Amigurumi vs Crochet: What's the Difference?

From cozy blankets to colorful vests, it’s easy to see why crochet has become such a popular hobby.

But as someone new to the universe of fiber arts, you might be curious — are these crocheted pieces any different from amigurumi, those enchanting little figures you’ve seen across the internet?

To settle this once and for all, we take a closer look at amigurumi vs crochet, what makes both special, and how to get started.

Let’s jump right in:

What Is Crochet?

Crochet is a popular style of fiber craft that often gets confused with its cousin knitting. Unlike knitting, it uses a single hook — not two needles — to loop yarn into interlocking stitches. The result? Intricate pieces like:

• Scarves and shawls
• Beanies
• Tote bags
• Blankets
• Baby onesies
• Coasters and pot holders
• Socks

What Is Amigurumi?

Amigurumi is a Japanese art form that involves creating small, stuffed creatures using yarn. The term comes from two Japanese words — "ami," meaning crocheted or knitted, and "nuigurumi," meaning stuffed doll.

Amigurumi Projects You Can Try

When it comes to amigurumi, your imagination is the limit! You can go wild and make whatever your heart desires…whether it’s broccoli, corgi butts, or a whole village of snowpeople.

But if it’s still new to you and you aren’t so confident with your skills, you’ll love our fun (and beginner-friendly) Woobles kits. Each kit comes with everything you need to make a crochet amigurumi piece come to life — materials like Easy Peasy yarn and stuffing, step-by-step video tutorials, and a PDF crochet pattern.

Pierre the Penguin

Meet Pierre, the waddliest Wooble in town. Isn’t he adorbs?

Fred the Dinosaur

Don’t let Pierre’s buddy Fred fool you — this dino is actually a softie who loves hugs.

Kiki the Chick

Kiki may be the teeniest of the bunch, but she sure has a lot of spunk and cheekiness!

Related: The Best Crochet Kits for Beginners

What’s the Difference Between Amigurumi and Crochet?

So now that you know a little more about crochet vs amigurumi, it’s time to unravel their differences:

Materials and tools used

When it comes to any type of crochet project, these materials are downright essential:

• Yarn
• Crochet hook
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

 But for amigurumi, you’ll need to add a couple more things. 

There’s stuffing, to turn your creation into the cuddliest thing ever. You might want safety eyes in different colors as well.

We also suggest using a smaller crochet hook for amigurumi to make your stitches tighter. It’s safe to go for a hook 0.5mm-1mm smaller than what’s recommended on a yarn label.

Techniques used

For the most part, the techniques you use in amigurumi are similar to what you follow for a typical crochet piece.

Crocheting in continuous rounds, for example, is the norm for both amigurumi and other crochet projects like hats. You start with a magic loop, add stitches in a spiral, and keep crocheting from the end of one round to the beginning of the next. You end up with a seamless-looking plushie.

Construction and assembly

Because of its 3D nature, putting together your amigurumi can be a little different than other crochet projects. You’ll have to create separate pieces (e.g., head, arms, and legs), stuff them, and then sew everything together to make your masterpiece come alive.

Other things involved in constructing your amigurumi include:

Stuffing

This is what turns your project three-dimensional (and huggable, of course). You can use fiber fill, wool, or cotton to stuff your amigurumi.

Just be careful when you insert it inside! Start with corners and tight spaces, and make sure to distribute the stuffing evenly. You don’t want to overstuff your amigurumi and distort its shape.

Read more: How to Stuff Amigurumi

Embroidery

Embroidery adds details to your amigurumi. You can embroider lashes, noses, and mouths — anything that gives it more personality.

Read more: How to Embroider on Crochet

Time

How long it takes to finish a crochet project depends on what you’re making. Generally speaking, though, amigurumi is much faster to make compared to crocheting blankets or sweaters because it usually has fewer stitches.

It may take you days to finish your amigurumi when you’re still figuring out the pattern and everything else, but after plenty of practice, you can complete one in a few hours.

Recommended Resources for Beginners

If you’re just starting out with crochet and amigurumi, there are tons of awesome resources online that can help you build your skills:

• The Woobles has detailed tutorials for beginners, including step-by-step guides on amigurumi crochet basics. We also have bundles you should check out, like our Easy Peasy Beginner Bundle.

• The Spruce Crafts has a huge collection of articles covering everything crochet, from choosing materials to finishing projects.

• Ravelry is an online community where crocheters (and knitters!) connect with each other, showcase their work, and find inspo for new projects. Sign up for an account here.

Conclusion

The beauty of crochet is that you can create unique, handmade pieces with a hook, some colorful yarn, and a whole lot of creativity. This includes tiny stuffed creatures you simply can’t resist squeezing — amigurumi.

If you adore everything quirky and whimsical, you’ll fall in love with amigurumi right away.
Making your own plushie may look complicated, but we promise it’s more simple (and fun!) than you think. If you’re looking for the best way to start, try one of our Woobles beginner kits today.

FAQ

What is amigurumi?

Amigurumi is a Japanese word that roughly translates to “crocheted or knitted stuffed toy.” It involves making adorable, mini 3D figures of animals, characters, and even objects people don’t normally think are cute.

How do you crochet stuffed animals for beginners?

To get started with making amigurumi animals, you’ll need to practice basic crochet stitches like the single crochet and increase stitches and learn how to read a pattern.

Luckily, the internet is full of resources that can teach you all about finding the perfect amigurumi crochet yarn, changing from one color to the next, and closing your amigurumi. Over here at The Woobles, we even offer complete learn-to-crochet kits.

All our kits come with everything you need to make amigurumi, including Easy Peasy yarn, a hook, and a pattern. You’ll love how simple our beginner kits are, and once you get the hang of things, we have more complex kits to challenge you. You’ll have a whole army of Woobles in no time, ready to brighten your day!

What is the best crochet hook for amigurumi? 

This ultimately depends on what you find the easiest and most comfy to work with. We'd suggest going for a hook that’s 0.5mm to 1mm smaller than what it says on the yarn label. That’s because it helps you create tighter stitches that will keep Fred the Dinosaur’s stuffing from spilling out.

Is amigurumi crochet?

Yes, you can consider amigurumi a form of crochet. It uses crochet stitches like the increase, decrease, and magic loop to create the woobliest little companions ever. You can make anything from penguins to dragons and popular video game characters.

Did you find this post helpful? Pin it for later!