The 5 Essential Techniques for Amigurumi

August 9, 2017 @ 12:31 pm · Filed under Crochet, Tutorials

Amigurumi is a special subset of crochet that requires its own skills. Even the most experienced crocheters can be startled when they pick up their first amigurumi pattern and discover it’s full of new terms and techniques!

In this post, I’ll cover all the essentials you’ll need to be able to tackle an amigurumi pattern with confidence and end up with great-looking crocheted stuffed toys.

Note: All the posts linked below include both right- and left-handed video tutorials!

1. Magic Ring

The magic ring gives the perfect start to any piece of amigurumi: you can start crocheting in the round without any trace of a hole in the middle.

L: magic ring; R: standard ‘chain 2’ start

2. Invisible Decrease

Decreasing without leaving any bumps or gaps sounds too good to be true, but the invisible decrease (abbreviated invdec) really does live up to its name!

3. Changing Colour

Changing colour correctly lets you make clean colour changes without dots of the wrong colour peeking through.

Note: To manage your colour changes perfectly, you’ll also need to deal with the yarn you’re not currently using. My Managing the Yarns tutorial explains how!

4. Seamless Join

My Seamless Join technique creates a smooth, almost invisible join whenever you’re stitching an open-ended piece to a closed piece.

5. Ultimate Finish

The Ultimate Finish is the equivalent of another magic ring at the end of your piece! Close up the remaining hole with a smooth, gap-free finish.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Master these 5 techniques and you’ll be all set to conquer any amigurumi pattern and get a beautiful result!

Why not pick a favourite from my extensive nature-inspired PlanetJune pattern range and practice your skills?

Madeleine Kannemeyer said

July 1, 2021 @ 10:56 am

Hi June, I just love all the creatures you make!
I’ve been crocheting for a while, but am new to Amigurumi. Which of your patterns would be best to start off my Amigurumi “journey”?
Thanks again, Madeleine

June said

July 5, 2021 @ 1:53 pm

Hi Madeleine! Please take a look at my FAQ: I’m a beginner – which patterns are most suitable for me? – that should answer your question 🙂

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Hilary Butler said

June 4, 2019 @ 11:53 am

Hello June. I

Joe Majury said

March 12, 2019 @ 8:56 am

Hi June, since teaching myself to crochet about 2 yrs ago, your site is my first port of call whenever I get stuck on anything. Your tutorials are clear, precise and SO easy to follow.
Thanks to you, my crocheting has gone from strength to strength.
Thank you SO much for the time and effort that you put into your work.

Kathleen Brooking said

October 20, 2018 @ 2:50 pm

This is the best tutorial of the magic ring I have seen. I finally got it .thank you so much !

Ruby said

October 2, 2018 @ 2:21 pm

These are very wonderful, very clear, and detailed instructions on how to do these .
If you haven’t already, you should take up teaching young students how to crochet.

Aeris craft blog said

August 21, 2018 @ 2:19 am

Another useful post, thanks June! ??

Michele w 1 L said

August 20, 2018 @ 8:24 am

So glad I came across this when looking for help with the techniques I need to know for amigurumi!!!
I’m a beginner and this is sure to help me start!!

Signing up on your website for sure!
Thanks for the guides!

Pam Ammons said

June 26, 2018 @ 8:02 am

Where can I find the tutorials for the 5 Essentials of amigurumi? These are what I need to make my work look more polished.
Love your patterns. Thank you for your help.

June said

June 26, 2018 @ 9:55 am

Pam, each tutorial above is linked by its name (all the reddish coloured words on my site are links) and its photo, so you can click on either the linked words or the photo for the tutorial you wish to see, and it’ll take you through to the tutorial page 🙂

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