What is the Yarn Under Amigurumi Technique?
Let’s dive further into the world of amigurumi crochet and break down a technique called “Yarn Under Yarn Over” (YU/YO) or the “X-Stitch”.
It might sound confusing at first, but trust us, using a yarn under amigurumi techique is a game-changer when it comes to making your amigurumi creations look extra polished.
Normally when crocheting, we are doing a yarn over (YO) – wrapping the yarn over our hook to make a new loop (left image).
The Yarn Under Yarn Over technique (YU/YO) gives the single crochet a little twist. Instead of yarning over, you bring the yarn under the hook on the first part of the stitch (right image).
It’s like a secret move that tightens up your stitches and makes your amigurumi look extra neat with little x’s instead of the normal v.
Why does yarn under amigurumi matter?
Why does this matter? Well, in amigurumi, it’s all about keeping the fabric tight and even. The YU/YO technique tightens up your stitches, leaving no room for gaps. No gaps mean your stuffing stays hidden.
The X-Stitch also allows you to use a larger hook because your stitches will be tighter. We use a 3.5mm hook with Aran weight yarn and a normal single crochet, but we can use a 4mm hook with the YU method.
YU/YO looks the best with acrylic or cotton yarn as you can clearly see the little ‘x’ created with the yarn under (right image). But you can also use it with chenille or blanket yarn.
Just keep in mind that amigurumi completed with Yarn Under Yarn Over will be tighter and, therefore, smaller than working with a normal single crochet.
Here’s an example of our Marshmallow Cat using chenille yarn and a 4mm hook (left is YU, right is the standard YO).
In a nutshell, the Yarn Under Yarn Over technique is like a secret sauce for amigurumi. It tightens up your stitches, banishes those pesky gaps, and gives your creations a polished, professional look.
So, give it a whirl, practice a bit, and watch your amigurumi game level up.
Just keep in mind that not everyone loves this technique. Some people prefer the look of a standard single crochet, and some people’s brains just can’t get the shift to yarn under. That’s okay! Ultimately, it’s all about finding what works best for you.
Tip: While YU/YO is excellent for amigurumi, we don’t tend to use it for garments or any projects where you want the fabric to have a nice drape.
