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30+ Amigurumi Crochet Patterns: Cute and Easy Projects for Beginners – Cream Of The Crop Crochet

Amigurumi Cute and Easy PatternsAmigurumi Cute and Easy Patterns

Introduction to Amigurumi

The Japanese art of amigurumi (ah-mee-guh-roo-me) is the incredibly popular practice of crocheting adorable cuddly animals and stuffed toys. It’s a compound of the Japanese word ami meaning “crocheted or knitted,” and kurumi, which literally means “wrapping” in the sense that the stuffing in the doll is wrapped with knitting or crochet.

Amigurumi has become increasingly beloved in the west since the 2000s, but its popularity is deeply rooted in the kawaii culture of Japan all the way back to the 1970s. These crochet toys are often small and made with lightweight yarn.

Whether this becomes your new passion, or you just want to give it a try, amigurumi projects are a fantastic next step in your crochet journey!

How is Amigurumi Different from Crochet?

Amigurumi is a subset of crochet and specifically involves crocheting stuffed toys. There are some techniques that you will only use for amigurumi, but most of it is things you probably already learned on your crochet journey.

If you need any help with the basics, check out our Amigurumi masterclass to learn all the stitches and instructions you need, plus get some easy patterns to practice with.

How to Read an Amigurumi Pattern

Listed below are some of the most common abbreviations of basic crochet stitches you’ll find in amigurumi patterns:

ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION
ch chain
dc double crochet
hdc half double crochet
inc single crochet increase
inv dec invisible decrease
rnd(s) round(s)
sc single crochet
sl st slip stitch
st(s) stitch(es)

The Basics of Amigurumi

There are a few stitches and techniques that you have to learn before you create your first amigurumi: the single crochet (sc), magic circle, single crochet increase (sc inc), and single crochet decrease (sc dec).

If you don’t already know how to single crochet, the link above will give you the rundown, or you can check out our Crochet Fundamentals course to learn about all the basic stitches and so much more.

As for the rest of the basics, let’s get into it!

How to Crochet a Magic Circle

The magic circle (aka magic ring) is what you’ll be using to begin almost every part of an amigurumi. It gives you a clean beginning with no holes for that seamless look.

Amigurumi begins in magic circle crochetAmigurumi begins in magic circle crochet

Begin with your palm facing up with two (or more) fingers extended. Wrap the yarn around your fingers to form an X, with the tail end laying over the working end.

Flip your hand over so you can see two parallel strands of yarn. The tail end should be the one on the right.

Moving the hook from right to left, insert your hook under the strand to the right, and over the strand on the left.

Grab the yarn on the left and pull up a loop, rotating your hook upwards as you do. Make a slip stitch to close the circle.

After working your first round of single crochets into the magic ring, pull on the tail end to bring the stitches closer together and tighten the loop.

Increasing and Decreasing Stitches

As soon as you’ve finished your first round of single crochet stitches, you’ll begin increasing in the next round to begin to form the shape of your amigurumi. When a pattern says to sc inc in the next stitch, this means that you’ll be working two single crochets in the same stitch.

Decreasing works the opposite way, where you’ll be working one single crochet in two stitches. This can be done in two ways:

Single crochet 2 together or sc2tog is the more common way of decreasing. You insert your hook under the first stitch and pull up a loop. Then, insert the hook into the next stitch and pull up a loop. With three loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all the loops.

Some amigurumi crochet patterns will tell you to invisible decrease or inv dec. You can do this by inserting your hook into the front loops of the next two stitches and pull up a loop. With two loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all the loops. This creates a nearly invisible decrease for that seamless finish!

All of these techniques are detailed in our guide to single crochet if you need photo tutorials or more information on how they are done.

