🎙️ [Listen to Episode 2 Here] 🎙️
If you love making amigurumi or are just beginning your crochet journey, you already know how much joy these little plushies bring. But here’s the truth: small tweaks can completely transform your stuffed animals from “homemade” to professional-quality crochet plushies. Over the years, I’ve picked up game-changing amigurumi tips that have elevated my work, making every stitch cleaner, every plushie cuter, and every finish more polished.
Whether you’re crocheting plushies for fun, creating handmade gifts, or selling amigurumi at craft fairs and Etsy shops, these nine crochet hacks will help you make stuffed animals you’re proud to show off.
1. Use Soft, Chunky Yarn for Plush Amigurumi
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your amigurumi is by switching yarn. For a long time, I only used worsted-weight yarn because that’s what most patterns recommend. But once I discovered chunky chenille yarn, everything changed.
Chunky yarn creates plushies that are bigger, softer, and faster to make. They feel more like stuffed animals from a toy store than a traditional crochet project. This is especially helpful if you want to sell amigurumi or give them as gifts because the squish factor instantly makes them more lovable.
Some of my favorite chunky yarns for amigurumi include:
● Bernat Blanket Yarn
● Premier Parfait Chunky
● Hobbii Honey Bunny Shine (yes, it has glitter!)
● Yarn Bee Baby Snugs & Kisses
● Big Twist Posh Yarn (Joann’s brand)
Each yarn brand has a slightly different texture, so experiment until you find the one that feels best in your hands and gives your plushies the look you love.
2. Choose the Right Hook Size for Tighter Stitches
One of the biggest beginner mistakes in amigurumi crochet is using the hook size recommended on the yarn label. For stuffed animals, that usually creates stitches that are too loose, which lets stuffing peek through.
Here’s the trick: always go 1–2 sizes smaller than what the yarn suggests. If your yarn label says 5mm, try a 4mm hook. This tightens the stitches, keeps your plushie’s shape, and creates a smooth, professional look.
This small adjustment alone can make your amigurumi look store-bought instead of homemade.
3. Master Color Changes with Slip Stitches
If you’ve ever tried changing colors in crochet, you know it can leave awkward stitch marks. This is especially noticeable on amigurumi when you’re attaching a snout, belly patch, or different-colored ears.
The solution? Use slip stitches during your color transition. For example, when finishing the last round of a snout, switch to the head’s yarn color and do one round of slip stitches. This creates a neat edge so that when you sew it onto the head, the transition looks seamless.
It’s a small detail, but it makes your plushies look polished and professional.
4. Add Embroidery Details for Expressive Faces
What really sets amigurumi plushies apart is their faces. Two safety eyes and a nose are fine, but if you want your stuffed animals to have personality, embroidery is your best friend.
● Indent safety eyes by pulling them slightly inward with a strand of yarn. This gives dimension and makes the face less flat.
● Add eyebrows and blush circles with cotton yarn for extra cuteness.
● Embroider outlines around eyes to make them pop. Black outlines add definition, while white stitches create sparkle.
● Instead of using plastic noses, embroider a soft nose for a handmade, cozy finish.
These little embroidered touches bring your crochet animals to life and make them feel unique.
5. Use a Sharp Needle for Embroidery Precision
Most people use blunt plastic yarn needles for sewing, which works fine for joining body parts. But when it comes to facial embroidery, a sharp metal embroidery needle makes all the difference.
With a sharp needle, you can go directly through stitches instead of just weaving between them. This gives you precise placement, smoother lines, and the ability to add tiny details like eye highlights, eyelashes, or freckles.
It’s a tiny upgrade that instantly makes your plushies look more professional.
6. Secure Safety Eyes with Aida Cloth
Safety eyes are popular for amigurumi, but here’s the thing: they’re not always as “safe” as the name suggests, especially for toys given to babies or toddlers.
To make them more secure, cut a small square of Aida cloth (the fabric used for cross-stitch), punch a hole in the center, and place it behind the eye inside the head before snapping on the backing. The extra layer helps lock the eye in place, reducing the risk of it popping out.
