If you are planning to make a start on your first Amigurumi project, then you are probably wondering what tools and materials you need to make your beautiful crochet toys! I know that each crocheter will have their favorite equipment they would recommend but I wanted to give you a complete description of all the Amigurumi tools and materials you may possibly need on your creative journey. I have listed all from the absolute essentials to some ‘nice-to-haves’ so why don’t you grab a cuppa and have a read!
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – Absolute Essentials
These are the items you will definitively need to purchase before getting started with any crochet toys. There is a wide range of these products available in stores and online. And the good news is that you can find most of these for a relative low cost, which makes Amigurumi a very affordable hobby.
Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks are available in various sizes and styles ranging from 0.6mm up to 35mm size. You may have noticed already that there are different sizing standards used by crochet hook manufactures depending on what part of the World you live in. I know…pretty confusing, right?! But don’t worry, I have put together a crochet hook size chart you can refer to whenever needed. You can download the chart here so you always have it at hand.
When purchasing yarn, most yarn labels will mention what crochet hook size you should be using when working with that particular yarn. However, the important thing to remember when working on Amigurumi toys is that you need to keep your stitches tight. Therefore I always suggest to go for a crochet hook that is one size smaller than the size recommended on the yarn label. This way your stitches will be nice and tight, your toy won’t stretch and the stuffing will not be showing through any large gaps.
If you are a crochet beginner, then the best choice is a simple crochet hook design that will be comfortable for you to hold and will slide easily. I really like this Ergonomic crochet hook set by BeCraftee from Amazon. It comes in a stylish case and includes lots of other essential items for your craft.
But if you fancy a ‘prettier’ crochet hook set that looks rather special then this Handmade crochet hook set by MyDarnYarn might be just the right thing for you.
Source: MyDarnYarn on Etsy.com
Yarn
I love anything yarn and my house is full of it! But you don’t have to go as crazy as I did. 🙂 An average size Amigurumi toy may require only 2-3 yarn balls. The most commonly used yarn for making crochet toys is either Sport/4 ply or Light Worsted/DK yarn. The Amigurumi pattern you will be following will specify what type of yarn and how much of it you need. So make sure you read it carefully.
When purchasing yarn, I like to browse through different yarn balls in craft stores to literally get a feel of them. But this can prove to be quite time consuming if you are a person who is obsessed with yarn…just like me! As an alternative I buy lots of my yarn online, mainly on Etsy.com, where you can find any type of yarn you can possibly think of. But I would also recommend www.lovecrafts.com or www.deramores.com as these online stores sell a huge range of crochet yarns and supplies at low prices.
If you would like to learn more then have a read of my Best Yarn for Making Amigurumi tutorial.
Stitch Markers
Stitch markers are a necessary item when making crochet Amigurumi. Since you will be working in spiral rounds it will be very difficult to keep a track of your rounds without a stitch marker. There are many types of stitch markers to choose from but try to go for something simple. After all, stitch marker is there to guide you and not to be in your way. I very much like these Amazon Clover locking stitch markers as they have a clever locking mechanism and won’t come loose.
Scissors
I am pretty sure you already own at least one pair of scissors, right? 🙂 But it is worth mentioning that a sharp pair of craft scissors will make your life much easier when crocheting toys. You will be using your scissors very often and you do not want your yarn to fray when you snip it off. Especially since you will have to thread your yarn through the needles you will be using to sew your toys together. I love these Stork Yarn Scissors by YarnyBobs, they are just soooo pretty!
Source: YarnyBobs on Etsy.com
Stuffing
Stuffing is the magic ingredient that makes your toys so plush and cuddly so choose it well! There are a few different stuffing materials you can chose from such as polyester fiberfill, polyester cluster filling, poly pellets, wool or cotton filling. You may be tempted to use natural materials but polyester fiberfill is probably the best stuffing you should go for. It is very soft, easy to use and hypoallergenic. Stuffing is usually sold in large bags and one bag will last you for a while. My favorite is Fairfield Poly Fil Premium Fiber Fill from Amazon so why don’t you give it a try.
