10 Ways To Personalize Amigurumi Gifts
Crocheting amigurumi as gifts is a beautiful way to show someone you care, but adding personalized touches can take your handmade present to the next level. Here are ten ways to make your crochet amigurumi gifts truly special and unique for the recipient!
1. Choose Their Favorite Colors
- Customizing the color scheme is an easy but impactful way to make an amigurumi feel personal. Find out the recipient’s favorite colors, or use colors that have special meaning for them, like the colors of their favorite sports team, their birthstone, or something you know would match their decor style. This small change can turn a standard pattern into something truly personal.
- Make a Vincent the Dragon in their favorite two colors! A Worry Pet made in team colors might be a good option to throw at the TV if their team is losing…
2. Incorporate Their Initials or Name
- Add initials or the recipient’s name to your amigurumi! Can’t quite fit them on the belly or foot? You can embroider initials onto an accessory – a scarf, shirt, or hat – and put it on the amigurumi. This is an especially meaningful touch if the gift is for a child, as it makes the amigurumi feel like it belongs uniquely to them.
- Ulyssa the Unicorn has a particularly good bum for adding initials or “cutie marks” like a My Little Pony!
- Wonder the Birthday Dragon could be sleeping on a monogrammed cupcake!
- Here is a video from Stella’s Yarn Universe on how to embroider letters onto crochet.
3. Make it Match Their Pet
- If they have a beloved pet, you could crochet an amigurumi that resembles it! Use similar colors and unique markings to create a plush lookalike.
- You can easily customize the coloration of Spirit the Wolf or add fur and ears to make him into just about any dog breed!
- Use my mini-course “Fur, Feathers, and Fringe” to learn a few new ways to add textures to ami patterns and make Spirit into something as floofy as a Sheepdog or a Doodle!
4. Add Accessories
- Crochet a small outfit or accessory that reflects the recipient’s interests. If they’re a bookworm, add a tiny book. Maybe a ball from their favorite sport, or a hat that represents it – like a baseball cap or cowboy hat. Maybe they’re a fan of a particular sports team—try making a little jersey, hat, or scarf in team colors! These little extras make the amigurumi feel unique and thoughtful.
- Toby the Newborn Dragon is particularly good at holding things and looking adorable while doing so.
- I love adding hats to amigurumi! There are tons of great mini hat patterns on Ravelry. Try searching for “cat hats” or “bearded dragon hats” to find small enough head accessories for ami projects.
5. Add a Scented Pouch
- If the ami is not for a child, and you know it won’t be washed, you can tuck a small, scented sachet inside the amigurumi to make it smell amazing every time they pick it up. Scents like lavender, vanilla, or cinnamon can give the gift an extra-special touch and make it a calming presence in their space. Ideally, make it a pouch they can take out to refresh the scent as they desire. Just be mindful to use scents you know they’ll love!
- I think Hubert the Blobfish makes a nice weighted critter. Add a few drops of essential oil to the weighted pouch in the bottom.
6. Add Seasonal or Holiday Themes
- If the amigurumi gift is for a holiday or special occasion, add a theme that represents the time of year or event. A little Santa hat for a Christmas gift, heart decorations for Valentine’s Day, or a tiny graduation cap for someone finishing school can add that personal, timely touch.
- I have an article with lots of adorable holiday accessories to add to your ami projects.
- Check out the seasonal patterns at Hooked by Kati for year-round options!
7. Personalize the Packaging
- Can’t quite find a way to personalize the actual gift? No worries! Personalize the amigurumi’s presentation by putting it in a special box or bag. Used colored or printed tissue paper in favorite colors, or attach ribbons or bows that speak to the recipient.
8. Give The Ami A Story
- One of my favorite things to do is make amigurumi gifts a “birth certificate.” Include when it was finished, and a space for the recipient to name their new friend. You could even include a little story about the amigurumi’s “origin” or personality to make it feel like a character. Maybe it loves the same things as the recipient!
9. Incorporate Meaningful Symbols or Charms
- Don’t stop at the gift itself. Sometimes adding a non-crocheted element can be just the right touch. Adding charms or symbols that mean something to the recipient is a great way to make your amigurumi gift unique. For instance, a star charm for someone who loves astronomy or a small heart button as a symbol of your friendship. These tiny elements can bring a lot of sentimental value to your crochet gift.
10. Add A Recorded Sound Box
- An extra way to personalize an amigurumi is to add a voice or sound element. By including a small sound module (like those used in Build-A-Bear plushies), you can record a personalized message, a favorite song clip, or even a funny sound that would make the recipient smile. This small addition can turn your crochet creation into a truly memorable and interactive gift!
- You can find a simple box to record a message for inside a plushy here. Just remember, these can’t be washed, so finding a way to make them removable is ideal.
These small adjustments can transform a crochet amigurumi into a highly personal and memorable keepsake. Remember, the most important part of personalizing an amigurumi is to keep the recipient in mind with each detail you add. This thoughtful approach will make your gift as cherished as it is adorable!
Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.