Is amigurumi just crochet or can it be knit?

[LadyTwilyte]

I'm pondering that question. I haven't seen any knit versions of amigurumi, but it still could be out there.

[Pink]

I'd guess it could be knit. I think it is the style of the critters (big head, dinky arms and legs) that is important rather than the technique, but I could be wrong!

[Sabra]

Possibly. There are, after all, plenty of knitted stuffed toys. But amigurumi are a type of soft sculpture to which crochet is uniquely suited, IMO. You can get a much firmer fabric in crochet, and that lends itself well to sculpture of any sort.

[DainaJ]

Take a look at the winter issue of Knitty for an example:

 

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/index.html

 

To me, crocheted shapes seem easier, but I have never actually attempted this in knitting.

[aliciasjoy]

I always thought (and I could be way wrong, because I can't remember where I got this notion) that amigurumi was crocheting in the round? Is there a literal translation for the word?

There's loads of cute little knitted toy patterns floating around. The one book I can think of is World of Knitted Toys.

Here's some cuties, too:

http://www.jesshutch.com/booklet.html