Amigurumi is the Japanese craft of crocheting small stuffed creatures, and a turtle is a sensible first one. Tilda is worked in a continuous spiral of UK double crochet, which means no turning and no counting rows, just round after round while the shape appears in your hands.
Her shell is where it gets interesting. The hexagonal texture is made with bobble stitches, where you work several stitches into one place and draw them together so they sit proud of the fabric. It looks harder than it is, and the video shows you one before you attempt a whole shell of them.
There are four shades of Rico Ricorumi cotton in the kit, three greens and an ecru, worked on a 3mm hook. A small hook with DK cotton gives you a tight fabric, which matters in amigurumi because it stops the stuffing showing through the stitches.
The 24 page booklet has photo instructions throughout and the video tutorial covers every stage, including the fiddly bit at the end where you attach the legs and head. She finishes at about 15cm long, which is roughly a hand's width.
What you'll learn:
- How to work in a continuous spiral
- How to increase and decrease to shape a piece
- How to work bobble stitch for texture
- How to stuff and assemble amigurumi
- How to fit safety eyes
Why you'll enjoy it:
- No pattern-reading experience needed – the video covers every stitch before you try it
- Everything in one box – yarn, hook, eyes, stuffing, stitch markers and needle
- Two techniques in one project – spiral shaping and bobble stitch
- Cotton yarn – crisp stitch definition, so your rounds stay easy to count
- A finished toy – something to keep, gift or sit on a shelf
