Safety eyes for crochet and amigurumi: how to add eyes

What size safety eyes should you use for amigurumi?

Eye size depends on the size of the head and the look you want: small eyes read as realistic, large eyes as cute. These are common starting points; hold loose eyes against the finished head before fixing them.

How do you attach safety eyes to crochet?

Safety eyes can't be removed once the washer is on, so place them before stuffing and check the position twice.

1. Finish crocheting the head to the round before it closes, but don't stuff it yet.
2. Mark the eye positions with stitch markers; most patterns give the round and the number of stitches between the eyes.
3. Push each eye's post through the fabric between two stitches, not through the middle of a stitch.
4. Look at the face from the front and from above; move the eyes until they are level and evenly spaced.
5. From the inside, slide the washer onto the post with the flat side facing the fabric.
6. Press the washer down firmly until it clicks and sits snugly against the stitches; a thimble or the end of a spool helps.
7. Stuff the head and finish the pattern.

How do you embroider eyes on amigurumi?

Embroidered eyes are the safest choice for toys for babies and young children, and they suit simple, sleepy or kawaii faces.

1. Stuff the head first so the embroidery sits on a firm surface.
2. Thread a tapestry needle with black yarn or embroidery floss and bring it out from the back of the head at the eye position, leaving a tail inside.
3. For a round eye, work several straight stitches over the same one or two crochet stitches until the eye is as big as you want.
4. For a sleepy eye, make one curved stitch over two or three stitches and tack it down in the middle to hold the curve.
5. Take the needle back out at the tail's exit point, tie the two ends together tightly and pull the knot inside the stuffing.
6. Add a small white stitch as a highlight, if you like, to make the eye look shiny.

Are safety eyes safe for babies?

Safety eyes are designed to lock in place, but they are small hard parts, and a crochet toy for a baby or a child under three should be made without any parts that could come loose. Embroider the eyes and other features instead, sew every piece on securely, and check toys for wear regularly. If you sell toys, check the toy safety rules that apply where you sell them.