Faux Fur Yarn Amigurumi - Create Ultra-Fluffy Plushies!
Faux fur yarn transforms regular amigurumi into incredibly soft, lifelike plushies. Popular brands include Lion Brand Go For Faux, Paintbox Faux Fur, and Bernat Pipsqueak. When crocheted, the long fibers fluff out to create a furry surface that looks and feels like a real stuffed animal.
Why Use Faux Fur for Amigurumi?
- Creates incredibly realistic stuffed animals - bears, cats, dogs, bunnies
- Hides stitches completely - perfect if your tension is inconsistent
- Extremely popular on Etsy - fluffy amigurumi consistently outperforms regular yarn
- Children love the tactile softness
The Main Challenge - You Cannot See the Stitches
The fur covers everything. Solutions:
- Work in extremely good lighting
- Feel for the stitch holes with your hook tip rather than looking
- Use a slightly larger hook than recommended - easier to find stitch holes
- Work slowly and use stitch markers religiously
Step-by-Step: Working with Faux Fur Yarn
- Wind the yarn loosely - never wind tight or fibers get crushed
- Start with the magic ring as normal
- Insert hook by feeling for the v-shaped stitch hole
- Work single crochet throughout for dense closed fabric
- After each round, brush fibers outward with a pet slicker brush
- Stuff very firmly - faux fur amigurumi needs extra stuffing to hold shape
The Brushing Technique - The Secret to Professional Results
Use a metal pet slicker brush or fine-toothed comb. Gently brush outward from the base of each stitch to pull fibers free. Brush after every 3-4 rounds while working, and again on the finished piece. This single step transforms a flat-looking piece into a fluffy plushie.
Hook Size Guide
| Faux Fur Weight | Recommended Hook |
|---|---|
| Light/DK carrier | 3.5-4.0mm |
| Worsted carrier | 4.5-5.0mm |
| Bulky carrier | 5.5-6.0mm |
Combining Faux Fur with Regular Yarn
Crochet the body and main parts in faux fur, use regular amigurumi yarn for small details like muzzles, inner ears, and facial features. This gives you the fluffy effect where it counts while keeping fine details crisp.
Fluffy Patterns to Try
Many patterns in our 50+ No-Sew Bundle adapt perfectly to faux fur - bears, cats, and bunnies especially.
FAQ
Can I use any amigurumi pattern with faux fur yarn?
Most patterns adapt well. Avoid patterns with lots of color work - the fur hides everything. Simple sphere shapes work best.
My faux fur amigurumi looks messy - how to fix?
Brush thoroughly with a pet slicker brush in all directions, then outward from center. Most messy pieces transform completely with proper brushing.
Is faux fur yarn safe for children?
Most are polyester and non-toxic. Long fibers can shed, so not recommended for children under 3.
How do I fasten off with faux fur yarn?
Same as regular yarn - cut tail, pull through last loop. The fibers naturally hide the tail.
Where can I buy faux fur yarn?
Craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Jo-Ann), Amazon, online yarn shops. Search for teddy yarn or plush yarn for similar effects.
