Amigurumi Toolkit for Beginners: 8 Things You Need

You do not need much to start making amigurumi. This short list covers the tools that make the biggest difference, and none of them is expensive.

The essentials

1. A crochet hook. A 2.5 to 3.0 mm hook works for most DK yarn. A soft handle is kinder to your hand.
2. Yarn. Smooth cotton or acrylic in DK weight. Read our yarn and hook guide for more.
3. Stitch markers. They mark the start of each round. A safety pin or a scrap of yarn works too.
4. A tapestry needle. Choose one with a blunt tip and a large eye for sewing parts together and weaving in ends.
5. Sharp scissors. Small scissors make clean cuts and are easy to carry.
6. Polyester stuffing. It is light, washable and easy to shape.
7. Safety eyes or black thread. Safety eyes lock in place. For babies and small children, embroider the eyes instead.
8. Pins. Use them to hold ears and limbs in place before you sew.

Stuffing tips

• Stuff in small pieces as you crochet, not all at the end.
• Fill firmly, but stop before the stitches start to stretch and show gaps.
• Shape each piece with your fingers before you close it.
• A chopstick or the blunt end of a pencil helps you reach small corners.

Nice to have

• A row counter
• A small ruler or tape measure
• A project bag to keep your pieces together

Time to start

Once your toolkit is ready, learn the magic ring and try our Little Panda pattern.