Amigurumi Crash Course
What is Amigurumi?
Amigurumi is Japanese art of crocheting small dolls and animals. Amigurumis are usually worked in sing
increases and decreases to make the various shapes. Typical amigurumi has very large, oversized head
little arms and legs. The term “amigurumi” is used now to describe any crocheted stuffed softie.
So, you've seen somewhere a cute amigurumi and you wish you could make it but you've never done an
looking some free patterns but you're confused with all the abbreviations they use.....
Ok, here are the steps you need to follow to learn some basic things and to be able to make your first a
You should learn:
1. how to start – Magic adjustable ring and Simple Twist Start
2. 3 basic stitches: chain stitch (ch), slip stitch (sl st) and single crochet (sc)
3. how to increase and decrease in single crochet (sc)
4. how to end the shape (head, body, arm, leg etc...)
Follow these 5 steps and you'll be able to make your first ami.
1. How to start
There are many ways to start the project. I'll concentrate on 2 methods whi
- Magic adjustable ring if I make a flat circular or round shape (like a ball
- Chain stitch with so-called Simple Twist Start if I want to make a flat p
want to work in elliptical rounds (cell phone cozy, for example).
Magic Adjustable Ring
First make a loop with your yarn leaving 3” long tail (Image 01). Insert hoo
yarn over (yo) (Image 02) and draw up loop (Image 03). Yarn over (yo), pu
first chain.(Image 04) (Do not count this as your first sc)
Image 01 - Make a loop Continue to crochet over the loop and the yarn tail until you have the requir
crochets (scs) for your first round. For example, if the pattern calls for 5 scs
ring. (Insert hook into the center of the ring and draw up loop, yarn over (y
loops.)
When counting stitches, don't count the chain on the hook. When you're fini
the ring. (Image 05)
Image 02 - Insert hook in
center of loop and yo
1
Image 03 - Draw up loop Image 04 - Yo and pull through - first stitch made Image 05 - Pu
Chain stitch
Step 1: Start with co-called Simple twist:
Make the loop of yarn and hold it by the thumb and the first finger of the le
when you begin to crochet.(Image 06)
Hold the hook in the right hand in the same way as you hold pen when writi
the loop and rotate one complete turn counterclockwise.(Image 07) The yar
the shank of your hook. Catch the yarn with the hook(Image 08) and draw
09). You made the very first stitch which will give professional look to the b
work. But, do not count this first stitch as a stitch. Don't count the loop on t
Step 2: Catch the yarn with the hook and draw it through the loop. (Image
Repeat step 2 for each chain that you need to make until you have made en
Image 06 - Make a loop pattern you are making.
You've just made the Foundation row - it's called the foundation because
from.
(Image 11)
See a movie
Image 07 - The yarn is
twisted
Image 09 - Draw through the Image 10 - Make another chain
Image 08 - Catch the yarn Imag
loop stitch
2
3. Increases and decreases
Increase
It's very simple to make increases. Just work two stitches in the same stitch from the row b
Decrease (in single crochet)
If your pattern says something like “ sc next 2 sts tog” or “sc2tog” (single crochet next two
sc” (decrease over next 2 stitches) that means that you need to do the following:
Step 1: Insert the hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull the loop through t
hook). (Image 12)
Step 2: Again, insert the hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull the loop th
hook). (Image 13)
(Image 12) Step 3: Yarn over hook. Pull yarn through all 3 loops on the hook. (One dec
4. Basic stitches
Chain stitch (ch)
As already described in the text above: Catch the yarn with the hook and draw it through th
Slip stitch (sl st)
Insert your hook into next stitch (st), yarn over (yo), and draw through all loops (lps)
Single crochet (sc)
Insert hook in next stitch (st), yarn over (yo), pull the loop (lp) through the stitch (st) (2 lo
pull the loop (lp) through both loops (lps) on the hook.
(Image 13)
(Image 14)
5. How to end
Usually you will cut the yarn and pull it through last loop. Then weave in end to the back of work.
If you made a round object (like a ball) then do the following: slip stitch in next chain, then thread the t
and weave tail through the remaining stitches (sew up and down around each stitch) and pull tightly to
(Image 15)
Hide the tail inside the work by poking the needle to the other side. Tug on the yarn and cut the end clo
the tail will get sucked inside.
3
Let's practise what you've just learned by making this simple ball. The pattern uses the following techniq
adjustable ring, Single crochet, Single crochet increases and decreases and Finishing the ball by weaving
A Ball
Start with Magic adjustable ring
Rd 1: 5 sc into the center of ring (5)
Start increasing right from the beginning:
Rd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)
Rd 3: * Sc in next st, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (15)
Rd 4: * Sc in next 2 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (20)
Rd 5: * Sc in next 3 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (25)
Rd 6: * Sc in next 4 sts, work 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (30)
Work even for next 3 rounds (work in the same stitch without increasing or decreasing) :
Rd 7-9: Sc in each st around (30)
Start decreasing:
Rd 10: * Sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, repeat from * around (25)
Rd 11: * Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, repeat from * around (20)
Rd 12: * Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, repeat from * around (15)
Rd 13: * Sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts, repeat from * around (10)
Your ball can serve multiple purposes. It could be used, for example, as a leaf or as an ear, even as a ca
imagination and experiment.
Stuf fthe ball!
Rd 14: *Sc2tog over next 2 sts, rep from * around. (5)
Cut yarn and pull it through last loop. Weave tail through remaining 5 stitches and pull tightly to close. W
Co
