You can’t help but smile when you see amigurumi crochet. It’s a craft with character – a style of crochet that originated in Japan and is typically used to make 3D crochet objects that have eyes and an expression on them.
What is amigurumi?
Amigurumi is the creation of cute objects using crochet stitches. These creations are super cute and popular with all ages, young and old. Amigurumi animals have the biggest appeal because they're so fun, but it’s always a surprise to see everyday objects like food being transformed into amigurumi, too.
One of our favourite amigurumi artists is American crocheter Vincent Green-Hite. A self-confessed ‘yarn punk’, Vincent taught himself how to do amigurumi and it changed his life and the perception of crochet – making it appealing to young people and showing that crochet is also popular with men and rock music fans.
Any children and grandchildren in your life will be particularly impressed if you gift them a copy of his new book Knot Bad Amigurumi (available to order now), containing colourful amigurumi patterns designed by Vincent.
If you’ve already learned how to do crochet you can get stuck straight in, or if you’re a beginner crafter and wondering how to do amigurumi, Vincent’s book explains the crochet stitches needed so you can try crochet amigurumi.
Here at Prima, we enjoyed his book so much that we thought Vincent was the best expert to have a chat with about all things amigurumi crochet – he explains what amigurumi is and how to get started. Get your crochet hook at the ready!
Crochet Essentials: The Best Crochet Hooks
Eco Bamboo Crochet Hooks
Easy Grip Crochet Hook Set
What is amigurumi and how did you discover it?
"Amigurumi is the Japanese art form of doll making made through knitting or crochet. I wanted to pick up crochet for a little while but only knew it as something you made scarves and hats with – it wasn’t until a Google deep dive that I realised dolls could be made!"
What was the first project you made?
"My main motivation to start making amigurumi was to create Pokémon! My first project was a Squirtle and it definitely had lots of love in it. "
Can people who’ve never done crochet before do amigurumi?
"Yes absolutely! Fortunately, a lot amigurumi consists of the most basic of crochet stitches. I the book I explain the single crochet which is used for chain stitches, double crochet and how to create a magic ring. The projects are mainly just a lot of circles and flat panels then putting it all together to create more complex shapes. Sewing is a big part of it."
Check out Prima's Beginner's Guide to Crochet to learn how to do basic crochet stitches or watch our step-by-step video below.
What are the basic supplies needed for amigurumi?
"Luckily, it doesn’t take too much to get into. What you’ll need is a crochet hook (4mm is my favourite), yarn, darning needle to sew, scissors, polyfill wadding to stuff your doll, and safety eyes to add a face."
Checklist: what you need to do amigurumi
Meafeng Safety Eyes
Prym Wool and Tapestry Needles with Gold Eye No. 1 & 3, Metal, Silver, 4.5 x 2 x 0.2 cm
Vaessen Creative Fibrefill Stuffing
How did your book Knot Bad Amigurumi come about?
"The Quarto Group reached out to me and invited me to put some of my designs into a collection. It’s 25 amigurumi crochet patterns that fit into five different categories including space and the forest. I did my best to make the crochet patterns in Knot Bad Amigurumi simple enough that anyone could make them but still give the image that it was complex.
"When writing the book, I realised that I am so inspired by my environment, the Pacific Northwest. The coastline inspired the beach chapter which includes an amigurumi turtle and amigurumi surf board."
What are the most common things people make with amigurumi?
"People often go towards similar projects to begin with, usually crochet patterns that don’t involve too many pieces! Bumble bees are really popular and some sort of plushie bear will always be a classic."
Can anything be amigurumified?
"I believe that answer is yes! I can’t imagine why something wouldn’t be able to – however, some things will be much more difficult than others."
What are some of the most unexpected things you’ve seen or made?
"I have tried to do fun fusions for myself to create a completely new character and one of my favourites was a snail mixed with a banana split ice cream sundae! I’m currently working on a snowman gnome."
Were you always creative?
"I have never expressed myself creatively my whole life! At least not intentionally. Crochet seems to be the only one I can really wrap my head around and working in 3D is too much fun to stray from. Other than this craft, I don’t have other crafts that I do at the moment! If I am not crocheting, I am either absorbing media or playing card games."
Tell us about your 'yarn punk' philosophies
"‘Yarn Punk’ was something I wanted to classify myself as – it’s really just someone who expresses themselves intentionally with their yarn. Crochet and knitting are both something you can do that’s going against the typical mould, especially in an age of tech. And it focuses so much on DIY, which is very punk! Inclusion and representation matter when it comes to its values."
Vincent shares his amigurumi patterns on his blog.
You’ve caused quite a stir on social media…
"I think most people just get surprised when they see a young person crocheting, let alone a man doing it. On TikTok I’ve also been able to fuse my heavy metal music into my videos with my dolls. I do my best to keep up with trends that are going around but inserting my craft into it to shows people that anyone can crochet."
Amigurumi crochet inspiration
If you’re feeling inspired to try amigurumi crochet for yourself, why not buy a copy of Vincent’s book Knot Bad Amigurumi. If that leaves you wanting more, here are some other amigurumi crochet artists Vincent recommends following to get inspired by this fun and colourful crochet technique.
AllAboutAmi
Curiouspapaya
Twinkie Chan
Rin.Meow21
53Stitches
Knot Bad Amigurumi: Learn Crochet Stitches and Techniques to Create Cute Creatures with 25 Easy Patterns
Knot Bad Amigurumi: Learn Crochet Stitches and Techniques to Create Cute Creatures with 25 Easy Patterns
You could also get started with a kit – here are our favourites to inspire you.
The best (and cutest) amigurumi kits for beginners
Coopay Amigurumi Kit, Beginner Crochet Kit, Amigurumi Crochet Kit Beginners, Amigurumi Crochet Kits with Wool and Instruction, Crochet Kits for Beginers Adults and Kids, Amigurumi Starter Kit
Don't forget to check our Prima's free crochet patterns for new project ideas – plus we have loads of inspiration for you, including granny square project ideas and gorgeous crochet cushions.
Have you made an amigurumi project? Share it with us by tagging us in your pictures on Instagram!
