Getting Started

You will need the following items:

Crochet hook – for making amigurumi you should use a hook size smaller than the yarn suggests, you want your stitches quite tightly packed so that the stuffing doesn’t show or come through the gaps between them – for example if the yarn suggests a 5mm crochet hook, try a 4mm hook, if the holes between stitches are too big and you think the stuffing will show/come through go down to a 3.5mm

Yarn – use the yarn that the pattern suggests or pick a completely different yarn… this is the fun part! My favourite yarns at the moment are Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Aran, Scheepjes Stone Washed XL, Scheepjes Cahlista and Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran – I love the range of colours and the look the Stone Washed yarn gives the toy; the Wool Mix Aran makes a lovely, softer toy. My patterns list the yarn I used and the amount for each colour – the amounts of yarn needed may vary, depending on your tension and the type of yarn and hook size you use

Yarn needle – I find the bent/curved-tip yarn needles are best, they take a little getting used to but I find they make sewing in awkward places much easier

Eyes – you can use plastic safety eyes or embroider the eyes on yourself (safety eyes are not suitable for children under 3 years old or for pets)