Amigurumi projects are cute and fun to make, but if you don't know how to crochet, you need to learn the basics.

In this instructable, I will show you How To:

read a pattern,
select yarn and understand the labels
select the right crochet hook (conversion chart included) and,
complete many of the basic stitches required to make your own project.
and more.

All stitches shown, have been broken down into easy to follow steps; with both written instructions and photos.

And when you're ready to make your first Amigurumi project, please check out my Pin Cushion 'ible, which will help you learn to make a simple head, body, arms and legs!

If you like this instructable, and would like to see something added, let me know!

Step 1: Crochet: Tools & Materials

Crochet Hook (size should be listed on your project pattern). Each crochet hook is labeled with a letter and/or the size in mm's. Refer to the conversion chart (photo 2) for more information.

Yarn (The type/size of yarn should be listed on your project pattern).

Refer to photo's 3, 4 & 5 for more information about yarn labels.

Small safety pin or stitch marker

When crocheting in rounds, your project will grow more like a spiral, and it can be difficult to see where a round starts and ends. By using a safety pin, you can mark the first stitch of each round to keep track of where you start and finish each round.

100% Polyester Fiber Fill

In most cases, you will need to stuff your Amigurumi Crochet project after its been completed. 100% Polyester fiber fill is the best material to use, as it does not retain water when you need to wash and dry your project.

Yarn Needle

After crocheting your project, you'll have loose yarn ends that need to be woven (hidden) into your stitches to prevent your project from falling apart. A yarn needle is therefore needed. It has a larger eye (where the yarn gets threaded into), and the end is usually rounded instead of sharp and pointed like a traditional sewing needle.

Step 2: Crochet: Slip Knot, Chain Stitch, Terms & Abbreviations

Most crochet projects will either begin with a slip knot and chain stitching, or will use an adjustable "Magic Ring" (click text link for instructions on how to make a Magic Ring).

How to Make a Slip Knot (refer to photo 1):

Step 1: Arrange the yarn like shown (so that it resembles a pretzel). :)

Step 2: Pick up the yarn like shown.

Step 3: Pull tight to complete the Slip knot (like shown).

How to Make a Chain Stitch (refer to photo 2):

Step 1: Begin with a Slip Knot

Step 2: Pick up the yarn (from the ball), like shown.

Step 3: Pull the yarn through the loop on the crochet hook.

That's all there is to creating a chain stitch. Repeat Steps 2 - 3 for the number of chain stitches your pattern indicates.

Crochet Terms & Abbreviations:

Refer to image 3 for the Basic Terms and Abbreviations used in Crochet Patterns (in alphabetical order).

Step 3: Crochet Stitches: Single, Increase, Decrease

^{Unless otherwise stated (in your pattern), when you put your crochet hook into a stitch, you are doing so under BOTH loops.}

How to Single Crochet, sc (refer to image 1)

Step 1: Put the hook into first stitch, like shown.

Step 2: Draw the yarn (from the long end to the ball), like shown.

Step 3: Pull the yarn through the first stitch, like shown (2 stitches remain on hook).

Step 4: Yarn over (pull a loop of yarn from above), like shown.

Step 5: Pull the yarn through both loops on the crochet hook, like shown.

You have created ONE single crochet.

How to Single Crochet Increase, sc inc

To single crochet increase, create 2 single crochets (one after another), in the same stitch.

How to Single Crochet Decrease, sc dec (refer to image 2)

Step 1: Beginning just like a single crochet, put the hook into the first stitch, like shown.

Step 2: Pull a loop of yarn through the hole, like shown (2 loops remain on hook).

Step 3: Put hook into next stitch, like shown.

Step 4: Pull a loop of yarn through the hole, like shown (3 loops remain on hook).

Step 5: Pull a loop of yarn (yarn over), through the 3 loops on the hook, like shown.

This creates a decrease, as you've used up 2 stitches and are left with one.

Step 4: Crochet Stitches: Double Crochet

^{Unless otherwise stated (in your pattern), when you put your hook into a stitch, you are doing so under BOTH loops.}

How to Double Crochet, dc (refer to image)

Step 1: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 2: Put the hook into stitch (indicated in your pattern), like shown.

Step 3: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 4: Pull yarn through the first stitch (3 stitches remain on the hook), like shown.

Step 5: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through 2 loops on the hook, like shown (2 stitches will remain on hook).

Step 7: Draw the yarn again, (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 8: Pull the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook, like shown. One loop will remain on the hook.

You have now completed ONE, Double Crochet stitch.

Step 5: Crochet Stitches: Half Double Crochet

^{Unless otherwise stated (in your pattern), when you put your hook into a stitch, you are doing so under BOTH loops.}

How to Half Double Crochet, hdc (refer to image)

Step 1: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 2: Put the hook into stitch (indicated in your pattern), like shown.

Step 3: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 4: Pull yarn through the first stitch (3 stitches remain on the hook), like shown.

Step 5: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, like shown (1 stitch will remain on hook).

You have now completed ONE, Half Double Crochet stitch.

Step 6: Crochet Stitches: Triple Crochet

^{Unless otherwise stated (in your pattern), when you put your hook into a stitch, you are doing so under BOTH loops.}

How to Triple Crochet, tr (refer to image)

Step 1: Draw the yarn, twice (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 2: Put the hook into the stitch (indicated in your pattern), like shown.

Step 3: Draw the yarn (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 4: Pull the yarn through the first stitch (4 loops remain on the hook), like shown.

Step 5: Draw the yarn again, (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 6: Pull the yarn through 2 loops on your hook, like shown (3 loops remain on hook).

Step 7: Draw the yarn again, (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 8: Pull the yarn through 2 loops on your hook, like shown (2 loops remain on hook).

Step 9: Draw the yarn one last time, (from the long end leading to the ball), like shown.

Step 10: Pull the yarn through the remaining 2 loops on your hook, like shown. One loop remains on the hook.

You have now completed ONE, Triple Crochet stitch.

If you like this instructable and/or want to see a tutorial for other crochet stitches, let me know in the comments.