How to Crochet an Amigurumi Toy

Amigurumi (lit. Knitted stuffed toy) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures.

Here are instructions kindly shared by Amy Lim, an amazing textile artist whose other creations will astound and delight you.

But first, here are her instructions (shared with permission) for making "Bobby Blue", an Amigurumi Toy!

Things to note

1. This item is crocheted in the round. Do not join rounds. Use a scrap of different colored yarn to mark the rounds.
2. Work in loose ends as you crochet along or thread the end of yarn through a needle and weave it into the other stitches.
3. Amigurumi is characterized by its tight crochet that can hold beads and stuffing materials easily. This is achieved several ways, but the most common is to use a smaller crochet hook and pull the yarn taut with each "stitch".

#Abbreviations used are:

1. • Ch – chain
   • Sc – single crochet
   • Rnd – round
   • Inc – increase
   • Dec – decrease
   • Sl st – slip stitch

Head/Body

• With light blue yarn,
  • Rnd 1 : Ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 sc)
  • Rnd 2 : Work 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
  • Rnd 3 : [ sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (18 sc)
  • Rnd 4 : [ sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (24 sc)
  • Rnd 5 : [ sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (30 sc)
  • Rnd 6 : [ sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (36 sc)
  • Rnd 7 : [ sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (42 sc)
  • Rnd 8 : [ sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (48 sc)
  • Rnd 9 to 16 : Sc in each sc around. (48 sc)
• Now for the decreasing rounds.
  • Rnd 17 : [ sc in each of next 6 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (42 sc)
  • Rnd 18 : [ sc in each of next 5 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (36 sc)
  • Rnd 19 : [ sc in each of next 4 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (30 sc)
  • Rnd 20 to 22 : Sc in each sc around. (30 sc)
• Now for the increasing rounds.
  • Rnd 23 : [ sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (36 sc)
  • Rnd 24 : [ sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc]6 times. (42 sc)
  • Rnd 25 to 28 : Sc in each sc around. (42 sc)
• Now for the decreasing rounds.
  • Rnd 29 : [ sc in each of next 5 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (36 sc)
  • Rnd 30 : [ sc in each of next 4 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (30 sc)
  • Rnd 31 : [ sc in each of next 3 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (24 sc)
• At this point, change to dark blue yarn and continue decreasing …
  • Rnd 32 : [ sc in each of next 2 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6times. (18 sc)
• Stuff body/head with polyfill.
  • Rnd 33 : [ sc in next sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (12 sc)
  • Rnd 34 : [ Dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]6 times. (6 sc)
• At the end of round 34, sl st in next sc leaving a length of yarn, fasten off.
• With tapestry needle, weave in remaining length through sc of rnd 34, pull to close opening, secure and fasten off.

Pointy Locks (make 5 pieces)

• With dark blue yarn and leaving a length of yarn for sewing later, make 5 similar pieces as follows:
• Working in rows,
  • Row 1 : Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch throughout. (4 sc). Ch1, turn.
  • Row 2 & 3 : 4sc. Ch1, turn.
  • Row 5 : [ dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]2 times. (2 sc). Ch 1, turn.
  • Row 6 & 7 : 2sc. Ch 1, turn.
  • Row 8 : Dec 1 sc over next 2 sc. (1 sc). Ch 1, turn.
  • Row 9 & 10 : 1 sc. Ch 1, turn. Fasten off.
• Thread the beginning length of yarn through a tapestry needle and sew each piece of lock around the circumference of the dark blue patch on the top of the head.

Feet (make 2)

• With orange yarn and leaving a length of yarn for sewing later, make 2 similar pieces as follows:
• Working in rows,
  • Row 1 : Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch throughout. (6 sc). Ch1, turn.
  • Row 2 : 6 sc. Ch1, turn.
  • Row 3 : [ dec 1 sc over next 2 sc]3 times. (3 sc). Ch 1, turn.
  • Row 4 : 3 sc. Ch 1, turn.
  • Row 5 : Dec to 1 sc. Fasten off.
• Thread the beginning length of yarn through a tapestry needle and sew each foot to bottom of body, aligning them next to each other. (Please see pics).

Eyes (make 2)

• With off-white yarn,
  • Rnd 1 : Ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. ( 6 sc)
  • Rnd 2 : Work 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
• Sl st to beginning sc and fasten off, leaving a length of yarn for sewing eye onto face.
• Sew 2 big french knots using black yarn into the centre of the off-white eye patches.

• Thread neon pink yarn through a tapestry needle. Embroider a heart-shaped mouth (or any other shape that you prefer) onto the face.

• Sit back and enjoy the finished toy!

• Using a smaller crochet hook will create a tighter crochet.
• Pulling the yarn taut as you crochet will also help create a tighter crochet, thus keeping the stuffing in place.

• Acrylic Yarn (light blue, dark blue, orange, black, neon pink and off-white)
• Polyfill
• Tapestry/yarn needle
• Crochet hook (one size smaller than the size needed for your yarn type)
• A pair of scissors