Stop the Neck Wobble in Amigurumi made in one piece
Making amigurumi with a head and body in one piece can be an awesome shortcut! But sometimes you end up with a floppy head, or a head that is more oval than round. This is my favorite method to prevent that from happening!
Want the pattern?
Free Plush Teddy Bear Pattern
Are you wanting to make the pattern that is shown in this post? It is available here on my website!
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Stop the Head Flop
Before you begin crocheting the body/head, crochet a tube that is one stitch smaller than the opening of the head. This tube is a magic circle of 7 SC because the neck opening will be 8 SC. Then just crochet around for a total of about 10-12 rows. Fasten off and leave a long tail. This will sew the hole closed and go through the neck a few times. Put aside until you need it.
Once you have stuffed the body well and are ready to place the tube, use your hook to go through the center and push the tube through the neck opening and into the body.
Stuff the tube very, very well. Packing the stuffing as well as you can makes a big difference in the support it provides.
Sew the top of the hole closed once you are done stuffing.
Weave the yarn down until you come out right next to where the head and neck begin. Go through the neck and tube a couple of times to make sure the tube doesn’t move.
Continue crocheting as you normally would.
I like the head to be circular more than cone shaped. That is why I recommend the first round of the head be crocheted in the front loop. The neck tube also helps. Lightly pulling the stitches so that the bottom helps and then stuffing all the edges will also help.
Do you need to do the neck support for the small gingerbread?
I did use it for the gingerbread! Honestly I use it for almost everything. It helps hold the neck up but it also helps with the head shape, in my opinion
You show putting the neck strengthener in the regular teddy but not in the snuggler. The body doesn’t get stuffed so it’s different. There are no instructions for that one.
It is the same technique! I don’t do anything different, except make sure the tube doesn’t fall in. That would be the only difference, everything else I do exactly the same!
I’m trying to wrap my head around this technique. I’m not doing ami any time soon as I had a couple fingers amputated and am relearning 15 years’ worth of skill, so I can’t quickly test it, but this has me intrigued. Is the idea that the stuffing for the head will pack around the tube? Then the tube will be partially in the middle of the head and surrounded by stuffing so the head can’t move as far to the sides?
Yes! The tube sticks into the head and body just a little bit to help strengthen it and give it a good foundation. The sewing and tightening is what gives it the extra strength and also the ability to shape the head so it’s not cone shaped!
Do you think the tube is necessary for the snuggler?
Yes! It keeps the stuffing from falling down into the body!
Kali, I love everything you have to share with us, you have enabled me to crochet amigurumi after only the beginner level of Learn to Crochet. For the Neck Strengthener Tube, you’ve shown how to insert in into the body then carry on with the head. Do you use the tube when you crochet the head and body separately then attach together afterward? I am making the dragon. Thanks for everything you share!
Hi! I don’t use the tube for separate pieces. Just when they’re crocheted all in one from the bottom up or top down!
Thanks for the pattern. It’s working out beautifully. But I have a question about the snout at the end of the instructions. It says to sew it and lightly stuff it do you mean before you attach it after the head is made or are you just talking about attaching it to the head? Thank you again for the pattern. I love it.
Hi! Which pattern are you referring to? This tutorial is for a neck strengthener which I use in almost all my patterns, so I’m not sure which snout you’re looking for.
This is a game changer for me! Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t do a lot of Ami’s but now I can’t wait to try this out!
Where would I find the video for the neck strengthener I comprehend more with videos than I do with pics thanks in advance
This is a video page – you may need to check your browser to see if you’re using an ad-blocker. You can also see my YouTube channel.