How to Crochet an Amigurumi Head Step by Step (Beginner Guide)

 

The head is where most of the character comes through, so it's worth taking your time on this part. Here's how to build it up from a magic ring into a full rounded shape.

Starting With a Magic Ring

Every amigurumi piece starts the same way: with a magic ring (also called a magic circle). This lets you crochet your first round of stitches into a loop and then pull it tight afterward, which avoids the small hole you'd otherwise get from chaining and joining. Work six single crochet stitches into your magic ring, then pull the tail to close it up.

Building the Round Shape

From here, the head grows through a series of increase rounds. An increase simply means crocheting two stitches into the same stitch, which adds width. You'll typically increase in every stitch for the first couple of rounds, then start spacing the increases out (for example, one plain stitch followed by an increase, repeated around) as the circle gets bigger. This gradual increase pattern is what turns a flat circle into a rounded sphere shape instead of a flat pancake.

Once the head reaches its widest point, you crochet several rounds with no increases or decreases at all. This is what gives the head its height and roundness rather than it just being a flat disc.

Shaping and Closing

To close the head back up, you reverse the process with decrease rounds, spacing them out at first and then decreasing in every stitch as the opening gets smaller. Stuff the head firmly before you close it completely, packing the stuffing in evenly so there are no lumps or soft spots. Firm stuffing is what gives the finished doll a nice solid feel rather than a floppy one.

Shaping the Ears

Hello Kitty's ears are worked as small triangular shapes, usually made separately and then sewn on, or worked directly onto the head depending on the pattern style. They're small, so a few rounds of increases followed by a few rounds worked straight is usually enough to get the right shape. Position them toward the top of the head, slightly angled outward, rather than straight up, since that's what gives the silhouette its recognizable shape.

Once your head piece is stuffed and shaped, set it aside. In the next part, we'll move on to the body.

👉 Following written instructions works, but watching each round crocheted step by step makes shaping so much easier. The full video tutorial is available for $2.99. Get it here.