Answer

Best Yarn and Hook Size for Amigurumi (Beginner Guide)

Updated 2026-10-20 · Written by the Craftuary team. Craftuary is our own site; the others are listed because they're good, and every fact about them was checked on their own pages.

Smooth worsted (weight 4) or DK (weight 3) yarn in cotton or acrylic is the easiest for amigurumi, used with a hook smaller than the yarn label suggests so the stitches are tight and the stuffing doesn't show. Many amigurumi patterns, including Craftuary's free ones, use a 3.5 to 4 mm hook with worsted yarn.

At a glance

Where	What's there	Best for
Craftuary hook size chartours	Metric, US and UK hook sizes side by side, the hook range for every yarn weight, and an amigurumi tip: go 0.5 to 1 mm smaller than the label.	Converting hook sizes
Craftuary free amigurumi patternsours	Free daily toy patterns; each lists its yarn weight, hook size and finished size.	Seeing the yarn and hook a real toy uses
Craftuary Academy: single crochetours	The stitch almost every toy is made of, in free looping 3D.	Practising tight, even stitches
Craft Yarn Council: yarn weight system	The standard yarn weights, 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo), with their usual hook ranges.	Understanding the weight on a label

How to start

Pick a smooth, light-coloured yarn. You need to see each stitch; fluffy and very dark yarns hide them.
Go a hook size down. If the fabric shows gaps when you stretch it, go down another half size.
Buy fibre fill and safety eyes. Plus a stitch marker and a blunt yarn needle.
Match the pattern's yarn weight. A different weight changes the toy's size, not just its look.

Checking any pattern? Paste it into the free pattern checker: it counts every round and flags a count that doesn't add up. It also works inside ChatGPT or Claude (how).

Questions

Is cotton or acrylic better for amigurumi?

Both work. Cotton shows crisp stitches and holds its shape; acrylic is softer, cheaper and comes in more colours.

Can I use chenille or blanket yarn for amigurumi?

Yes, and the toys come out very soft, but the stitches are hard to see. Use the hook the pattern gives and a marker at the start of every round.

What happens if I use a bigger hook?

The toy gets bigger and looser, and stuffing can show through the gaps.

Site and brand names are used only to identify them; Craftuary is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. Spotted something out of date? Email hello@craftuary.com.

More answers: Best Free Beginner Embroidery Patterns Online: Where to Look · Free Beginner Knitting Patterns: Dishcloths and First Projects · Free Easy Sewing Patterns for Beginners: Where to Start · See a Crochet Pattern Built in 3D, Round by Round · What Does sc2tog Mean in Crochet? Single Crochet 2 Together · What Is an Invisible Decrease in Crochet? How to Do It · What Is a Magic Ring in Crochet? The Magic Circle Explained · How to Count Crochet Stitches in the Round · Why Is My Crochet Circle Curling or Wavy? How to Fix It · How to Tell If a Crochet Pattern Is AI-Generated · How to Test a Crochet Pattern Before You Publish or Make It · Best Free Knitting Pattern Sites: Where to Look · Best Free Sewing Pattern Websites: Where to Look · Where to Find Free Cross Stitch Patterns · How to Find a Crochet Pattern From a Picture · How Many Stitches to Cast On for a Scarf (Knitting)