Amigurumi Crochet Hook Sizes

Crocheting tightly makes a sturdy amigurumi doll.

Amigurumi, cute little craft creatures, call to many crocheters, so it's a good thing they're easy to make and the crochet hooks used to make them are common sizes. Amigurumi means crocheted doll in Japanese, and these critters typically use small crochet hooks for their design.

About the Dolls

Since these small dolls are practically all created from a series of single crochets, the stitches that result are typically dense. Using a small crochet hook, such as a size D, E or F is common and most appropriate in amigurumi patterns. The doll you're making is typically quite small and stuffed like an ordinary stuffed animal when complete. If you use hook sizes that are larger, such as size G, H, I or J, your stitches will be looser and allow for the stuffing to poke through in spots, which is not a desired effect when making amigurumi.

Yarn Matters, Too

Amigurumi patterns usually call for worsted weight yarn, which is the most common type on the market. Since this yarn is typically designed for size J crochet hooks, using the recommended smaller hooks in sizes D, E or F will create the tightly crocheted abric" of your amigurumi. This tight fabric gives the doll its structure and ability to keep its stuffing contained. In general, whatever type of yarn you use for your amigurumi, choose a crochet hook that is at least three or four sizes smaller than what that particular yarn calls for in other crocheting applications. This will ensure a tight crochet.

References

• Lion Brand Yarn: Substituting Yarn
• CrochetMe; Amigurumi Dude; Kim Werker; March 13, 2006