How to Make Adorable Amigurumi with 5 Free Knitting Patterns

Thanks to the art of amigurumi, you can knit the most adorable stuffed toys

Because I became a knitter when my children were very young–my elder was 6, my younger was still a baby–I’ve been knitting amigurumi for nearly as long as I’ve been knitting.

I’ve made turtles, seahorses, hummingbirds, chicks, ponies, and so on.

The literal translation of amigurumi from Japanese is “knitted stuffed toy.” This is the Japanese art of knitting small animals and other inanimate objects with animate features (i.e. a tomato with a face).

The goal is cuteness, and if you love surrounding yourself in miniatures, you’ll love knitting amigurumi.

Amigurumi make great gifts, and not just for children, either! If you have any collectors in your family or circle of friends, they can make cherished gifts. Their small size means you can whip them up in no time.

They’re also a great way to use up yarn scraps, as well as knit for charity fundraisers.

Below are five fun knitting patterns to experience the joy of amigurumi. Be careful, though… knitting amigurumi can be mightily addictive!

The Easier Ones

1. Marisol the Mouse

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of worsted weight yarn and embroidery floss; a small amount of fiberfill stuffing; US Size 3 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round); sharp needle for embroidery

• Why you’ll want to: This cute little mouse is a great way to start making amigurumi. You could create a whole family of mice with different colors, sizes, and attributes. I recommend embroidering the eyes and nose before you stuff and close up the head, as it’s much harder, and sloppier, to do afterwards.

(This goes for most amigurumi knitting that involves embroidering facial features.)

2. Amigurumi Lovebug

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of worsted or DK-weight yarn and embroidery floss; US Size 5 and 2 1/2 needles; small amount of fiberfill stuffing; sharp needle for embroidery; US Size 2 1/2 DPNs (optional, for I-cord antennae); pipe cleaners (optional, for antennae instead of I-cord); safety eyes, beads, buttons (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This sweet lovebug makes a great gift to say “I love you” for any occasion. With different colors of yarn, you can turn it into a butterfly or bumblebee. This is the perfect thing to tuck into a lunchbox, briefcase, or purse to let a special someone know you’re thinking of them.

The Spicier Ones

3. Gattino

• What you’ll need to make it: 85 yards bulky weight yarn; US Size 9 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round); fiberfill stuffing; small amounts of embroidery floss; sharp needle for embroidery; stitch marker

• Why you’ll want to: This kitty is so small, fluffy, and adorable, no one will be able to resist cuddling it! This really makes the perfect amigurumi for cat lovers.

4. Pasha the Penguin

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of black, white, and yellow worsted weight yarn; US Size 6 needles; black beads or buttons for eyes; fiberfill stuffing; sewing needle and thread (to sew buttons or attach beads); stitch marker

• Why you’ll want to: For starters, because penguins are so cute. I also love the helpful photos tucked into the pattern. Take a look at the photo that displays all knitted pieces; you’ll see how the amigurumi is really the sum of its parts. Separately, it looks like a lot of knit scraps. Combined, the pieces create a wholly lovable penguin.

5. Sheldon the Turtle

• What you’ll need to make it: 220 yards worsted weight yarn (it can be a color other than green, if you’d like!); US Size 3 DPNs or circular needles (depending on how you prefer to knit in the round); US Size 4 needles; US Size D crochet hook; fiberfill stuffing; safety eyes; stitch marker

• Why you’ll want to: This turtle is the perfect way to use up those scraps of green yarn you didn’t know what to do with. I especially love its removable shell; in fact, this has inspired many other knitting designers to create other accessories for him!

Amigurumi have function besides their charm. Little stuffed toys make great charity projects for a variety of children’s organizations, as well as cat and dog rescues and shelters.

Whether you knit for yourself, loved ones, or a charity, these patterns can draw you into the world of amigurumi fun!