Loopy PandaHow to Read an Amigurumi Pattern
An amigurumi pattern is a list of rounds. Each line gives the round number, the stitches to work, and the stitch count at the end. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18) means: in round 3, work 1 single crochet then 1 increase, repeat that 6 times, and you should have 18 stitches. Work in a spiral and count after every round.
What you need
- The pattern, printed or on screen
- Stitch marker
- Pencil for ticking off rounds
- Yarn and the hook size given in the pattern
How to read a pattern, step by step
- Read the materials firstCheck the yarn weight, hook size, safety eye size and finished size. Using a different yarn or hook changes the size of the toy.
- Check US or UK termsIf the pattern says
sc, it uses US terms. If round 1 says “6 dc in a magic ring”, it is probably UK terms, where dc means our single crochet. See US vs UK terms. - Read the abbreviation keyMost patterns list their abbreviations at the top. Designers sometimes use their own, like
inv decfor invisible decrease. Read the key before you start. - Find the round and what to do
Rnd 5–8: sc in each st (24)means rounds 5, 6, 7 and 8 are all the same: 1 single crochet in every stitch, 24 stitches per round. That is 4 rounds. - Expand the repeatAnything in brackets followed by
x6(or between asterisks with “repeat 6 times”) is worked 6 times in a row.(sc 2, inc) x6= sc, sc, inc, six times. - Count the stitchesThe number at the end, like
(24)or[24], is your total after the round. Count before you move the stitch marker. If it is wrong, fix it now; it only gets harder later. - Follow the notes between roundsLines like “Insert safety eyes between Rnd 9 and 10, 7 sts apart” or “Stuff firmly” are instructions too. Do them at that point, before the opening gets small.
- Finish and assemble“Fasten off, leave a long tail” means cut the yarn with enough length to sew the piece on. The assembly section tells you where each part goes.
Common amigurumi abbreviations (US)
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Chinese |
|---|---|---|
Rnd / R | round | 圈 |
MR | magic ring | 环起 |
ch | chain | 锁针 |
sl st | slip stitch | 引拔针 |
sc | single crochet | 短针 (X) |
inc | increase: 2 sc in the same stitch | 加针 (V) |
dec / sc2tog | decrease: 2 stitches worked together | 减针 (A) |
inv dec | invisible decrease | 隐形减针 |
BLO / FLO | back loop only / front loop only | 后半针 / 前半针 |
st(s) | stitch(es) | 针 |
FO | fasten off | 收针 |
rep | repeat | 重复 |
Worked example: a simple head
| Pattern line | What you actually do | Count |
|---|---|---|
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6) | Make a magic ring, work 6 sc into it | 6 |
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12) | 2 sc in every stitch | 12 |
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6 (18) | sc, inc, repeated 6 times | 18 |
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x6 (24) | sc, sc, inc, repeated 6 times | 24 |
Rnd 5–9: sc in each st (24) | 5 rounds of 1 sc in every stitch | 24 |
Rnd 10: (sc 2, dec) x6 (18) | sc, sc, dec, repeated 6 times | 18 |
Rnd 11: (sc, dec) x6 (12) | sc, dec, repeated 6 times; stuff now | 12 |
Rnd 12: dec x6 (6) | Decrease 6 times, fasten off and close | 6 |
Each increase round adds 6 stitches, and the number of plain sc before each increase goes up by 1 each round. Decrease rounds do the same in reverse. Once you see this, you can check most rounds in your head.
Common mistakes
- Counting the increase as one stitch. An increase makes 2 stitches.
inc x6turns 6 stitches into 12. - Forgetting the repeat count.
(sc 2, inc) x6is 18 stitches worked, not 3. - Joining rounds by habit. Most amigurumi is worked in a continuous spiral. Only slip stitch to join if the pattern says so.
- Reading a range as one round.
Rnd 5–9is five rounds, not one.
Chart symbols on this page
Frequently asked questions
What does (sc, inc) x6 mean?
Work 1 single crochet in the next stitch, then 2 single crochet in the following stitch, and repeat that pair 6 times. It turns 12 stitches into 18.
What does the number in brackets at the end of a round mean?
It is the total number of stitches you should have after finishing that round. Count to check before you start the next round.
What does Rnd 5–10 mean?
Rounds 5 through 10 are all worked the same way. That is 6 rounds in total.
Do amigurumi patterns use US or UK terms?
Either. Most English amigurumi patterns use US terms, but check: if the pattern uses sc, it is US; if round 1 is “6 dc in a magic ring”, it is probably UK.
What does “sc in each st” mean?
Work 1 single crochet in every stitch of the round, with no increases or decreases. The stitch count stays the same.
Can I read a Chinese amigurumi pattern the same way?
Yes, the structure is the same. Only the shorthand differs: X for sc, V for inc, A for dec. See how to read Chinese crochet patterns.
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