Crochet Techniques - Amigurumi

Amigurumi is the art of crocheting small stuffed dolls, animals or creatures. The word Amigurumi crochet comes from the Japanese word “ami” for crochet and “nuigurumi” for sew and wrap, which refers to sewing up a stuffed doll or toy. These crocheted figures are created for fun, or as a show piece, instead of having a practical use. Many times the figures are quite small, about 2 to 3 inches in height. Crochet is the popular choice for making Amigurumi pieces, but they can also be knit. Amigurumi crochet uses basic crochet stitches, making this type of project good for a beginner crocheter. 
 

The main stitch used for Amigurumi crochet is the single crochet, using a tight guage to give definition and sturdyness to the piece. The dolls or figures are worked in pieces so you can stuff each section and then sew the creation together. For example, an animal would have a head, torso and legs with each piece made separately and then attached together to finish the project. Polyester fiber fill is a good option for stuffing, and is washable for easy maintenance. Dolls or figures that you want to stand upright will benefit from adding plastic pellet weights at the bottom, or in the feet and rear-end for a seated figure.

Terms and crochet abbreviations that you might encounter when working with Amigurumi crochet include chain (ch), slip stitch (ss), single crochet (sc), increase (inc) and decrease (dec).