Hooks & Yarn
You don’t need too much gear to get started with amigurumi, but the right hook and decent yarn are a necessity. Here’s what to look for:
Yarn
- Start with worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight is also marked “medium” or “size 4″ on the label. It’s the common middle weight yarn between bulky and sport.
- Choose acrylic yarn. I started with wool and was sorry. Wool has a degree of stretch to it that makes it rather unforgiving when you stuff it. I’m not saying that you absolutely can’t use wool; people do. But you’ll make it a lot easier on yourself if you use acrylic. Acrylic yarn is fairly inexpensive; I use the stuff from craft stores that costs less than $5 U.S. per skein.
- Try a “soft” acrylic. I used a wool-style acrylic to start (Vanna’s Choice from Lion Brand); it was somewhat fuzzy and the colors were rather muted. Coming from knitting scarves and accessories, this attracted me at first. I later switched to a soft acrylic in “brite” colors (Caron Simply Soft) and love it. The stitch definition is terrific, and the zingy colors that I never would have touched for accessories look very appropriate for amigurumi projects. The “soft” yarn is also less abrasive on my fingers (which starts to matter after hours/days of work!).
- Stay away from novelty yarns until you get the hang of it. Fun fur, sparkly yarn, etc. can make a project stand out, but can also be a source of frustration when you’re just learning. Stick to the basics until you feel confident with the techniques.
Hooks
- Invest in a decent hook or two. I use Clover brand ergonomic hooks with the wide plastic handles and steel hooks. They rock! Don’t use plastic; mine literally snapped in half during a project. Yuck.
- Don’t go with what it says on the back of the yarn label. Worsted weight yarn labels will recommend a hook anywhere from G to J. You’ll end up with a very loose fabric. Go at least 2 sizes smaller. I use a D hook for most projects, but I keep E, F and G on hand. I’m now looking at picking up a B and C hook with a baby, fingering or sport weight yarn for more delicate details and contrast.
You may also want to add small details to your finished project with a very tiny hook and some perle cotton. This combo can be used for little accessories or even facial features, but be warned that it takes some patience to use and produces a very unforgiving fabric. Many people opt to sew on felt instead.
