How to Attach Safety Eyes to Amigurumi (Placement and Spacing)
Safety eyes go in before you close the piece: push the post through between two stitches, then press the washer on from the inside until it clicks. Where to place them, how far apart, which size to use, and when to embroider instead.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Time
- 10 minutes
You'll need
- Safety eyes with washers
- Stitch markers or pins
- Your amigurumi head, not yet closed
In this post
Attach safety eyes before you stuff and close the head. Push the eye's post through the fabric between two stitches (not through a stitch), then press the washer onto the post from the inside, flat side against the fabric, until it clicks and holds tight. Mark the positions with stitch markers first, check them from the front, and only then fix the washers — they're very hard to remove.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Step by step
- Crochet the head to a few rounds past the widest point, but don't close it.
- Mark: Put two markers where you want the eyes, between stitches on the same round.
- Check: Look from the front, stuff loosely to see the shape, and move markers until it looks right.
- Insert: Push each eye post through the gap between stitches, from outside to inside.
- Lock: Inside the head, press the washer onto the post, flat side towards the fabric, until it clicks firmly.
- Finish stuffing and closing the head.
Placement and size guide
| Head size (sts in widest round) | Eye size | Gap between eyes |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 6 mm | 3–4 stitches |
| 30 | 8–9 mm | 4–6 stitches |
| 36 | 9–10 mm | 6–7 stitches |
| 42+ | 12 mm | 7–9 stitches |
- Lower and wider eyes look cuter and younger.
- Higher and closer eyes look older or more realistic.
- Place eyes on the same round, counting the stitches between them.
When not to use safety eyes
For babies and toddlers, embroider the eyes with black yarn or use felt — safety eyes can be a hazard if a child works one loose. See the no-sew bunny and teddy bear for embroidered options. Tiny minis need beads or French knots: mini amigurumi.
Common questions
When do you put safety eyes in amigurumi?
Before stuffing and closing the head, while you can still reach inside to fix the washer.
Can I remove a safety eye after the washer is on?
It's very hard. Some can be cut off carefully, but the fabric may be damaged. Always check the placement first.
Are safety eyes safe for babies?
They're not recommended for children under 3. Embroider the eyes instead.
Cute low eyes or realistic high eyes? 👀
Stuck on a step? Crochet Help & Fixes answers the most common problems — curling, shrinking, wavy circles and more.
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YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
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