How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi | Choose the BEST Yarn Every Time

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Choose the BEST yarns for your amigurumi projects! In How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi you will learn a simple test that will help you when choosing the right yarns for each amigurumi project.

It can be overwhelming when you’re trying to find the best yarn for amigurumi.

You’re wandering down the aisles of your favorite craft store wondering if the yarn in your basket really will work for your project.

What’s even harder is when you’re shopping online. There are so many choices and each one has pros and cons.

But I’m going to help you in your search for great amigurumi yarns. We are going to do a little test that will help you find the best yarns for crocheting toys and keep track of all the data you’ll be collecting.

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How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi Video

How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi

This post contains affiliates links and at no cost to you I may earn a teeny tiny commission if you choose to purchase them. Please know that I only recommend products I use and love! Thank you for supporting Le Petit Saint Crochet! You can read my full (and slightly boring) full disclosure here.

I began thinking about how to find the best yarns for amigurumi.

It’s very difficult to know if a yarn will work just by seeing it or even feeling it in your hands.

The best way to know if a yarn will work for amigurumi is to actually use it.

That’s why I created this little test. It’s a simple and easy way to try those yarns and prove once and for all if they are good for amigurumi.

When the wonderful folks at Premier Yarns gifted me with a big box full of yarn, I was extremely excited. How could I not be?

My task was to give my opinions about each of the yarns based on how well they worked for amigurumi. I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to go about this test.

I couldn’t make a toy with them all, that would have taken me months to finish.

Then a little thought popped into my head

Test Pattern

I created this little test pattern that works up quickly but you will do all the stitches and techniques most amigurumi patterns require:

  • magic ring
  • single crochet
  • increase
  • invisible decrease
  • closing

Pattern

Make 6 sc in a magic ring

Round 1: inc in each st [12]

Round 2: (1 sc, inc) around [18]

Rounds 3-5: sc in each st

Round 6: (1 sc, inv dec) around [12]

Round 7: inv dec in each st [6}

Fasten off, take needle through the FLO of each 6 st and pull tight to close, weave in ends

How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi Tags

Once I made the little balls, I added these tags that contained a little information about each ball.

It includes:

  • The yarn brand
  • Weight of the yarn
  • Hook size used

You could also make any notes on the back of the tags if you had any information that you wanted to remember about that particular yarn.

Get Your FREE Amigurumi Test Tags

Download your FREE Amigurumi Yarn Test Tags and print them right from home. I used 65 lb cardstock so that they were a little sturdier than plain printer paper.

Skillshare

Let’s take a moment to talk about today’s sponsor, Skillshare. 

Skillshare is an online learning platform for creative minded people. There are hundreds of crafting classes all online, so that you can learn from the comforts of your own home. 

Modern Crochet Essentials is one of my favorite classes on Skillshare from one of my favorite crochet designers, Toni from TLYarn Crafts. 

Modern Crochet Essentials is perfect for a beginner to crochet, but also for those crocheters who are ready to polish up their skills. Toni is a master crochet teacher and you will not be disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed the section on Understanding Color Theory. 

And what’s great is that the first 1000 people to use the link will get a one month FREE trail of Skillshare. 

Make sure to check out all the amigurumi classes as well. There’s something for everyone. 

Characteristics of Good Amigurumi Yarn

There are good and bad yarns for amigurumi projects. That’s a fact.

It doesn’t depend on budget, but there are some other features you need to consider when choosing a good amigurumi projects.

Strong Enough for Seaming

The number one most important element is that the yarn is strong enough for seaming.

I once used a felted yarn, that looked gorgeous on the toy and it completely fell apart when seaming.

Stitch Definition

Most of the amigurumi toys I make have fairly good stitch definition. And by that I mean, you can see my stitches. I do enjoy working with some yarns that have a bit of a halo to them and the definition is less defined.

But there are some exceptions to consider.

Fuzzy Yarns

There are more and more yarns out there that are “fuzzy” like faux furs and eyelash yarns.

These can work great for people who are experienced with amigurumi or you are adventurous and love working with fuzzy yarns.

Those super fuzzy yarns are great for creating a more realistic appearance when it comes to amigurumi animals, but they can be difficult to work with.

One of the downsides to these yarns is that it can be difficult to see your stitches, therefore see where to make increases and decreases.

