops near me' or 'craft shops near me'.
Alternatively, a few of the online craft shops I use regularly for buying yarn and crochet supplies include:
Lovecrafts (Worldwide)
Hobbii (Worldwide)
Wool Warehouse (UK Based)
Hobbycraft (UK Based)
Amazon (Worldwide)
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I hope this information helps you get started with making amigurumi. If you'd like to learn more before you get started, I also highly recommend checking out my top tips for making amigurumi before you start crocheting.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
