Amigurumi means “knitted or crocheted doll” in Japanese. They're the simplest of simple, worked in the round in single crochet. I don't even join my rounds, preferring to work in a spiral. The thing I love most about amigurumi is that their interest lies entirely in your imagination. There's no clever design detail to woo your keen eye. No lovely stitch pattern to make you go “ah.” Just rounds of single crochet. The fun comes in the shapes you make, the colours you pick, and the embellishments you add on after the fact.

To illustrate, check out the banner photo up there. Each Crochet me designer used the exact same pattern. So, my point has been made, no? We can't wait to see what you'll create. Share photos of your own Amigurumi Dudes on the Flickr group.

Edited to add: Use common sense when making toys for young kids. 

• Yarn and a complementary hook
• Polyfil for stuffing
• Beans (optional, for weighing down legless dudes)
• Yarn needle for finishing
• Embroidery needle (optional, for fitting through small holes in eyes and/or buttons)
• Embellishments, as desired

Variable. This pattern calls for a pretty enormous head. Mine (the purple dude with the headband) was worked in Lion Brand Chunky yarn with a 5.0mm hook, and the head measures 4" in diameter and a whopping 14" in circumference. (This is the same size as an infant's head.) Adjust yarn weight and hook size according to your whim.

Gauge is unimportant. Your stitches should be tight enough that stuffing won't poke through.

Head

Start with an adjustable loop.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into loop (join or do not join -- it's your call); tighten the loop.

Round 2: Increase 6 times by working 2 sc in each stitch around – 12 sc.

Round 3: Again, increase 6 times evenly by working *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around – 18 sc.

Continue to increase 6 times evenly in each round so that your total number of stitches is:

Round 4: 24 sc

Round 5: 30 sc

Round 6: 36 sc

Round 7: 42 sc

Round 8: 48 sc

Round 9: 54 sc

Stop increasing, and work as follows:

Rounds 10-13: Sc in each stitch around – 54 sc.

Round 14: Decrease 6 times evenly, a follows: *Work 2 sc together, sc in each of the next 7 sts.* Repeat from * to * around – 48 sc.

Continue to decrease 6 times evenly in each round so your total number of stitches is:

Round 15: 42 sc

Round 16: 36 sc

Round 17: 30 sc

Round 18: 24 sc

Round 19: 18 sc

Sl st in next stitch; fasten off, leaving a 12" tail.

Body

Start with an adjustable loop.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into loop (join or do not join -- it's your call); tighten the loop.

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around – 12 sc.

Continue to increase 6 times evenly in each round so that your total number of stitches is:

Round 3: 18 sc

Round 4: 24 sc

Round 5: 30 sc

Rounds 6-14: Sc in each stitch around – 30 sc.

Round 15: Decrease 6 times evenly, as follows: *Work 2 sc together, sc in each of the next 3 sts.* Repeat from * to * around – 24 sc.

Rounds 16-17: Sc in each stitch around - 24 sc.

Round 18: Decrease 6 times evenly, as follows: *Work 2 sc together, sc in each of the next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * around - 18 sc.

Sl st in next stitch; fasten off.

Legs (make 2)

Start with an adjustable loop.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into loop; tighten the loop.

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around - 12 sc.

Round 3: Increase 4 times evenly, as follows: *Sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around - 16 sc.

Rounds 4-12: Sc in each stitch around - 16 sc.

Round 13: Decrease 4 times evenly, as follows: *Work 2 sc together, sc in each of the next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * around - 12 sc.

Sl st in next stitch; fasten off, leaving a 10" tail.

Arms (make 2)

Start with an adjustable loop

Round 1: Work 6 sc into loop; tighten the loop.

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around - 12 sc.

Round 3: Increase 4 times evenly, as follows: *Sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around - 16 sc.

Rounds 4-10: Sc in each stitch around - 16 sc

Round 11: Decrease 4 times evenly, as follows: *Work 2 sc together, sc in each of the next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * around - 12 sc.

Sl st in next stitch; fasten off, leaving a 10 " tail.

Finishing

Using Polyfil, stuff each piece. When you think you're done, stuff some more, but don't overstuff (that's not as complicated as it sounds – use your best judgment). Line up the slip stitches of the head and the body, and using the long tail from the head, sew the head to the body using whip stitch – insert your needle through both loops of the head stitch, then both loops of the body stitch, and repeat. Using the long tails, sew on the arms and legs. Sew on the face.