How to Make Amigurumi Bigger or Smaller (Without Changing the Pattern)

The easiest way to make an amigurumi toy bigger or smaller is not to change the pattern at all. Crochet the same instructions with a thicker yarn and a bigger hook for a bigger toy, or a thinner yarn and a smaller hook for a smaller one. Every stitch gets bigger or smaller, so the whole toy scales in the same proportion. This guide shows how to do it, how to estimate the new size before you start and what to adjust: the eyes, the stuffing and the hook.

Why changing the yarn works

A pattern gives stitch counts, such as "6, 12, 18", and not centimeters. The finished size depends on how big each stitch is. A thicker yarn on a bigger hook makes bigger stitches, so the same number of stitches covers more space. Because every part of the toy is made from the same stitches, the head, the body and the limbs all grow together, and the toy keeps its shape.

How to estimate the new size

1. Make a small swatch in single crochet, or the first rounds of the toy, with the yarn and the hook you want to use, so the fabric is tight (see our guides on the hook sizes chart and gauge swatches).
2. Count how many stitches fit in 10 cm (4 in). Call this your new gauge.
3. Find the gauge of the yarn and hook the pattern was written for. The pattern often gives the yarn and hook, and sometimes the gauge. If it does not, you can test it with the yarn and hook listed.
4. Divide the old number of stitches by the new number. The result is how much bigger or smaller your toy will be, compared with the size in the pattern.
5. Multiply the size in the listing by that number to get the estimate.

Example: the pattern's yarn gives 16 stitches in 10 cm, and a thicker yarn gives 12 stitches in 10 cm. The new toy will be 16 divided by 12 = about 1.33 times bigger. A toy listed at 15 cm tall will be about 20 cm tall.

This is an estimate, not an exact figure. Tension, stuffing and the shape of the toy change the result by a little, so treat it as a guide.

Yarn and hook choices for bigger and smaller toys

These hook ranges are only starting points for toys. Always choose a hook that gives a tight fabric, so the stuffing does not show. If you can see the filling through the stitches, go down a hook size. The best choice is the one that matches your yarn, so test a swatch first.

Things to adjust when you change the size

• Eyes and noses: use larger or smaller safety eyes in proportion. If the eyes are too small on a bigger toy, the face looks blank. If they are too large on a smaller one, it looks odd. Pin them and check from a distance.
• Stuffing: a bigger toy needs more, and a small one needs less. Stuff firmly in small pieces, as described in our guide on how to stuff and assemble amigurumi.
• Wire and other inner parts: if the pattern uses wire or a rattle, check that they are the right size for the new toy.
• Tails and joins: a thicker yarn needs a bigger needle for sewing, and a thinner yarn a smaller one.
• Time and yarn: a bigger toy takes longer and needs more yarn. Check the amount before you buy.

What not to change

Do not change the number of stitches in a pattern unless you are comfortable with how the shape is built. If you add rounds to one part, the other parts will no longer match, and the toy may look out of proportion. For example, a taller head with the same-width neck will not fit the body. Scaling with the yarn keeps every part in step. If you want a toy of a very particular size, use a gauge swatch and choose the yarn that gets you closest.

Safety when you make a toy smaller or bigger

A smaller toy has smaller parts, which can be a choking hazard for babies and small children. For young children, embroider the eyes and do not use small beads, buttons or wire, and check the rules on toy safety in your country, especially if you sell what you make.

Try this on a simple toy first. Browse our crochet patterns for beginners, or download a free crochet pattern and make it in two yarns to see the difference. Our guide on the best yarn for amigurumi can help you choose.