How to read an amigurumi pattern

Amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed toys, has gained immense popularity among crafters worldwide. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, understanding how to read amigurumi patterns is essential to create these adorable characters. Being able to read a written pattern will also save you so much time and data, cause I know of many that are only able to make amigurumi if they are following a YouTube Tutorial. Learning how to read an amigurumi pattern is not that hard, once you understand basic stitches. Once you know how to do a Single crochet, increase and decrease your stitches you have already done the hard part. If you are brand new to the world of amigurumi and have not made one before, reading a pattern can be quite intimidating. With abbreviations, symbols, and unfamiliar terminology, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, with a little bit of guidance and patience, an amigurumi pattern can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. In this blog post, we will take you through the basics of how to read an amigurumi pattern, including understanding the structure of the pattern, following the steps, and using the tools that the pattern recommends. By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident in tackling any amigurumi pattern that comes your way! The first thing you want to do when you have a pattern in front of you is to look at the instruction for the pattern, it will usually be on the first or the second page of your pattern.

Using the correct tools and yarn

Amigurumi patterns typically provide information on the type and weight of yarn to use, as well as the recommended hook size. This is important because different yarns and hooks can produce vastly different results. In addition, the pattern may also specify other tools that are needed to complete the amigurumi, such as stuffing material, stitch markers, embroidery floss, and the safety eyes size needed. Following the pattern’s instructions for materials and tools can ensure that the finished amigurumi looks and feels the way it was intended to. I often see people ignore the information given above and when they end up not getting the results they wanted, they blame it on the designer. The hook size recommended for the yarn is not incorrect. With amigurumi, it is important for the structure of the toy to use a half a hook or full hook size smaller than recommended by the yarn you are using.

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Following the stitch terms and instructions of the amigurumi pattern

Amigurumi patterns often include stitch terms and abbreviations that may be unfamiliar to beginners. These terms refer to specific crochet techniques that are used to create the various components of an amigurumi toy. It is important to follow these instructions carefully in order to achieve the desired end result. Using the wrong stitch or technique can result in an uneven or misshapen toy. Additionally, following the pattern precisely ensures that the finished product looks like the intended design. By taking the time to learn and understand these stitch terms and abbreviations, crocheters can create any amigurumi toy. For example: At the beginning of my patterns, I have a short section where I explain how to read the pattern.

• Repeat the stitch sequence between (…..) by the amount stated next to it.
• The pattern is written in US terms
• The amount of each stitch at the end of each round is shown in the […]
• Work in continuous rounds with your stitch marker
• Photos are placed in groups after each section.

I also at the beginning of the explanation of how to read the pattern I have a section for the stitch terms and what each term (abbreviation) means:

• MC: Magic Ring
• SC: Single Crochet
• INC: INCrease
• DEC: DECrease
• SLP: Slip stitch
• CH: Chain

The MC, SC exedra is the “short term”. MC stands for Magic Circle, some will use MR for Magic Ring. All these stitches can be found in YouTube tutorials. You can look them up by simply searching. “How to create a magic circle”, “How to do a single crochet”. These terms and abbreviations can change depending on the pattern you are following. You can have Double crochet stitches, puff stitches, or treble stitches. The best advice I can give you is to go through all the abbreviations and look at videos tutorial on how to create these stitches if you are not familiar with them.

How to read the body of your pattern when you start crocheting the amigurumi

Amigurumi patterns follow a specific sequence of stitches to create the desired shape. Although the written instructions may appear different, they ultimately result in the same outcome. For example, the pattern “(SC, INC) x6 [18]” and “[ Sc in next st, inc ] x 6 (18)” both instruct the crafter to single crochet and increase six times, resulting in a total of 18 stitches. Another example is “(SC in next stitch, INC ) repeat x6 [18]”, which also instructs the crafter to single crochet and increase six times to reach a total of 18 stitches. Despite variations in the phrasing of the instructions, the end result remains the same. There are many other variations out there, but these are the most common among basic structured amigurumi patterns, that are seen as “Beginner friendly or intermediate”.

Decoding the following steps of the amigurumi pattern

At the top of each section of the pattern, you will find the following. It will tell you what section of the pattern you are making and also sometimes indicate the color you will need to start with. I will be using my pattern for this example. The example: Note: The head and body are one section HEAD: Colour A: (White) 1: MC, 6 SC [6] 2: INC x6 [12] 3: (SC, INC) x6 [18] 4: (2 SC, INC) X6 [24]

Color and Starting Instructions:

“HEAD: Colour A: (White) 1: MC, 6 SC [6]” The pattern specifies that Color A (White) should be used for the head. To begin, create a magic circle (MC) and work 6 single crochet (SC) stitches into it. At the end of this round, you should have a total of 6 stitches [6]. Place a stitch marker to indicate the start of each round. The arrows in the picture represents a stitch. The red arrows will be your second round.

