How to stuff amigurumi

Amigurumi, crochet stuffed toys, are stuffed with polyfil. How you stuff an amigurumi greatly affects its final shape: lumpy or smooth, saggy or plump. If you don’t add enough, your amigurumi might sink in here or there. But if you add too much, you’ll be able to see the stuffing from the outside. It takes some time to learn how much stuffing is the right amount. Keep checking how it looks as you slowly add more stuffing in layers.

Watch the video below for two ways to stuff amigurumi, so that your piece stays smooth.

Here’s what the same pattern looks like when stuffed too little, just right, and too much, from left to right.

Stuffing Amigurumi (step-by-step with photos)

1. Pull apart a thin layer of stuffing. Shape it so that it’s about the same diameter as the bottom of the piece.
2. Tuck this layer of stuffing into the piece. Push down on all angles, even on the edges, to make it as flat as possible.
3. Repeat steps 1–2 until you’ve filled the whole piece, adjusting the diameter of the stuffing layer to match what you’re currently filling.

TIP

Use a chopstick to get into nooks and crannies.

Still have questions?

When it comes to stuffing amigurumi, you have a few options. Some people like to use traditional stuffing materials like polyester fiberfill. Others prefer to use natural materials like cotton or wool.




You can also experiment with different materials like plastic pellets, rice, or beans to give your amigurumi a different weight or texture. It's all about personal preference. You can use whatever you have available and what you like best.




Just make sure that whatever you're stuffing your amigurumi with is safe, clean, and non-toxic. Oh, and don't overstuff it. You don't want your amigurumi to be too stiff or hard. You also want to be careful not to add too little stuffing as your amigurumi may sink in here and there. Have fun!

To make sure your amigurumi is stuffed evenly, break up the stuffing into smaller chunks and layer them one by one into your amigurumi. This way you can make sure that the stuffing is distributed evenly throughout the piece, giving it a nice and fluffy (but not lumpy) shape.

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