This week we’re shining a spotlight on our number one toy-making resource: Ricorumi DK. We have featured this yarn before, but recently 2 new yarns and 2 new books have been added to the collection, with Ricorumi going above and beyond once again. For the first time ever, Ricorumi has launched a mini yarn cake collection called Spin Spin DK. At 50g per cake, this is twice the size of Ricorumi’s standard size. This is because each colourway contains a creative variegated yarn, playing on solid shades and classic rainbows. This new approach to amigurumi yarn is great for adding natural texture to your handmade characters, and really brings these new designs to life!
As well as Spin Spin DK cakes, we now also stock Twinkly Twinkly DK. These balls are in the classic 25g size, and have a gorgeous strand of sparkle running through the yarn which can really elevate your project. Overall, we now have 7 different types of Ricorumi yarn so you can put together whatever project your crafter’s heart desires. Keep reading to learn more about our new yarns, new books and how to get on the waitlist for the latest pattern collection.
Ricorumi, a highly-rated amigurumi line from German brand Rico Design, is Babes in the Wool's largest line of yarn. Featuring over 100 shades of pure cotton in perfectly sized 25g balls, with Ricorumi you'll find whatever colour you need to complete your character.
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting tiny characters. Usually done with a double crochet stitch and magic circle, crocheters with any kind of experience will find it easy to pick up a beginner pattern, hook, and Ricorumi yarn and start work on their first character.
Wildly popular on social media and across the creative scene, this trendy craft genre is tonnes of fun for adults and kids alike.
Here's an article that delves into the rise and spread of amigurumi around the world:
Amigurumi as we know it became popular in the 1980s with the kawaii movement and an NHK show named Ami. The craft, requiring very few materials and space to get started, became an instant hit. The craze in the west has been more recent, properly taking off in the early to mid-2000s aided by video tutorials on Youtube.
- Jessica Esa, Japan Objects
Ricorumi was designed to accommodate any creative amigurumi design you can imagine. As well as unique pattern collections being released every quarter, Ricorumi also hosts two crochet alongs every year. Their Christmas CALs in particular are extremely popular.
The original line contains 80 colours:
Over the years, more lines have been added for increasingly varied amigurumi designs. Today’s full range contains yarn effects from shimmering gold to neon pink to stripes to specks to swirls, with well over a hundred different shades across 7 unique products. Every ball is under £2, which is the perfect price for combining different colours into Ricorumi characters.
Rico Design publishes a steady set of amigurumi pattern books created to compliment their extensive range. We currently stock 12 books, but with more released every few months and seasonal specialties available in different parts of the year, be sure follow In the Wool and Babes in the Wool on social media to stay on top of new releases.
Ricorumi books are beginner-friendly and thematically designed. From Circus Animals to Peas in a Pod to a Mystical Mushroom guy, you can find the perfect design for you by browsing our whole collection.
Email Babes in the Wool if you have any questions about specific yarn requirements for any Ricorumi characters.
What’s New
Create incredible foodie designs with Ricorumi’s newest pattern book Fresh Friends. Crocheted with brand new yarn lines Spin Spin DK and Twinkly Twinkly DK, this comprehensive picnic pattern book contains the following characters:
Apple, Carrot, Cherries, Green Pepper, Leek, Lemon, Mushroom, Pea Pod, Peas, Pink Aubergine, Purple Aubergine, and Strawberry.
My favourite character from Fresh Friends has to be the Peas in a Pod. I’m a sucker for amigurumis that are separate but combine into a larger piece. And their little faces look so cute!
These fruits and veg turn out so great with Spin Spin DK’s self-patterning rainbow effect. Here’s a close-up of shade Classic Rainbow (018) in a double crochet swatch:
For such a budget-friendly line (£3.75 per 50g pure cotton cake), you get a very nice ombre effect that takes your overall toy quality up a notch.
Back in Stock Soon
Fresh Friends’ companion book, Element Heads, arrived just over a week ago and it has already sold out! These crazy mystical nature inspired designs make full use of Spin Spin DK’s subtle colour changes. Paired with Twinkly Twinkly DK’s shiny specks of glitter, it’s not hard to see why so many of your fellow amigurumi makers snatched this pattern book up. This has to be one of my favourite books ever released by Ricorumi. These designs are so fun and unique, unlike anything we’ve seen from other companies.
Element Heads contains the following characters:
Cloud Head, Flame Head, Moon Head, Earth Head, Mountain Head, Ocean Head, Planet Head, Rainbow Head, Pastel Rainbow Head, Grey Rain Head, Blue Rain Head, Sun Head, Pastel Sun Head, Tree Head and Mother Earth Head.
We’ve put another order in for 10 more Element Heads Books, which will hopefully arrive soon. If you want to be first in line to either pick up your copy or have it delivered to your door, visit this page and enter your email address:
You’ll be notified as soon as our order arrives!
Don’t forget, if you have a premium subscription to In the Wool, you can enjoy 10% off ALL of our Ricorumi yarns for the next 2 weeks. Check Edition #51 to discover your discount, or upgrade your subscription today to unlock your exclusive code!