Essential Materials for Starting Out in Amigurumi

Discover the basic materials and tools for crocheting characters

With its unpronounceable name, amigurumi is a thread and needle knitting technique that enchants those who discover it. It allows for the creation of characters and real-life objects with a soft feel and adorable look.

If you are interested in exploring these crochet creations, you’ll need to know the materials that will help you bring your ideas to life. Expert crocheter and character designer Príncipe del Crochet (@principe_del_crochet) provides a list of essential elements for developing this art.

What is amigurumi

Amigurumi is a word of Japanese origin relating to the technique of three-dimensional crocheted objects. This technique became fashionable a few years ago following the kawaii trend of Japanese patterns. Although the image that comes to mind when we talk about amigurumis is this aesthetic, you can use this technique to design any character that takes our fancy. From historical figures, to others from popular culture or even making portraits of people; anything goes.

If you are looking for inspiration, take note of 5 amigurumi artists who have reinterpreted the aesthetics of these adorable characters.

Imagination and amigurumis

To create amigurumis it is essential to think of shapes with three dimensional volume. The process starts from a sketch aof the doll, and choosing colors and materials. Then crocheting begins, following steps based on molds.

During the design phase, many artists rely on storytelling skills. They design a story around the character's world, that adds to the characters’ personality features. Other artists create them based on the traditional Japanese belief that amigurumis are physical representations of imaginary friends.

Essential Materials for Starting Out in Amigurumi

Do you want to start creating? Start by understanding the importance of choosing the right materials.

Crochet hooks

These are the main tool when crocheting an amigurumi. Principe del Crochet recommends those by brands Clover or Tulip, as the material with which they are made allows the thread to slide smoothly and not tangle or get damaged.

According to the expert, crochet hooks should measure 2.25 or 2.75mm. We should not work with larger or smaller sizes. For example, if using a size 3, the amigurumi will appear full of holes and it will not look good.

Yarn

The material of the yarn we are going to work with is also key to the final result. Our expert uses 100% cotton by brand Revesderecho. The reason behind his choice is that any other material will likely create bobbling and fluff over time, and the amigurumi will end up losing its shape.

If you can't get this brand, Príncipe del Crochet recommends learning to read the label to look out for ideal features.

Keys to reading a label:

- Check the ball icon. It should always have the number 1 or 2, at most.

- The crochet number specified on the label is not necessarily the one to follow. If the label recommnends a 3 millimeter crochet, we should still use a 2.25 to 2.5mm crochet.

Synthetic stuffing

Without suitable filling material, an amigurumi will not have a shape. If you can't find the classic stuffing, Prince of Crochet suggests taking apart an old pillow or stuffed animal. Any synthetic stuffing works but it is essential to use 80 or 85 grams.

Stitch markers

Try to get metallic stitch markers, preferably. Our expert explains that they are usually thinner and this prevents the weave from expanding. However, he adds that if you cannot get metal ones, any other material, used with care, will do.

Safety eyes

Safety eyes are black plastic balls that can be put anywhere in our weave and can be used for other purposes too. They come with a stopper, and both pieces are almost always plastic. Occasionally they can be made of glass. You can use any size.

Felt needles

Felt needles help us fill the amigurumi with stuffing.

Scissors

The scissors should be very sharp. Specific embroidery or sewing scissors are preferable as any other type will likely not cut the yarn adequately.

Needles and pins

They are not fundamental but can be useful. Both pins and needles should be ideally 4 cm long. Needles are used for embroidery (especially the long one), while the small one is used for sewing on pieces of the amigurumi such as ears and paws.

Our expert recommends using DMC or Hemline brand needles because they are tougher while still able to bend without breaking.

You can get all the above items in a haberdashery or a wool shop.

Pencil and paper

They are used for sketching. Choose any of your preference.

Who is the Prince of Crochet?

Marcelo Javier Cortés, known on social media as @principe_del_crochet, has been dedicated to crocheting and designing amigurumis over the last three years. Find out in this post how he became interested in this technique, and how he has built a solid base of followers on social media, with more than 150 thousand followers on Instagram and almost 400 thousand on YouTube.

If you want to learn how to use these tools to make your own creation, sign up for Príncipe del Crochet’s course Amigurumi Design and Creation. Discover how to read a pattern and the process and techniques needed to give life to an original crocheted character.

English version by @acesarato

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- Amigurumi Tutorial: Basic Magic Circle Technique
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