7 Essential Amigurumi Tips & Tricks You Need to Know

If you’ve ever thought that amigurumi looks too difficult to tackle, I’m here to tell you that anyone can learn! In this ultimate guide, I’ll share my best amigurumi tips for beginners to help you create perfect amigurumi. From the best way to stuff your projects to mastering the invisible decrease, these crochet tips for amigurumi will have you creating beautiful projects with confidence.

Getting Started with Amigurumi

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed toys. While it may seem intimidating, anyone can learn! If you’re looking for a full guide on what amigurumi is, be sure to check out my post on the topic.

If you are brand new to crochet and amigurumi, I recommend checking out my free amigurumi for beginners course. It includes all the details you need to know to get started, from the materials you’re using to the stitches you’ll be making.

My very first, and most obvious amigurumi tip is to learn all of the basic stitches, including:

This video is also available on YouTube. Watch this video: Amigurumi Tips and Tricks on YouTube.

Use a Smaller Hook

Probably the most important of my crochet tips for amigurumi is to use a smaller hook! When making amigurumi, you should always use a smaller hook than what is recommended on the label. The reason is simple: a smaller hook keeps your stitches as tight as possible, ensuring that no stuffing shows through in your finished projects.

How to Choose Your Hook Size

Every yarn label will recommend a hook size based on the yarn weight. This is indicated with a small icon that looks like a skein of yarn with a number on it.

For example, a skein of WeCrochet’s Brava Worsted recommends hook sizes 5.25mm (I) through 6.5mm (K). This is my go-to yarn for amigurumi, and I use a 4.0mm (G) hook when making projects with it.

In addition to using a smaller than the recommended hook size, you’ll also want to consider your tension. If you crochet fairly loosely, you may want to go even smaller in hook size. If you crochet very tightly, you might not need to go down quite as far. This is something you’ll know for sure through trial and error.

You can read more about this in my full post on choosing a hook size for amigurumi.

Have a Full Set of Crochet Hooks

One of the best amigurumi tips I can give you is to have a full set of crochet hooks on hand. This allows you to easily adjust your hook size whenever you need to, which is key to getting the right tension for every project. My absolute favorite hooks are the Clover Amour hooks, and a great budget-friendly alternative is WeCrochet’s Bright set.

Use Stitch Markers

One of the most important amigurumi tips for beginners is to use stitch markers. Since amigurumi is worked in continuous rounds, you don’t join the end of each round. Without counting every single stitch, it is nearly impossible to keep track of where you are. This is where stitch markers become a true lifesaver: they let you know where you are so you can crochet while binge-watching your favoring Netflix show!

Stitch markers are easy to use. After you work the first stitch of a new round, simply loop your stitch marker through the top of that stitch. When you get back to the marker, remove it, work the first stitch of the next round, and insert the marker into that new stitch.

I prefer using locking stitch markers so they don’t slip out. I highly recommend these plastic stitch markers.

Learn the Invisible Decrease

Learning the single crochet invisible decrease can be an absolute game-changer and is one of the best amigurumi tips. An invisible decrease creates a much smoother, less bulky stitch, which makes your finished projects look more polished and professional. Because of this, all of my amigurumi patterns recommend using the invisible decrease.

You may see increases and decreases written a few different ways. In my patterns, I use “2 SC” for a single crochet increase and “SC2tog” for a single crochet decreases. Other patterns may use “INC” and “DEC”.

Learning the single crochet invisible decrease can be an absolute game changer and one of the best amigurumi tips. All of my amigurumi patterns recommend using the invisible decrease.

How to do the Invisible Decrease (SC2tog)

• Insert your hook into the front loop of the first stitch.
• Insert your hook into the front loop of the second stitch.
• Yarn over and draw through the first two loops on your hook.
• Yarn over and draw through both loops on your hook.

If you want to learn more about the single crochet invisible decrease, check out the full post with photo and video tutorials.

Learn Seamless Color Changes

Have you ever made a color change that left a noticeable “step” in your work? This next of my crochet tips for amigurumi is to learn a simple, seamless color change technique. This allows you to discreetly change from one color to the next, making the transition almost impossible to detect.

Check out the full post on the seamless color change to learn exactly how to do it!

Use a Row Counter

While a row counter isn’t a necessity, it’s one of the most useful amigurumi tips you can get. When you’re working a lot of continuous rounds, your stitches can all start to blend together. Rather than constantly going back and counting your rounds, you can just click the button on your counter after each round to make sure you never lose your place. This handy tool isn’t just for amigurumi, you can use it for all sorts of crochet projects.

The row counter I use is amazing because it wraps around your finger like a ring, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing it every time you put it down. You can find a row counter just like the one I use here.

Don’t Overstuff Your Amigurumi

One of the most important amigurumi tips is to make sure you don’t overstuff your creations! While you don’t want a super floppy finished piece, overstuffing is a common mistake that can stretch your stitches and cause the stuffing to show through. Even if you’ve been careful with your hook size, too much poly-fil can ruin the look of your piece.

How to Stuff Your Projects Perfectly

The key is to insert only small bits of stuffing at a time. Pull your stuffing apart and insert a small, even amount. Think of it like fluffing a pillow. This gives you better control and prevents the yarn from stretching.

As you stuff, roll the piece in your hand to spread the stuffing evenly and push it to the sides. Your finished piece should be firm but not hard. Keep an eye on your stitches to ensure that you aren’t stretching them out. You can also smooth the outside to make sure there are no clumps or bumps.

And if you are struggling with the head of your amigurumi flopping around, be sure to check out my pos ton how to prevent a wobbly head!

Use Pins for Assembly

One of the most important amigurumi tips I can share is to use pins for assembly! There’s nothing worse than sewing on a piece, only to realize it’s crooked. Pins nearly eliminate that from happening, making assembly less frustrating. You’ll just place your pieces where you want them to be, and then insert the pins to hold everything in place.

While any straight pin will do, my favorite type to use for amigurumi are T-pins. If you do any blocking, you likely already have these on hand. You can also use knitting needles, which are often decorated and called “amigurumi sewing sticks” to help with larger pieces or projects made from plush yarn. As you sew, just remove the pins as you go.

Your Turn!

Have you found these amigurumi tips for beginners helpful? What are your favorite crochet tips that you would add to this list? Leave a comment below!

Amigurumi Tips for Beginners: FAQ

More Crochet Tutorials

If you found these amigurumi tips helpful, you’ll love my other tutorials! Looking for your next project? Be sure to check out my post on where to find free crochet patterns and my full library of free amigurumi crochet patterns.