Amigurumi Yarn Calculator

The amigurumi yarn calculator estimates how much yarn a crocheted toy needs. Enter the finished height and yarn weight, and it returns the yards and meters, sized for the dense single crochet that gives amigurumi its firm, stuffing-holding fabric.

How the amigurumi yarn calculator works

Amigurumi is worked in tight single crochet so the stuffing does not show, which uses more yarn per inch than a loose fabric. Because a toy grows in every direction as it gets taller, yarn use rises with roughly the square of the height. The amigurumi yarn calculator multiplies the square of your finished height by a factor for your yarn weight to estimate total yardage.

That squared relationship is why a toy twice as tall needs about four times the yarn, not twice as much. The estimate assumes a typical rounded shape crocheted at amigurumi tension; very slim or very chunky designs will use a little less or more. Thicker yarns cover more surface per yard, but they also make a bigger toy, so the weight factor accounts for both.

Worked example

Take a classic 6 inch amigurumi in worsted-weight cotton. Squaring the height gives 36, and the worsted factor is about 3.6, so the estimate is 36 times 3.6, or roughly 130 yards.

Scale the same design up to 10 inches and the square becomes 100, giving about 360 yards – nearly three times the yarn for a toy that is under twice as tall. That squared jump is the single most useful thing to remember when planning a larger amigurumi.

Getting the most from the amigurumi yarn calculator

Crochet amigurumi with a hook one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stitches stay tight. Cotton and cotton blends are popular because they hold their shape and show stitch definition. The Craft Yarn Council weight system lists the label hook size, and you simply drop below it for amigurumi.

The figure here is a planning estimate, not an exact count, because shape, stuffing density, and your personal tension all shift the total. When several colors are involved, split the estimate across them by rough surface area, and always keep a little extra of the main color. For a broad primer on the technique, this overview of amigurumi is a good starting point.

Related calculators: All craft calculators · Crochet Yarn Calculator · Crochet Hook Size Conversion

Frequently asked questions

How much yarn does an amigurumi need?

A small 6 inch toy in worsted-weight yarn takes roughly 130 yards, while a larger 10 inch figure can need around 360 yards. Enter your finished height above for an estimate tuned to your size and yarn weight.

Why does yarn use grow so fast with size?

Because a toy expands in every direction at once. Yarn use rises with about the square of the height, so doubling the height roughly quadruples the yardage rather than just doubling it.

What yarn weight is best for amigurumi?

Worsted-weight cotton is the most popular choice because it holds its shape and shows crisp stitches. DK and sport weights make smaller, more detailed toys, while bulky yarn makes large, quick ones.

What hook size should I use?

Go one or two sizes smaller than the yarn label recommends. A tighter gauge keeps the stitches close so the polyester stuffing stays hidden, which is the signature look of amigurumi.

How accurate is the estimate?

It is a solid planning figure, not an exact count. Stuffing density, stitch tension, and the shape of the toy all affect the real total, so buy a little more than the estimate, especially for the main color.