Increasing Stitches:

“2: INC x6 [12]” In the second round, you are instructed to work an increase (INC) six times. An increase involves making two SC stitches into the same stitch from the previous round. By doing this, you’ll double the number of stitches from the previous round, resulting in 12 stitches [12].

Combining Single Crochet and Increase Stitches:

“3: (SC, INC) x6 [18]” For the third round, the pattern instructs you to repeat the sequence of a single crochet (SC) stitch followed by an increase (INC) stitch six times. This means you’ll alternate between the two stitches throughout the round. At the end of this round, you’ll have 18 stitches [18].

Further Increasing Stitches:

“4: (2 SC, INC) X6 [24]” In the fourth round, the pattern specifies a sequence of 2 SC stitches followed by an increase (INC) stitch, repeated six times. By following this sequence, you’ll end up with a total of 24 stitches [24]. You will continue reading the pattern in this manner. Some amigurumi designers will mark the rounds as R1, R2 and some like I do, will just use number sequences.

Repeating rounds in an amigurumi patterns

It is important to read the pattern carefully when it comes to repeating a round to get the correct shape and size of your design. Following are a couple of examples that designers use to indicate that you will repeat rounds. The first example of my pattern: “26: (4 SC, INC) x6 [36] 27-30: SC in each stitch around [36] *4 Rounds* 31: (4 SC, DEC) x6 [30] 32: SC in each stitch around [30]” As you will notice, I add the round count at the beginning of my pattern, so it will go from 26 to 27-30 *4 Rounds* and then it will continue to round 31. The instruction will tell you to place a single crochet in each stitch around. Another example: “26: (4 SC, INC) x6 [36] 27-30: SC (4 Rounds) [36] 31: (4 SC, DEC) x6 [30] 32: SC (1 Round) [30]” In this example, the rounds are placed in brackets and the designer will only mention that you need to Single crochet. Example: “26: (4 SC, INC) x6 [36] 27-30: SC [36] 31: (4 SC, DEC) x6 [30] 32: SC [30]” Some designers won’t indicate how many rounds you should do, so you will have to count on your own. Last example: “26: (4 SC, INC) x6 [36] 27: SC st in the next 4 rounds [36] 28: (4 SC, DEC) x6 [30] 29: SC st in the next round [30]” I have seen this pattern structure before and this can lead to many mishaps if you don’t concentrate on the pattern. The designer uses the automated bullet point structure and then just indicates in the pattern how many rounds you should do.

Visual Reference

Paid Amigurumi patterns, like mine, often include helpful visual references, such as photos, diagrams, or links to YouTube videos, to enhance understanding. After each section of the pattern, you may find a group of photos illustrating the work you’ve completed thus far. These visuals can bevaluable confirming that you’re on the right track. You won’t often find these visuals when following the free patterns of a blog. My free patterns are structured like this, but my paid patterns are very detailed with photos and video tutorials.

If you can’t create a Magic circle

If you can’t do a magic circle, you aren’t alone. You can replace it with Chain 2 and 6 single crochet stitches in the second chain from the hook. The same goes for someone that only does Magic circle or ring, if the pattern says you need to chain two for the first round you can replace it with a Magic ring. Now that you know the basics of creating a amigurumi you can head on over to my free patterns and give it a go!

The conclusion to reading and understanding amigurumi patterns:

1. Start with simple patterns: Begin with easy-to-follow patterns and work your way up to more complex ones. This will help you understand the basic structure and language of amigurumi patterns.
2. Pay attention to abbreviations: Amigurumi patterns use a lot of abbreviations, so it’s essential to familiarize yourself with them. Keep a cheat sheet of common abbreviations nearby while you work. If you don’t have one you can sign up for my email list and get a free copy.
3. Look for tutorials: If you’re struggling to understand a particular technique or stitch, look for tutorials online. There are many tutorials out there, I also have a couple on my YouTube Channel.
4. Make sure you use the correct hook size or the recommended yarn and hook the pattern requires, especially when you are brand new to amigurumi.
5. Read the entire pattern before starting: Before you begin crocheting, read the entire pattern from start to finish. This will help you understand the overall structure of the project and anticipate any challenging sections.

Reading amigurumi patterns may initially seem overwhelming, but by breaking down the instructions and understanding the specific stitches and stitch sequences involved, you can easily follow along. Remember, practice makes perfect! As you gain more experience with amigurumi patterns, you’ll become more confident in deciphering and executing even the most intricate designs. So, grab your yarn, hook, and a cup of tea, and let your creativity flourish in the world of amigurumi! Happy crocheting! Now that you have learned how to read patterns, you can read my post where I share 7 tips on how to stuff your amigurumi citters!