Amigurumi

so, amigurumi style means done in the round?? or no? do all amigurumis have to be done in the round??

I really don't like putting rules on how to do something. I think it's too limited. The only condition for amigurumi, in my mind, is that it should be kawaii.
I know of some amigurumi that isn't done in the round and some that is, so whatever you feel best working with is completely fine.

Amigurumi is knitting or crocheting in a round. If the knitting or corcheting is not done in around then it is not considered Amigurumi. Amigurumi is made with yarn, not clay or sewing! Good luck with your swap!

In the strictest sense of amigurumi it is knitted or crocheted. However, so this swap will not be closed to those who love kawaii and want to try it but can't knit or crochet it's acceptable to make something with another medium such as sewing or polymer clay- whatever you are good working with.

And some very gorgeous crochet amigurumi is not done in the round. It depends on what you are doing, and what end result you desire.

Oh wow, these are soo cute! I've never made amigurumi before, but I know how to crochet, so I will give it a chance!

Here's a little advice if you're going to crochet your ami:
- use the cheap nasty acrylic yarn you usually don't want to work with- Red Heart, etc. It's unflinching nature helps hold the ami shapes when you stuff them.
- use a good hook and one at least a size smaller than you normally would. I use a size F usually with worsted yarn when I'm making amis. You want the fabric to be fairly tight, but don't kill your hands doing it. When I first started making them I made it so tight (my tension) that I was killing my hands.
- stuff tightly. Like, really really tight.
- if you can buy or borrow the book "Super Happy Crochet Cute" it has excellent advice on making amis, including when you use joined and unjoined rounds.
- get a good needle for sewing pieces together. I usually use a blunt needle for putting together garments, but for amis I use a Chenille Neelde size 18 for sewing my little cutie pies together.
- you can use felt for faces and accents if you like. I am not the greatest with embroidery and it's easier to sew complicated things onto felt, then sew the felt onto the ami. If you find you're having problems putting the embellishment on the piece directly, try this technique.
- Finding eyes are sometimes difficult. Here is a great place I've found to order them. I've also found that Hobby Lobby usually carries them as well. Michaels and AC Moore does not.

Just joined! These are so much fun to do. Just wanted to let you all know that "Crochet Pattern Central", has a alot of free cute amigurumi patterns.

Here is the exact crochet pattern central link.
Here is a link to Lion's version of "amigurumi" which isn't really technically truly ami in style, but we'll include it for the beginers who are just learning to crochet. More inspiration, including non-crochet items. Still more patterns.

This is the first swap I have been tempted to join in ages. I have been seeing these and reading about them for a while now. I knit and crochet and used to do toy knitting so I am ready to give it a go. Thanks for all the great links and information too that helps!

hi, wonder if something like this(http://bp3.blogger.com/D4hfxlynWk/R2rBdNlHRvI/AAAAAAAAAYc/JiVeU50kYek/s400/cfpressie2.jpg) can be pass for this swap? =D

:( I really wish to join in the fun/swap! :D

I made an Amigurumi Primer to try to help anyone get some ideas for basic directions, and maybe even answers to those nagging questions. =)

rengawk that is GREAT!!! I even learned something!!!

cfchai, I'm sorry but I couldn't get that link to work. :( can you tinyurl it for us?

ok, nother question... any particular size?

Hehe there was also an interesting discussion of the forums about how to stuff your amigurumi...

I'd prefer ones that don't grow things out of the bottoms, but that's me ^^

awe, not even if it's your favorite tea component? or a rose? how 'bout roses growing out it's bottom ren? hee hee!

Hrm... I hadn't thought of size... That's a hard one because amis can be tiny or larger.
I would say make something you would want to receive. I can't say "Should take 'x' hours to complete" b/c I know I can crank out some crochet... There are really good swappers in this swap so far so hopefully we will be able to trust that everyone will play fair.

I should also say that you should be considerate during this swap. There are folks on here who will be making their first amigurumi. It might be, um... funky looking. I know my first ones were. Please just have fun with this swap.
If you get something just ridiculously funky looking send me a picture and if I agree I'll angel it, but give your partner credit for trying, K?

Another thing... please please please if you are stuck, especially newbies, please feel free to contact me and I'll try to get you out of it.

I personally believe that swap-bot should be a safe environment to try something creative and new. That is the pervasive feeling I hope swappers will have in my swaps.

I'm actually thinking smaller would be good for me to make, since i'm new to this (but for all i know bigger might be easier..lol. )so i hope no one minds what size it ends up. i'll do my best!

If it's really small, you could try making a couple of them. You'll find that each amigurumi you make- even ones with the same patterns, all come out with their own little personalities.

Since there are so many who are making amis for the first time, I will host more amigurumi swaps in the future... if you guys tell me you have enjoyed it and would like more.

I'll be adding some more pictures to my flickr site soon. Stay tuned for inspiration!

Can't wait to get my partner!This will be fun and i already have some amigurumi's made!!

LOL Dreamerkins, I just saw your comment, and I'm totally making something with rear-projectiles sewn on if you're my partner! ^^

I was looking for an AMI swap and found ya'll. I'm so excited about getting a partner for this....should be a blast. I'm a newbie to this swap thing but I LOVE making ami babies!

Here is a nice tutorial from June: http://www.planetjune.com/blog/amigurumi-help/ Also, those new to ami can check out etsy.com and put in 'amigurumi patterns' in the search form. There are a TON of ami artists out there. I have a few ami designer/bloggers linked to my blog yarnigras.blogspot.com

they are listed in the left hand column....and THEY all have additional links to other ami artists..........

Okay, I'm a big dork who left a comment for an old swap that I didn't realize was over and tried to join! Ha!

But I can see that this one is still open, so I'm in! But keep in mind, as much as I've wanted to try it, I really never have so I'll do my very BEST when I make it, but please don't laugh! :O)

Looking forward to seeing what you create!

artsyfartsy- we're all dorks so you're in good company!

We should all be patient with each other on our finished project. This won't be the last amigurumi swap I host so you'll get more chances to torture people with your creations!

HAHAHAHA!!!!

I'll chat with my partner when i get one and see what she would like! I have alot made and i can always make more!

For anyone new to ami. Below is the site to a great 'blog' that is simply a 'listing' of free amigurumi patterns.
Are we going to have a flickr setting for the group?

http://amilist.blogspot.com/

I am really enjoying all of the great links you are sharing. I have bought the book, ordered a couple of patterns from an Etsy shop, printed out freebies, and am just about finished with my first critter. Fun, fun, fun!!!

addictive isn't it?

What on earth does kawaii mean?

cute

I bought acrylic today--and tonight is my SnB...I can't wait to play with my new patterns, too!!!! squee

Just a little bit of yarn goes a long way for amis. And the yarn you use is really cheap- two things I love about amis!!!

aaaaaa! i'm so addicted now!!! I started crocheting an easy one, and did like 10 of that. then i bought a couple patterns off etsy! now my only trouble will be deciding what is going and what is staying! (and ren, i would've love a protrusioning ami! hee hee! )

Sent out my ami to my partner today!! Hugz,Jan

I got a hippo!! whee!

YAY! I got the most adorable little kitty. She's so sweet, my partner did a jammin' job!

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