Amigurumi Care Instructions

Here are some tips for caring for your little amigurumis! :)

Cleaning:

Most amigurumi can be machine-washed (depending on materials--if you get one from me, check the tag!) Acrylic, super-wash wool, and cotton can be machine washed.  Cotton will sometimes pill if washed too many times, and all yarn will shed some fibers--I always recommend putting them inside a pillowcase before washing.

Some materials can be machine dried.  I would always use a low setting, and keep it in the pillowcase it was washed in to minimize rubbing against other items of clothing.  (Most yarn labels will tell you whether you can put them in the dryer.  I think a low setting is usually okay).

If you don't want to use the dryer, you can roll the little ami in a towel and gently squeeze the excess liquid out.  DO NOT WRING.  You can must the animal around in the towel (don't rub it, as that might wear on the yarn).  Leave in a dry place to air-dry.  If you want to speed up the process, try using a hair dryer--the heat is easier to monitor than the inside of a dryer. 


If they lose their shape:

Amigurumi is shaped largely by placing the stuffing properly inside the little animal, and the tension in the stitches used to hold the appendages on.  Being played with can cause the stuffing to shift, ears can lie down, etc.  Don't be afraid to squish and pull your creature back into shape if necessary.  If it's misshapen after being washed, wait for it to dry before squeezing and squashing it so that the yarn doesn't stretch (sometimes being wet can loosen the fibers a little bit).  A little gentle squeezing can bring your animal back to shape, or give it a whole new look! 

Repairs: 

Each item I make for donation has a tag with a number.  I have kept track of the type/brand of yarn that I use for each project.  If a limb comes loose, and you think you can sew it back together yourself, I can send you a piece of the right yarn color.  You can also send the item back to me for repairs or a replacement. 

 If your item was a gift, you might have to send me a picture to remind me which design I used so I can send a repair strand.  You can -always- send the items back to me for repair.

Sundry: The Sundry monsters that I will be selling have been designed not to need repairs.  If some of the hair comes loose, you can either send the doll back to me for repairs, or send me a photo/description of the colors of silk that were used and I'll do my best to replace it.  Sari silk is really durable.  Sundries do get flattened sometimes if squashed up against something, and they do hold their shape well -- fortunately this also applies to un-squashing them.

Questions? Send me an email! stitchforgood@gmail.com