How to Use Surface Crochet on Amigurumi

Surface crochet is one of those techniques that you’ve probably heard of, but never looked too closely at. You typically see it used to decorate flat projects like bags and blankets. However, this hidden gem of a technique is amazing for amigurumi too! From simple decorations to an alternative to sewing, you’ll want to check it out. In this tutorial I’ll walk you through how to use surface crochet on amigurumi.

How to Use Surface Crochet on Amigurumi

What is surface crochet?

Like the name suggests, this technique involves crocheting on the surface of a piece. It can be used to decorate a project or form the base from which you can work off of. And while the surface slip stitch and surface single crochet are the most common, technically, you can use almost any basic stitch.

For example, in my Sugar Bee pattern, you use surface slip stitches to create the black rings around the bee’s body.

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How do you work surface crochet?

For the purpose of this tutorial, I’ll be talking about surface single crochet, but the same starting method is used for any surface stitches (i.e. surface slip stitch, surface half double crochet, etc…)

1. Create a slip knot. Remove the slip knot from your hook.
2. Insert your hook either between the stitches (if you’re working horizontally) or between the rows (if you’re working vertically).
3. Place the slip knot back on your hook and pull it through.
4. Ch 1 to secure.
5. Insert your hook back into your project (in the direction you’re working).
6. Yarn over and pull up a loop.
7. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook.
8. Repeat Steps 5-7 as many times as directed by the pattern or for as long as you want the design to be.

If you want to see this technique in action and see how to work both horizontally and vertically, check out this quick video tutorial:

Why should I use surface stitches with amigurumi?

Great question! The first and simplest reason is that it’s a super easy way to add decoration to your amigurumi. Not only can you add color by creating stripes or other designs, but the slightly raised stitches will also give your project a cool new texture. You don’t even have to work in straight lines!

But that’s not even the coolest thing you can do with this technique.

When you use surface stitches, you’re essentially creating a foundation row on top of your project. That means you can build off it like a regular flat panel or even work in the round. No pinning pieces in place and even better, no sewing!

You might be wondering what that could look like.

Well, here’s a sneak peak of a new pattern coming very soon that uses this very technique.

In this instance, the fin along the back is started with surface stitches and then worked like a regular flat piece. But the options here are limitless. You could crochet on entire limbs using this as a base!

However, the one downside to this is the fact that it can be a bit awkward depending on your project. Having to rotate a whole body every round just to crochet an arm for example is a bit more unwieldy than working on the limb by itself.

Either way, I think the options available with this technique far outweigh the awkwardness. Just think, you could attach all sorts of things like fins, wings, limbs, ears, etc…

Wrap Up

When it comes to amigurumi there’s so many different ways to create an adorable project and having a wide range of techniques in your pocket can help a ton. So whether you’d rather avoid sewing, want to add some decoration, or just want to try something new, I highly recommend giving surface stitches a try.

If you liked this article, be sure to save it for later and share it with your friends! What are your thoughts on surface stitches? Share in the comments below!

Happy Stitching!