Why Does My Amigurumi Have Holes and Gaps?

BeginnerTroubleshooting Updated 2026-10-28

Amigurumi shows holes when the stitches are too loose for the yarn, or when the fabric is stretched by too much stuffing. The quickest fix is a smaller hook, often 0.5–1 mm smaller than the yarn label suggests. The yarn under technique, invisible decreases, even tension and not overstuffing close most of the remaining gaps.

7 fixes, in the order to try them

Use a smaller hookGo down 0.5 mm and make a small test circle. Keep going down until you cannot see through the fabric when you stretch it gently. For worsted yarn this is often around 3.5 mm; for DK, around 2.5–3 mm.
Try yarn under instead of yarn overIn a normal single crochet you yarn over to pull up the first loop. With yarn under, you catch the yarn from underneath instead for that first loop only, then yarn over as usual to finish. The stitches come out smaller and tighter.
Use the invisible decreaseA standard decrease pulls up two full loops and often leaves a small gap. The invisible decrease works through the front loops only of two stitches, which sits flat and closes the gap.
Keep your tension evenHoles often appear in patches where your grip relaxed. Pull each loop up to the same height, and do not let the loop on the hook grow before you finish the stitch.
Do not overstuffToo much stuffing stretches the stitches apart, and white fiberfill shows through. Take a little out until the surface looks smooth. See how to stuff amigurumi.
Check your increasesAn increase worked loosely can leave a small hole at its base. Work both stitches of the increase firmly into the same stitch.
Choose a better yarnSmooth, tightly twisted cotton or acrylic yarns make firm fabric. Very soft, fluffy or loosely plied yarns are harder to crochet tightly. White stuffing also shows more through dark yarn, so dark toys need especially tight stitches.

Yarn over vs yarn under: how to tell them apart

	Yarn over (standard)	Yarn under
First loop	Hook goes over the yarn and catches it from above	Hook goes under the yarn and catches it from below
Stitch shape	V-shaped stitches	Smaller X-shaped stitches
Fabric	Softer, a little more open	Tighter, firmer, fewer gaps
Spiral lean	More visible lean	Less lean

Only the first yarn over changes. The final yarn over, which pulls through both loops, is the same in both methods. Stick to one method for a whole toy, because the stitches look different and the size can change slightly.

Where holes usually appear

Around increases. Most visible in the first few rounds. Work them firmly.
At decreases. Standard decreases leave small gaps; switch to invisible decreases.
Around safety eyes. The post can push stitches apart. Place it between stitches and use a smaller hook.
At seams. When sewing parts on, pull each stitch snug. See sewing amigurumi parts.
At the end of the piece. Close the last opening by weaving the tail through the front loops of the last round and pulling tight.

A quick test before you start a toy

Make a magic ring and three or four increase rounds. Stuff the little cup with a pinch of fiberfill and press it with your thumb. If you see stuffing between the stitches, change your hook or your yarn before starting the real toy. It takes a few minutes and can save a whole project.

Chart symbols on this page

Single crochet (sc)短针 Single crochet decrease (dec / sc2tog)短针减针

Frequently asked questions

How do I make even crochet stitches without holes?

Use a hook 0.5–1 mm smaller than the yarn label suggests, hold the yarn the same way for every stitch so the tension stays even, and pull each loop snug onto the hook. In amigurumi, try the yarn under method, use invisible decreases instead of standard ones, and stuff firmly without stretching the fabric. Crochet a few rounds as a test before you start the toy: if you can see light through the fabric, go down a hook size.

What hook size stops holes in amigurumi?

There is no single size. Start 0.5–1 mm smaller than the yarn label suggests and test. Many people use about 3.5 mm for worsted and 2.5–3 mm for DK.

Does yarn under make amigurumi smaller?

Slightly. The stitches are a little shorter and tighter, so the toy may come out a bit smaller than the pattern says.

Why can I see white stuffing through my amigurumi?

The fabric is either too loose or stretched by too much stuffing. Use a smaller hook and stuff a little less firmly.

Should I crochet amigurumi inside out?

No. Keep the right side (the side with the neat V's) facing out. Working inside out does not cause holes, but it changes how the fabric looks.

Can I fix holes after the toy is finished?

Small gaps can be closed by sewing across them with matching yarn from the outside. For large gaps, it is usually better to redo the piece with a smaller hook.