Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small animals and other creations. Like the stuffies beloved by children and many adults, they’re stuffed on the inside but use intricate crochet patterns to build the outward appearance. 

In recent years, amigurumi has become quite popular in the crochet world, and animal-themed designs seem to be the most commonly used patterns. Because there are so many options for shape and size, not to mention animal types, colors and even clothing, these little amigurumi creatures make excellent gifts, decorations or simply fun pieces for your own enjoyment.  

Whether you’re a beginner, experienced crocheter or seasoned amigurumi designer, Skillshare offers a range of classes and projects for you to explore. For a little reading and practice beforehand, check out these blogs: 

1. Before Amigurumi: Learn The Basics of Crochet

Smiling woman sitting on a tan couch wearing a blue dress and holding up an extremely colorful crocheted blanket
Once you learn the basics of crochet, you can build on the skills to create beautiful and complex items. Skillshare Class Modern Crochet: Essential Skills for Getting Started by Toni Lipsey.

About This Project:
Toni Lipsey teaches you to crochet a set of colorful coasters in this lesson on the basics of fiber art. From assembling your kit to some tips and tricks for more complex stitches, you’ll gain an appreciation for a craft you can do with very few materials. 

Why We Love It:
This class is the perfect introduction to crochet in general and the place to start as you work up to amigurumi creatures. Toni knows how to make crochet accessible and fun for beginners. 

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Toni’s class, the crochet skills you’ll learn include:

  • Choosing the ideal yarn and color palette for your artistic goals 
  • Working with a single and double crochet stitch
  • Introducing new yarn and color changes to an in-progress project
  • Finishing and securing your work

Learn Basic Modern Crochet Skills from Toni Lipsey

2. Crochet a Cute Sheep in a Sweater

Black and white crocheted sheep wearing a colorful striped sweater and sitting on a table top near the artist’s hands
With some basic knowledge of crochet, you can create cute and cuddly animals as gifts and for yourself. Skillshare Class Cuddly Crochet: Make Your Own Amigurumi by Lee Sartori.

About This Project:
Lee Sartori teaches you to crochet a cute sheep in a colorful little sweater. You’ll also have access to a downloadable pattern that you may use on your own as many times as you’d like. Some familiarity with crochet basics and pattern reading will be helpful for this project.

Why We Love It:
This class includes helpful tips and tricks for tweaking and keeping track of your stitches. Lee also touches on how important it is not to over or under stuff your creature if you want it to keep its shape.  

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Lee’s class, the amigurumi skills you’ll learn include:

  • Creating polished fabric with invisible decreases and flat edges 
  • Playing with texture through crochet ribbing and popcorn stitches
  • Easily picking up and dropping new colors throughout your sheep 
  • Using whip stitching and hand sewing to finish your sheep

Learn to crochet an amigurumi sheep with Lee Sartori

3. Crochet and Customize an Amigurumi Doll

Three panels, each with a crocheted doll; the one on the left with blonde hair, pink flowers and a purple dress, the middle one with red hair and a brown coat, and the one on the right with black hair, a blue dress and green striped stockings
An amigurumi doll body is incredibly versatile, as it can be in any skin color, works with every hair style and can wear the clothes you create. Skillshare Class Crochet Your Unique Character: Basic Amigurumi Doll’s Body by Olga Bortniak.

About This Project:
Olga Bortniak demonstrates how to crochet a doll’s body, which may then be turned into any amigurumi character you want to create. You’ll learn every detail, from how to crochet a foot to how to sew the arms on the rest of the body. 

Why We Love It:
Knowing how to make a doll’s body will open up a whole world of projects for you. Because you can use any skin color, hairstyle, facial expression and clothing, an amigurumi doll makes a great personalized gift for the kiddos in your life. 

