What Is Amigurumi?
Crochet vs Amigurumi Explained.
What Is Amigurumi? Crochet vs Amigurumi Explained
If you’re new to crochet, you may have come across the word amigurumi and wondered what it means — or whether amigurumi and crochet are actually the same thing.
The simple answer is: Amigurumi is crochet — but not all crochet is amigurumi.
Amigurumi is a style of crochet, and sometimes knitting, used to create stuffed three-dimensional animals, dolls, characters and other objects. So if you’ve ever crocheted a little chicken, rabbit, owl, snail or other stuffed creature, there’s a very good chance you’ve already made amigurumi without even realising it!
What Does Amigurumi Mean?
The word amigurumi comes from Japan and is generally used to describe small knitted or crocheted stuffed toys and characters. Today, when people search for amigurumi patterns, they are most commonly referring to crocheted stuffed animals, dolls and other three-dimensional creations.
Amigurumi designs can include:
Animals
Dolls
Birds
Fantasy creatures
Food
Plants
Seasonal decorations
Cartoon-style characters
Novelty gifts
They can be tiny enough to use as keyrings or large enough to become cuddly toys. One of the lovely things about amigurumi crochet is that almost anything can be turned into a crocheted character.
What Is the Difference Between Crochet and Amigurumi?
The main difference between crochet and amigurumi is that crochet describes the whole craft, while amigurumi describes one particular type of crochet project.
Using a crochet hook and yarn, you can create an enormous range of things, including blankets, clothing, scarves, bags, cushions, lace, home decorations and toys. Amigurumi, on the other hand, normally involves creating a three-dimensional object which is then stuffed to give it its shape.
For example:
A crocheted blanket is crochet, but it isn’t amigurumi.
A crocheted jumper is crochet, but it isn’t amigurumi.
A stuffed crocheted chicken is both crochet and amigurumi.
So when comparing crochet vs amigurumi, the easiest way to think about it is that amigurumi is simply one branch of the much larger world of crochet.
How Is Amigurumi Made?
Most amigurumi crochet patterns use fairly simple stitches. One of the most commonly used stitches is the single crochet stitch in US crochet terminology.
Pieces are often worked in continuous rounds rather than joined rows. Increasing and decreasing stitches changes the shape of the crochet and allows you to create rounded bodies, heads, legs, wings, ears and other features. Once the pieces have been crocheted, they are stuffed and sewn together.
Details such as eyes, noses, beaks and facial features can then be added using safety eyes, embroidery or additional crocheted pieces.
Why Is Amigurumi Crocheted Tightly?
When making amigurumi, you normally want your stitches to be tighter than you might use for something such as a scarf or blanket. This helps prevent the stuffing from showing through the gaps between the stitches.
Using a slightly smaller crochet hook than you might normally choose for your yarn can help create a firm fabric and give your finished amigurumi a neater shape. Your stitches should still be comfortable to work into, though. You don’t need to crochet so tightly that your hands start aching!
What Yarn Is Best for Amigurumi?
There isn't one single correct yarn for amigurumi. Cotton yarn is extremely popular because it gives excellent stitch definition and creates a neat finish.
I particularly like using cotton for many of my more detailed crochet designs because the stitches remain clear and the finished shape holds well.
Amigurumi can also be made using:
Acrylic yarn
Cotton yarn
Cotton blends
DK yarn
4-ply yarn
Aran yarn
Chunky yarn
Plush or chenille yarn
Changing the yarn weight and hook size is also a simple way of making the same amigurumi pattern larger or smaller. A pattern made using 4-ply cotton might produce a small decorative animal or keyring, while the same basic design worked in chunky yarn could become a much larger cuddly toy.
My Clara Cluckington Chicken crochet pattern is a good example — changing the yarn and hook can take her from a little keyring-sized chicken to a cuddly version, all from the same pattern.
Is Amigurumi Good for Beginners?
Yes. There are plenty of amigurumi patterns for beginners, and some are surprisingly simple. They can be a great way to practise basic crochet techniques while making something fun at the same time.
If you can make:
A magic ring
Single crochet stitches
Increases
Decreases
Simple rounds
you already have many of the basic skills needed to crochet amigurumi.
More complicated patterns may include shaping, colour changes, sewing several pieces together or adding detailed decorative features. The best approach when learning amigurumi is to start with a pattern that matches your ability and gradually build your confidence.
Do You Have to Use a Magic Ring for Amigurumi?
Many amigurumi patterns begin with a magic ring because it allows the centre of a crocheted circle to close tightly. This is particularly useful when making heads and bodies because it avoids leaving a noticeable hole in the centre.
However, there are alternative ways to start your crochet if you find the magic ring difficult. Like most crochet techniques, the magic ring becomes much easier with practice.
Why Is Amigurumi So Popular?
Part of the appeal of amigurumi is that the projects are often relatively small and can be incredibly individual. You can change colours, yarn types, facial expressions and accessories to create something completely different from someone else following exactly the same crochet pattern.
Amigurumi also makes a lovely handmade gift. A crocheted animal or character can be made specifically for the person receiving it, using their favourite colours or even designed to resemble a favourite pet or animal.
And, of course, amigurumi can become slightly addictive. Once you have made one little character, it is very easy to find yourself planning the next one!
Are African Flower Crochet Animals Amigurumi?
Yes. African Flower crochet animals are also a form of amigurumi.
Instead of working the entire animal in continuous rounds, African Flower crochet uses individual motifs which are joined together to create a three-dimensional shape. Once the motifs are assembled and stuffed to make an animal or character, the finished creation can be considered amigurumi.
The construction method is different from more traditional amigurumi, but the end result is still a three-dimensional crocheted stuffed character. This is one of the things I enjoy most about crochet — there are so many completely different ways of creating three-dimensional designs.
Crochet vs Amigurumi – The Simple Explanation
If you're still wondering about the difference between crochet and amigurumi, this is the easiest way to remember it:
Crochet is the craft.
Amigurumi is a type of crocheted or knitted stuffed character or object.
So every crocheted amigurumi project is crochet, but crochet includes many things that aren't amigurumi at all.
Fancy Trying Amigurumi?
If you’ve mainly crocheted blankets, granny squares or clothing, trying a small amigurumi project can be a lovely change. You don't need lots of equipment, and smaller projects can often be completed quite quickly.
Start with a simple animal or character and don't worry if your first one isn't perfect. Handmade crochet is supposed to have character — and very often those tiny differences are what make each finished creation unique.
You can find a range of crochet and amigurumi patterns at Cute Crochet by Sarah B, including animals, birds, African Flower designs and beginner-friendly projects.
And if you are completely new to crochet, you'll also find beginner information, tutorials and free crochet resources to help you get started.