Two tiny eyes can turn a ball of yarn into a character with a personality. They can also make a toy look surprised, sleepy or slightly strange. Face placement is the step that makes or breaks an amigurumi. Here's how to attach safety eyes properly, how to embroider faces instead, and the placement tricks that make toys look irresistibly cute.
Safety eyes vs. embroidered eyes
| Safety eyes | Embroidered eyes | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Shiny, clean, professional | Soft, handmade, vintage feel |
| Best for | Decor, older children, adults | Babies and children under 3 |
| When to add | Before stuffing and closing | Any time, even after closing |
| Can be moved? | No, the washer locks permanently | Yes, you can unpick and redo |
Safety note: for any toy meant for a baby or toddler, embroider the eyes and nose and sew all parts on very securely. Small parts are a choking hazard.
How to attach safety eyes
- Crochet the head until your pattern says to insert the eyes. This is usually a few rounds after the widest part, before you start decreasing.
- Test placement first. Push the posts through the fabric without the washers, stuff the head lightly, and look from the front and sides.
- Count the stitches between the eyes so they're symmetrical, and check they sit on the same round.
- Lock the washers from the inside. The flat side faces the fabric. Press firmly until you hear or feel a click.
- Finish stuffing and close the head.
Placement tricks for maximum cuteness
- Low and wide = cute. Eyes set a little below the middle of the head, and fairly far apart, give a baby-like, "kawaii" look.
- High and close = alert or serious. Good for realistic animals.
- Use the round count. Placing eyes between the same two rounds on every toy in a set keeps them consistent.
- Take a photo. A picture from arm's length shows asymmetry your eye misses up close.
How to embroider eyes and a face
You'll need black yarn or embroidery thread, a sharp tapestry needle and pins to mark positions.
- Round eyes: work several small straight stitches over the same 1–2 stitches until you get a solid oval. For a smoother look, fill in with small satin stitches.
- Sleepy or happy eyes: a single curved backstitch line ("U" or "∩") across 2–3 stitches.
- Nose: a small triangle of satin stitches, or a single "V" stitch for a tiny nose.
- Mouth: a small "w" or "v" in backstitch just under the nose.
- Blush cheeks: 2–3 horizontal straight stitches in pink yarn, or a light touch of real blush on a cotton bud.
Hiding the thread: start and finish by bringing the needle out through the back of the head, at a spot the hair or ears will cover. Tug gently so the knot pops inside the stuffing.
Adding a white highlight
A tiny stitch of white yarn at the upper edge of an embroidered eye, or a dot of white fabric paint on a safety eye, instantly makes the eye look shiny and alive.
Common face problems (and fixes)
- Eyes sink into the head: stuff more firmly around the eye area.
- Gaps around safety eyes: use a smaller hook for the head, or add a small felt circle behind the eye.
- Uneven eyes: embroidered ones can be redone. For safety eyes, always test before locking.
Practice on something small
A little ghost, pumpkin or star is perfect for practicing faces. Start with our 12 amigurumi tips for beginners, then pick a character from our free patterns to practice on. Prefer one that's already made? Browse our handmade amigurumi, crocheted to order. Need supplies? See our accessories.
Happy stitching from the DanSan Crochet team! 🧶