Amigurumi Patterns

From LoveToKnow Crafts

If you're looking for a new project to test your knitting or crocheting skills, amigurumi patterns may provide just the challenge you've been searching for.

About Amigurumi

Amigurumi is a Japanese craft that involves knitting or crocheting small stuffed toys. The term comes from a combination of the Japanese words ami (crocheted or knitted) and nuigurumi (stuffed doll).

The most common amigurumi figures are animals such as cats, dogs, bears, fish, or rabbits. However, some crafters design inanimate objects endowed with anthropomorphic features.

Amigurumi crafts are typically cute and whimsical in appearance. The trademark look is a toy with an oversized spherical head on a cylindrical body with undersized extremities.

To view examples of amigurumi, check out the following links:

To see crafters in action as they make their amigurumi toys, search for "amigurumi" on You Tube.

Free Amigurumi Patterns Online

If you're looking for free amigurumi patterns online, LoveToKnow Crafts recommends visiting the following helpful Web sites:

  • Lion Brand is a wonderful resource for learning more about this fun craft. The site's selection of free patterns includes a turtle, fish, octopus, Siamese cat, wise owl, giraffe, bunny, and panda.
  • Kaboodle posts links to free patterns from around the Web. Some of the featured designs include an amigurumi doll, ladybug, frog, and elephant.
  • Ami List is a blog maintained by a crafter who enjoys posting links to amigurumi resources online. Her posts include free patterns as well as photo galleries and tutorials.
  • Pepika has a 3D heart and a free holiday chick pattern, as well as a "crash course" to help you master basic concepts in creating amigurumi toys.
  • Crochet Me has a free pattern for an "amigurumi dude." This pattern is very versatile, as evidenced by the gallery of variations the site's readers have submitted.
  • DIY Life has a fun free pattern for a bomb pop amigurumi popsicle toy.

The problem with looking for amigurumi patterns online is that many sites devoted to this craft are written in Japanese. If you're feeling ambitious and want to tackle a project made from a Japanese pattern, however, My Little Mochi has prepared a PDF download featuring English translations of some of the most commonly used abbreviations.

Amigurumi Books

Amigurumi patterns can also be found in the following books:

Basic Tips

As you're making your first amigurumi project, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • Remember that amigurumi are made in pieces. When you make a project, you'll have pieces for the head, the body, the arms, and the legs that need to be assembled when the project is complete.
  • Don't leave a hole when you start your rounds, or you'll end up with a doll that is losing stuffing!
  • Don't skimp on stuffing. The best amigurumi toys are tightly stuffed for a full appearance.
  • If you can, add the face after the project is assembled. This will make it easier to determine the correct proportions.
  • Although amigurumi toys are often given to children, it's important to be cautious when creating a project to give as a gift to a baby or toddler. Buttons, snaps, charms, tags, ribbons, or other embellishments that may fall off and present a choking hazard should not be used on toys for young children.

Amigurumi as a Business Opportunity

As amigurumi continues to grow in popularity, many crafters have found that their creations are in high demand. Even people who have no interest in learning how to knit or crochet love the cute look of handmade amigurumi toys!

If you're looking for great craft ideas to sell, consider offering your favorite amigurumi toys at a craft show. Selling online through your own Etsy shop is another possibility to consider..

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Comments

Lucy,

Thanks so much for the tip about ordering patterns and making sure the eyes on your projects are safe. I'm sure all of our readers want to keep the little ones in their lives as safe as possible!

Dana Hinders

LoveToKnow Crafts Editor

-- Contributed by: Danahinders

Safe eyes were used in most of the projects done by Lucy L. They are a special type of "locking" eye, made for use on stuffed toys and dolls for very young children. A safety washer locks them on. To remove them, you'd have to destroy the ami toy. They can be found in craft stores or ordered on line from a number of sources.

-- Contributed by: Lucy L

I've ordered patterns from Pepika, mentioned in the article. The patterns are clear and straightforward, and she's a delight to deal with. Payment takes two steps, because she's in Eastern Europe. There's an intermediate step between her and PayPal.

-- Contributed by: Lucy L

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