Ami-wha?
Amigurumi (a-me-goo-roo-me), the Japaneese word for "knitted or crochet stuffed animal", is the hottest craze in crochet right now. And why not? They're easy to make, quick to do, are are as cute as a button! A hand crafted fimo button in the shape of a wittle flower, even.
Many ami's are animal in nature, though little people are popular, as well as food. Yup, you too can crochet happy little cupcakes or ice cream cones...or sushi. What ever tickles your pickle.
(photo by Brenda Janish. some rights reserved.)
Getting Started
The very basics
Are you giving your computer screen the "ok, that was all gobble-dee-goop" look? Check out these videos. The first is a silent video (not even a saloon piano soundtrack) that clearly shows how to chain and single crochet. The other two are fantastic amigurumi primers that cover working in the round, increasing, and decreasing.
Beyond The Basics
Making something other than a hacky sack
Here are some great tutorials on creating and attaching limbs, including the head. (Why does that sound so gruesome?)
- Hook & Needles' Amigurumi Tutorial
- Quick, go visit this link! Now! Really, this is the bestest tutorial on amigurumi on the net. Seriously. In three parts it covers all you need to know...with tons of video tutorials. A must read for ami makers the world over.
- Amigurumi | Crochet Me
- Some tips & tricks, along with a free simple pattern.
- Pattern: Amigurumi tutorial, crochet animals, free pattern
- A free pattern/tutorial for a baby octopus. (See, I told you that you could make tentacles.)
Ami On Parade
Flickr pics of cute crochet
WHO CAN SAVE US ...?...
more amigurumi by ju...
craft fair 2
julianne's amigurumi
Mandy
Jana`s presents ^-^
Jana`s presents ^-^
Keroppi (EXPLORE)
KLARA
OMG !!!
Free Patterns!
Proof that ami makers are generous people...
- A Crochet Toy Chest: Archives
- A Resource for Free Crochet Doll and Toy Patterns on the Web. Not all of these strictly qualify as amigurumi, but that's ok because they have a link to a free crochet Dalek pattern. Yes, that's Dalek, as in Dr. Who. Geek crochet rocks! (whew, just had to get that off my chest)
- Crochet Pattern Central - Free Animal Crochet Pattern Links
- Another ton o' links here. Again, not all strictly ami. My favorite is the Snow Dragon. He's pretty. And snuggly. And won't breathe fire on your upholstery.
- Lion Brand Yarn Company
- Ok, so you have to register to view their actual patterns, but it's free. And they have some very simple amigurumi patterns that are great for beginners.
Further Instruction
Ami video tutorials on common features.
Ami on Amazon
Books full of fiber-y cuteness. What more could you want?
On second thought, the wobbly table thing might not be such a good idea. Maybe just stick to gaining inspiration from them. Ya.
Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 12/01/2008) 
Used Price: $12.42
Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Amigurumi (Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts)
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Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 12/01/2008)
Used Price: $9.36
Amigurumi!: Super Happy Crochet Cute
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/01/2008)
Used Price: $8.35
Cute Little Animals (Leisure Arts #4271)
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Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/01/2008)
Used Price:
Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy
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Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 12/01/2008)
Used Price: $6.86
Blogs
What other people think about cute crochet
- Amigurumi Octopus | Arts, Crafts and Design Finds
- Amigurumi Octopus. Posted on December 1st, 2008 by Indee. Crocheted Amigurumi Octopus Doll. Available at : Happy Whosits. Categories: Dolls, Toys. Tags: amigurumi, animals, crochet, doll, octopus, plushies. Add Amigurumi Octopus to ...
- Etsy :: curlsofsunshine :: Crochet Pattern-Amigurumi Dinosaur
- Buy Crochet Pattern-Amigurumi Dinosaur for $3.00 on Etsy. ***This is a crochet pattern and NOT the actual toy***Pattern is easy but does require basic crochet knowledge.**Finished Size**Approximately 7 inches tallSize depends on your ...
- Amigurumi | Crochet Me
- If you're into Japanese crafts, you've probably at least seen photos of Japanese amigurumi books (if you haven't, check these out). They're beautiful, and the dolls are adorable. Amigurumi means "knitted or crocheted doll" in Japanese. ...
- sew crafty & amigurumi cupcakes on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
- My first time crocheting. Not my first time making cupcakes.
Yarn!
Because you can't make amigurumi without it.
ebay can be a great place to find cut rate supplies for making ami's. Fun patterns, neat yarns, and crochet hooks are all available. Sometimes, at the end of a long day, I like to just go and drool over some pretty yarn. *sigh*
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
My Humble Scribblings
Articles I've written about fiber arts
- Amigurumi: How to Make Them and Where to Find Them
- Love to crochet? Love stuffed animals? (Or food. Or monsters.) Then amigurumi is for you!
- Color Knitting: Intarsia vs Fair Isle
- Intarsia and Fair Isle are two different ways of creating color changes in knitting. Intarsia creates blocks of solid color, while Fair Isle creates fine detail patterns. Learn to do both in this article.
- Knitting in the Round: Double Points vs Circulars
- Want to knit in the round, but don't know which method is right for your project? Check out the pros and cons of working with either double pointed or circular needles.
- Knitting Tips: Five Things You Must Know Before Casting On
- Follow these five tips can help make sure your knitted garments always turn out absolutely fabulous.
- How to Cast On: Free Video Tutorials
- Before you can knit a single stitch, you must first cast them onto your needles. But, which cast on to use? Learn about the pros and cons of the three most common ways of putting stitches on your needle.
- Free Knitting Patterns: My Top Five Favorite Online Sources
- As a rabid knitter, I'm always on the lookout for free patterns. Here are my top five favorite places online to find them.
- Increasing and Decreasing Explained for the Beginner Knitter
- Learn the most popular ways of increasing and decreasing in knitting. Written instructions and videos for k2tog, m1, ssk, and skp.
Amigurumi & Crochet Accessories
Show off your love of the hook with these fun items...
A Crocheted Fortune Cookie
Every good meal..er...lens should end with a fortune cookie!
Whatcha think?
All feed back welcome...
sugarismypet wrote...
Umm, I like everythiiinngg! But, sorry to ask, how do you make a backround on your lens?
Posted September 15, 2008
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
I can crochet but I'm left handed. When I run into trouble, no one can help me. I love to crochet, its relaxing, so I stick to the simpler patterns.
Great lens
5*
Lizzy
Posted June 17, 2008
enslavedbyfaeries wrote...
Totally cute! Oh, I wish I could crochet or knit. I tried once and it was quite an uneven disaster. I love these amigurumi critters. (you should add a pronunciation guide, that word always gets me, lol.)
Posted May 25, 2008
