Amigurumi are so charming! I have a display dedicated to my handmade amigurumi, and my cousins request them every year for their birthdays. Amigurumi making is a great skill to learn, but there is a huge variety of amigurumi patterns out there, and they can be very difficult to understand. That’s why I made this list of amigurumi that are small, simple, and easy for beginners.
There are many criteria I considered when I chose these amigurumi patterns. First off, the pattern had to be detailed and written clearly. The amigurumi needed to be made up of only a few separate pieces, since sewing them together can be frustrating even for experienced amigurumi makers. Additionally, I picked amigurumi that are fairly small, because shorter rows are easier to count and keep track of. Finally, to keep things simple, I decided the amigurumi on this list could use no more than three different yarns.
Before we get into the patterns, I want to share some tips to help you out if this is your first time crocheting an amigurumi.
- Learn how to make a magic ring
- Learn how to increase and decrease
- Use a locking stitch marker to mark the beginning of every row
- DO NOT use chenille or fluffy yarn, as it makes it very hard to see your stitches
- DO use a medium weight yarn
- Use a crochet hook that is about 1 mm smaller than recommended on the yarn label to create a tighter fabric and prevent stuffing from showing through your stitches
1. Free Crochet Spring Chicks by A Menagerie of Stitches
The very first amigurumi I made was a bird much like these chicks. Their ball-shaped bodies are easy to crochet, and very forgiving to any mistake a beginner might make.
2. Crochet Bee by Crochet 365 Knit Too
Crochet bees are so cute, it’s no wonder I’ve seen them all over Instagram and TikTok. One thing I like about this pattern is how you make the antennae. They’re not two separate pieces, but actually one long chain that you pull through the head.
3. Baby Bunnies by June Gilbank
This is the only paid pattern on this list. For $7.00, you get the instructions to all three bunnies. In my opinion, these are amigurumi that you’ll want to make over and over again!
4. Free Penguin Amigurumi by The Woobles
The Woobles make amigurumi kits that you might have seen in craft stores. They are made for beginners, and have helpful video tutorials on their website. This particular pattern is free, so you don’t have to buy a kit to access this pattern.
5. Carl the Candy Corn by Heart Hook Home
This candy corn amigurumi would be the sweetest Halloween decoration! If you don’t like using the magic ring, this pattern might be for you. It starts with a chain 6 and crocheting on both sides of the chain instead of beginning with a magic ring.
6. Crochet Octopus for Preemies by Crochet 365 Knit Too
Crocheters generally make this amigurumi to donate to hospitals. Babies apparently love pulling on the tentacles, and I’m sure they’re a comfort to both the babies and their parents. If you’ve never crocheted spirals before, they might look complicated, but they are very easy to do and don’t require any sewing.
7. Baby Snake by June Gilbank
This is a no sew amigurumi pattern. These snakes are worked in one long, continuous tube. You can choose how long to make them by crocheting as many rows of the body as you’d like.
8. Owl Amigurumi by Loops and Love Crochet
This pattern is available in two sizes. To keep them simple, I recommend making the body in one solid color, and the wings and eyes in a contrast color.