If you sell amigurumi or gift them to young children, this hack is essential.
7. Add Weight With Rice Bags for Standing Plushies
Ever made an amigurumi that won’t stand upright? Maybe it’s a snowman, a plant, or an animal with a round base. The solution is simple: add a weighted pouch.
Fill a small Ziploc bag with rice, double-bag it for safety, and place it at the bottom before stuffing the rest of the body with Poly-fil. This weight gives your plushie stability, keeps it from tipping over, and makes it feel sturdier.
Weighted plushies are especially popular with kids because they feel more like real toys than lightweight stuffed animals.
8. Use Doll Accessories to Personalize Plushies
Want to make your crochet stuffed animals extra irresistible? Add accessories. Search for doll accessories on Amazon or Etsy, and you’ll find endless options—tiny hats, glasses, bows, or scarves.
Adding accessories not only makes your plushies stand out but also gives them a story. A customer once told me their child loved an amigurumi bear with glasses because it helped them feel better about wearing their own glasses. How sweet is that?
Accessories are also a clever way to make your creations more marketable at craft fairs. People love buying plushies with unique, personalized touches.
9. Sew Flat Pieces Through the Back Loop
When you’re attaching flat pieces like cow spots, dinosaur spikes, or submarine windows, the sewing method you use matters. For the cleanest look, sew through the back loop only while angling your needle slightly inward.
This technique hides the seam and makes the attachment nearly invisible. It’s one of those finishing touches that separates a beginner amigurumi from a polished, professional plush toy.
Why These Amigurumi Tips Matter
Amigurumi is more than just crochet—it’s an art form. The stitches may be simple, but the details are what bring each stuffed animal to life. By making small changes like tightening your stitches, improving color transitions, or adding embroidered features, you elevate your craft from casual to professional.
Whether you’re making plushies for yourself, gifting them to loved ones, or selling them in an Etsy shop, these crochet hacks help you create animals that stand out. Customers notice the difference, and recipients feel the love in every detail.
Taking Your Amigurumi to the Next Level
Crochet is a journey, and every project helps you improve. These nine amigurumi tips aren’t complicated—they’re small adjustments that add up to big transformations. The best part? You can start applying them to your very next project.
● Use chunky yarn for squishier, faster plushies.
● Tighten stitches with a smaller hook size.
● Create seamless color changes with slip stitches.
● Add embroidery details for expressive faces.
● Use a sharp needle for precision.
● Secure safety eyes with Aida cloth.
● Weight your plushies with rice bags.
● Add doll accessories for extra cuteness.
● Sew flat pieces through the back loop for invisible seams.
Each one of these crochet hacks will not only make your stuffed animals look better but will also make you feel more confident as a maker.
Listen to More Crochet Tips on the Podcast
This blog is based on Episode 2 of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, where I dive deeper into these amigurumi hacks and share personal stories about learning them. If you enjoy listening while you crochet, tune in to hear me break it all down in more detail.
🎙️ [Listen to Episode 2 Here] 🎙️
Grab your current WIP (work in progress), put on the podcast, and start trying out these tips as you stitch. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference they make in your next plushie.
Final Thoughts: Make Plushies You’re Proud Of
Crochet is more than a hobby—it’s a way to create joy. Each amigurumi you make carries your time, care, and creativity. By applying these nine amigurumi tips, you’ll create plushies that look polished, professional, and utterly lovable.
So whether you’re crocheting your first stuffed animal or your hundredth, remember this: every stitch tells a story. Make it a story worth sharing.
Crochet Animal Patterns to Try
About the Designer
Marcy Gardner is the crochet designer behind Simply Hooked, where she creates beginner-friendly amigurumi patterns that help makers of all skill levels create adorable, giftable plushies.
With over 13 years of crochet experience, Marcy has taught hundreds of crocheters through her patterns, kits, and online courses.