Working in Joined Rounds vs. a Continuous Spiral

Working in joined rounds means that you’ll be making a slip stitch at the end of every round. This creates a visible seam along your amigurumi, which is fine if it doesn’t bother you.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more seamless finish to your amigurumi, then working in a continuous spiral would be the option for you. However, you’ll need to keep your stitch markers handy to keep track of the ends of your rounds because it won’t be visible as you stitch.

Our Amigurumi Masterclass goes into further detail about each of these topics as well as provides you with free patterns to start your amigurumi journey with!

Supplies for Crocheting Amigurumi

Yarn

Amigurumi are traditionally small, so lighter weight yarns are preferable. This way, you can add more details in a small space. Knit Picks Brava Sport is a great weight 2 (also known as light weight) yarn for amigurumi as it is hypoallergenic, machine-washable, and has a wide range of gorgeous colors.

For DK yarns, Premier Yarns Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday DK has excellent washability and is suitable for direct contact with sensitive skin so you can always keep your creations close!

Basic Stitch from Lion Brand is an excellent choice if you need a worsted weight yarn as there are so many colors to choose from and the yarn itself is treated to resist pilling.

Crochet Hooks 

For amigurumi, it’s important to have tighter stitches than you normally would expect so that your stuffing doesn’t fall out. Going down a hook size from the normal range is recommended. Your pattern should tell you the best hook to use with the yarn weight it calls for

The Clover Armour Hook Set has a full range of crochet hook sizes so that you can experiment with and adjust your hook size as you make your amigurumi!

Toy Stuffing

An amigurumi wouldn’t be complete without the stuffing! To get the appropriate amount of fluff and squish ability, Polyfil Stuffing is going to be your new best friend! If you want to add more weight or just want harder stuffing, then you can also opt for Poly Pellets.

Safety Eyes 

Your animals and toys are going to need some eyes. Although it’s possible to crochet or use felt for the eyes, using safety eyes can really elevate the product.

Note: Avoid using safety eyes for crochet toys that are intended for babies and toddlers (below 3 years old) and animals as they are a choking hazard.

Stitch Markers

Since we’ll be working in the round, it’s easy to lose track of your stitch count. Use a ring marker to make where you start a new round to avoid an accidental increase or decrease.

Scissors

Every crafter needs a dedicated pair of yarn scissors for their projects! With amigurumi, you are often changing colors a lot so it’s great to keep a little pair of scissors handy for trimming your yarn when you change colors.

Yarn Needles

Aside from weaving in ends, you’ll also need your needles for attaching multiple parts of an amigurumi project together.

Optional Materials

These other notions and tools can help you add more detail to your amigurumi, but they aren’t required for every project.

Amigurumi FAQ

Is Amigurumi Suitable for Beginners?

Absolutely! Amigurumi is commonly made with basic stitches, specifically single crochet. As long as you know how to single crochet in the round and increase, you’re golden!

It might look complicated at first, but there’s nothing in the world that you can’t figure out as long as you keep trying.

What’s the Best Yarn to Use for Amigurumi?

Usually, amigurumi patterns call for sport or DK weight yarn because you can get more details into a small space if your stitches are smaller. Some projects call for worsted weight yarn which can help you make slightly large projects.

But for those who want to make a large and cuddly project, you can go even bigger with bulky or super bulky yarn.

As for the material, cotton and acrylic are the most common options as they have great stitch definition. Chenille yarn is a favorite among amigurumi crafters for the extra fluffiness it adds.

How Many Stitches Do I Start With?

Most amigurumi projects start with a magic circle and 6 stitches worked into the circle. In the first round, you work an increase into each stitch and increase regularly from there to form whatever shape you are making.

How Do I Attach Safety Eyes?

If you’re crocheting toys and stuffed animals, you’ll most likely use safety eyes and their backings. Lion Brand has an incredibly detailed tutorial on what safety eyes are and how to use them on your amigurumi!

Amigurumi Patterns for Beginners

As promised, we’ve got more than 30 different FREE amigurumi crochet patterns for you to practice on! These are all beginner-friendly but gradually increase in complexity as you scroll along, so feel free to start with whichever one fits your skill level best!

