All about unusual amigurumi dolls

In the Land of the Rising Sun, so many artistic trends have been created that it is difficult to find that niche where talented Japanese people would not have a hand. Ikebana broke all popularity records a couple of decades ago, relatively recently, kanzashi has become a hand-made trend. One of the most popular Japanese needlework directions today is amigurumi. Incredibly cute, touching, aesthetically perfect knitted dolls have become popular far beyond their homeland.

Amigurumi literally translates as "Knitted-wrapped"... Many people fell in love with this Japanese art of knitting or crocheting precisely because of the knitting theme. Knitted amigirumi dolls are very cute, as they say today "mimishnye"... Usually these are cute animals - rabbits, kittens, puppies, bears, etc. But there may be toys and initially inanimate, but endowed with human qualities - cupcakes and handbags, hats, cosmetic bags.

Many people probably remember how in the 90s there was a boom in Japanese cartoons in the post-Soviet space. The children's favorite was Pikachu. Sweet, big-eyed, naive, he impressed everyone with his charm. It was cartoon characters that became the reason for the popularization of amigurumi, when they wanted to touch these characters, hug them, play with them. And today, amigurumi toys are the images of small charming creatures.

Knitting amigurumi is now mainly crocheted: it is both easier and more affordable... Hook, yarn, correct pattern - and the new hero is ready. Even children who are already physically able to knit will master this art. If it is difficult for them to read the diagrams, they can take video lessons.

The heads of the characters are usually large, and the body is miniature. If previously knitted pupae no more than 8 cm in height, today amigurumi are knitted up to half a meter long. They become an ideal gift for a child: they immediately fall in love with themselves.

Amigurumi is considered a small work, that is, not any yarn for knitting is suitable here. But at the same time, there is a choice.

What needlewomen most often choose:

• acrylic yarn - does not double, knits conveniently and is just as comfortable in dissolution, perfectly keeps its shape, does not cause allergies;
• cotton - the thread is reliable, since knitting with it comes out neat, but this option is more suitable for experienced knitters;
• mohair - an option exclusively for the pros, although the toys will be cutest pussies, there is something to try for.

Those who are just learning to crochet should use a smooth yarn, those who actually knit blindly can refer to "shaggy" patterns.

If you specifically list the brands, then here it is worth noting some of the nuances. For example, the popular Iris threads are suitable for knitting miniature toys, these are thin and even threads. Approximately the same characteristic can be given to the "Narcissus" thread. From "Alpina Alpaca" they knit fluffy bears and rabbits. But knitting from them is more difficult than from smooth cotton.

"Baby Best" will do as well; they produce very gentle, tactilely pleasant amigurumi dolls. For small manipulations, the domestic "Children's novelty" is also suitable - high-quality and not the most expensive material. It is difficult to advise on the color: it depends only on the taste of the craftswoman, on her idea of ​​what the toy will be.

The hook is the main working tool of the knitter. It must match the thickness of the yarn, otherwise the work will not be complete without a flaw. If the yarn is thin, you need a hook 1.5-2, if the threads are thicker, the hook number goes up. Hooks can be selected from plastic, metal, bone, wood. Again, this is a matter of convenience and personal preference. The craftswoman usually uses knitting needles only for knitting certain attributes of the toy - for example, making a dress or other outfit for the hero.

Also in the work you will definitely need sharp scissors, games and threads for sewing together toy parts. For decorating a finished doll, beads, plastic eyes or a nose, beads, rhinestones, satin, as well as braid, lace, sequins, etc. are useful. Everything here depends only on the imagination of the master.

If the needlewoman plans to make a toy whose movements can be fixed, a wire frame must be built into it. But usually, beginners do not resort to this measure. If the toy is knitted for a gift (or for sale), you need to worry about packaging. In the case of amigurumi, its importance is not exaggerated: many craftswomen pay special attention to packaging, craft or vintage, as it makes the toy even more charming.

