Tag Archives: safety eyes

Eyeball Experiments

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So, I’ve been experimenting, and need your input. Last week, I “finished” the little butterfly stuffies that are Christmas gifts for my kids. “Finished” is in quotes because they still don’t have faces. Just unsettling stitch markers where the eyes should be.

Obviously, I’m too late to add safety eyes (the safety of which is debatable), and buttons/beads are right out since I have a very chew-y one-year-old. I might do a bit of embroidery, or applique on little felt eyes, but that’s fussy.

There must be a better way! I’m a child of the 90s, so, I thought maybe puffy paint would work?

I pulled out an old swatch and gave it a try:

Cute, right? And promising! The paint beaded up nicely, at least at first. I let it dry, and…

Pffffft… Well, that didn’t dry as nicely as I wanted it to. It’s lumpy and flat, not nicely beaded up, like it was when it was still wet. On the plus side, at least it was really sturdily on there. No kid (even a heavy chewer) is going to get that paint off.

I added another coat of paint, in hopes that it would bead up, like I wanted it to in my dreams. And then I added another coat.

For comparison:

One coat was super-flat, 2 coats made a nice bump, and 3 coats was almost spherical. Unfortunately, all three versions were weirdly lumpy. But, I wonder if that’s a matter of the paint being kind of pearlescent. I think I’m going to go get some plain black, and try again.

I feel like this has the potential to be a great eyeball technique, but I’m not yet convinced. I think I need to do more experimenting before I commit to painting the butterflies (I don’t want to mess them up so soon before Christmas!).

Do you have any tricks for great eyes?

Spheroid and Oblong

So, now you know about the Toy Society, eyeballs and I-cord. What to do with your new knowledge? How about making a cute, round(ish) little creature to brighten someone’s day?

I like making these little guys with sock yarn on tiny little needles. That way they can ride around in a pocket or purse. But, using bulky yarn and larger needles, you’ll end up with a bigger, more huggable critter.

Feel free to play around with the shape of your Spheroid, too. Adding more even knit rows between the increase and decrease rows will make your guy more oblong. Removing the knit rows will make him more UFO-shaped.

Remember, if you’re making this little guy for a kid under the age of 3 (or anyone who is dumb enough to eat buttons) forgo button or beaded eyes. Safety eyes, while they’re safer than buttons, are still not 100% for little kids.

Materials:

A few yards of scrap sock yarn. A ball about the size of a Ping-Pong ball should be plenty.

Size 2 double-pointed needles

Polyfill or wool roving for stuffing

Safety eyes, buttons, beads, or contrasting-color thread for the face

Scissors and a tapestry needle

Gauge:

7 sts/inch, but it really really doesn’t matter

Instructions:

Spheroid:

Cast on 8 stitches, and join to work in the round

1. k

2. [k1, inc 1] around(16 stitches)

3. k

4. [k2, inc 1] around(24 stitches)

5 and 6. k

7. [k3, inc 1] around(32 stitches)

8-10. k

11. [k4, inc 1] around(40 stitches)

12-15. k

16. [k3 k2tog] around(32 stitches)

17-19. k

20. [k2 k2tog] around (24 stitches)

21-22. k

23. [k1, k2tog] around(16 stitches)

24. k

25. [k2tog] around (8 stitches)

Cut a 1 foot long tail. Using the tapestry needle, pull the tail through the loops. If you’re using safety eyes, add them now. Stuff the body, and close up the top.

Oblong:

Complete rows 1-7 of Spheroid.

Knit 20 rows even.

Complete rows 20-25 of Spheroid.

Cut a 1 foot long tail. Using the tapestry needle, pull the tail through the loops. If you’re using safety eyes, add them now. Stuff the body, and close up the top.

Limbs:

Using double-pointed needles, cast on 3 stitches, leaving a 1-foot tail. Work as an I-cord for 8 rows. Cut a 1 foot tail, and use your tapestry needle to pull the tail through the loops, and tie a knot so the leg doesn’t unravel. Hide the end of the tail in the middle of the limb and trim. Leave the cast-on tail to use to sew the limb to the body.

Repeat until you have enough limbs. (Usually this is 4. But, if you want to make an octopus, 8 would be more appropriate. Or of you wanted to add antennae, you should make 6)

When you have enough limbs, carefully sew them onto the body, using the remaining cast-on tails. Weave in the ends and trim. Hide the ends in the body of your little guy.

If you haven’t already added a face, do so now.

Eyeballs

Maybe you’re not too good with a needle and thread… Maybe you prefer your knit toys to have big old buggy eyes… Maybe you just aren’t a fan of how embroidered faces look. No sweat. Try safety eyes!

They’re super easy to use, and (in my opinion) the most professional-looking than buttons or beads. Technically they are safe (hence the name) for younger children, but I’d still be careful if you give them to itty bitty kids who like to chew on things.

They come in two parts: the eye, and the backing.

Figure out where you want your eye, and push the eye shaft through your knitting. (Make sure you do this before you close up and stuff your critter.)

Slide the backing on to the post, and use your muscles to push it all the way down. They’re sometimes hard to get all the way on, but they’ll go eventually. Be really really sure that you like where your eyes are placed before putting on the backing, because they are almost impossible to remove once they are attached.

Safety eyes are carried at most chain craft stores, but you can find a more extensive selection on Etsy and other online retailers.

Now, go fourth and give things eyeballs. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m being watched or something. Eep!

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