How to Make a Movable Head for Your Amigurumi

One of the little details that can really bring an amigurumi to life is a movable head. Being able to gently turn the head adds so much expression and character. A movable head allows your amigurumi to look left and right, be posed differently for photos or displays and feel more expressive and playful.

This technique is especially lovely for dolls and character amigurumi, where personality really shines through small details.

How to Make a Movable Amigurumi Head

What You’ll Need:

• Finished and stuffed amigurumi head with an opening at the bottom;
• Finished body with a neck;
• Embroidery needle;
• Long darning needle;
• A long length of same yarn used for the body and head.

How to Make It:

1. Grab the completed body. Make sure that you dress the doll with any clothes that wont be possible to put on once the head is attached. Cut a long length of the same yarn you used for the body and head. Thread the yarn on an embroidery needle and make the needle go through the neck at a point that will be hidden inside the head.

   

2. Pull the yarn until you have equal lengths on each side.

   

3. Grab a long needle and thread it with one of the tails on the neck. Insert the needle inside the opening at the bottom of the head and…

   

4. Make it come out between rounds 2 and 3 of the head. Pull the yarn gently to avoid pulling the other end on the other side.

   

5. Thread the other end on the long needle, make the needle go into the opening at the bottom of the head and make it come out between rounds 2 and 3 on the opposite side of the 1st tail. Pull the yarn gently to avoid pulling the other end. Take the needle out.

   

6. Grab both ends of the yarn and pull them tightly while, at the same time pushing the head down. Pull the yarn and push the head down until the neck is inside the opening at the bottom of the head. You’ll still can see some rounds of the neck, push until the head doesn’t go down anymore.

   

7. Tie the ends together. Thread both ends on the long needle and insert it into the head in the same space where one of the ends came out of the head. Make the needle come out in a space directly below.

   

8. Pull the yarn hiding the knot inside the head.

   

9. Cut the ends of the yarn flush against the head. The head is secured to the neck and you still can move it from side to side.

   

This technique creates a soft “pivot point” that lets the head move while still being securely attached. It’s a small extra step that makes a big difference!

Adding a movable head is a wonderful way to elevate your amigurumi and give it extra charm. Once you try it, you’ll start seeing all the creative possibilities it opens up.

If you use this technique in one of your projects, I’d love to see it! 💛
Tag me on Instagram @BuddyRumi or use #BuddyRumiAmigurumi so I can cheer you on.

Happy stitching!