The other issue can be that fuzzy yarns can be more difficult to seam with.

I’m not super familiar with working with these yarns but I found a great article with tips for how to work with those fuzzy yarns:

Fuzzy Yarn Tips by Planet June

Color

When you are working with traditional yarns one thing to take into consideration is the color of the yarn. The darker the yarn the harder they are to work with.

The lighter the yarn, the more easily you can see the stitches.

But you can still work with dark colored yarns, but make sure you have great lighting.

I’ve found the best thing to have on hand is a bright, focused light.

I love my light that I can wrap around neck and aim in any direction. There is also the option of changing the color of the light from warm to cool light. It even has low and bright lighting options. And finally, it’s chargeable so I don’t have to have batteries on hand.

LED Rechargeable Neck Light

Choosing Yarn for Amigurumi

When you’re looking for the perfect amigurumi yarn, think about these questions.

Fuzzy or Smooth?

Are you looking for fuzzy or smooth yarn?

Small, Medium or Large

Do you want to make a small, medium or large sized toy?

Choose the appropriate yarn weight for the size you want: DK, worsted, or bulky

Washable?

Will the toy be used to play with or as a display object?

If the toy is going to be handled for a child, choose a yarn that is washable.

Natural vs Synthetic Fibers

Finally, think about what type of fiber you’re interested in working with.

Synthetic fiber pros and cons:

Synthetic fibers wash up easily and are quite affordable. The negative is that acrylics are made from petroleum products and you might not want that in a child’s mouth.

Natural Fibers can also be easily to wash, like cotton. The negative is that they can be more expensive like wool and some people are allergic to animal fibers.

New Recommendations

I’ve shared some of my favorite amigurumi yarns in the past but these are some new recommendations to consider.

Worsted Weight

Premier Basix

Premier Basix is a budget friendly yarn that comes in 81 amazing colors. It’s 100% acrylic and is a heavier weight worsted.

Plus, you can’t beat the price at $3.79 for a 7 ounce skein.

Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted

The Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted is a slightly more expensive yarn, but comes with special technology built right into it. What’s special about this yarn is that it won’t pill.

This is an especially great yarn especially if your amigurumi toys are going to get a lot of love.

This yarn is $4.99 for 3.5 oz and comes in 67 gorgeous colors.

Stitch Please Superwash Worsted

Stitch Please Superwash Worsted is my new favorite yarn for amigurumi. It’s a light worsted and feels so good in my hands. Plus, it looks so pretty that it’s allowed to be out on display in my craft room.

This is a 100% superwash wool and comes in 48 beautiful colors.

At $9.99 for a 3.5 oz skein, it isn’t the most budget friendly, but thankfully a little yarn goes a long way with amigurumi. It takes me quite some time to use up that much yarn.

Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme

Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme is for all of you cotton yarn lovers. It comes in 45 beautiful colors.

Cotton Supreme is $6.99 for a 3.5 oz hank. This yarn is absolutely gorgeous and soft.

DK Weight

Premier Basix DK

Premier Basix DK is another wonderful budget friendly yarn. It comes in twenty-one colors and is $2.99 for 3.5 oz.

These colors are perfect for baby projects with those soft pastels.

Anti-Pilling Everyday DK Merino Blend

The Anti-Pilling Everyday DK Merino Blend is a gorgeous light weight yarn that comes in 27 beautiful colors.

This yarn also has the anti-pilling technology that makes your toys look as great as they did the day you made your amigurumi.

At $5.99 for a 3.5 oz skein, this yarn is a wonderful addition to your stash.

Premier Afternoon Cotton

Premier Afternoon Cotton is another recommendation for all you cotton lovers. It comes in 28 gorgeous colors.

And at $4.99 for a 3.5 oz skein, it won’t break the budget.

Wool Select

The Wool Select yarns are some of my favorites. I absolutely love every single one of the 38 colors and working with this yarn reminded me of high end, luxury yarns.

This yarn is a light DK and is 75% acrylic 25% wool, but it feels like 100% superwash wool. It’s beautiful.

How to Test Yarn for Amigurumi Pin!

how to test yarn for amigurumi

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3 Comments

  1. Saw your post about furles odyssey crochet hooks and I decided to buy one and I am so glad I did. It has made a big difference in my crocheting. Thanks for the information.