Amigurumi Yarn Recommendations
Choose the correct yarn for your next amigurumi project like a boss. Not all yarns work well for toy making. In Amigurumi Yarn Recommendations I guide you through five simple steps that will enable you to choose the right yarn for the right project every time.
Truth bomb coming at you….there is no best yarn for crocheting amigurumi. Now that’s not to say there aren’t yarns that are better suited for crocheting toys, because there certainly are. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood crochet addict who loves sharing my amigurumi yarn recommendations.
Choosing the correct yarn for the project is one of the most important decisions you are going to make. I cannot stress that enough. The right yarn can make or break your project.
One mistake I see beginners regularly make is choosing yarns that don’t work for crocheting amigurumi. They become frustrated. They believe they aren’t cut out for toy making, when in reality they just chose the wrong yarn.
How to Choose Yarn for Amigurumi
- Choose your pattern.
- Select the weight of your yarn.
- Choose the fiber.
- Make an amigurumi swatch.
- Pick your colors.
Choose Your Pattern
There are so many different amazing amigurumi patterns out there in the world. If you need some inspiration check out my Amigurumi Directory that has photos and links to all my favorite designers. Getting excited about a new pattern is one of my favorite parts!
First of all choose a pattern that fits your skill level. Many pattern descriptions will specify the experience level needed to complete the project. But don’t be afraid to stretch yourself. One of the ways that I became more proficient in toymaking was by tackling projects that were just a little bit outside of my comfort zone.
For my new project I chose the Pi and Po pattern from the lovely Khuc Cay. Although I completed the little boy pig seven months ago, it’s never too late to make the little girl version.
Select the Weight of the Yarn
Next select the weight of your yarn. There is no right or wrong for this second step. Check the pattern to see what the designer recommends as a guide. You may feel most comfortable using the weight they suggest. I personally always go for worsted or aran weight yarns, which are listed as a Medium Number 4, according to the Craft Yarn Council.
But if you’re looking to make a teeny tiny or super sized amigurumi choose the appropriate yarn weight for your project goals. Expect that if you drastically change the weight of the yarn from the original pattern, your toy may turn out quite different. That can be a fun experiment but just be aware of that going forward.
Choose the Fiber
The next step in my amigurumi yarn recommendations is to choose your fiber. For example, early on I only used cotton yarns. I love the look of amigurumi made from cotton. The colors are so bright, the texture is perfect, and stitch definition is high. But I found that over time cotton was a trigger for the serious tendonitis I developed in my elbow. Because cotton is a less stretchy fiber it was causing continual pressure on my elbow joints. Due to that fact I switched to a stretchier fiber and my symptoms drastically improved. You can read more about my “crochet elbow” and how I eventually healed it here.
You may already have a favorite fiber. My go-to these days is a wool blend. Because one hundred percent wool is a bit pricey for my toys I stick to blends which contain natural and synthetic fibers. I have two favorite brands that I use for each and every project. I love their variety of colors and the prices.
Yarns
My all time favorite is Berroco Vintage. It is a wool, acrylic, and nylon blend. The colors are simply gorgeous and they come in several heathered options as well. This yarn has a slight halo that gives the toys an itty bitty fuzzy texture that I love. It is also a very strong yarn for seaming. Below is the exact color I used for the body of my new piggy.
Berroco Vintage Chunky Yarn 6110 Fondant
Similarly is my second favorite, Paintbox Wool Mix Aran. It comes in so many vibrant colors. It is also a very strong yarn, but in contrast it has less of a halo than the Berroco. Furthermore it is a very affordable option.
Hook
Likewise my favorite crochet hook to use with worsted and aran weight yarns is a 3.5 mm, size E. I have tried several but the best one I have found for amigurumi is the Furls brand which you can find below. The pointed end and thick metal construction enable it to be sturdy and precise all at the same time, which is important when crocheting toys.
Furls Odyssey Purple Crochet Hook 6″ (3.50 mm (E))
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Make an Amigurumi Swatch
Next make an amigurumi swatch. This step is something I developed to test yarns. Not every yarn is suitable for making amigurumi. Some have a beautiful drape, that while perfect for garments, will be terrible for crocheting toys.
Most amigurumi patterns are crocheted in the round using a magic ring. To make your swatch crochet a portion of your pattern that is round, like the top of the head. Or use the first few rounds from my free pattern, The Bitty Bunnies.
- Make a magic ring.
- Round 1 – 6 sc in magic ring (6)
- Round 2 – inc each st (12)
- Round 3 – (1 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (18)
- Round 4 – (2 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (24)
- Round 5 – (3 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (30)
- Round 6 – (4 sc, inc) repeat 6 times (36)
The yarn you used should create a structured, firm bowl or dome. Consequently, it should not collapse or be floppy in any way. If it is, you may want to choose a different yarn for your amigurumi project.
