Amigurumi (Japanese: 編みぐるみ, lit. "crocheted
or knitted stuffed
toy") is the Japanese art
of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn
creatures. The word is a compound of
the Japanese words 編み ami,
meaning "crocheted or knitted", and 包み kurumi,
literally "wrapping", as in 縫い包み nuigurumi "(sewn)
stuffed doll". Amigurumi vary
in size and there are no restrictions about size or look.While
the art of amigurumi has been known in Japan for several
decades, the craft first started appealing to the masses in
other countries, especially in the West, in 2003. By
2006, amigurumi were reported to be some of the most
popular items on Etsy,
an online craft marketplace, where they typically sold for $10
to $100.
Origins
According to the Crochet
Guild of America (CGOA), there are earlier records of
crocheted or knitted dolls made in China; early examples include
three-dimensional dolls worked in crochet.
According to Yoshihiro Matushita, there are records (dating from
1185) of analogous techniques in Japan, such as needle binding,
a fabric creation technique predating knitting and crocheting.
During the Edo
period (1603–1867), Japan traded with the Dutch and, as a
result, it is believed that knitting was introduced as a
technique. Knitting evolved with the samurai,
who were experts in creating garments and decorations for their katana and
winter wear.
During the Meiji
era (1868–1912), Japan transitioned from being a feudal
society into a more modern model. It was also during that
period that industrialization started
in the country. The educational model was changed and thousands
of students were sent abroad to learn practices from the west.
More than 3,000 westerners were hired to teach modern science,
mathematics, technology, and foreign languages in Japan.
According to Dai Watanabe, "Women were invited to teach western
needleworks during that time.".She
also identifies the first stuffed crocheted motif, Seiyo-keito-amimono-kyouju (西洋毛糸編物教授),
a twigged loquat with
a leaf and more fruit motifs, which started appearing in 1920.
Aesthetic
Cute amigurumi are the most aesthetically popular
(see kawaii and chibi for
more relevant cultural details). Amigurumi may be
used as children's toys but are generally purchased or made
solely for aesthetic purposes. Although amigurumi originated
in Japan, the craft has become popular around the world.
Technique

Step-by-step production of a basic
amigurumi using
the spiral crochet method
Amigurumi can be knitted,
though they are usually crocheted out
of yarn or
thread, using the basic techniques of crochet (such as single
crochet stitch, double crochet, and invisible decrease). Amigurumi can
be worked as one piece or, more usually, in sections which are
sewed or crocheted together. In crochet, amigurumi are
typically worked in spiral rounds to prevent "striping", a
typical feature of joining crochet rounds in a project.
Small gauge crochet
hooks or knitting
needles are typically used to achieve a tight gauge that
does not allow the stuffing to show through the fabric. Stuffing
can be standard polyester, wool, or cotton craft stuffing, but
may be improvised from other materials. Wires,
such as pipe cleaners or floral wire, may be used to make the
doll posable. Plastic pellets, glass pebbles, and even stones
may be inserted beneath the stuffing to distribute weight at the
bottom of the figure.