If you've ever finished crocheting a cute little amigurumi only to wonder "what on earth do I stuff this with?" — you're not alone. Stuffing might seem like an afterthought, but it makes a huge difference to the final look, feel, and longevity of your finished piece. Here's a rundown of the most common options, and what we reach for here at Stitch Kit.
The Main Types of Amigurumi Stuffing
1. Polyester Fibrefill
The most widely used stuffing for amigurumi, and for good reason. It's lightweight, washable, hypoallergenic, and holds its shape well over time. You'll find it in most craft shops and it comes in large bags for great value.
Best for: Most amigurumi projects, especially toys intended for children.
Watch out for: Overstuffing can cause lumps and make stitches gape — fill gradually and check as you go.
2. Wool Stuffing (Carded Wool or Wool Roving)
A natural, eco-friendly alternative to polyester fibrefill. Wool stuffing gives a slightly denser, more structured feel and is a lovely choice if you're working with natural fibres throughout your project.
Best for: Eco-conscious makers, heirloom pieces, or projects using wool yarn.
Watch out for: Not always suitable for machine washing, and can felt if exposed to heat and agitation.
3. Plastic Pellets (Poly Pellets or Glass Beads)
These small weighted pellets are often used alongside fibrefill rather than on their own. They add satisfying weight and help amigurumi sit upright without toppling over — brilliant for animals with four legs or characters with a flat base.
Best for: Weighted toys, animals, and figures that need to stand or sit independently.
Watch out for: Not suitable for young children's toys due to choking hazard. Always encase pellets in a small fabric bag before inserting.
4. Recycled Stuffing
Made from recycled plastic bottles or fabric offcuts, this is a great sustainable option that performs similarly to standard polyester fibrefill. It's becoming increasingly easy to find and is a small but meaningful swap for eco-minded crafters.
Best for: Makers looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Watch out for: Quality can vary between brands — look for a fine, even texture.
5. Repurposed Materials
Old tights, cut-up fabric scraps, or even the stuffing from worn-out cushions can all be used in a pinch. This is a wonderfully thrifty approach and keeps materials out of landfill.
Best for: Casual makes, practice projects, or when you've run out of fibrefill mid-project.
Watch out for: Can be lumpy and harder to distribute evenly. Not recommended for toys intended for children.
What We Favour at Stitch Kit
Here at Stitch Kit, our go-to is polyester cluster filling — and we usually include it in our amigurumi kits for good reason. Similar to fibrefill stuffing, cluster filling is also made from polyester, but instead of remaining loose and cloud-like, it's made up of smaller, individual groups of stuffing material all clustered together to form the main bulk. This provides a slightly different texture which allows you to stuff your creation a little at a time while still maintaining control over it's shape. It's consistent, easy to work with, and gives a beautifully smooth finish when used correctly. We love that it's hypoallergenic and washable, making it ideal whether you're making a gift for a little one or a decorative piece for your home.
For projects where we want a bit more structure or weight — think a chubby little bear that needs to sit upright on a shelf — we'll often add a small pouch of poly pellets in the base alongside the fibrefill. It's a simple trick that makes a big difference.
If you're working on a more natural or heirloom-style project, we'd encourage you to explore wool stuffing — it pairs beautifully with plant-based or animal-fibre yarns and gives a wonderfully tactile result.
A Few Stuffing Tips Before You Go
- Fill as you go — it's much easier than trying to stuff a nearly closed piece.
- Use a chopstick or pencil to push stuffing into small limbs and ears without distorting the shape.
- Don't overstuff — you want a firm but not stretched finish. If you can see the stuffing through your stitches, ease some out.
- Store leftover fibrefill in a zip-lock bag to keep it clean and fluffy for your next project.
Happy making! 🧶
The Stitch Kit Team