Pick Your Colors
Finally, pick your colors. This is the most fun part for me. Choosing colors that make me happy is critical. If I love the colors then I am happy to work on my project for hours on end.
If you need any additional help in this area please check out my blog post all about how to choose colors for amigurumi projects.
Ultimately I decided I wanted my two piggies to match. They are both crocheted with the same colors and I absolutely adore how they turned out.
Amigurumi Yarn Recommendations
Above all, if you already have a yarn you love and have used for amigurumi projects, use it. I am a big believer in using what you have, being less wasteful, and exercising mindfulness about spending. These amigurumi yarn recommendations are for those who need a little help finding the perfect yarn for their projects.
To summarize, choose your pattern, yarn weight, and fiber first. Make a swatch if necessary. Finally choose colors that make your heart sing. Lastly hug your little toy and give him a little squeeze. Above all, be proud of what you have made and share it with the world or your family or maybe even just your dog.
Oooh how interesting! I always thought they were all cotton! But I love the texture of yours when I look up close.
Thanks so much, Katie. Yep, I had to stop using cotton months ago. The lack of stretch was causing a lot of problems. So now I really like wool blends!
Those piggies are so cute! I wish I had more time I would be making them…love to crochet!
Thanks, Julie! You are definitely a busy lady! These two were really fun to crochet!
Cute little piggies! I never realize so many decisions went into to making these! I thought all yarn was the same lol.
Thanks so much, Wendy! Oh there are so so many different types of yarn!!
I tried cotton when I first began and found it didn’t have enough “give” so it was difficult to keep stitches tight. I then moved to Stylecraft Special DK (acrylic) because of the wide palette of colour available, and that’s my go-to yarn most of the time. On a 2.5mm hook, so stitches are tight and stuffing can’t show through ^^
Thanks so much, Claire! I am using the Stylecraft Special DK for a granny square blanket I’m making and I’ve wondered if it would work for amigurumi. I can see why you’d need such a tiny hook for it. There are so many gorgeous colors! Thanks so much for the comment!!
yes I always use a much smaller hook than recommended on label when I’m crocheting amigurumi and (oh coincidence) I’m currently crocheting squares with Stylecraft Special DK too, on a 3.5mm hook ^^
I’m crocheting the Harmony Blanket from Attic 24. It’s going to take me forever but I love her patterns so much!
that looks a lovely one! I’m planning on doing the Nature’s Walk CAL by Cherry Heart, but I’ve already frogged one of my squares as the mistakes were glaring back at me.
That blanket is on my bucket list!! It is soooo gorgeous! Did you purchase a yarn pack or using something else?
no I’ll be using Stylecraft Special DK from my stash, so my own choice of colours, not those in the yarn packs. I’ve decided on colour for the squares but will order in a neutral when I get to the joining/borders part. Also only have one 100g of each of my colours, so my blankie won’t be the recommended size as I’ll only be able to get 6 squares out of a 100g ball.
That makes sense! I’m promising I will finish my Harmony Blanket before I begin that one! I look forward to seeing your progress!!
Those little piggies are so sweet. Thanks for the yarn recommendations. 😊
You are most welcome! Thanks so much for the comment!
I really need to start learning how to do this! I have a kit for crocheting a donut pin cushion and I think it would be so nice to start making things for christmas gifts! Thanks for the encouragement and the inspiring photos!
Now that sounds like a super fun project!! They make fantastic Christmas gifts! ðŸ©ðŸ©ðŸ©
Great recommendations! Now I really want to try the wool blend with the halo. There are some really awesome yarns out there. It’s good to be open to the possibilities and discover what works best for your specific creation.
Absolutely! I love the Berroco Vintage. It is hands down my favorite yarn. It’s soooo soft and the colors are just gorgeous.
You always have such good information. I am in awe of your talent!
Thanks so very much, Jersey!! Right back at you!!
These are so adorable! You’re very talented.
Awww! Thanks so very much, Laura! This is such a great pattern!
Eek! How adorable are Pi and Po? If I put that much work into a cute crochet toy, I definitely wouldn’t give it to my dog!
Lol!! My dog would only be interested if I put a squeaker inside!!
You are full of information…I guess that’s why you are such a great blogger! How great that you share all of that knowledge! Your creations make so many people happy!
These are so adorable! I can understand the elbow problems from the stiffer yarn. I may have to try one of these.
Thank you! Yes, cotton can really cause soreness. I love both of these yarns and feel that they contributed to my healing. But there are so many that would work!
I don’t crochet AT ALL, but I am always drawn into your adorable creations. And the yarns you have shown in this post are gorgeous!
Thank you!! Yes, they really are gorgeous!!