This is the basis of this needlework, only by mastering this technique can you move on. An amigurumi ring is considered one of the possible ways to start the starting row. There is another way: you can dial 2 air loops, knit the required number of single crochet stitches into the second loop from the hook. But the ring knitting technique has a real plus - it is an adjustable loop, it makes it possible to tighten the central hole.

1. You need to make a loop 2.5 cm from the end of the thread. The working thread should be placed between the fingers (index and middle).
2. The hook is inserted into the loop, the working thread is caught and pulled in front of the loop. Attention, next step: the working thread is now drawn through the loop.
3. The working thread must be pulled out and tightened - this loop will not be the first column in the ring.
4. The hook should be brought underneath both threads to form a large loop. The working thread is being seized.
5. The loop should be pulled out and again hook the working thread. Pull it through the 2 loops on the tool. This is how the first single crochet in the ring turns out.
6. Now you need to knit as many columns as the scheme suggests. That's it, the ring is tied!

In the next video, you can visually familiarize yourself with the process of knitting an amigurumi ring.

You need to knit in master classes that step by step describe the entire course of work. Only the pros can knit without looking at the patterns, because their hands are already working on automation, the eye is developed, etc.

Common mistakes of a beginner amigurumi knitter

• The yarn and the crochet hook do not match. You can call it a "schoolgirl mistake." If the knit is loose, the point is in a thick, disproportionate yarn hook. Moreover, what is indicated on the yarn itself does not correspond to what is to be knitted. If the instructions for the yarn say that you need to take a hook 3.5-4, then for knitting amigurumi to the same yarn, the hook is taken 1.75-2.

• Back and front confusion is another big newbie mistake. Yes, sometimes this is a deliberate act, but rarely. The product should not turn inside out during knitting. Immediately you need to determine how the wrong side will look like, how the front part will look.

• The filler is sticking out of the toy. Stuffing a toy, one might say, is, if not a whole art, then a separate topic for consideration. When completing the part, you need to fill it not to the edges, but leave a small gap in order for the hook to slide. And on the last row, through a small hole, this gap is filled with filler with any suitable thin stick (skewer, for example).

• Working without a marker is a big mistake for a beginner... It becomes simply impossible to count loops and rows. Each last (or first, as an option) loop of the row must be marked. What will be a marker, the needlewoman herself decides: a contrasting thread, a paper clip or special markers for creativity are suitable.

• If it is not nice to sew on the details, the whole work becomes untidy. Fingers, head to body, hands and ears need to be sewn like this: from the part to be sewn to the main one. The seam should be neat and inconspicuous, this is stated in any description of the amigurumi. And you also need to make your hair as delicately as possible, and you should embroider your eyes on your face without haste, so as to avoid shrinking your face.

• No need to use "shifting Chinese eyes". They really reduce the cost of work visually. Beads or half beads are already better than this cheap plastic. Better, of course, to embroider the eyes. The glass version is the most chic.

• If a craftswoman uses a low-grade filler, the work seriously loses its value. Knitted toys still cannot be stuffed with anything, especially frame ones. And very small, and 24 cm, and half a meter long - any toy deserves high-quality stuffing. Filler can be seen through the holes and even seep through them. An excellent stuffing is holofiber, synthetic fluff is also suitable. But the synthetic winterizer is not very suitable for stuffing, it is used only as a last resort. The fact is that the last filler is not quite evenly distributed, which is why on the toy appears what knitters and knitters (men also knit) are often called "cellulite".

• Asymmetry of weights Is another typical problem that cannot be hidden behind clothes. It should be pulled with the same thread from which it was knitted. But if the yarn is completely unsuitable for tightening, you will have to replace it. For example, textured yarn will not work for this purpose. You just need to take similar threads, only cotton. It is important to maintain symmetry so that the nose does not "move" to the side, and the legs do not differ in size.