Basic Amigurumi Shape Patterns

red Crochet Ball Amigurumired Crochet Ball Amigurumi
Sphere/Ball Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Supergurumi
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Schachenmayr Catania

This is one of the most basic patterns there is! The amigurumi sphere is the first thing you’ll learn and is the basic building block for every pattern.

Amigurumi Cube in Spiral RoundsAmigurumi Cube in Spiral Rounds
Amigurumi Cube In Spiral Rounds Pattern

Designer: Supergurumi
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Schachenmayr Catania

Similar to the sphere, you can crochet a cube by starting with a square and then working on the sides until you reach the desired height. Amigurumi cubes can be used for patterns like robots, angular animals, or even dice.

Crochet Amigurumi Pyramid Crochet Amigurumi Pyramid
Amigurumi Pyramid Pattern

Designer: Claire Houck, via Ravelry
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch

This pattern teaches you how to make a simple pyramid that’s worked in the round from one point to the base. Pyramids are a great shape to learn as they are, but they can also be used as design elements in other amigurumi projects!

Cylinder Amigurumi CrochetCylinder Amigurumi Crochet
Crochet Amigurumi Cylinder

Designer: Buddy Rumi
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch

Learning how to crochet a cylinder is great for when you want your projects to stand on their own. Cylinders are also what you would use for limbs and hats on small projects, or you can make a cylinder into a face or a tiny cup of coffee!

Heart Shaped Amigurumi CrochetHeart Shaped Amigurumi Crochet
Easy Amigurumi Heart Pattern

Designer: Okie Girl Bling ‘n’ Things
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: I Love This Cotton

Amigurumi hearts are a great way to practice your skills in shaping amigurumi. They’ve also got the added bonus of looking super cute and make for great Valentine’s or anniversary gifts!

Crochet Star Amigurumi Crochet Star Amigurumi
Star Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Ami Amour
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Loops & Thread Impeccable

As soon as you feel comfortable making basic shapes, the star amigurumi is definitely the one you should try out next! It’s made from two 2D stars stitched together and filled up to make them 3D!

Beginner-Friendly Amigurumi Animal Patterns

Whale Amigurumi CrochetWhale Amigurumi Crochet
Amigurumi Whale Pattern

Designer: Yarnhild
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

These little guys make for a great scrap-buster project. You’ll only need about 10g of white and 15g of a different color to make these adorable whales!

Octopus Amigurumi CrochetOctopus Amigurumi Crochet
20-Minute Octopus Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Sweet Softies
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Bliss

Under the sea, darling, it’s better! This no-sew tiny octopus’ squish pattern and its adorable tentacles work up quickly and leave you with an adorable gift for the kids or for yourself!

Spring Chicks Amigurumi CrochetSpring Chicks Amigurumi Crochet
Amigurumi Spring Chicks Pattern

Designer: A Menagerie of Stitches Blog
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

These spring chicks can be made in any pastel color you can think of and will look adorable! The pattern is incredibly easy to follow, and you can make enough chicks to fill an entire Easter basket.

Frog Amigurumi CrochetFrog Amigurumi Crochet
Froggy Friend Pattern

Designer: Tori Story Creations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable

Frogs are some of the easiest and cutest things to crochet when you first start making amigurumi! You start off with a sphere for the body and add in the tiny little eyes, arms, and legs, and you have yourself a new froggy friend!

Bumblebee Amigurumi CrochetBumblebee Amigurumi Crochet
TikTok Bee Crochet Pattern

Designer: Crafting Happiness
Yarn weight: (5) Bulky
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Bulky

Have you seen the crocheted bee that went viral on TikTok? Now, you can make one (or three) for yourself! This amigurumi bumblebee can be made in three sizes depending on the yarn weight you choose, so you can make it in the perfect size for you!

