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The 5 Essential Techniques for Amigurumi

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.

5 essential techniques for amigurumi: magic ring
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!

5 essential techniques for amigurumi: invisible decrease (invdec)


3. Changing Colour

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

5 essential techniques for amigurumi: changing colour
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 essential techniques for amigurumi: seamless join


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.

5 essential techniques for amigurumi: ultimate finish


Practice Makes Perfect!

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

PlanetJune pattern examples

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

PlanetJune pattern selection


Further reading:


The Essential Guide to Amigurumi book by June Gilbank

Love my tutorials? I have so many more amigurumi tips and tricks to share with you!

Boost your amigurumi skills with my latest book, The Essential Guide to Amigurumi, your comprehensive guide to amigurumi techniques and tips.

14 Comments »

  1. Madeleine Kannemeyer said

    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

  2. Hilary Butler said

    Hello June. I

  3. Joe Majury said

    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.

  4. Kathleen Brooking said

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

  5. Ruby said

    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.

  6. Another useful post, thanks June! ??

  7. Michele w 1 L said

    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!

  8. Pam Ammons said

    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

      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 🙂

  9. Annet Wubs-Nijland said

    Love your site and your patterns!!! I

  10. dee said

    Thank you, I am just starting amigurumi and so appreciate these tips!

  11. Yta said

    Excelent and thanks

  12. Heather said

    Just seen this about magic ring on Pinterest your site looks really y good so I am saving it to look at later when I get back from shops

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