There is no single best yarn for amigurumi. The right choice depends on who the toy is for and how you want it to look.
Fibre
- Cotton: smooth, with clear stitches. It is firm on the hands.
- Acrylic: soft, easy to find and easy to wash.
- Cotton blends: a good middle ground for most toys.
- Chenille: very soft and quick, but stitches are harder to see, so it is not ideal for a first toy.
Weight
The same pattern in thicker yarn gives a larger toy. DK and worsted are easy to handle. Fine yarn suits keychains and small pieces, and bulky yarn suits big cuddly toys.
Hook
Use a smaller hook than the yarn label suggests. Amigurumi needs tight fabric, so stuffing does not show between stitches. If you see gaps, go down a hook size.
Colour
Dark yarn hides stitches, which makes counting harder. Choose a medium or light colour for your first toy.
Test first
Work a small swatch before you commit. Our guide to gauge explains how it changes your toy's size.