Tips For Using Beginner Yarn
Are your amigurumi projects using beginner or tube-style yarn, turning out really small or filled with gaps? Many of the tips or tricks you’ll find for improving your amigurumi aren’t suited for beginner yarn in the same way.
Characteristics of Beginner Yarn
Beginner yarn, often referred to as tube yarn, is an excellent choice for those new to crocheting. This type of yarn is typically made from breathable, tubular materials that naturally resist fraying, making it easier to handle, especially for those still mastering stitch techniques. Its structure lends itself to creating clearly defined stitches, and its thickness results in faster project completion as it requires fewer stitches to achieve the same surface area as finer yarns. However, this yarn type doesn’t rebound as well from stretching, which can result in gaps in finished projects.
Many of the tips and tricks you may find to help reduce these gaps don’t have the same effect when using beginner yarn. The following are overviews of some methods and tools suggested for amigurumi projects and how they may impact a piece completed with beginner yarn.
Yarn Over vs Yarn Under
When crocheting amigurumi, using yarn over versus yarn under can significantly impact the appearance and texture of the finished piece.
Yarn over is the more traditional method, where the yarn is looped over the hook before pulling it through. This results in looser, wider stitches that are more elastic and create a softer texture, ideal for a plush, cuddly amigurumi.
Yarn under involves wrapping the yarn under the hook, resulting in tighter, more compact stitches. This method yields a firmer fabric with more defined stitch structures, which can be beneficial for creating detailed features or a more stable structure in your amigurumi. However, using yarn under often requires careful tension control to prevent the fabric from becoming too stiff and uncomfortable to work with.
The effects of using yarn under with beginner yarn include:
Stitches look like X’s on the outside of the piece (compared to V’s with yarn over).
A smaller finished piece.
A narrower piece, which may cause eyes to appear too close together and may affect how embroidery looks.
Gaps may still appear in your piece without proper tension control.
Experiencing pain or cramping due to the tighter stitches.
Yarn under is not recommended for use with beginner yarn, unless the pattern states its use. If you do choose to use yarn under, I suggest using 8 or 9mm safety eyes instead of 10mm, or sizing down from what’s used in the pattern.
Hook Size
Most amigurumi patterns will suggest using at least a hook size smaller than the recommendation on the yarn to help prevent gaps. However, similarly to using yarn under, reducing your hook size with beginner yarn will reduce the size of your piece without completely removing gaps.
Due to the characteristics of beginner yarn, I suggest always using a 4mm hook (or the yarn’s recommendation). If your tension is very tight, you might even want to go up a hook size to prevent the piece from being too small, but this may not result in fewer gaps as you’re still stretching the yarn.
Tension
The best way to reduce gaps and maintain the size and softness of amigurumi with beginner yarn is to find a comfortable and relaxed tension. In general, beginners tend to have tight stitches, but with beginner yarn it’s important to loosen up to not stretch the yarn.
TLDR
Due to the unique characteristics of beginner yarn—that make it great for those just starting to crochet—many recommendations and techniques for amigurumi in other yarn types may not have the same results. When using beginner yarn, I suggest:
Yarn over
4mm hook (or the yarn’s recommendation)
Relaxing your tension
Always following the guidance of the pattern; if it recommends a different hook size or using yarn under, do it! You’ll get the best results by following a pattern as it’s written.
Add your own recommendations in the comments below!
