Tips and Tricks for Working with Plush Yarn

I have a lot of people ask me for my top tips and tricks for working with plush yarn. Plush yarn adds a delightful, cuddly element to your amigurumi. The larger size also means that you can make decent sized projects much more quickly! (Like my famous One Hour No-Sew Plush Turtle!) There can be a learning curve and I know a lot of people hesitate to try this type of yarn. I hope that by providing some insights I have had while working with it, you may feel more confident in using this fun, squishy yarn!

Scroll down to see some tips and tricks for working with plush yarn!

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Tips and Tricks for Working With Plush Yarn

1. Practice, Practice, Practice!

The best tip that I have with plush yarn is to practice! Just like when you were learning how to crochet with worsted weight, it takes time and patience. Don’t give up!

2. Magic Circle

I have found that I need to pull my magic circle tight earlier on than I normally would when using plush yarn. Pulling it tight earlier, while leaving room for you to crochet the remaining stitches, helps with having a good first round. I also try to crochet a little more loosely than I normally would. If you are having trouble with stitches being too tight, size up a hook.

3. Counting Carefully

When you get started with this yarn, it can be hard to see and count your stitches. I find that once I have completed the first two rounds, it gets much easier to see and count stitches. You can use your fingers to feel out your stitches a little bit easier. Paying close attention to those first rounds can save a lot of headache later on!

4. The Different Types

I have found that I need to pull my magic circle tight earlier on than I normally would when using plush yarn. Pulling it tight earlier, while leaving room for you to crochet the remaining stitches, helps with having a good first round. I also try to crochet a little more loosely than I normally would. If you are having trouble with stitches being too tight, size up a hook.

5. How to Avoid the “Cone”

Something about this yarn makes it “cone up” when working in the round. Instead of a nice rounded gentle curve, you can end up with a traffic cone shape. Using 8 single crochets in a magic circle instead of the traditional 6 usually fixes this problem. Remember to size up a hook or loosen your tension if this keeps happening!

6. Sew Pieces on After Stuffing

I usually prefer to sew the face parts on (like a snout for a bear) before I stuff when using worsted weight yarn.
However, I find that this yarn stretches so much when it is stuffed that it throws off my stitches. I prefer to do everything at the end.

7. Limit the Fuzzy Fallout

The way this yarn is made, making any cut releases pieces of fuzz that is attached to the inner string. While I haven’t been able to totally avoid this, you can tie a knot at the end. I also have burned the end very quickly and that stopped it as well!