What is The Best Type of Yarn for Amigurumi?
Are you interested in amigurumi but don’t know where to begin with the supplies? Does going to a yarn store overwhelm you? Do you also end up purchasing yarn that rots in your lot because you are unsure if it’s the right one? If these questions are dancing in your mind, then this article is the one for you! At first sight, amigurumi may seem like a challenging craft, but in reality, it’s actually quite simple. Amigurumi is simply repeating a series of patterns with a few basic stitches to create wondrous snuggle buddies. From cuddly bedside plushies to lovable huggies, amigurumi does not fail to amaze.
But where do we begin with amigurumi? There’s a one-word answer that soothes all these questions, and that folks is “Yarn”! The type of yarn you use highly impacts your project. It can either make or break the overall look of your amigurumi creation. With hundreds of different types of yarn in existence, it becomes quite confusing to choose the right one for your project. This blog is the holy grail that you’ll need to navigate your way through the colorful yet chaotic world of yarn. In this blog, we’ll walk through different yarn types and explore which ones are the best to bring your amigurumi vision to life.
So without any further wait, grab your coat, it’s time to go on a yarn spree!
Best Type of Yarn for Amigurumi
When it comes to any yarn craft, there’s no hard and fast rule to stay hooked to a single type for your project. Experiment with different textures and pick the one that suits you the best. The same goes for amigurumi. However, the cutesy craft of amigurumi does make your trip to the yarn store short. This is because it only embraces a few basic yarn types that are easily available as well as affordable. The types of yarn recommended for amigurumi are listed below:
- Cotton Yarn
- Acrylic Yarn
- Chenille Yarn
- Bulky / Chunky Yarn
- Wool Yarn
Now that we’ve got the list, let’s dive into the details.
1. Cotton Yarn:
If you want to create a snuggle buddy that’s not only a softie but also wants to be an oldie, cotton yarn is your best friend! Cotton yarn is widely used for amigurumi and is easily available at all craft stores. Its texture is very soft, making it perfect for small plushies. For making small plushies, we highly recommend KnitPal’s worsted cotton yarn. It's soft, easier to manage, and creates super silky plushies. The best part? It’s machine washable, so you don’t need to worry about it getting dirty.
Another great thing about cotton yarn is that it doesn’t pill. You can either keep it on your bed for some cuddles or let your kids have their way with it - either way, it’s not getting fuzzy anytime soon. Make sure to try out KnitPal’s Merino Moments, you won’t be getting any pill complaints! The only con of cotton yarn is that it gets softer with every wash. This may cause your amigurumi baby to lose a little bit of its structure, but don’t worry, it’s not gonna lose any cuteness!
If cotton yarn is swaying your heart, make sure to check out our entire cotton collection, available exclusively on the website KnitPal and on Amazon. We also have some amazing free amigurumi patterns with cotton yarn that you don't want to miss out on!
2. Acrylic Yarn:
When it comes to sturdiness in amigurumi, acrylic yarn never disappoints. It’s like cement for crochet - keeping your amigurumi alive for generations. Acrylic yarn won’t be heavy on your pockets, so don't hesitate to go nuts at the yarn store. If you wish to create a cuddly plushy for a child, then acrylic yarn is your go-to. God knows the horrors your amigurimi is gonna witness and only acrylic can survive the children’s toy trauma. If you want to add a funky element to your plushie, try out our acrylic yarn “Retro Glam”. Plus, it’s machine washable, so brownie points!
But hold your horses folks, acrylic yarn does have a dark side. It’s not the ideal yarn if you want to dive into some detailing. As for its texture, it is soft, but not as much as cotton. So gifting an acrylic plushie to a baby might not be the best idea. Acrylic yarn is also sensitive to pills, so fair warning, acrylic softies might get fuzzy.
As acrylic yarn is the best choice for beginners, tons of free patterns and tutorials are available. Make sure to check out a few of them at amigurumi.com, you won’t be disappointed!
3. Chenille Yarn:
Are you obsessed with the trendy squishy and cuddly plushies that have all the hype these days? If so, Chenille yarn is the one for you. Leveling up your amigurumi game with Chenille yarn is the best decision you can make as a crocheter. It can never go wrong! This type of yarn is extremely soft and silky, making your amigurumi plushies extra huggable. It’s what’s gonna add the cuddly element to your creations. Not only is Chenille yarn snuggly, but it’s also quite durable.
Adding to the list of pros, Chenille yarn is also machine washable, taking care of half of your amigurumi aftercare problems. The best thing about Chenille yarn is that it’s slightly bulky, so whenever you crochet with it, you’ll always get plus-sized plushies. The only con of this yarn is that due to its bulkiness, it might get a little tough to work with. Other than that, a Chenille plushie is your ideal cuddle buddy!
4. Bulky / Chunky Yarn:
If you’re a fan of the chunky Pinterest amigurumi creations, then you need to add bulky yarn to your cart. Contrary to its name, bulky yarn is also one of the most popular types of yarn used in amigurumi. The secret of its popularity lies in its texture. It’s the king of softness and the champion of cuddleness. It also requires low maintenance as it is easily washable, and let’s not forget, a chunky plushie is the missing accessory that your bedroom desperately needs!
Amigurumi bassinets made from bulky yarn are extremely trendy. Not only do they guarantee gentleness, but imagine how adorable your baby will look snuggled up in a giant plushie. For making a bulky yarn amigurumi bassinet, we recommend our “Ombre Encore”. Creations of bulky yarn are definitely statement pieces. When working with bully yarn, always go for a bigger hook size, otherwise, your hands will get sore from all the crocheting.
You can find some free patterns with bulky yarn available at “Nicole Chase”. KnitPal offers a great variety of bulky yarn, available in both cotton and acrylic. You can check them out on Amazon. We’ve also got some cutesy tutorials lined up using blanket yarn, so stay tuned for them!
5. Wool Yarn:
We saved the best for the last. Wool yarn is the last on the list of amigurumi yarns, and trust us, it’s a game changer. It possesses the key qualities of all the yarns mentioned above. It's soft, it's cuddly, it's snuggly, it's bulky - you name it and wool yarn has got it! With the help of wool yarn, your amigurumi is destined to live a long life. Our most adored Merino Moments is the crown of wool yarn.
Wool yarn is great for beginners as well, especially if you want to impress your loved ones. An amigurumi heart or teddy made from wool yarn certainly sounds like a dream Valentine’s Day present. While wool yarn may be the queen of softness, it definitely takes a toll on your budget. Wool yarn is quite costly, and not all of them are machine washable. So make sure to check the label before you give a cleansing makeover to your plushie.
If you’re looking for some awesome wool yarns, make sure to check out KnitPal’s wool collection. Woolen Delights are really great for making cutesy amigurumi. It's also quite affordable!
And that’s all folks! We hope you found this blog helpful. Let us know in the comments 🙂
