I have been asked and also seen on many Facebook groups posts where people ask for low-sew or no-sew patterns, and I decided to create this blog post to show you how you can easily turn a pattern into a low- or no- sew pattern, even if the designer of that pattern didn’t include it.
Low- or no- sew patterns can be such a time saver and it ensures that the limbs are more secured for busy toddlers and that you won’t have issues with yarn tails coming out in the body after a couple of days of rough play.
What is low- or no- sew in amigurumi?
Traditionally amigurumi patterns often involve sewing the limbs onto the body, but over time designers have created a innovative approach that can streamline the process, making it easier and faster to complete your project: Many designers now create low- or no- sew patterns by crocheting the limbs first and inserting them as you crochet the body.
5 Steps to turn a sewing amigurumi pattern into a low- sew or no-sew pattern
I’ll walk you through the steps to turn any simple amigurumi project into a low-sew or no-sew pattern, making your crafting journey smoother and more enjoyable.
1 Picking your amigurumi pattern
Select the amigurumi design you want to create. Keep in mind that not all designs will work seamlessly with the low-sew or no-sew method. Designs that involve some intricate details may still require some sewing for stability. Depending on the shape of the amigurumi.
Example: My Squirrel pattern needs sewing to attach his hips, feet and arms in the correct position
Penny the cow can be made into a low-sew pattern. Crocheting the legs and tail first and inserting them as you make the body.
2. Crochet the limbs first
Begin by following the instructions for the limbs (arms, legs, tail) first. You will have to close the top of the limbs to make it easier to attach it when you make the body.
Do this by pinching the opening at the top of you piece between your thumb and index finger. Insert your hook through both stitches on either side (4 loops) and single crochet as normal or slip stitch across the opening, End off your stitches, cut the yarn and weave in the the end.
3.Start the Body
Once you have finished crocheting all the limbs, you will now start to crochet the body. Remember to read through the body section of the pattern so that you can place the legs and arms in the right place.
4. How to determine where you should insert the arms and legs.
There are a couple of things you need to look out for when you want to change the pattern into a low-sew or no-sew pattern.
- If you have started with the head and inserted safety eyes and now working your way down to the body, make sure that you line up the arms correctly. Check that the eyes of your amigurumi are facing forward and centered. The limbs should be on the sides and the tail is attached to the back.
- When you add the legs, make sure once again that they line up with your arms, depending on how you want your amigurumi positioned.
Where to place the limbs? Most well-written amigurumi patterns will tell you between which rounds you should attach the limbs, this will give you a good indication of where the limbs should be, otherwise, you will just have to eyeball it. If the patterns tell you to attach the limbs between rounds 15 and 16, you will attach the arms in round 15.
Chomp the hippo is one of my brand new low-sew patterns, you can find this little champ HERE.
5. How to attach the limbs
Once you have figured out where to insert the limbs you will do the following.
- Place the limb on the outside of the body, lining the stitches up with the stitches of the body.
- Now just as you did to close the limbs on the top, you will insert your hook through the stitches of the limb and the body.
- Attach the limb by creating a single stitch through both rows (limb and body) loops.
- If your limb has 4 stitches across the opening you will use 4 stitches of the body to connect the limb, continue to crochet as normal till you get to the next limb, and attach it the same way as your first one.
When you finished inserting your limbs, the next round will appear as a normal round of single crochet stitches and you can continue to follow the pattern as instructed.
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With practice, you’ll master this technique and open up new possibilities for crafting adorable amigurumi creatures that are both delightful and hassle-free.
My cuddle me Monkey is a free pattern on my blog with low-sew method you read about in this post, you can try it out!
Want to learn how you can read amigurumi patterns? In this blog post I show you step by step on how to understand a written amigurumi pattern. Click HERE.
