Where there’s wool, there’s a way

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As the days get colder and one doesn’t want to see the world outside their blankets, “amigurumi” can provide the ideal escape. This Japanese art of crochet is fast becoming popular among youngsters who find comfort in wool and needles. The word “amigurumi” is derived from the Japanese word “ami” which means crocheted or knitted and “nuigurumi” which means a stuffed doll.

Typically, they constitute of stuffed toys but the craft can be extended to other forms such as bags, accessories and much more.
Amigurumi is done using crochet hooks or knitting needles and the stuffing is mostly of polyester or standard cotton craft stuffing. It is usually worked in sections and then joined, depending on the pattern one is working on. Almost all parts of amigurumi are formed by crocheting around a circle. Shikha Mahadev, a marketing professional, who has been pursuing this hobby for over three years now, says, “The key appeal of amigurumi is the cuteness of the stuffed animals you make. It’s advisable to follow a pictorial pattern but eventually it becomes a challenge as the end product sometimes doesn’t look like the prototype. But it’s a lot of fun nonetheless. You can improvise as you go along and create something absolutely new.” Although it looks complicated, amigurumi is a lot more forgiving than traditional knitting. Abira Sethi, another amigurumi aficionado, says, “I started a few months ago and got hooked it. The best part about this craft is that if you lose count of your stitches and are off by a stitch or two, it’s alright as long as your basic circle is in place.”
Shikha found a lot of amigurumi followers once she started showing her co-workers her creations. “I keep getting orders now even from people I don’t know. I already delivered a bunch of orders for Christmas and New Years. I am thinking of starting a Facebook page now and making it a small business of my own. I am even getting offers to teach at craft schools,” she says.