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.