The Silver Hook - Amigurumi Malta

New project ready! 🙂 Beautiful colour scheme and soft feel ❤️

New project.........loading 🧶

Hello everyone! I am Sarah, the face behind 'The Silver Hook', and have been making amigurumi toys since 2019, just after COVID hit us and took away some our freedom. I am self-taught, learned from scratch, developing my skills and teaching others along the way.

Today I want to share 8 tips for amigurumi beginners. If you have been planning to try amigurumi, then these small hints are exactly what you need to make starting your first amigurumi project a little easier.

1. CHOOSE LIGHT-COLORED YARN

If you want to try amigurumi, you need yarn. For your first project choose a smooth light-colored yarn. Remember, the darker the yarn, the harder it is to count stitches.

Cotton is the best because it`s sleek and rigid. For your first project I recommend avoiding wool or any yarn with special effects (furry, tufted, glittery, etc).

2. THE BEST HOOK SIZE

Along with the yarn you need a crochet hook. In my opinion, 3 or 3.5 mm crochet hook is the best for the start. It works well with DK or worsted weight yarn which is normally recommended for amigurumi making. A too big or too small crochet hook can be complicated to work with.

KEEP IN MIND!

Always choose a crochet hook about 1 mm smaller than indicated on the yarn label. For example, if the label calls for a 4 mm crochet hook, then 3 mm will work well for amigurumi. Why? Because our goal is a tight and even surface, no gaps between the stitches.

3. TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE FIRST PATTERN

There are 2 options if choosing the pattern for your first amigurumi project:

• Use a free pattern of a well-known amigurumi designer. This is a great choice for those who want to go for freebies. You can get the touch of amigurumi without spending any money. Why a known designer? Because this gives a certain guarantee for the quality of patterns and customer support, if you should need it.

• Buy a premium pattern from a well-known designer. Usually, a premium pattern means step-by-step photos and a more detailed textual guidance which makes crocheting a pleasure. Every step is photographed, so it`s easy to compare what you`ve made with what it should look like.

4. CHECK THE PATTERN SKILL LEVEL

If choosing the pattern, don`t forget to check the skill level. You are most definitely searching for an easy or beginner. There is no point in picking an advanced pattern with loads of different stitches and confusing techniques that may easily scare you off. Make sure the first pattern you`ve chosen has

• SINGLE CROCHET ONLY

The easiest toys can be made with single crochet only. In addition to that, you`ll need the magic ring, chain stitch, and slip stitch. To keep it simple, make sure there`s no double crochet, half double crochet, or other more complicated stitches.

• ONE COLOR ONLY

If the toy is mono-colored, it means there won`t be any changing of color, and that is just perfect for a beginner. You can always choose something more challenging for the next project.

5. HOW MUCH STUFFING IS ENOUGH

If you start your first amigurumi, you`ll be amazed at how much stuffing it actually takes to fill a single toy. I´d say it takes 3 or 4 times more than you`ll expect.

MY SPECIAL TIP

Try not to stuff too hard. It`s enough if the piece is still resilient and springs back into shape after you compress it with fingers. If stuffed too much, the stitches will be torn apart and the stuffing will become noticeable.

6. YOU`LL LOVE THE STITCH MARKER

Stitch marker will probably become a very good friend of yours because in amigurumi it`s essential to mark the beginning of each round. We work in the spiral so it`s hard to understand where the rounds begin or end.

MY PERSONAL STITCH MARKER TIPS

• Let`s say you have to work 20 rounds with the same amount of stitches (no increases or decreases), change the position of a stitch marker after every 5 rounds. Why? Because this makes counting rounds so much easier. For example, you mark the first round, then work 5 rounds and change the position of the stitch marker only when starting the 6th round. If changing it every round, you`ll soon find yourself confused of which round you`re at.

• Another tip I use is when it comes to decreasing. This works in the parts where there`s a round with the decrease followed by a few rounds without any decrease. Mark the round with the decrease and work straight rounds without moving the marker. This way it`s easier to understand where the stitches have been decreased, and how many rounds you`ve worked after.

7. ALLOW YOURSELF MISTAKES

If this is your first amigurumi project, don`t be too harsh on yourself. We`ve all started from somewhere and developed the skills by time. It`s fun to learn new things from different designers and see yourself in the progress.

8. DON`T FORGET TO TAKE A PHOTO

It`s a good idea to take a photo of every amigurumi you`ve made. This helps to count how many you`ve made and see the skills developing.

Enjoy ❤️

ELENI is a lovely p***y cat ragdoll created from yarn leftovers and eager to soak in some sweet child's love and cuddles ❤️ Every amigurumi is unique, I couldn't produce an exact same one even if I tried. While working on them they somehow gain a personality...it almost feels like the story of Pinocchio where from simple wood a boy with his own personality was created.

Off to his new home. Goodbye Froggy 🐸

Work needing patience and... patience 🤭🤭

More dolls made by my students 🧸🧶 Bravi! The progress you made in 5 sessions is nothing short of amazing! Bravi! ❤️

And that's a wrap for this summer's amigurumi workshops! A big thank you to all the ladies and girls who attended. We have built nice friendships while creating magical creatures together. From that first initial stitch you ended up making dolls, bees, cats, stars and more. Big well done to all 🧸

Yarn art ⚘️there is no limit to imagination 🧶

Special commission in the making 🐱❤️🐱

Today's creation 🐸

There is no limit to imagination.... natural stone beads add that little special touch to handmade 🧵🪡

Just me and a few of my amigurumi...we are waiting for YOU 🧶🧸🐰❤️

PATOU: A cuddle soft bunny made from natural fibres, sturdy yet soft. Very happy with the outcome 🐰 by Sarah Vella Haber ❤️

Barney the starfish.....finally brought to life :)

This is what happens when you work at a project all night... 🤭😄😄

Baby rattles ❤️ completely safe without detachable pieces, can be washed and made of natural fibres.

Work in progress... but looking forward to the end result 🙂

Very few place left. BOOK NOW! 🐼🧸
Come join us for some hours of fun and learn a hobby that you can practice from anywhere
TUESDAY: 1 place left
THURSDAY: fully booked
SATURDAY: 4 places left

Today's little creation 😸 kitty key chain ❤️

❗️❗️FEW PLACES STILL AVAILABLE...
Come join us and learn this fun, relaxing hobby! You can practice it from literally anywhere, need few resources and there is no limit to all the beautiful amigurumi you can create 🌸

This is EVORA 💃 She is a beautiful, curvy diva... Evora was created in a free spirit moment resulting in this beautiful creation ❤️

Kitten got to my yarn stash 🥺 Lord grant me patience...but hurry! 🤭

What do you think this is going to become? Im almost half way through... bigger challenge than I thought it would be and still far from the end result! But little by little I'll get there... amigurumi should be relaxing after all 😊

Which one do you prefer in terms of shape? A or B?

An hour to spare, hook and yarn...and voilà... the happy key chain was created ❤️

🐸 Ribbit...ribbit... Frog Prince is waiting for his princess at the lake ❤️ Would you like to learn how to make your own amigurumi frog or other animals and dolls. Join us for one of our summer workshops 🌸 Fun guaranteed 👍