How to Attach Safety Eyes to Amigurumi

1. 1

   Step 1: Get to Know the Hardware

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   A safety eye is two parts. The front is the shiny black dome you see. The back is a ridged post that pushes through the crochet, plus a plastic washer that slides down the post and locks everything tight. Noses work the same way. Lay a few out and match each eye or nose to its washer so you are not hunting for parts mid-project. Once a washer is pressed on, it does not come off, so this is the moment to double-check sizes.

   Tip:

   Bigger safety eyes read as friendlier and younger. Hold a couple of sizes against your piece before you commit.

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   Used in this stepsafety eyes assorted sizessafety noses for amigurumi

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2. 2

   Step 2: Open a Spot for the Post

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   Pick where the eye will sit, then gently spread two stitches apart to make a small gap. A crochet hook or a blunt awl works well for this. You are not cutting the yarn, only easing the strands aside so the post has somewhere to go. On a stuffed piece you would do this before stuffing, since you need to reach the back to add the washer. Keep the hole small so the eye sits snug.

   Tip:

   Count stitches from the center on both sides so the two eyes end up level.

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3. 3

   Step 3: Push the Eye Through

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   Hold the eye by its dome and press the post through the gap from the front. The flat black eye should end up flush against the outside of the crochet, with the post poking out the back. Wiggle it a little if it resists, but do not force a post through a hole that is too tight or you will stretch the stitches out of shape. Once it is through, the eye should sit flat and face straight ahead.

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   Used in this stepsafety eyes assorted sizesamigurumi crochet pieces

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4. 4

   Step 4: Check Spacing Before You Lock

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   Set the second eye and then stop. This is the last chance to move anything. Hold the face up at arm's length and look at it head-on. Are the eyes level? Is the gap between them even? Amigurumi faces live or die on symmetry, and even a stitch of difference reads as off. Slide the eyes to nudge the spacing until it looks right. When you are happy, you are ready to make it permanent.

   Tip:

   Snap a phone photo. Problems that hide in your hands jump out on screen.

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5. 5

   Step 5: Lock the Washer From Inside

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   Turn the piece so you can reach the posts from the back. Line the washer up flat side out and push it straight down the post. You will feel it click over the ridges. Keep pressing until it is snug against the crochet with no gap. Needle-nose pliers give you extra squeeze if a washer is stubborn. This is the point of no return, so give the eye one last look from the front before you commit to the push.

   Tip:

   Push the washer on square, not tilted, or it can stop halfway and leave the eye loose.

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   Used in this stepneedle-nose pliers

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6. 6

   Step 6: Add the Nose the Same Way

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   The nose goes on exactly like the eyes. Open a gap on the muzzle, push the post through from the front, and lock the washer on the back. Center it below and between the eyes for that classic animal look. If your creature has a separate muzzle piece, add the nose before you sew the muzzle down so you can still reach behind it. Step back and check the whole face reads the way you want.

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   Used in this stepsafety noses for amigurumi

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7. 7

   Step 7: Pin the Pieces in Place

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   Before you sew a single stitch, pin. Position the ears, muzzle, or limbs on the body and hold each one with a straight pin or a locking stitch marker. Pinning lets you slide pieces around and step back to judge placement without any commitment. Ears especially like to creep out of symmetry, so pin both, then look at the piece straight on and adjust until it feels balanced.

   Tip:

   Locking stitch markers hold better than pins on a rounded, stuffed piece.

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   Used in this stepstraight pins for sewingstitch markers

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8. 8

   Step 8: Sew the Pieces On

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   Thread a yarn needle with a tail that matches the piece you are attaching. Work around the seam with small whipstitches, catching a strand from the body and a strand from the piece each pass. Keep your stitches close and even so the join looks clean and holds up to handling. Take out each pin as you reach it. When you close the loop, weave the tail inside to hide it.

   Tip:

   Use the yarn color of the piece being sewn on, not the body, so the stitches disappear into the edge.

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   Used in this stepyarn needle setamigurumi yarn

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9. 9

   Step 9: Admire the Finished Face

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   Eyes locked, nose centered, ears sewn on. That is a finished amigurumi face. The same three moves work on a bear, a tiger, a bunny, or whatever you dream up next. Once you have done it a few times, seating safety eyes takes minutes and becomes the satisfying last step that turns a bag of crochet parts into a character.

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   Used in this stepamigurumi yarn

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Keep going

How to Crochet an Elephant (Beginner Amigurumi Pattern)

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