Amigurumi Supplies: Yarn, Small Hook, Stuffing
What amigurumi needs: yarn with a hook one size smaller than the label, a stitch marker for every round, polyester fiberfill and a yarn needle.
Amigurumi takes yarn, a hook one size smaller than the label suggests, a stitch marker, stuffing and a yarn needle. The smaller hook makes tight stitches. Tight stitches hide the stuffing. The marker sits in the first stitch of each round, so the count at the end of the round is easy to check. Each item is explained below, with the way to check your work before the next round.
What to buy
- YarnAny weight works; your gauge sets the size of the finished piece.Find on Amazon
- Crochet hook, one size smaller than the labelA tighter fabric stops stuffing from showing through.Find on Amazon
- Stitch markerMarks the first stitch of each round. Move it up as you go.Find on Amazon
- Polyester fiberfillThe standard stuffing: washable and lightweight.Find on Amazon
- Yarn needle (blunt tapestry needle)Closes the last stitches and weaves in the tail.Find on Amazon
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Why the hook is smaller
Lion Brand's amigurumi guide says to go one hook size smaller than your yarn label recommends. The fabric gets tighter. Stuffing stays inside. Wikipedia makes the same point: small hooks are typical, to get a tight gauge.
Check it with your fingers. Stretch a finished round gently. If you can see light through the stitches, try the next size down.
The marker keeps the count
Amigurumi is worked in a spiral, with no joins. So the start of a round is easy to lose. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go, as Lion Brand describes.
A ball starts with 6 single crochet in a magic ring. Each increase round adds 6. Round 2 ends with 12 stitches, round 3 with 18, round 4 with 24. Count to the marker at the end of each round. If you get 23 or 25, check before going on.
- Round 1: 6 sts.
- Round 2: 12 sts.
- Round 3: 18 sts.
- Round 4: 24 sts.
Stuffing
Polyester fiberfill is the standard stuffing. Lion Brand calls it washable and lightweight. Wikipedia notes that wool or cotton stuffing is also used.
Stuff firmly before the opening gets small. In the amigurumi ball pattern this happens around 18 stitches, on the way back down. Add small pinches, not one big lump, so the shape stays round.
A note on small parts
If the toy is for a young child, think about small parts. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bans toys for children under 3 that present a choking, aspiration or ingestion hazard because of small parts. Embroidered details avoid add-on parts entirely.
Before you finish, count the last round, check the stuffing is firm, and weave the tail through the last 6 stitches to close.
Common questions
- What hook size should I use for amigurumi?
- One size smaller than the yarn label suggests, as Lion Brand recommends. Check that no stuffing shows through when you stretch a round.
- What is the best stuffing?
- Polyester fiberfill is the standard: washable and lightweight. Wool or cotton stuffing are alternatives.
- Why does my round count keep drifting?
- Spiral rounds have no join, so the start moves. Put a marker in the first stitch of each round and count to it every time.
About this page
Written and reviewed by Lucy, Editor, Needle Nook. General craft guidance; check your own gauge and measurements before you buy. As an Amazon Associate, Needle Nook earns from qualifying purchases.
Facts on this page follow these references:
- What Is Amigurumi Crochet: a Beginner's Guide ↗Lion Brand Yarn
- Amigurumi ↗Wikipedia
- Magic Ring Crochet Tutorial: A Beginner's Guide ↗Lion Brand Yarn
- Small Parts for Toys and Children's Products ↗U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission