Amigurumi Tutorial 3

Filed under: Crochet,Crochet,Techniques,Crochet,Tutorials — Alicia @ April 10, 2008

In the first amigurumi tutorial I went over the basic crochet techniques needed to make amigurumis. In the second installment, I explained the most common types of patterns, and how to read them. In this final amigurumi tutorial I’ll cover some additional techniques often used when making amigurumis.

Other Crochet Stitches

Although most amigurumis are made with the single crochet stitch shown in the first tutorial, you are often required to use other stitches to shape your doll. The following is not an inclusive list (for that go to Nexstitch’s crochet video tutorials), but simply some of the stitches that you are likely to encounter when crocheting amigurumis. Next to the name of each stitch I’ve included the abbreviation(s) used in patterns (I’m using the American naming conventions, which differs from the British).

Slip Stitch (sl st)

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Half Double Crochet (hdc)

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Double Crochet (dc)

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Triple Crochet also known as Treble Crochet (trc or tr)

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Font Post or Front Loop, Back Post or Back Loop (fl or fp, bl or bp)

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Working with Color

You’ll often want to add a splash of color to your projects. The following video shows how to change color yarns. PlanetJune also has a Colour Changes in Amigurumi tutorial.

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If you are working in stripes, you’ll want them to be as jogless as possible. To do so, you need to stop working on a spiral and start working in rows. The technique in the next video is not perfect, but it gives better results than working in spirals.

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If you find a better way to the jogless stripes, let me know.

Adding Faces

Your amigurumi won’t be complete until you add a cute face to it. There are different ways to do this, the following video explains some of them.

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Keep safety in mind. If your amigurumi is for a small child or a baby, stick to using yarn or felt for eyes. Buttons or safety eyes may be a choking hazard.

Also, as I mentioned in the video, I’m not very good when it comes to embroidery, but I found a needlepoint site that has the best videos and tutorials I’ve seen on the subject: Needle’nThread.com’s Video Library (especially the Satin Stitch tutorial).

As for human dolls, Owlishly has an excellent Amigurumi Hair Tutorial, you should check it out. I’m lazy, so what I’ve done for quick and easy hair is a tassel.

Most patterns will tell you when you need to work on the face. You’ll usually be adding the eyes, mouth, nose and muzzle when you are around two thirds into making the head, but it really depends on what you are making. The key is to be able to do it while it’s still comfortable for you to do so (the opening it big enough).

Finishing your project

Most likely, your amigurumi will be made of more than one piece, so the last step is to sew them together. This process is easier if you leave long tails on every piece you finish (so don’t cut the tail short after you bind off).

Crochet Me has an excellent tutorial on Assembling Amigurumi. Planetjune also has a very good tutorial on Joining Amigurumi. The key is to do it slowly and with care so they join shows as little as possible. Use pins to hold a rebellious piece in palce.

Closing words

My advice to you is to take your time. Start with small projects. Practice your stitches until you get even tension thought your work. It will make your amigurumis look much nicer, and you’ll be happier with the results. But remember that amigurumis are toys, so you should be having fun making them.

Don’t stress, enjoy!

Go to Amigurumi Tutorial 1, Amigurumi Tutorial 2

24 Comments

  1. thank you so much! now i think i am even more in love with this art! you are so helpful, your site is defently going in my faves!!!!

    Comment by hazel — April 30, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

  2. Thanks alot! really helpful videos!!

    Comment by Yaya-yeye — May 12, 2008 @ 4:33 am

  3. I just found out about this site through Wikipedia, I love it! I’m getting geared up to start doing Amigurumi, and I know I will be visiting this site alot for some free extra help. Thank You So Much For Posting!!!!!!

    Comment by Amina — May 21, 2008 @ 2:38 pm

  4. Very helpful tutorials. Thank you very much.

    Comment by Wende — May 30, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

  5. Wonderful videos! I’ve been crocheting for a while and have just recently started trying Amigurumi. I’ve tried other methods for the adjustable ring, but your’s was best explained and easiest! Thank you!!

    Comment by Stina — June 10, 2008 @ 4:11 pm

  6. Awesome website! My daughters and I were looking for fun summer projects and this is absolutely the plan now.

    Comment by Tiffany Rosson — June 11, 2008 @ 11:22 am

  7. thank you so much for posting all of these demo’s. I couldn’t have learned to crochet without them. I tried in the past with no luck, but now I can!!!!! =)

    Comment by karma magana — July 18, 2008 @ 3:24 pm

  8. […] Amigurumi Tutorial 3 […]

    Pingback by Amigurumi Madness!: Part One « Life and Hobbies of Kelifer — July 25, 2008 @ 6:29 pm

  9. Your demos are so clear, and your voice is so calm and pleasant to listen to! You have taught me to crochet against all odds, and I thank you!

    Comment by Patty — August 15, 2008 @ 9:49 pm

  10. I started crocheting 2 days ago and found out about Amigurumi’s the same day. I am obsessed by them and will do a whole range of different Amigurumi’s for my son and my family 😀 Thank you so much for your great website and clear demonstrations! xxx

    Comment by Tinii — August 27, 2008 @ 9:55 am

  11. It’s so good of you to have taken the time to have done all of this. I cannot wait to put your fantastic tutorials to good use.

    Comment by Hannah — August 27, 2008 @ 12:53 pm

  12. I’ve been wanting to crochet amigurumi and your tutorial series is very comprehensible. The videos are very easy to follow and the repetition of each technique in the videos makes it even better. Thank you for making such a great tutorial! 🙂

    Comment by Iris — September 16, 2008 @ 12:55 pm

  13. I learned a little bit of knittting and crocheting in school, but haven’t done it in a few years. I had no idea what to make! Now I get to work on my skills and make cute little friends!!

    Comment by Kat — September 30, 2008 @ 12:25 am

  14. Wow! I can’t believe how much work you put into this just to help others. That is so generous of you! This is the best crocheting site (amigurumi or otherwise) that I have ever seen. I have been crocheting for about 15 years and I really wish that there would have been help like this when I was starting out. I’m new to amigurumi and I can’t wait to try the little bird pattern you give. Thank you so much for this great site.
    Mandy

    Comment by Mandy — October 28, 2008 @ 9:50 am

  15. thank you so much for those tutorials. they are efficient and straight to the point and oh so helpful! i shared your website to some friends and now we are competing on making the best crochet project. thank you!!

    Comment by kawtar — November 10, 2008 @ 12:03 pm

  16. I’m making a cute little turtle with striped shell from a pattern at Crochetville.org. But I don’t understand the backloop so much… And to make the shell striped, well… I can’t make it because when I change the color from white to blue, it’s very ugly and the yarn go straight to where I want to change color and it “jump” into the white one. I know it’s hard to understand my words but I’m in BIG trouble! HElP!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Tracy — November 25, 2008 @ 10:57 pm

  17. This is sooooo fun! Is it possible to make the ball bigger or smaller by using a different sized crocheting hook? Thanks for your help! 🙂

    Comment by Scarlett — January 5, 2009 @ 12:14 am

  18. it is easy to do…Very helpful tutorials.
    🙂 thank you!!

    Comment by jolie — January 13, 2009 @ 8:04 am

  19. So helpful!!!

    Your tutorials are absolutely perfect.
    Just made my first Amigurumi!

    Thank you!

    Comment by Charlie — January 26, 2009 @ 5:54 am

  20. Your website is so helpful. I bought a Amigurumi book because I thought they were cute and since I know some knitting I figured I could do it. Not so it was much harder then I thought but your website has been so much help and I love the videos. I am a visual person and need someone to show me how a stitch is done.

    Comment by Samantha — February 6, 2009 @ 10:16 pm

  21. Thank you SO much for taking the time to create and post these excellent tutorials!

    Even though I have been crocheting for years, I found them super helpful and very clear!

    Thanks again!

    Comment by Erin K. — February 17, 2009 @ 3:16 pm

  22. Thank you so much for posting these! It must have been a labor of love. <3

    Comment by Lisa — February 22, 2009 @ 5:40 pm

  23. Are you Hutterite? sound like it.

    Comment by Jolly — March 26, 2009 @ 3:38 pm

  24. […] Crochet tutorials! This is a handy site for me, LOL. Or would be if I ever took time to craft anymore. […]

    Pingback by Six Neat Things » KLove and other stuff — April 6, 2009 @ 6:34 am

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