If you want to crochet even more toys for the little ones in your life, then you might be interested in this list of easy-to-follow crochet animal patterns!

Amigurumi Food and Drink Patterns

Crochet Amigurumi Strawberries Crochet Amigurumi Strawberries
Easy Amigurumi Strawberry Pattern

Designer: Raffamusa Designs
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK

Who doesn’t love strawberries? These adorable amigurumi fruits can be crocheted in two sizes and can be turned into keychains, hair clips, and all kinds of accessories!

Pumpkin Amigurumi Crochet PatternPumpkin Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Crochet Pumpkin Pattern With 2 Sizes

Designer: Sarah Maker
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch

This fun and easy crochet pattern lets you make pumpkins that you can use to line your shelves at home or sell at seasonal craft fairs! The free crochet pattern is beginner-friendly, and you can choose between two sizes for your pumpkins!

Apple Amigurumi Crochet PatternApple Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Amigurumi Apple Pattern

Designer: Planet June
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch

This apple amigurumi pattern is worked into the same size and shape as an actual apple. Make an evergreen (or ever-red) bowl of these crochet apples for your dining table centerpiece or create gifts for your kid’s teachers!

Candy Corn Amigurumi Crochet PatternCandy Corn Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Amigurumi Candy Corn Pattern

Designer: Grace and Yarn
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch

Want a stash of year-round candy corn? Crochet might be the key! These amigurumi candy corn work up pretty fast and lets you perfect the art of switching colors!

Cupcake Amigurumi Crochet PatternCupcake Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Cupcake Amigurumi

Designer: Stringy Dingding
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

We all deserve a sweet treat every now and then. This cupcake amigurumi is the cutest and tastiest-looking crochet project you’ll ever work on and it’s so easy to make!

Milk tea with pearls Amigurumi Crochet PatternMilk tea with pearls Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Boba Crochet Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: Curious Papaya
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton

Whether you call it boba, bubble tea, or milk tea with pearls, this sweet drink now comes in a crochet form! Boba comes in so many different flavors nowadays so you can definitely make this in any color you want!

Avocado Amigurumi Crochet PatternAvocado Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Avocado Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: Left-Handed Crocheter, via Red Ted Art
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

If you’re a crocheter, avocados are always in season! This avocado amigurumi works up quickly and it’s the perfect gift for the avocado-lovers in your life!

Donuts Amigurumi Crochet PatternDonuts Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Crochet Donuts Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: Hello Yellow Yarn
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK

Plain, chocolate-glazed, or topped with sprinkles– these amigurumi donuts look good enough to eat! Crochet a dozen of these in your favorite flavor or pass them around the break room!

Decorative Amigurumi Patterns

Succulent Amigurumi Crochet PatternSucculent Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Succulent Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Stringy Dingding
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

Succulents are the most low-maintenance houseplants you can have, but this amigurumi version is even easier to take care of! It’s incredibly easy to make and you can decorate your entire house with them!

Cactus Amigurumi Crochet PatternCactus Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Camilla Cactus Amigurumi

Designer: Spin a Yarn Crochet
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

Amigurumi cacti have grown in popularity because they look amazing as decorations and they’re actually pretty easy to make. This would make a great housewarming gift for a friend or a gift for yourself!

Retro Flower Throw Pillow CrochetRetro Flower Throw Pillow Crochet
Retro Flower Throw Pillow Pattern

Designer: Kitz Knitz
Yarn weight: (6) Super Bulky
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Tuff Puff

Let’s bring it back to the ‘60s! These groovy-looking throw pillows add a touch of fun to any bed or couch they’re placed on.

Pocket-Size Planet Amigurumi Crochet PatternPocket-Size Planet Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Pocket-Size Planet Pattern

Designer: Claire Golden via Crochet Spot
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

When it comes to crochet, not even the sky’s the limit! This pocket-sized planet follows a simple pattern and looks literally out of this world!

