Amigurumi für Anfänger

Introduction to the World of Amigurumi: Crochet Fun for Beginners
are you also eager to start crocheting but don't know where to begin? Then you are in the right place! In this introduction, you will learn everything about the fascinating world of Amigurumi, the Japanese craft of crocheting or knitting cute little figures like animals, food, and even monsters. We’ll take you on an exciting journey where you’ll learn very simple crochet techniques while creating charming Amigurumi. Let’s dive into the creative world of crocheting together!

Amigu...what? What exactly is Amigurumi?
The term \"Amigurumi\" comes from Japanese and is a combination of the words \"amu\" (to crochet or knit) and \"nuigurumi\" (stuffed toy). Basically, it describes the art of crocheting or knitting plush toys, which are then stuffed with cotton or other materials.

Typically, Amigurumis are small and come in the Kawaii style, characterized by large heads and cute features. These miniatures are perfect as decorations or gifts, from Christmas tree ornaments to keychains.

The necessary techniques for Amigurumi crocheting
The special thing about Amigurumis is that you don't need to be an experienced crocheter to get started. Basic techniques like single crochet stitches are perfectly sufficient. A single crochet stitch is usually abbreviated as \"sc\" in most instructions, and there are only a few other techniques that are important: chain stitch, slip stitch, increase, and decrease.

What materials do you need?
To crochet your first Amigurumis, you need the following items: a crochet hook, yarn or wool, stuffing material, and a yarn needle. Feel free to let your creativity run wild when it comes to decorating, for example with embroidery floss, buttons, or felt pieces.

Finding the right crochet hook
Crochet hooks are available in various materials. Metal and plastic have proven to be effective as they perfectly fulfill the aforementioned requirements of being lightweight and sturdy. Additionally, the tip of the crochet hook should be super smooth.

Crochet hooks come in different sizes. The size of the crochet hook must match the yarn so that the desired stitch pattern is achieved later. Thick crochet hooks naturally create larger stitches, while thinner hooks can be used for more delicate work. However, it is generally advisable to test for yourself before starting which hook size will lead to the desired stitch pattern. You should not blindly follow instructions or the information on yarn labels. Furthermore, everyone has their own crochet style, and stitches may be looser for some while tighter for others. Therefore, it’s wise to crochet a swatch before starting your actual project. For Amigurumi, crochet hooks in sizes 2.0 and 3.5 are usually beneficial.

What yarns and threads are best for Amigurumi?
Typical Amigurumi yarn is a cotton yarn with a smooth, silky-matte finish. You can use the Gründl wool "Cotton Quick uni" with a needle size of 3.0 - 4.0. Or you can use one of the crochet sets in our online shop for your Amigurumi project.

What material is used to stuff Amigurumis?
Stuffing cotton maintains the shape and stability of your Amigurumis. It is soft, washable, and remains clump-free. For creative accents, you have  beads, buttons, and embroidery thread at your disposal.

The right accessories for finishing touches
Before you’re finished, you’ll need a yarn needle to sew the pieces together. Also explore our creative options for face design as well as other materials that you may be looking for in our online shop.

Get started with your Amigurumi project now
Do you also want to become a real Amigurumi master? Then equip yourself in our VBS online shop with everything you need and start your creative journey today! Also, take advantage of our other Amigurumi instructions for crocheting a magic ring and for the basic shape ball. 

Have fun crocheting!