If you've been dreaming of making your very own adorable crochet friend, you're in the right place. Whether you stumbled across a cute plushie on instagram or are looking for a cozy new hobby, this beginner guide will walk you through everything you need to make your first amigurumi plushie with no experience required!

At Scarli, we make ultra-soft yarn and beginner-friendly crochet kits designed to help you feel confident and calm while you learn. Here's what you'll need to get started:

1. Soft, chenille yarn (like Scarli Teddy Bakery)
   

Your yarn choice matters a lot when making amigurumi. For beginners, chenille-style yarn like our Teddy Bakery is perfect: it's soft, plush, and smooth on the hands. While some do find that chenille yarn can be more difficult to work with than cotton or acrylic yarns, I learned using fluffy yarn and I think it set me up to improve quicker and gain an advanced skillset easily as I had already learned with the more challenging yarn!

Look for yarn that:

• Is chunky (size 6 is ideal for chenille yarn) or appropriate for what you want to make
• Doesn't split easily (chenille yarn is perfect for this as it is 1ply)
• Feels nice to touch (because you'll be holding it for hours!)

2. The right crochet hook

For amigurumi, your hook size should be smaller than recommended for your yarn (typically). If you're using plush yarn like ours, a 5mm crochet hook is a great choice.

Bonus tip: we include the correct hook size in all Scarli crochet kits so you never have to guess.

3. Stitch markers (don't skip this!)

Amigurumi is often worked in the round, and it's easy to lose track of where a round starts. A stitch marker helps you stay on track and avoid accidental shaping mistakes. 

4. Darning needle

You'll need a large-eyed, blunt plastic darning needle to sew your plushie parts together and weave in ends. It's the secret to making your plushie look polished and tidy.

5. Stuffing

Fluff it up! Use polyfill stuffing to bring your plushie to life. Soft, even stuffing makes all the difference in shaping and feel. I like to firmly stuff most of my plushies to make sure the shape is proper and it feels nice to handle.

6. Safety eyes 

Safety eyes give your plushie personality. Just make sure to install them before closing the head. If you're gifting to young children, you can always embroider eyes with yarn instead. There are a wide variety of eye options you can use for your plushie. Glittery resin eyes, felt eyes, yarn, and the classic black safety eyes are some of the most popular and tried-and-true options available!

7. A beginner-friendly pattern

This is key! Choose a pattern designed for first-timers - simple shapes, minimal sewing, and clear instructions. 

Our Scarli beginner kits come with easy-to-follow patterns, video tutorials, and everything you need in one cute package. No searching, no stress.

Bonus: a calm workspace and good lighting

Set yourself up with a comfy chair, a well-lit spot, and your favourite playlist or show. Crochet is as much about the vibe as the end result, so enjoy the process!

Ready to make your first plushie? 

You've got this! With the right tools, yarn, and support, anyone can learn to make amigurumi. Head over to our website to browse our plush yarn, explore beginner kits, and read more beginner crochet tips here on our Scarli Says blog.

And don't forget to share your first creation with us on Instagram @shopscarli using #madewithscarli. We'll be cheering you on!