Amigurumi is a Japanese style of needlework in which you crochet small stuffed creatures and figures. These creatures are often cute animals, but they can range to almost any subject and have no limit on creativity. These amigurumi dolls have been a staple in Japan for many decades but are a relatively new and trendy craft idea in the West, especially the United States, where social media has helped to generate interest. While perfect for children’s toys, this precise, detailed style of crochet is often made for the pure aesthetics, and thus is an excellent challenge for both new and experienced crochet enthusiasts alike. Over the past few years, these toys have gained popularity, and as a result, more people are looking to find the best crochet patterns and yarn types that would best suit the craft.
However, finding the best yarn for amigurumi can be daunting when faced with the sheer number of yarn types that exist on the market today. How do you know which is the best? What pros and cons exist for each type of yarn available, and which of those would most suit the specifics of creating an amigurumi doll? Each type of yarn has its own pros and cons based on composition, color, weight, texture, washability, and cost, all of which can help you determine how your crochet toys will turn out. Below are some common yarn types you may come across in your search to help you with your amigurumi patterns and the specifics of how they will help you get the best outcome possible.
100% cotton and mercerized cotton
First and foremost, cotton and mercerized cotton are the best choices for crochet toys intended for babies. Mercerizing is a yarn and thread treatment which actually changes the chemical composition of the cotton, making it softer, smoother, and shinier than if left in its original state. The reason 100% cotton and mercerized cotton are perfect for small crochet toys is because they are tightly spun, which makes for good stitch definition and is easier to see. The tiny details in your doll will stand out more, especially with the vibrancy of mercerized cotton. It also holds its shape well, unlike softer, more pliable yarns which could make the doll come out misshapen.
Make sure you use a smaller crochet hook when using this type of yarn since it requires a tighter stitch for the smoothest possible look. Cotton is the perfect weight and thickness for small stitches and, luckily for you, it is relatively cheap.
Semi-cotton (50% cotton, 50% acrylic) yarn
Lowering the amount of cotton in yarn makes it more lightweight because cotton itself is heavier, and the bigger the project, the more likely it will pull out of shape. Semi-cotton is also easier to care for, since it can be machine washed without worrying about tarnishing the quality of the finished work. Most of amigurumi toys published on our website are made with semi-cotton yarn.
Acrylic yarn
While this is the cheapest yarn and often comes in the most variety of colors, it also does not offer much detail integrity, and it pulls out of shape quite easily if it is not stitched tightly enough. It also is not made from natural fiber, since acrylic threads are made entirely of synthetic materials. It is pretty easy to care for since it can be both machine washed and dried, but it is probably not a quality choice for amigurumi yarn because it is slippery and fibrous. Despite all the shortcomings, this type of yarn is widely used for making toys.
Gracias por sus instrucciones y por hacernos la escogencia de materiales más sencilla
Thanks you so much… it’s helping me
I personally just started using 100% cotton and I love it. I used to use acrylic but would get so annoyed with the slickness that would make my hand hurt while crocheting.
Thank you very much for this tip,i normally use dk yarn that is 100% acrylic and have a tendency to use baby yarn because it is soft xxx
Great advise! Thanks so much 🙂
Very helpful! Thank you so much for the wonderful information.
Thanks for the information on yarn types to use. I was just starting my Christmas gifts for my one year old grand-daughter and wondered how to proceed…
Great information. Thanks so much!
I am about to start the molly doll but want to use a dk yarn. How will this affect the finished product. I realise it will make the doll larger. But will that be the only change. Thanks Donna
Hi, Donna 🙂 Yes, if you use DK yarn, your doll will be bigger, but the doll design won’t change.
Just the information I was looking for! Thank you!
olá muito obrigada pela dica me ajudou muito.
it would be so very nice to have the patterns available for purchase and the yarns too, of all the animals depicted in the above explanations of the yarns. i wood love to try my hand at crocheting some of them.
they really are beautiful. thank you for showing them.
The pics of your amigurumi are so cute and your info is so helpful! Where can I find the patterns for them? Thanks so much for your website.
Please let me know how i can purchase yarn to make animal toys and security blankets toys. thanks.
Your information helped me choosing the right yarn for my job thanks a lot
Thank you! 🌷💕
Hallo zusammen,
hat vielleicht jemand eine Anleitung für die kleine graue Katze, die bei dem Artikel über Halbwolle Garn zu sehen ist??
Würde die Katze gerne häkeln aber ich finde leider keine Anleitung oder den Link dazu.
Also wenn jemand weiß, wo man die Anleitung bekommt oder wo ich die im Internet finde, würde ich mich sehr darüber freuen. Vielen lieben Dank und einen schönen Sonntag euch allen
Petra
Liebe Petra,
Ich werde fragen, ob sie die Anleitung für die Katze haben, es sei denn, Sie haben sie bereits? Bitte entschuldigen Sie meine Grammatik, ich benutze Google Übersetzer, da ich nicht sehr gut Deutsch spreche. Ich werde Amigurumi Today fragen, ob sie das Anleitung haben.
The pics of the amigurumi are just so cute and your info on stuffing and yarn so helpful! Thanks so much for your website. Where can I get the patterns for the little “cuties” you show?
Thankyou for this information on yarns to use .I have become fascinated with the cute little creatures to make I am looking forward to starting some . Thanks again
Excellent information, on yarn stuffing & hooks to use, love your photos, I am going to try some of them,
Thank you.
Pauline
Thank you! 🌹💖
Where can I find the pattern for the soft fluffy yarn bunny?
Hi,
The me’lange yarn that you have used for the giraffe id very nice and I would like to try it for babies in hospitals.
If I am not mistaken, you used it also for your lovely Curious Crows?
Can you recommend me of such yarn?
Thank a lot,
Relly
Do you accept debit or credit cards instead of PayPal?
Yes, sure 🙂
Hello, Have you got the pattern for the gray cat under the semi-wool article?
Thank you.