Attaching Hair to the Amigurumi Head
This time, I will be covering hair-head attachments. These techniques are more for attaching wig caps to the Amigurumi heads. I know some crocheters like to use glue but for the purposes here, it will all be sewing techniques.
First off, we need to get the assembly pieces ready for attachment.
Assembly pieces required:
1) Amigurumi head
I generally prefer to crochet in the colour boundaries for the hair and head because it really helps later on for reference when you want to sew on the wig cap. Some crocheters prefer to just crochet the whole head as beige, which is fine too...
2) Wig cap
3) Darning needle
This is the thicker needle, also known as tapestry needle. Needed for sewing the wig cap onto the Amigurumi head using the next point, the hair coloured yarn.
4) Corresponding hair coloured yarn
Of course, the yarn used to sew the pieces together need to be the same colour as the hair so that the joined up seams appear invisible. In the following examples, I intentionally used a different coloured yarn from the hair to illustrate the techniques used.
5) Technique chosen to piece parts together
This would either be the mattress stitch or the whip stitch, which will be covered next.
Mattress Stitch
This is generally my go to method for wig cap attachments to the head. Start off either method by inserting the darning needle through the bottom of head and out through the corner of side/ fringe.
Continue in the outline shown in above images. When completed but not pulled taut yet, it will appear as it does in the right image above. The stitches alternate between the wig cap and the head so that they stay together. This can continue all throughout the rest of the wig cap.
When pulled taut, it will appear as it does in above left image. I like to use this method frequently because the stitches become hidden. As you can see in redhead, the stitches joining the hair to the head are 'invisible'.
Some prefer the seam attachment tucked inwards so you can see the front and back loops of the wig cap edges. For this effect, you can try the next method, the whip stitch.
Whip Stitch
This is another great way to attach a wig cap to the head. It similarly starts off the same way by inserting the darning needle at the bottom of head and out through to the corner. This time, the stitches will appear overlapping the wig cap onto the head.
Using this method also helps to secure down the wig cap. However, as you can see, the stitches are visible and conspicuous. Of course, if it is in the same colour as the hair, it would not be so obvious but the individual stitches holding the cap down can still be seen.
Whether you choose to use the mattress or whip stitch, they are both great ways to keep the hair secured down to the Amigurumi head. Even within the same ami head, you can combine both methods. It’s all about experimenting!
This is actually featured in my latest ebook with Knotions magazine where I round off the book by showcasing how to attach amigurumi wig caps down to the head!
If you want to get started on your amigurumi hairstyling journey and don’t know where to start, just grab my free starter guide below. I even included a 7-step checklist on how to decide the hair for your next amigurumi doll and also some bite-sized hair patterns inside. Grab it below completely for free!
Free Amigurumi Hair Starter Guide
Click here to get the free checklist with the 7 steps to deciding the right hair for your next amigurumi doll! And some hair patterns to try! Click on image on left to grab it!