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Olga’s class, the crochet skills you’ll learn include:

  • Crocheting the body from the feet upward
  • Crocheting arms and sewing them onto the body
  • Ideas for how to customize your doll

Learn to crochet an amigurumi doll’s body with Olga Bortniak

4. Embroider an Amigurumi Doll Face

Giving your amigurumi doll a unique facial expression is that special extra tough that will make the doll that much cuter and even more customizable.
Caption: Giving your amigurumi doll a unique facial expression is that special extra tough that will make the doll that much cuter and even more customizable. Skillshare Class Embroider Adorable Character Face for Your Amigurumi Doll by Olga Bortniak.

About This Project:
Olga Bortniak teaches you to add an embroidered face to an existing amigurumi doll body. While it’s possible to simply sew on plastic eyes, this technique gives you more creative freedom to create the exact face you want.  

Why We Love It:
Unlike the rest of your amigurumi doll, the embroidered face can easily be removed and redone. The simplest tweaks can significantly alter an expression and won’t take long at all.  

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Olga’s class, the embroidery skills you’ll learn include:

  • Positioning the facial features, beginning with the nose
  • Adjusting eyes for different expressions
  • Removing and redoing an embroidered amigurumi doll face

Learn to give your amigurumi doll a face with Olga Bortniak

5. Ollie the Sea Otter Pattern

Look no further for the cutest animal pattern for your amigurumi project. Ollie the Otter will be happy as a gift, sitting on your desk or just about anywhere else.
Caption: Look no further for the cutest animal pattern for your amigurumi project. Ollie the Otter will be happy as a gift, sitting on your desk or just about anywhere else. Skillshare product Ollie the Sea Otter Amigurumi Pattern by Ana Rosa

About This Project:
Ana Rosa created a 52-page crochet pattern and guide for an amigurumi Ollie the Otter. With the step-by-step instructions and pictures, you’ll be able to create your own version of this cutie.

Why We Love It:
Not only is Ollie adorable, but the pattern and guide are easy to use, with links to each section right in the table of contents. You can always jump back to the beginning from the sections as well.  

Techniques You’ll Learn:
With Ana’s pattern, the amigurumi skills you’ll learn include:

  • Crocheting Ollie and his cactus
  • Assembling the pieces 
  • Special techniques for this specific pattern

Get an Ollie the Sea Otter pattern designed by Ana Rosa

6. Crochet Outfits for Amigurumi Dolls

Three panels, each with a crocheted doll; the one on the left black haired with a green and pink dress, the middle one with blonde hair and a green and white dress, and the one on the right with black hair and a pink and purple dress
Give your amigurumi dolls their own signature style! Skillshare Class Personalize Crochet Doll Dresses: Easy Design Techniques for Beginners by Olga Bortniak

About This Project:
Olga Bortniak teaches you to crochet cute, custom dresses for amigurumi dolls. The dress patterns themselves are simple, but there’s plenty of room for enhancements and playing with your own color schemes. 

Why We Love It:
Additions like unique clothes make an amigurumi doll feel very much your own. Whether you’re making something for yourself, a gift for a child in your life or a personalized item for a customer, these dresses will be the perfect finishing touch.  

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Olga’s class, the dress-making skills you’ll learn include:

  • Sketching design ideas from a basic template
  • Allowing yourself to get creative
  • Experimenting with different style and pattern ideas

Learn to crochet amigurumi doll dresses from Olga Bortniak

7. Crochet Wavy Amigurumi Doll Hair

Three amigurumi dolls, one held by the artist with black hair and a wine-colored dress, and two in the background, one with blond hair and a grayish dress, the other with red hair and a green dress
Bouncy curls are the perfect finishing touch for your customized amigurumi dolls. Skillshare Class Crochet Wavy Hair for Amigurumi Dolls by Olga Bortniak.

About This Project:
Olga Bortniak shows you how to give your amigurumi dolls their crowning glory–beautiful wavy hair of any color and length you choose. Not only is this a fun way to further personalize your dolls, but it’s also an impressive element of crochet as an art form.  

Why We Love It:
Because Olga knows how to teach every aspect of amigurumi doll making, this class fits in so well with skills you may already have. These finishing touches make the project that much more rewarding. 

