How to Tell the Right Side of Amigurumi

Are you a beginner when it comes to amigurumi? Have you ever wondered why your creations turn out looking different from the pattern you’re using? Knowing how to identify the right side of amigurumi could be one of the reasons why.

In this post we’re going to talk about how to easily distinguish between the right and wrong side of amigurumi. I hesitate to use the word wrong as it’s totally up to you as to which side you prefer but knowing the difference can help you make that decision and there are definitely some benefits to having the right side facing out.

How do you Know Which Side of Amigurumi is Right?

Figuring out which side is the right side of amigurumi is a common problem among beginners. However, since amigurumi is mainly worked in the round, there are obvious differences between the two sides.

A simple way to tell the difference is to look closely at the stitches. On one side you will notice that each single crochet stitch looks like a little v, whereas on the other side they look like upside down v’s and you can see the horizontal bar of each stitch.

You may also notice a difference in texture – the wrong side looks more bumpy and fuzzy whereas the stitches on the right side appear tighter and more defined. 

Another easy way to tell the right side vs wrong side is to take note of which direction you’re crocheting in and what side of your piece your starting tail is on.

If you’re crocheting in an anti-clockwise direction, you’re working with the wrong side facing out and the starting tail will be on the outside of your piece. Whereas if you’re crocheting in a clockwise direction you’re working with the right side facing out and your starting tail will be on the inside of your piece.

Also take note of your hook position. In the images below, you can see that when you’re crocheting in a clockwise direction with the right side facing out, the start of the round is closest to you and vice versa.

How to Crochet with the Right Side Facing Out

Once you have finished any increase rounds, you might find that your piece will naturally curl towards you as you start to add height. A simple way to combat this is to curve the piece away from you as you crochet (this is what I do). Another option is to flip it inside out after completing a few rounds but this can be finicky if your piece is very small.

Does it Matter if I Crochet with Right or Wrong Side Out?

Ultimately it’s a matter of preference but there are a couple of other things that you may want to consider.

Aside from the obvious visual differences, having the wrong side facing out can lead to a more misshapen piece as the stitches have a tendency to pull inwards. This can also make it difficult when crocheting as you will be pushing your hook through the stitches from the inside out and as your piece gets smaller when decreasing, it can make visibility and counting your stitches harder.

However, the most important thing to note is that most amigurumi patterns are written with the intention of having the right side facing out, so stitches such as the invisible decrease or working in the back loop/front loop only will not produce the same result should you choose to have the wrong side facing out.

No matter what you decide, make sure you stick with it for your entire project.

I hope you found this helpful and if you’re looking for a simple beginner friendly pattern to practice with and compare the differences for yourself, I recommend giving my potato amigurumi pattern a go.

I love seeing your creations! Feel free to send me a photo or tag me on Instagram @stitchbyfay and use the hashtag #stitchbyfaypatterns.