Adding Different Safety Eyes & Noses to Amigurumi

Hi everyone! In today's tutorial I will explain how to add amigurumi safety eyes and nose. Most amigurumi patterns require the addition of safety eyes and noses, although some use embroidered, fabric, or crochet eyes.

Above are the two most common types of amigurumi safety eyes, the metal backed (lefthand eyes) and the plastic backed (righthand eyes). The eyes they correspond with are slightly different (the eyes on the right have a series of deep ridges in them, the eyes on the left only have one bottom ridge), but securing them is essentially the same. I will demonstrate the process using the safety eye style on the righthand side, but what I show you can apply to most other amigurumi safety eyes, and safety noses. 

For reference, I am using 6mm brown plastic safety eyes that are the same style as the black eyes above, but you can use any size, color, and material you chose. Today I will be using one of my new amigurumi foxes for this tutorial (there are two variations in this new pattern). If you would like to buy the pattern, you can find on my Ravelry, LoveCrafts, and Etsy store. You can also purchase it through the Ravelry direct shopping link below.

Crochet your amigurumi as desired. If you intend to close the bottom opening, work the pattern until just before the final closing round or row. It is usually easier to add the eyes/nose before adding stuffing to the amigurumi. Find where you would like to place the eyes on the amigurumi head; make certain you are 100% satisfied with the placement of the eyes first before adding the black washer, since safety eyes are difficult to remove without damaging the washer or the eyes themselves. 

Once you are happy with the eye placement, you can grab the washers and begin adding them one by one to the back of each eye. 

Place the washer opening (this is usually the wider concave end) over the eye post, while at the same time holding the eye to keep it in place. Push down onto the washer until you hear it click. This means you have locked the back to the eye. Depending on how many grooves are in the eye post, you will be able to lock the washer between 1 and 4 times. 

The process is essentially the same for noses as well. Find the desired nose placement on the animal's snout or head, then lock the washer to the back as for the eyes. Sometimes, however, the nose washers might fit awkwardly in smaller animal snouts. If this is the case (as it is with the fox pattern), strong glue (hot glue, permanent fabric glue, etc.) behind the nose is usually the best option. 

Important: As a note, even with safety eyes/noses, you should always use caution when giving amigurumi to small children, especially those prone to putting things in their mouths. It is best to not give smaller amigurumi to children under 3 years. Smaller sized amigurumi are meant more for older children and adults, and are intended mostly as decor items, not toys; if you are looking for a toy, it is best to buy a plush animal intended for use as a toy. Do not give amigurumi to pets. 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Until next time, happy crafting!