Crochet Basics (right-handed)
Looking for the left-handed instructions? If not, read on…
Basic stitches for Amigurumi
To learn to make amigurumi, you only need to know a few very basic crochet stitches. This brief guide will teach you all the basic stitches you’ll need to be able to follow an amigurumi pattern and start to crochet your own toys!
Contents
- Slip Knot (starting loop)
- Chain (ch)
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Single crochet increase (2 sc)
- Single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
- Slip Stitch (sl st)
- Crocheting in the round
For more advanced techniques, e.g. magic ring, colour changes, joining pieces, see the main Amigurumi Help page.
Slip Knot (starting loop)
Make a loop about 6” from end of yarn:
Insert hook through loop and hook the long end of the yarn:
Use hook to draw yarn through loop:
Pull loop tight:
Chain (ch)
With starting loop on hook, yarn over:
Draw hook back through loop on hook (1 ch completed):
Repeat the steps (yarn over, draw hook back through loop on hook) to make each ch st:
Single Crochet (sc)
Single crochet into a chain (usually first row/round only)
Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook.
Note: loop on hook does NOT count as a chain:
Yarn over:
Draw yarn through chain (2 loops on hook):
Yarn over:
Draw yarn through both loops on hook (1 loop on hook, 1 sc made):
Make a sc in each ch (or as specified in pattern):
Single crochet into a single crochet (usually all rows/rounds except first)
From the top, each crocheted stitch looks like a ‘V’ shape:
Unless otherwise specified in a pattern, insert your hook under both top loops to begin the stitch, as shown below:
Complete the stitch as shown for single crochet into a chain: yarn over, draw up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw yarn through both loops on hook.
Single crochet increase (2 sc)
To increase in single crochet, make the first stitch as usual:
Insert hook back into the same stitch to form the 2nd sc:
Complete the sc as usual:
Single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
Insert hook into stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop:
Insert hook into next stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop:
Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook:
1 sc decrease completed:
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Insert hook into stitch:
Yarn over and draw up a loop; draw through loop on hook:
1 sl st completed:
Crocheting in the round
Ch 2:
Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook:
Complete sc and place stitch marker into the top of this stitch:
Continue to make sc into the same space (number as specified in pattern). Stitches will form a circle:
To begin the second round, insert hook into the first st of the previous round (as marked by the stitch marker). It is easier to first remove the stitch marker, then make the stitch:
After completing the first stitch, place the stitch marker into this stitch:
Continue to crochet around the circle as specified in pattern. Picture below shows end of Rnd 2; to begin Rnd 3, remove stitch marker, make first stitch then place stitch marker into this stitch:
Once you are comfortable with this method, try the Magic Ring method to avoid leaving that hole in the middle of your starting round.
Now you should know everything you need to know to be able to crochet your first amigurumi! Have fun!
10 Comments »
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Nichole Said,
October 26, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
Another Question! The fuzzballs wouldn’t be fuzzy, but would making one work with regular yarn? Thanks
Maria Said,
November 7, 2008 @ 11:32 am
Thanks so much for posting them!!!
emma Said,
January 19, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
hi… i think i have created the 7 loop ring to start my pattern but am having some difficulty figuring out what stitches are the ones i have to loop to create the double stitches (so i end up with 14)…. do you have any other pointers?
Katelyn Said,
May 28, 2009 @ 10:46 am
Hi, great tutorials. I’m a beginner amigurumi maker but an old crocheter. I the new things I can create.
I have a question for anyone that can help. I have a pattern and one part of it says:
R6 – *2sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 4 stitches, repeat from * around, mm
Work 5 more Rounds
Does this mean 5 more rounds of row 6? or just 5 rounds of sc’s, one in each stitch?
Thanks
June Said,
May 28, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Katelyn, that sounds like a badly written pattern! My guess would be work that you should 5 more rounds without increasing, just sc in each st around. If you can send me a link to a picture of the thing you’re trying to make (and which part of the ami has those instructions), I can verify that for you
Pallavi Said,
July 12, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Every single thing I wanted to learn is here with pictures!! I am a beginner at crocheting. I bought an amigurumi book but your instructions are way better than the ones in the book. I feel like I can finally start my amigurumi!!
Creative Tuesday: Amigurumi Peanut Series « 20 MORE THINGS Said,
September 21, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
[...] tend to do my own thing as I pick up on the fundamental. To help you along with amigurumi, go visit Planet June. The tutorials are very helpful. Posted by insidethehemisphere Filed in Art, Beauty, Creative [...]
cleo Said,
November 4, 2009 @ 2:36 am
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH!! this was what I was looking for. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share this with us.
Cleo
South Africa
sarah Said,
November 10, 2009 @ 4:07 am
hey june,
ur info is soo helpful…
i have a question.. at the end of a patterns when it says “break yarn” does that mean cut it off and knot it ???
June Said,
November 12, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Sarah: yes, cut the yarn leaving a long tail. Draw the tail through the last loop remaining on your hook, and then pull the end tight to close up the loop so that the crochet won’t unravel.