Choosing Amigurumi Crochet Hook Size

Choosing the right amigurumi crochet hook size is the secret to making the best plushies! Unlike blankets or garments where you want a soft drape, amigurumi requires a tight fabric to keep your stuffing hidden and your shape intact.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to move beyond the recommendations on the yarn label to find the perfect hook for your unique tension. Whether you’re working with cotton, acrylic, or plush yarn, this amigurumi hook size chart and guide will ensure your stitches are perfect every time.

Starting with the Pattern Designer’s Recommendation

Typically the crochet pattern that you are using will provide a suggested amigurumi crochet hook size. If you are using the exact yarn that the designer used, this is a great starting point.

However, amigurumi is rarely “one size fits all”. You will likely need to adjust your hook size for various reasons:

• You are using a different yarn weight: Swapping the designer’s worsted weight for a bulkier chenille yarn will require a completely different hook size.
• Differences in Tension: Not everyone crochets with the same tightness. We’ll discuss this in more detail later on.
• You want a different finished size: Changing your hook and yarn is a great way to adjust the size of your project without requiring alterations to the design.

But what if you aren’t using a pattern, or the pattern doesn’t specify a hook? You might be tempted to look at the yarn label for the answer. But, as you’ll see below, that label can be surprisingly misleading when it comes to amigurumi!

Why the Yarn Label Recommendation is Different

Most yarn labels include a recommended hook size, or range of sizes, for that specific yarn. If you’re not sure where to find this information, check out my full guide on how to read a yarn label.

However, for amigurumi, that recommended size is almost never the right fit. Manufacturers provide those recommendations to create a soft, flexible fabric for items like blankets, hats, and scarves. In amigurumi, we need a more rigid fabric to keep the stuffing inside.

For Example: The label on a skein of Red Heart Super Saver yarn recommends a 5.5.mm (I) crochet hook.

• For a Blanket: A 5.5.mm hook creates comfortable stitches.
• For Amigurumi: Using a 5.5mm hook with this yarn would create large gaps. When you added your stuffing to the project, the fabric would expand and the gaps would get even larger. To get the solid fabric needed to hide your stuffing, you should ignore the label and size down. I’d suggest something like a 3.5mm (E) or 4.0mm (G) hook instead.

What Amigurumi Crochet Hook Size Should I Use?

The goal for amigurumi is to create a solid fabric. You want an amigurumi crochet hook size that keeps your stitches tight enough that your stuffing won’t show through, but not so tight that you have to struggle to work your hook into the next stitch.

The “Size Down” Rule

Because every brand and fiber behaves differently, I follow a simple rule of thumb: Choose a crochet hook size that is 1.0mm to 2.0mm smaller than the smallest hook size recommended on the yarn label.

By using a smaller hook than the manufacturer suggests, you force the stitches closer together to create a more sturdy and solid fabric that will keep its shape once stuffed. Be sure to scroll down to see my full Amigurumi Hook Size Chart for specific hook recommendations based on yarn choice!

The Importance of Quality Hooks

Since amigurumi requires tighter tension than a project like a blanket, your choice of tool matters for your hand health.

It is helpful to have a full set of crochet hooks in a variety of sizes so you can test which hook and yarn combination works best for your personal tension. My absolute favorites are Clover Amour crochet hooks. They have an ergonomic handle and a smooth finish that makes working tight stitches much easier.

What is Tension in Crochet?

Tension refers to how tight or loose your crochet stitches are. It is the result of how you hold your yarn and hook, and it can vary based on your project, the yarn fiber, or even your mood!

Because everyone crochets differently, the crochet hook size for amigurumi suggested in a pattern is only a recommendation. A designer who crochets more loosely might suggest a smaller hook size than a designer who has naturally tight tension.

Tension Changes with Experience

It is completely normal for your tension to change over time. Many beginners find they start with very loose or very tight stitches, but as they get more comfortable, their stitches naturally become more consistent.

I know this from personal experience! When I first started crocheting amigurumi, I followed every pattern’s recommended hook size religiously, never making my own judgment calls based on the yarn I was using. This led to many early projects having gaps between the stitches where the stuffing showed through.

Now I know exactly which hook I need for my favorite yarn brands to get that gap-free finish every time, regardless of what the pattern’s hook recommendation is.

Why Tension Matters for Amigurumi

While tension is vital for garments to ensure they fit, in amigurumi, it is all about the fabric density.

• Loose Tension: Creates gaps between stitches where white stuffing can peek through. Projects may look “holey”.
• Too Tight Tension: Can lead to hand and wrist fatigue or make it quite difficult to insert your hook into the next stitch.

Pro Tip: If you find yourself fighting to force your hook into your stitches, try going up a hook size! It is better for your hand health to use a slightly larger hook with comfortable tension than to strain your muscles trying to crochet too tightly.

