Amigurumi are adorable little crocheted dolls that are a popular craft in Japan. They can be any shape or size, but the standard style are about 12cm tall, with large round heads and small cylindrical bodies. They are usually animals, cats, dogs, bears and rabbits are the most common. Both Milky and Fleur are of this type, which seem to be very popular with Zakka stores and on japanese auctions.
Amigurumi are usually worked in spirals, and are different from the type of crochet where the rounds are joined. It is hard to find good information on Amigurumi in english, because the craft is often mistaken as ‘any crochetted toy/doll’ where as there is a definite japanese styling to Amigurumi. I have collected a few of my favourite links together here.
Amigurumi Kingdom
In my opinion, the cutest non-japanese Amigurumi out there! They are quite famous for their cupcake bears, that is little Amigurumi heads in cupcake wrappers. I think her photography is beautiful too, she always has pretty paper back drops. Good luck trying to buy any of her work though, it sells out so fast!
Avocadolite Farm
Hasn’t been updated in a while, but they make the cutest mini-amigurumi. Great inspiration for anyone wanting to get started in the craft. Have a look at the gallery of Ex-farm members who have already found new homes.
Anapaulaoli Patterns
If you want to start making Amigurumi, Anapaulaoli have some adorable patterns to get you started! There are so many cute creatures to choose from, someday I would like to learn crochet and make one of these designs!
Crochet Pattern Central - Animals
A great listing of free crochet animal patterns, there are a few amigurumi in here amoungst lots of cute designs for beginners and advanced!
Pompadour24’s Craft Cafe
One of many etsy stores exporting japanese craft and pattern books including some great Amigurumi books! If you search for ‘amigurumi book’ in etsy you should turn up some more results. I’d love to hear about anyone’s experimentation using the patterns in these books and how hard they are to understand.
My Favourite Japanese Amigurumi sites: *milky*, おまめ note, mickie, COPAI*N, Pousse, Colorful*K&K, Sunny Place, niko*niko Japanese text only.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
So much cuteness! *o*
February 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Upside-down cats.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Oh my these are adorable!
I definately want to get my little sister one for her next birthday (she’s turning the big “10″ so I want to get something darling for her)
February 19th, 2008 at 4:52 am
I may try to make some. I needed a new hobby and this seems perfect! I’m admittedly more of a knitting person than crochet, but I need a more portable hobby to keep my hands busy. :D
February 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
What wonderul amigurumi links! Thank you for the heads up!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
This post totally inspired me: http://pupe.jp/item/6_iK7vEcX1Ov/
I hope that you don’t mind that I named her after you, but it seemed to fit, because of her sky-blue color.^_^
I’d never made an amigurumi before, but I’ve had a Japanese pattern book for about a year and referred to it, even though I pretty much made up little Skye as I went along. I wish that we lived closer, because I would love to teach you how to crochet. I learned when I was five and it is very easy and fun to do, because it is much more flexible and fun than knitting.
Thank you so much for yet another inspirational post!
February 21st, 2008 at 8:43 am
Amber ~ I would love to see any Amigurumi you make!
Kellyhime ~ Oh! She is so cute ^_^ I can’t believe that this is the first Ami you made, she looks perfect. I wish you lived closer too, I would love to learn crochet from someone so talented!