Crochet Tutorial: How to Add Curly Hair to Amigurumi
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Time to read 1 min
Have you ever finished a beautiful crochet doll or animal, closed up the head, and then realized it desperately needed a bit more personality? You don't have to "frog" your hard work to make a change. Learning how to add curly hair to amigurumi after your project is already assembled is a total game-changer for your creative process.
This post-assembly method allows you to add bouncy, textured ringlets or a full mane to any finished piece using just a crochet hook and a bit of "hair" yarn. Whether you are adding a mane to a lion or a full head of curls to a doll, this technique is fast, beginner-friendly, and incredibly satisfying.
Why You Will Love This "No-Surgery" Hair Method
Many patterns require you to attach hair as you go, which can be tricky to visualize. By learning how to add curly hair to amigurumi after the head is closed, you gain several professional advantages:
Perfect Placement: You can see the finished face of your plushie before deciding exactly where the hairline or mane should sit.
Zero Ripping Required: If you decide a month later that your project needs a makeover, you can add these curls without opening any seams.
Endless Customization: This method works for everything from tight pixie curls to dramatic, shoulder-length ringlets.
Salvage a "Plain" Project: It’s the perfect way to unlock your potential as a designer by taking a basic animal shape and turning it into something unique and textured.
Materials for Adding Crochet Curls
You can use almost any yarn for hair, but I find that a slightly thinner yarn than the body (or a high-texture chenille) works best to prevent the head from becoming too heavy.
"Hair" Yarn: Acrylic, cotton, or even scrap pieces of Premier Parfait.
Crochet Hook: Use the same size you used for the head, or go 0.5mm smaller for tighter, springier curls.
Essentials: A blunt tapestry needle and a sharp pair of scissors.
Video Crochet Tutorial
Marcy Gardner
Hi! I'm Marcy, a crochet designer in North Carolina. I help crafters turn yarn into adorable keepsakes through beginner-friendly crochet patterns and plushie kits. I’ve been crocheting since 2012 and fell in love instantly! My work has been featured in Simply Crochet and Crochet World Magazines. I am the author of Crochet Snuggle Buddies, Hooked on Growth, and Do You Know Hank the Hippo? I also enjoying hosting Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast.