Understanding Crochet Hook Sizing

The crochet hook size refers to the thickness of the shaft of the crochet hook. This measurement, combined with your personal tension, is what establishes the exact size of your crochet stitches.

Crochet hooks are typically labeled using two different systems:

• Millimeter (mm) Range: This is the metric measurement of the hooks diameter.
• US Letter/Number Range: This system uses letters or numbers to represent the size.

While many hooks provide both measurements stamped on the handle, some may only list one.

My Tip: My preference is to always use the millimeter (mm) size when describing a crochet hook. It is more precise, especially for amigurumi when even a 0.5mm difference can change your project.

If you are following a pattern that only lists US sizes, you can refer to the full crochet hook sizing chart from the Craft Yarn Council to find the metric equivalent.

Amigurumi Hook Size Chart & Starting Points

So, where do you begin when choosing an amigurumi hook size? If you are working with a new-to-you yarn that is the same weight as the one used by the pattern designer, start with the hook they suggest. You’ll usually know after just a few rounds if the hook size is right for you.

The Light Test: Hold your work up to a light source. If you can see large gaps between your stitches, you need to size down. If your fabric is solid, you’ve found the right hook.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for choosing an amigurumi crochet hook size. What works for me might not work for you simply because of our individual tension and crochet style. However, the following chart serves as a reliable starting point.

If you want to use a different weight of yarn that the one given in the pattern your using, use these these yarn and hook combinations that work for my tension and adjust from there as needed.

Yarn Weight	Common Brand Example	Hook Size Suggestion
Light (3)	WeCrochet Animation	2.75mm (C)
Light (3)	Darn Good Yarn Snuggle Buggle	5.0mm (H)
Medium (4)	Provincial Tweed, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solids	3.75mm (F)
Medium (4)	WeCrochet Brava Worsted, Premier Just Yarn, Premier Basix, Big Twist Value, Loops & Threads Impeccable, Red Heart Super Saver, WeCrochet Might Stitch, WeCrochet Chroma Worsted, Bernat Baby Velvet	4.0mm (G)
Bulky (5)	Bernat Velvet	4.0mm (G)
Bulky (5)	Yarn Bee Arabella Metallic	5.0mm (H)
Bulky (5)	Lion Brand Homespun	6.0mm (J)
Super Bulky (6)	Premier Just Chenille	4.0mm (G)
Super Bulky (6)	Premier Parfait Chunky, Premier Bloom Chenille, Hobbii Honey Bunny	5.0mm (H)
Super Bulky (6)	WeCrochet Fable Fur	5.5mm (I)
Super Bulky (6)	Bernat Blanket, Lion Brand Hometown	6.5mm (K)

As you can see from the chart, the perfect hook size varies based on both the yarn weight and the fiber itself.

For instance, some chenille and plush yarns, typically classified as a Bulky (5) or Super Bulky (6) weight, often require a smaller hook size than an acrylic yarn of the same weight. This is because an acrylic yarn is as thick as it appears, while a chenille yarn has a lot of fluff that covers up a much thinner base. To keep that fluff dense enough to hide your stuffing, you often need to go smaller than you’d expect.

If you’re looking for projects to practice these tips, check out my favorite amigurumi patterns for plush yarn!

Creating Your Personal Amigurumi Hook Guide

Once you start experimenting, I highly recommend keeping a log of each hook size and yarn combination you use. Keeping track of what worked well (and what needed adjusting) will save you so much time on your next project!

You can track your favorites in a few ways:

• A Physical Notebook: Keep a small journal in your crochet bag.
• Digital Notes: Use the notes app on your phone for quick access.
• Ravelry: Create a project page on Ravelry to document your hook size, yarn brand, and photos of the finished result.

Over time, you’ll be able to build your own personalized amigurumi hook size chart that is perfectly tailored to your unique tension and style. Then, you’ll always know exactly which hook is best for YOU!

Love this guide? Pin it! Don’t lose track of these tips! Pin this post to your favorite crochet board on Pinterest so you can refer back to this helpful hook size chart whenever you start a new project.

FAQ for Choosing an Amigurumi Hook Size

More Crochet Tutorials and Resources

Ready to take your amigurumi skills to the next level? Check out these helpful guides:

• How to Read a Yarn Label: Master the basics so you can choose the perfect yarn for every project!
• What is Amigurumi?: Learn about the history of this Japanese art form and the specific techniques that make it unique.
• Amigurumi Tips and Tricks: Discover more ways to advance your skills and create professional-looking plushies.
• The Amigurumi Beginner Course: If you’re ready for a structured, step-by-step path to mastering amigurumi, my beginner course is designed to take you from your first stitch to your first finished plush!