Introduction

Amigurumi, the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed toys, has gained popularity in recent years. One of the key factors that make these adorable toys unique is their hair. Designing and crafting hair for your amigurumi can be as fun and creative as you want it to be. In this article, we will explore three ways to make amigurumi hair, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced amigurumi artist.

Method 1: Loop stitch hair

The loop stitch method creates a full head of hair that looks like curls or loose waves. This technique takes some practice but is worth the effort once you get the hang of it.

1. Choose your yarn: Choose a yarn that complements your amigurumi character’s overall appearance. For thicker hair, opt for bulky yarns; for finer hair, select thinner yarns.

2. Create the loops: Begin by sewing or surface single crocheting the pieces of yarn onto the head. In each stitch, form a loop by pulling up a long loop and completing the single crochet around it.

3. Trim the loops: Cut through each loop to create individual strands of hair and carefully trim them to desired length.

4. Style as needed: Comb or finger-style the hair into place, depending on your desired look.

Method 2: Traditional doll-style hair

The traditional doll-style method allows for more precise styling and works best with straight hairstyles.

1. Choose your yarn: Select yarn similar to your character’s hair color and thickness.

2. Cut strands: Cut many strands of equal length – 2-3 times longer than you want the final hairstyle to be.

3. Attach strands: Fold a strand in half and use a crochet hook to pull it through a stitch on your amigurumi head. Pull the two loose ends through the loop to form a tight knot.

4. Repeat and style: Continue attaching strands until you achieve your desired hair coverage. Trim and style the hair as desired.

Method 3: Hair wefts

Hair wefts involve creating a long, continuous length of yarn ‘hair’, which is applied to the amigurumi head in layers.

1. Choose your yarn: Pick an appropriate yarn for your character’s hair.

2. Create wefts: Chain a row of crochet stitches as long as you want the hair to be, leaving a tail at both ends. Next, single crochet back along the chain, working through only one side of the chain.

3. Attach wefts: Starting at the nape of the neck, sew each weft onto your amigurumi head in layers, working upward toward the crown.

4. Style and trim: Once all layers are attached, style and trim the hair as desired.

Conclusion

Creating amigurumi hair is an exciting way to personalize your handcrafted toys, making them unique and full of character. Experiment with these three methods or even combine them to create extraordinary hairstyles that will bring your amigurumi creations to life. Happy crafting!