Hello friends!  Today we’re going to take a look at Velcro and snaps so we can figure out which one is better to use on your amigurumi.  After doing some product testing, I was kind of surprised with the results!

I am elbows deep in pattern designing right now, and I wanted to create some parts that were interchangeable.  When you need fasteners for crochet projects, you usually use buttons or hooks.  For what I’m designing, those won’t work.  I need something that is strong and sturdy.

I picked up clear, ¼ in. Dritz Sew-On Snaps, size 20 Babyville Boutique Snaps, and 1 in. x ¾ in. Velcro Peel & Stick (for fabrics, and this is an important detail!).

I crocheted swatches in the round with the yarn used in my project so I could get the most accurate results possible.

Velcro

I pressed the Velcro onto the swatch super-firmly.  The instructions say to let the adhesive set for 24 hours.  Instructions are for wimps so I started smooshing together and peeling the pieces apart 20 minutes after I applied the Velcro.  I am happy to report that the Velcro stayed stuck to the yarn after 100 stick and separation cycles!  Upside:  Supereasy and quick to apply!    Downside:  It’s kind of ugly.  And, the hook side of the Velcro will fuzz up your yarn if you aren’t careful.

Dritz Sew-On Snaps

These suckers are TINY.  I sewed them with my bumbly fumbly fingers to the swatches using some heavy duty thread.  It took about five minutes and one bloody finger to sew two snaps on.  The snaps worked well and were every bit as sturdy as I expected them to be.  After 100 stick and separation cycles, you could see that the thread was stressing the yarn, though.  Upside:  Nearly invisible and a nice, sturdy hold.  Downside:  A little tricky to sew on. Depending on how many snaps you need, could be time consuming.  Also, considering how the yarn was stressed, I would recommend sewing the snap on with a thin button on the underside of the yarn.

Babyville Boutique Snaps

I was really hoping these would work, because they seemed like would be both easy to apply and not an eyesore.  I didn’t even get to test these because when I looked at the instructions, they said that the Babyville Boutique Pliers (sold separately, of course) are required to apply the snaps.  After fiddling around with the snaps for a few minutes, I’m not 100% sure the shanks of the snaps are big enough to go through the thickness of the yarn.  If I were going to get into the business of making diapers or bibs and would use these snaps often, I might consider spending $20 for the tool.  But for my purposes, especially when there are other less expensive options, it’s not worth it.  I’ll keep the snaps around, though.  Maybe you’ll see them pop up again.  😉

The Winner

For this project, Velcro is the winner!  This is probably a controversial result amongst yarnies because the rule of thumb is no Velcro near yarn ever!

I need about 30 interchangeable parts for what I am designing, and that is a crapton of sewing if I use the snaps.  If a child were going to be playing with this amigurumi, I might consider using snaps.  But, my amigurumi is going to be photographed and maybe played with two or three times before it gets displayed somewhere, so I’m ok with the slight risk of fuzzing (which was minimal after my stick and separation testing and even after my kiddo got his mitts on them).

Velcro is definitely not as pretty as the clear buttons, but on this project, you won’t see it.  For ease of application and excellent stickiness, Velcro is the clear winner for me.

What’s most important to you in fastener options?  Ease of application?  Appearance?  Cost?  Function?

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