Halloween Ghost Amigurumi Crochet PatternHalloween Ghost Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Halloween Ghost Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: Ollie + Holly
Yarn weight: (2) Sport
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport

Halloween is the perfect time to bust out the yarn and get creative! Amigurumi ghosts are pretty simple to crochet, and you’ll find a lot of patterns for them. This particular pattern features tiny ghost arms that make it look like it’s giving you a spooky little hug!

Snowman Amigurumi Crochet PatternSnowman Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Crochet Snowman Pattern

Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice

Add a snowman amigurumi to your mantel for winter and the Christmas season! This snowman makes use of poly-fil beads to weigh down the bottom, so it always stays upright (even after winter’s over).

Amigurumi Crochet Toy Patterns

Alphabet Numbers Amigurumi Crochet PatternAlphabet Numbers Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Amigurumi Alphabet And Numbers

Designer: Yarnspirations
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Caron Simply Soft

Make learning fun for the kids with these adorable throw pillows! Each letter or number is made of two identical flat pieces with gussets running around the outer and inner edges of the letter or number.

Teddy Bear Amigurumi Crochet PatternTeddy Bear Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Crochet Teddy Bear Pattern

Designer: The Friendly Red Fox
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Soft

This classic teddy bear sits at 9 inches tall and makes for a great cuddly companion! This pattern is also a great avenue to becoming more familiar with construction and shaping that you’ll use often if you make more amigurumi.

Jigglypuff Amigurumi Crochet PatternJigglypuff Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Jigglypuff Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Ollie + Holly
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Hayfield Bonus Aran

Who’s that Pokémon? It’s Jigglypuff! This easy amigurumi pattern is perfect for beginners and is a great gift for kids and kids at heart!

Totoro Amigurumi Crochet PatternTotoro Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Totoro Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Designer: Ami Amour
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Loops & Thread Impeccable

Totoro is probably one of the most recognizable Studio Ghibli characters and definitely one of the most adorable. This pattern is for Chu Totoro, but you can make it in the more common gray or in any color you like!

Baymax Amigurumi Crochet PatternBaymax Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Baymax Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: 53 Stitches
Yarn weight: (3) DK
Suggested yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK

Crochet your very own healthcare companion! Baymax from Big Hero 6 is one of the most lovable on-screen characters and is a super easy amigurumi to construct!

Anger Amigurumi Crochet PatternAnger Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Anger Amigurumi Doll Pattern

Designer: Once Upon a Cheerio
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted

The personified emotions from Inside Out are adorable and are often used to help kids verbalize their feelings. You can make this amigurumi doll for yourself or donate the whole set of emotions to a learning center near you!

Mike Wazowski Amigurumi Crochet PatternMike Wazowski Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Crochet Mike Wazowski Amigurumi Pattern

Designer: AmiguWorld
Yarn weight: (4) Worsted
Suggested yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted

Remember Mike Wazowski from the beloved Monsters Inc. and Monsters University movies? You can create your own crochet version of him using this easy-to-follow pattern. All you need is one main body piece, two arms, two legs, two horns, and the iconic big eye!

Can’t get enough of these crocheted toys? We’ve got 20 more amigurumi toy patterns waiting for you right here!

Are You a Beginner Crocheter Who Needs More Help with the Basics?

If you’re ready to dive into crochet amigurumi but feel like you need to brush up your skills a bit, our Crochet Fundamentals course covers everything you need to know. From yarn and hook selection to basic stitches, shaping, and finishing techniques, these videos will increase your confidence quickly.
And if you’re ready to learn more about amigurumi, our Amigurumi workshop is a great next step. It covers all the stitches and techniques you need to get started, plus free patterns to practice and build on.

If you want to see more crochet posts, please go to my other pages: 35+ Easy & Fun Crochet Projects for Beginners, 30+ Crochet Octopus Patterns, 20 Free Crochet Dragon Patterns

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Written by murat

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