How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Learn All the Basic Stitches and Make your First Amigurumi!

If you have ever wanted to learn how to crochet, or want to try your hand at making an amigurumi, this extensive step-by-step tutorial is for you!

Work with me to make your very first amigurumi, while learning all of the basic stitches you’ll need to make amigurumi’s in the future. You’ll learn: double magic ring, single crochet, increase, invisible decrease, fasten off, weaving in ends, slipknot, slipstitch, chain, front/back loops only, picot, applying safety eyes, basic embroidery, and attaching pieces together.

A comprehensive tutorial for the new crocheter. LET’S CROCHET!

Dinosaur Crochet Amigurumi

Materials Needed:

Crochet Hook: Size 3.5mm (E)
Two Yarn Colors: 4 ply, worsted weight
(I used Red Heart Supersaver, but you can use whatever cotton or acrylic yarn you have on hand!)
Needles: (1) Yarn, (1) Embroidery
Embroidery Floss: Black
Stuffing
Scissors
Safety Eyes: 5mm
Stitch Market or Piece of Scrap Yarn

Abbreviations:

Double Magic Ring – dmr
Single Crochet – sc
Increase – inc
Invisible Decrease – invdec
Chain – ch
Slipknot – sl knot
Slipstitch – slst
Front Loops Only – FLO
Back Loops Only – BLO
Picot – picot
Fasten Off – FO

Watch Full Step-by-Step Tutorial on Ink & Stitches YouTube!

Watch Full Step-by-Step Tutorial for Left-Handed Crocheters on Ink & Stitches YouTube!

Body:

R1: 6sc in dmr – 6
R2: inc around – 12
R3: (sc, inc) around – 18
R4: (2sc, inc) around – 24
R5: sc around – 24
R6: (3sc, inc) around – 30
R7: sc around – 30
R8: (5sc, inc) around – 35
R9-11: sc around – 35
R12: (5sc, invdec) around – 30
R13: (sc, invdec) around – 20
R14: Working in BLO (3sc, invdec) around – 16
Attach Safety Eyes and Embroider Mouth Details (see video tutorial 30:52 to follow along).
R15: (2sc, invdec) around – 12
Begin Stuffing
R16: (sc, invdec) around – 8
Finish Stuffing
slst in next, FO, weave in end to close gap.