When crocheting an amigurumi, you normally use a single crochet. In the picture above, there is a few little balls, each on a ball stand that look a bit like trees. Each one of these was made using the same pattern but they do look a bit different. They are each a cute way to make an amigurumi, but it is up to you to decide which technique you would like to use.
The most traditional way to crochet is the yarn over/yarn over method. This is considered the “correct way” to crochet. I do not believe in this statement because everyone has their own way of learning and their own personal style. I believe that part of the process of making an amigurumi is to make it your own.
This method creates a stich in the shape of a v. This normally creates a bigger stuffed animal or finished product.
This method also creates a looser fabric.
This is the most common technique found in vintage patterns and most books that use pictures or drawings to teach how to crochet. The fact that this technique can provide a vintage and cozy is one of the main reasons for its popularity.
This is all depending on preference but one of the downsides of this technique is that although the v shape of the stitches tend to slant in one way. This can be frustrating if frustrating if you want all the rounds to look a bit straighter and neater.
The other complaint that I have run into a lot is that this type of stitch does not make for a clean color change because of the way it slants a little. I think the most common way to help the color change look cleaner is by crocheting a round of slip stiches.
I believe if you have a tighter tension, this could be the technique for you!
The best way I can think of to describe what you are doing when yarning over is by describing the position of the hook. When yarning over, your hook should be facing you and your working yarn should be under the tip of the hook.
The second most popular technique for amigurumi is the yarn under, yarn under method. This technique is very popular because it creates a tighter and more dense fabric. This makes the rounds more uniform.
This method creates stiches that have the form of an x. The x stiches help create more uniform rounds and they do not look like they slant.
This technique also creates a cleaner color change, and many people enjoy that it creates a smaller stuffed animal or finished product.
The main downside of this way to single crochet, at least for me, is that this hurts my hands and wrist A LOT. I do like how it looks but I don’t think the pain is worth it. It makes me feel like I have been lifting weights for hours.
I recommend this method if you have a looser crochet tension.
The best way to describe yarning under is that the tip of the hook is facing away from you and you are grabbing the working yarn with the hook and pulling it towards you.
The picture on the left is of a little amigurumi ball that was crocheted with the yarn under, yarn over method.
This method also creates a sturdy and denser fabric.
The stitches also create and x shape.
The best part of this method for me is that it does not hurt my wrists!
When I want a slightly neater and smaller amigurumi this is my go to technique!
The picture on the left is of the technique yarn over/yarn under.
I really do not have much to say about this method as I have only used it once, and it was to make this.
It seems if does create a slightly smaller finished product and would also allow a neat color change.
I do not have any idea what the stiches look like for this one. I thought at first maybe they look like bows or like the little bubblegum wrappers. I asked my sister what they looked like and she said oaxaca cheese. I asked a few more people and the most common answer I got was that they look like knots.