Open any amigurumi pattern and you will find one of two yarns in the materials list: a crisp cotton blend like YarnArt Jeans, or a plush velvet like Himalaya Dolphin Baby. They make completely different toys.
One gives you neat, defined stitches and a toy that holds its shape for years. The other gives you a squishy, huggable plushie in half the time. Neither is better. The right one depends on what you want to make and how long you have been crocheting.
The two favourites
For crisp, detailed toys
YarnArt Jeans Plus
KES 800 a ball
A matte cotton blend that is firm enough to hold a stuffed shape. Stitches are clean and even, colours are flat and true, and small details such as fingers, ears and embroidered faces come out sharp.
55% cotton, 45% acrylic · 160 m per 100 g
See Jeans Plus
For soft, squishy plushies
Himalaya Dolphin Baby
KES 700 a ball
The velvet chenille behind the plush toys you see all over social media. The thick, soft pile hides small mistakes and works up fast, so a toy that takes a week in cotton can be finished in a weekend.
Velvet chenille · OEKO-TEX Standard 100
See Dolphin BabySide by side
| Jeans Plus | Dolphin Baby | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Neat and defined | Plush and velvety |
| Seeing your stitches | Easy | Hard, you work by feel |
| Speed | Steady | Fast |
| Undoing mistakes | Easy | Tricky, the pile can shed |
| Best first project | Yes | Better as your second |
Our advice
Make your first toy in Jeans Plus, where you can see and count every stitch. Once increases and decreases feel natural, move to Dolphin Baby and enjoy how quickly a plushie comes together.
Every toy starts with a magic circle
It is the first step in almost every amigurumi pattern, and the one beginners find hardest. DMC shows it clearly in two minutes.
Video: DMC
Tips that save a toy
Use a hook smaller than the ball band suggests. Tight stitches stop the stuffing showing through.
Mark the first stitch of every round. With velvet yarn you cannot count by eye.
For a baby, stitch the eyes on with yarn. Safety eyes are not meant for children under three.
Pick your colours in person
Bring your pattern to our shop on the 1st floor of Sarit Centre and we will match the shades and the hook size for you.
Shop all yarnOr call us on +254 798 316860
Prices correct at the time of writing. Shades sell quickly, so check the product page for current stock.