• And one more common mistake, it does not directly relate to mating, but it is very important if toys are put up for sale. You can make a chic amigurumi: for example, a boy artist in elegant boots, a red beret, a sweater with deer, but the buyer will not see all these little things. A bad background or light can make the toy cheaper. If the doll is wearing shoes and a crocheted dress, this should be emphasized. The photophone should match the toy, and there can be anything themed in the frame. Red lollipops in the form of hearts if the photo is uploaded for Valentine's Day or summer forget-me-nots if the content is June, etc.

Knitting patterns are in numbers and tables, it is difficult for a beginner to read them, therefore descriptions in Russian are most in demand and understandable. But there are also Japanese schemes in pictures, they are the most complex. But in general, any description is suitable if it is easier for the master to work with it. And yet, it makes sense to start not with diagrams and descriptions, but with video lessons: the principle of visibility works in full force.

Toys can be not only fun for a child - although this, of course, is the main, initial purpose of amigurumi. But a lot of work is done in these techniques, which become interior decorative elements - they decorate the home with their cuteness and, of course, the fact that they are made with their own hands. For home puppet theater, amigurumi are also great. Moreover, they can be knitted with finger pupae, and then it will be a wonderful gift for a baby - with the help of such pupae, you can study animals, colors and even sizes.

Special decorative "capes" for the teapot are made of amigurumi: they look charming and keep the teapot contents warm for longer. In the same way, you can make clothes for a children's cup, the child is insured against burns on the hot walls of the container, and drinking from a cup in knitted clothes with a head, for example, an octopus, of course, is much tastier.

You can make a keychain for a children's backpack, knit educational toys for speech therapy classes, or make voluminous parts for children's outfits from amigurumi - there are a lot of ideas. And author's interior options in needlework are only welcome.

• Sell ​​them through a social network (Instagram is the most convenient platform for this today).
• To sell content, you need to take at least a few photo lessons (including processing). This will significantly increase the competitiveness of the account.
• More advertising will be attracted by the page where the toys are shown not only ready-made. If the author's goal is to attract an audience that will also learn, you need to post lessons, diagrams, descriptions. Or arrange free mailing promotions.
• Packing and packing again. In her perfection sometimes lies the very cherry on the cake.

If the toys are arranged in groups (like the heroes of a fairy tale), this will attract attention and, possibly, encourage the buyer to make a “mass” purchase. Again, packaging is important in a trade show as well. Sometimes the exclusivity of a toy is given with a small gift: for example, a mini-bunch of lavender in the paw of a hare or a mini-set of colored pencils next to a knitted artist.

In this list, those works in the amigurumi technique that are the best example for beginners in this needlework.

• A simple and cute gray kitten will take root on the child's desk, become its keeper and pet.

• Classic amigurumi bunnies are popular with both children and adults. You can knit several pieces at once, make them brothers or sisters.

• If a child loves fur seals, then a knitted version of a favorite animal will be the most anticipated gift.

• And this is how a baby elephant looks like, very gentle and touching.Such a toy can be presented to a girl participating in a wedding ceremony (the one who bears the rings) - a wonderful gift for helping and a reminder of the celebration.

• And here are the dolls - they will have to make their hair out of yarn, for the rest - this is a classic amigurumi.

• Brother Fox and Brother Wolf himself are even more charming when paired.

• A very delicate bee for a baby, it must be miniature.

• And it’s impossible not to love this doll. She often becomes the favorite toy of even the most fastidious kids.

• Having found such a gift in a box, not a single birthday person will be disappointed.

• Mugs and muffins come to life - true amigurumi magic.

• Who said that only girls can love amigurumi: here is an example of a toy that can captivate a little superhero.

• If you give a child a whole set of heroes, he will be just happy.

• And even adults will be glad to such a couple, for the first wedding anniversary - a nice gift.

• This Leva will be the king of children's toys.

• Two Frida in the amigurumi technique is an interesting interpretation.

For someone who is not a guru in knitting, but wants to start with something solid, which allows you not to wait for the final result for a very long time, this technique is optimal.

Happy trials!