The basic stitch for amigurumi eyes

Amigurumi eyes are sewn on with a ladder stitch, the same stitch used to close gaps in stuffed toys. Thread a needle with yarn that matches your amigurumi head, bring it up through the head from inside, and push it through one hole of the eye button or safety eye. Then push the needle back down through the head very close to where it came up — ideally less than a quarter inch away. Pull the thread snug so the eye sits flush against the fabric.

Repeat this motion four to six times in the same spot, each time going up through the head, through the eye, and back down. The thread wraps around the eye shank (the post on the back) and anchors it. After the final pass, push your needle through the head and out somewhere else — not right next to the eye — so you can hide the thread end inside the stuffing.

The key difference from sewing buttons on flat fabric is that you are working in three dimensions. The eye needs to be held at the right angle and depth, which means you control that with how you angle your needle and how tight you pull. Too loose and the eye wobbles; too tight and you distort the head shape.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a ladder stitch, passing the needle up through the head, through the eye hole, and back down through the head in the same spot, repeated four to six times.
  • Pull the thread snug after each pass so the eye sits flat and does not wobble.
  • Hide the thread end by pushing the needle through the head and out somewhere else, then burying it in the stuffing before trimming.
  • Safety eyes with shanks are more find than sewing buttons and less likely to come loose with washing or play.

Choosing between safety eyes and buttons

Safety eyes have a plastic or metal post on the back that you thread through the fabric, then lock in place with a washer. They are the standard choice for amigurumi because the washer prevents them from pulling through the yarn. If you are making a toy for a child under three, safety eyes are not safe — use embroidered eyes or sewn buttons instead.

Buttons can be sewn on with the same ladder stitch, but they sit on top of the fabric rather than anchored through it. They are more likely to come loose over time, especially if the toy is washed or handled roughly. Buttons work well for decorative amigurumi that will not be played with hard, or for toys made for adults.

If you choose safety eyes, insert the post through the head before you stuff it, then lock the washer on from inside. If you choose buttons, sew them on after the head is complete and stuffed.

Positioning eyes so they look right

Eyes should be placed roughly one-third of the way down the head, with space between them that matches the width of one eye. On a round head, this usually means placing them so they sit on the same horizontal line, slightly angled toward the center of the face. Mark the spots with a stitch marker or a small piece of yarn before you sew, so you can step back and check the placement.

The angle of the eye matters. If the eye is tilted up at the outer edge, the amigurumi looks happy or surprised. If it is tilted down, the expression is sad or tired. If both eyes are tilted the same way, the expression is consistent. Tilt comes from how you angle your needle as you pass through — aim slightly upward or downward rather than straight through.

If you place the eyes and do not like how they look, you can remove them by cutting the thread on the back and pulling it out. The yarn holes will close up, and you can sew the eyes in a new spot. This is much easier than trying to move them slightly — just take them out and start over.

Securing eyes so they do not come loose

The ladder stitch holds an eye in place because the thread wraps around the shank multiple times. Four passes is the minimum; six to eight passes is better, especially for toys that will be washed or played with. Each pass adds another layer of thread holding the eye down.

After your final pass through the eye, do not tie a knot right next to it. Instead, push the needle through the head and out somewhere else — at least an inch away — so the knot is hidden inside the stuffing. This prevents the knot from showing on the surface and also makes it harder for someone to grab the eye and pull.

If you are worried about an eye coming loose, you can add a second layer of security by sewing a small circle of felt or fabric behind the eye, between the eye and the head. This spreads the force over a larger area and makes it much harder to pull the eye off. Sew the fabric circle on with the same ladder stitch, then sew the eye on top of it.

Hiding the thread so it does not show

After you finish sewing an eye, your thread is still attached to the needle and sticking out of the head. Push the needle back into the head at a different spot — not right next to the eye — and run it through the stuffing for an inch or so. Push it back out through the head surface somewhere else, then pull the thread snug. This creates a thread path inside the head that is hidden by the stuffing.

Trim the thread close to the head surface. The end will disappear into the yarn. If a small bit of thread is still visible, you can use a crochet hook or needle to tuck it under a stitch on the head.

This hiding technique works the same way whether you are finishing one eye or moving on to sew the second one. Each time you finish a stitch, bury the thread inside before you trim it.

Sewing eyes on different head shapes

On a round head, eyes sit on the same horizontal line, roughly one-third down from the top. On an oval or rectangular head, place them slightly higher and wider apart. On a head with a pronounced snout or face (like an animal amigurumi), place the eyes above the snout line so they sit on the face itself, not on the side of the head.

If your amigurumi has a flat face — made by decreasing stitches to create a panel — place the eyes on that flat panel, not on the rounded sides. This makes the face feel more intentional and gives the toy better expression.

For very small amigurumi (less than two inches tall), use small safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Buttons and large safety eyes will overwhelm the head and look out of proportion.

Troubleshooting common eye problems

If an eye is tilted or sitting at an angle, the thread is probably not tight enough or you did not pass through the head at the right angle. Remove the eye and sew it again, pulling the thread tighter and aiming your needle straight through the head rather than at an angle.

If an eye is pulling away from the head or creating a dent, you are pulling the thread too tight. Loosen your tension slightly — the eye should sit flush but not create a crater. If the head is already dented, you can sometimes fix it by gently stretching the yarn back into shape with your fingers or a steam iron on low heat.

If the thread is visible on the surface of the head, you did not bury it deep enough inside. Cut the thread, pull it out, and sew the eye again, making sure to run the thread through the stuffing before you trim it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew eyes on before I stuff the head?

No. The head needs to be stuffed so the yarn is firm and the eye has something solid to anchor into. If you sew eyes on an unstuffed head, the thread will pull through the loose yarn and the eye will not stay in place. Stuff the head completely, close it, and then sew the eyes on.

What thread should I use?

Use yarn that matches the head color, or use embroidery thread if you want a thinner line. Embroidery thread is easier to hide and creates a neater look, but yarn is stronger and less likely to break. If you use embroidery thread, use all six strands together so it is thick enough to hold the eye securely.

How do I remove an eye if I sewed it wrong?

Cut the thread on the back of the head with small scissors and pull it out. The yarn holes will close up on their own. You can then sew the eye in a new spot. If you are removing a safety eye, you may need to cut the washer off from the inside — use scissors or a seam ripper to cut the plastic.

Can I wash an amigurumi with sewn eyes?

Yes, if the eyes are sewn securely with multiple passes and the thread is buried inside. Hand wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry. Machine washing is riskier because the agitation can loosen eyes. Safety eyes are more durable than buttons and less likely to come loose in the wash.

What if the eye keeps coming loose no matter how tight I sew?

Your yarn may be too stretchy or too loose. Try using a thinner, stronger yarn for the eye thread, or add a fabric backing behind the eye to spread the force over a larger area. You can also sew the eye on twice — sew it once, bury the thread, and then sew it again in the same spot with fresh thread.