Crochet and Faux Fur: The Perfect Match for Beards and Hairstyles
Bringing an amigurumi to life is all about the details. A pair of boots with a soft trim, a tough-looking wig, or that iconic long beard of a gnome; these are the textures that take your crochet work to a professional level. But how do you work with faux fur without your entire room ending up covered in fluff? In this blog, I’m sharing my best tips.
Fluffy Yarn or Faux Fur?
If you crochet amigurumi, you’ve probably worked with fluffy or fuzzy yarn before. It gives your creation a sweet and cuddly look. Take Pedr the Viking or Jutter Nol for example; their wild hair and beards made of fluffy yarn give them that characteristic, stubborn look instantly.
However, crocheting with fuzzy yarn isn’t for everyone. A fantastic and often easier alternative is using faux fur (imitation fur). It comes in all colors and variations, from short to long pile, and sometimes the fur is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
If you’d like to know more about crocheting with fuzzy yarn, be sure to read my blog: Great tips for crocheting with fluffy yarn.
Two examples of my creations with fluffy yarn can be seen here. Pedr the Viking with a beard crocheted from Fluffy yarn and Beachcomber Nol with hair and beard from yet another brand of fluffy yarn. The wilder the better!
The Most Important Rule: Never "Just" Cut!
The biggest mistake when working with faux fur is using large scissors straight through the fur. If you do that, you cut the beautiful long hairs. The result? A "choppy" looking beard that looks unnatural and a massive mess of loose fluff.
The Technique:
- Use sharp, pointed (fabric) scissors.
- Turn the fur over so the back (the backing) is facing you.
- Cut or slice only through the fabric backing, not through the hairs.
- Gently pull the pieces apart afterward. This keeps the long hairs intact, allowing them to fall beautifully over the edge of your crochet project.
Beards, Wigs, and Details
Faux fur is incredibly versatile. Here are my favorite ways to use it:
- The Perfect Beard: For gnomes and forest spirits, a piece of long-pile faux fur is ideal. Kabouter Jiggle, for instance, has a beard made of thick white faux fur. This small piece of fur creates a grand effect!
- A Tough Wig: You can create a mohawk with a strip of fur, or even cover the entire head for a wild mane, like with Alwin Eikenblad.
- Small Details: A thin trim along a boot or a jacket instantly adds a wintry, luxurious look.
Attaching: Sewing or Gluing?
You can attach faux fur to your crocheted doll in two ways:
- Sewing: Use a strong needle and matching sewing thread (or embroidery floss). Sew along the top edge of the fabric backing. This is the sturdiest method, especially if the doll is meant for play.
- Gluing: You can also securely attach the fur with fabric glue. This is ideal for decorative dolls that are mainly for display.
Alwin Oakleaf with fake fur hair.
These Christmas Gnomes have a beard of faux fur.
Leprechaun Jiggle has a beard and a moustache of fake fur.
The Finishing Touch
Is the fur attached? Grab a fine comb or a small brush and gently comb the hairs outward and downward. This removes the last loose fibers and ensures the beard or hair falls exactly the way you want it. You can also trim it slightly into shape if necessary.
I hope I’ve given you some fresh ideas to look differently at the hood of your winter coat, or that cute faux fur rug draped over your sideboard…!
Have you ever used faux fur for your amigurumi, or do you dare to try after these tips? I’m very curious about your creations! Please share your photos in my Facebook group: Crochet Along with CB’s Creations.
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