Amigurumi for beginners

Learn how to crochet Amigurumi with my basic stitches tutorial for beginners, you can find all the stitches you need to know to start creating cute toys on this page. If you would like to know which materials you need to create Amigurumi please check my Crochet Materials post.

Basic crochet stitches Tutorial

Magic Circle / Ring:

The one-loop magic ring is the easiest way to make a magic ring.
Tip: When using cotton yarn, it may leave a slightly visible hole in the center, but it works well with most yarn types.

Steps:

1. Make a loop around your finger with the yarn, and insert your crochet hook into the loop.
2. Grab the working yarn with your hook and pull it through the loop.
3. Yarn over (grab the yarn again) and pull it through the loop on your hook.

4-7. Crochet the stitches required for your pattern into the loop.
(In the example below, you’ll make 6 single crochets inside the magic circle.)
8. Gently pull the short yarn tail to close the ring and tighten the center.

In this video I show you two versions of the magic circle, great for beginners, I also show you how to close the magic ring when it is made with plush yarn:

If you find the magic ring to difficult, please see the alternative method to the magic ring, using a chain that I explain here.

Chain Stitch (ch):

The chain stitch is the basis for all your crochet work, it is also called a foundation chain.
The illustration below shows you how to make a chain stitch. In the fourth (last) illustration one chain stitch is made (the loop on the hook does not count as a stitch).

Learn how to crochet a chain with the chain stitch video for beginners

Single Crochet (sc) (US term) – double crochet (dc) (UK term):

The single crochet is the most used stitch in crochet. When using a foundation chain you make your first single crochet in the second chain from your hook.

Increase (Inc):

You can increase your stitches by making two single crochets the same stitch.

Decrease (dec):

Decrease is used to turn two stitches into one stitch.

Invisible decrease (dec):

The normal decrease is very visible in your crochet work. You can use the invisible decrease instead so your decrease won’t show. I recommend using this decrease when you are a bit more experienced with crochet,
because it is almost invisible and you can’t see the decrease in your Amigurumi crochet work. Which might be hard for beginners.
Note: The invisible crochet is done only in the front loops of your stitches.

Slip Stitch (sl st):

Flat crochet stitch, used many times to finish crochet projects.

Half Double Crochet (hdc) (US) – Half Treble (htr) (UK):

The half double crochet is longer then the single crochet. You pull your yarn through 3 loops.

In this video I explain how to half double crochet:

Double Crochet (dc) (US) – treble (tr) (UK):

The half double crochet and double crochet are not very common in making amigurumi’s. But they are used a lot in other crochet patterns.

Learn how to Double Crochet with this video:

Triple Crochet (trc) (US) – double treble (dtr):

Fasten off cleany / Invisible fasten off

If you have crocheted a circle, this is a nice way to give your circle a pretty finished look. If you use a slip stitch to fasten off, most of the time your circle won’t look round anymore. With this technique you can finish your crochet work cleanly.

I hope you found my Amigurumi for beginners – basic stitches tutorial helpful.
The videos on my YouTube channel are also a great way to learn how to make your first Amigurumi.
There are a lot of cute Amigurumi video available on my DIY Fluffies youtube channel.

Back Loop Only (BLO):

When working in Back Loops Only, you pick up only the back loop toward you.
See nr 2 in the photo below.

Front Loop Only (FLO):

When working in Front Loops Only, you pick up only the front loop toward you.
See nr 3 in the photo below.