Pins
You will need pins when assembling your toys so you can pin your toy parts together before sewing them on. They are also very handy when embroidering e.g. noses or toes. I would highly recommend getting pins with large heads so they won’t go through your stitches and get lost inside of the stuffed toy. This can be very dangerous for obvious reasons and the pins can sometimes be very hard to find. So safe yourself the hassle and look for pins with large heads. These Grabbit Magnetic Plastic Head Pins from Amazon are excellent! They come with a magnetic plastic cushion so it is super easy to keep them tidy.
Yarn and Tapestry Needles
Sewing your toy sections together is a necessary part of the assembly process so yarn and tapestry needles are a ‘must-have’. You will also need them to weave yarn ends in and to embroider eyes, noses, mouths or toes. A little tip when purchasing needles…you will need a mix of straight needles as well as some with bent tip. Bent tip needles are super helpful when sewing together some difficult parts of your Amigurumi toy. These Tapestry Needles by UOOU come in different sizes and in a handy case too.
Safety Eyes and Noses
I have included safety eyes and noses under the essentials purely because most of Amigurumi makers use them. However, you can use embroidery, beads or buttons instead. Just remember that any small parts can pose a choking hazard and are not recommended for children under the age of 3. This also applies to safety eyes and noses that can actually come off if your stitches are too lose and stretch.
Safety eyes and noses come in many sizes and styles so you will be spoiled for choice. They are pretty simple to use but be sure to double check you are happy with their placement. Once you click the safety backs on, there is no way to remove them. That is unless you use a pair of pliers and break off the backs in pieces! These Darice safety eyes and noses
available on Amazon are quite popular among many crafters.
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – Amigurumi Patterns
If you are new to Amigurumi then simple patterns are probably the best place to start. My free Amigurumi patterns range from easy patterns for beginners right through to a more advanced level. So you are bound to find some you will love. They are full of step by step instructions and photos that are easy to follow. You may also want to browse through my Amigurumi tutorials to learn the basics before you get started.
And if you prefer to download a printable version of my patterns that are ad free and inexpensive, then visit my Etsy shop here.
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – Additional Equipment
Now that I have listed all the absolute essentials, it is worth mentioning that for some Amigurumi toys you may need some additional equipment. This is usually needed when working on more advanced patterns. Each designer will give you a list of all you need in their pattern so there should be no surprises half way through your project.
These additional tools and materials might be items such as:
- Measuring tape – to be honest I rarely use a measuring tape when working on my crochet toys but some projects may require you to use one
- Craft glue – this could be used for gluing felt eyes, felt decorations, buttons etc.
- Crafting wire – often used for sculpting your toy, e.g. for bendy arms and legs or tails
- Sound and voice boxes – I simply love sound boxes! There are so many of them available and you can even pre-record your own message which I think is super cool.
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – Accessories
Accessories are the cherry on the top of the cake as they can turn an ordinary looking toy into something very special. You can accessorise your toys with different objects such as ribbons, buttons, flowers, crochet appliques, beads, sequence and so on…the possibilities are endless! But don’t overdo it as little is sometimes more.
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – ‘Nice-to-Haves’
‘Nice-to-Haves’ are items that I like to add to my ‘Wish List’ as I believe we deserve to treat ourselves to something nice from time to time! 🙂 I am talking about that really nice yarn storage or handmade basket for storing your crochet items in. Or that beautifully designed crochet journal I spotted on Etsy the other day. I think you get the idea, right? So next time your partner asks what you would like for your birthday or Christmas, think of your Amigurumi ‘nice-to-haves’!
You may like these items that are available on Amazon and have excellent reviews:
Caddy Knitting and Crochet Organizer
Amigurumi Tools and Materials – Ready, Steady, Go!
I hope you found this post useful and feel ready to make a start with your cute Amigurumis. Just remember…there is no need to make a long shopping list. Just start with the basic essentials and add to them as you go along. If you have any questions about this post or would like to see more Amigurumi tutorials, feel free to leave a comment in the comment box at the bottom of this page.
Happy crocheting! 🙂
Some of My Free Amigurumi Patterns for You to Enjoy:
Free Crochet Pig Pattern
Free Crochet Elephant Pattern
Free Crochet Bunny Pattern
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