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Olga’s class, the crochet skills you’ll learn include:

  • Choosing the right yarn for curly hair
  • Crocheting a circle as the base for amigurumi hair
  • Crocheting curls of various lengths
  • Sewing the hair onto the doll’s head

Learn to crochet wavy amigurumi hair with Olga Bortniak

8. Create Four Different Amigurumi Animals

An amigurumi giraffe, lion, flamingo and crocodile arranged next to each other against a soft green background.
Little animals are among the most popular and beloved amigurumi projects, and these projects let you try a range of different crochet skills. Skillshare Class The Amigurumis Crochet Master Class: From Total Beginner to Expert by Emilie Bolduc.

About This Project:
Emilie Bolduc teaches you to create four different, cute amigurumi animals. You’ll get to employ a range of crochet skills and learn which techniques work best for your style.  

Why We Love It:
This class combines the basics of crochet and amigurumi while providing a launching point for more creative freedom. Emilie includes left-handed versions for those who need them.

Techniques You’ll Learn:
In Emilie’s class, the crochet skills you’ll learn include:

  • How to crochet in the round
  • The perfect circle method
  • How to single crochet with "X" shape
  • How to change color a subtle way
  • How to make invisible decrease
  • How to sew parts together
  • How to add personality 
  • The "no-sew" technique
  • How to read any crochet pattern

Learn every detail of making amigurumi animals with Emilie Bolduc

9. Raz the Bat Amigurumi Pattern

Crocheted black bat with yellow eyes and inner ears, hanging upside down from a branch in a real tree
A real bat might be a bit startling, but this amigurumi bat makes the perfect, kid-friendly toy or decoration. Skillshare Product Bat Amigurumi Pattern by Ana Rosa.

About This Project:
Ana Rosa created a 23-page pattern and guide for this amigurumi bat friend. The step-by-step instructions and images are easy to follow, even if you’re not highly experienced with the craft. 

Why We Love It:
Raz’s feet are specially designed to allow him to hang upside down from all his favorite spots, making him not only cute but an adorable addition to spooky holiday decor.  

Techniques You’ll Learn:
With Ana’s pattern, the amigurumi skills you’ll learn include:

  • Crocheting Raz with his wings and ears
  • Assembling the pieces 
  • Special techniques for this specific pattern

Get a Bat amigurumi pattern designed by Ana Rosa

10. Heart Shaped Red Flower Amigurumi Pattern

Crocheted flower with red, heart-shaped petals, yellow center, green stem and leaf in a terracotta pot, planted next to a little crocheted sign reading “Para Bens” with a pink heart, all surrounded by clovers and grasses
Amigurumi doesn’t have to be dolls and animals–try your hand at something a little different, like a flower! Skillshare Product Heart Shaped Flower Amigurumi Pattern by Ana Rosa 

About This Project:
Ana Rosa created a 22-page pattern and guide for lovely little flowers. With step-by-step instructions and helpful pictures, you’ll be able to create your own amigurumi potable plant. 

Why We Love It:
Not everyone who loves amigurumi wants to make a character, so something like this is a nice alternative for trying different skills and. Better yet, it comes with instructions on how to “plant” the flower in a pot. 

Techniques You’ll Learn:
With Ana’s pattern, the amigurumi skills you’ll learn include:

  • Crocheting each part of the flower
  • Assembling the pieces 
  • “Planting” the finished product in a pot

Get a heart-shaped flower pattern designed by Ana Rosa

Get Crocheting with Skillshare

Amigurumi projects offer endless opportunities for diversity and creativity, whether you choose animal themes, human-like dolls or something else. 

Choose projects that excite you, which will make you more likely to stick with them until they are completed, and you will want to try something new in the future. Depending on your skill level and style, you could opt for a simple beginner animal or tackle a detailed, mythical creature character. 

Skillshare is always your source for new ideas and the guidance to turn them into reality. Browse the class selection and find the teachers who can take your amigurumi to the next level! 

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Written By
Katie Mitchell

Katie Mitchell

Katie lives in Michigan with her husband, kids and pets. She enjoys cooking, travel and live music.

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