There's nothing more disappointing than stuffing a cute amigurumi and watching the filling peek through the stitches. Holes and gaps are a classic beginner issue — and the fix is usually one simple change.
The main causes of holes in amigurumi
1. Your hook is too big for the yarn
This is the number-one cause. Amigurumi needs a much tighter fabric than a garment, so you use a hook smaller than the yarn label suggests — usually 2.5–4.0 mm with DK or worsted yarn. A large hook leaves gaps the stuffing pushes through. See our yarn & hook size guide for the right pairing.
2. Your tension is too loose
Even with the right hook, loose tension creates open stitches. Hold your yarn a little firmer and keep each stitch snug and consistent.
3. You're not working in continuous rounds
Amigurumi is usually worked in a continuous spiral, not joined rounds. Joining each round with a slip stitch and chain can leave a visible seam and gaps. Use a stitch marker to track the start of each round instead.
4. Your magic ring isn't pulled tight
A loose magic ring leaves a hole right at the start. Pull the tail firmly to close the centre completely before you continue, and weave the tail in securely.
5. Gaps appear at colour changes or decreases
Standard decreases can leave little holes. Switch to the invisible decrease (invdec), which works into the front loops only and closes the gap. For colour changes, complete the last yarn-over of the previous stitch in the new colour for a clean join. Our increases & decreases guide shows how.
Quick fixes at a glance
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Stuffing shows all over | Drop down 1–2 hook sizes; tighten tension |
| Hole in the centre start | Pull the magic ring fully closed |
| Gaps at decreases | Use the invisible decrease (invdec) |
| Seam/gap up one side | Work in continuous spiral rounds, not joined rounds |
| Holes at colour changes | Change colour on the final yarn-over of the previous stitch |
The golden rule of amigurumi tension
If you remember one thing: amigurumi fabric should feel firm, like a tight knit, with no daylight between stitches. Hold a finished piece up to the light — if you can see through it, go down a hook size and try again. A denser fabric also holds its shape better and looks far more professional.
Make a gap-free toy
Every design in our amigurumi collection lists the exact hook size for a tight, neat finish — and our free patterns are a great place to practise.
Shop amigurumi patterns →Frequently asked questions
Why does my amigurumi have holes?
The fabric is too loose, almost always because the hook is too big for the yarn. Drop down one or two hook sizes to make a tight, dense fabric so the stuffing stays hidden.
What hook size stops stuffing showing through?
Use a hook one to two sizes smaller than the yarn label recommends, usually 2.5–4.0 mm for DK or worsted yarn.
How do I close the hole in the middle of my amigurumi?
Pull the magic ring tail firmly to fully close the centre before continuing, then weave the tail in securely.
How do I stop gaps at decreases?
Use the invisible decrease (invdec), which works into the front loops only of the next two stitches and closes the gap neatly.
Tight, even stitches are the secret to beautiful amigurumi — and they come quickly with practice. Want to check your tension? Try our free gauge calculator, or read our best yarn for amigurumi guide.
