Eyes for Amigurumi?

[Tangerine_Dreams]

I've seen the cute and small doll eyes on many Amigurumi here....where can I find these at? Any local (like Hobby Lobby, Micheals) or online sources would be appreciated.  Also what size do you use?

~Jessica~

[IamSusie]

My forays into amigurumi have been pretty small, but I did have to do a big search for the right eyes for my little critters. Googley eyes just aren't quite as cute.

I found little black glass beads for smaller eyes.  I also found small black buttons.  I could not find actual doll eyes in the various big craft stores in my area, but when I googled animal eyes  online, I found a few sources.  I did not order these, however, as I was happy enough with the buttons and beads I already had.  You can find those kind that have a post and connect in the inside of your critter's head.  These are the ones that make them child safe, but those are a bit more expensive, and often are larger.

Then there is the always useful felt.  I made some cute frog eyes from felt.  I really have to post a pic of that frog, he is a very handy litttle pincusion for me...

[shewolf]

i just buy cheap black buttons and paint the whites. i sew really tighly because i have kids, and none have fallen off yet!


or i try to do the "^_^" style with yarn

[Cocoa Kitten]

I personally prefer to use safety eyes because they generally have a lower chance of coming off, but sadly, they seem to be disappearing from craft store shelves.  I don't understand it; Just a month ago, I could find atleast a number of sizes of black eyes, but now there's just really large or really tiny ones.  I've resorted to painting cat's eyes different colors because they were the only ones that were an acceptable size.  Does anyone know of a site online where they sell -inexpensive- safety eyes?  I've only found one place, that ships from the UK, I believe... not so cheap as far as shipping goes.  All for little pieces of plastic.  It's so frustrating!

[danileo]

Hi,
I have used this online store for eyes, noses, etc. and found it to be a good source of many other supplies.

http://www.craftking.com/

Hope this helps,
Danielle in Denver

[sarah-]

As far as the UK goes, I can't find any varied sizes of just plain black eyes for my amigurumi. I resorted to ebay but even eyes from there are now disappearing

[Yarn or Fabric]

Here our local HObby Lobby and Michael's both carry the eyes.
When you go to a craft store - don't look where the beads or yarn is. They aren't there.  They are with the doll making supplies.

For my tiny guys I use round black plastic beads.
For my bigger guys I use the doll eyes - they look like  a screw and have a crimping washery thing that you push up close to the backside of the yarn - they come in all sorts of sizes.
See if you have a doll making supply area of any craft stores.  I would never have thought to look there but that is where I have always found them - I felt like an idiot too - I had been all over my major craft store, couldn't find them and then called a few local yarn stores and sure enough they had them... in with their doll making area - I stocked up on blue cat eyes - I was making Siamese cats at the time - and then found them at the major stores - in the doll making supply area .  Walmart doesn't carry them though.

In a pinch if I am desperate I will use a button but I don't care much for the look.  If it is for a small child - under 3 I always embroider on the eyes.  I know those eyes are on good but I don't want to take the risk whatsoever.

[Tangerine_Dreams]

Danielle thanks for the craft King link....I'll have to check it out! I've got it bookmarked! 

CraftyDeb, our HL and Micheals don't carry them....I've looked in both the bead sections and the doll making sections.  But then again, I live on the Gulf Coast, so I don't know if it's a "we don't stock them since Hurricane Katrina" thing or what.....I have seen people use beads and it does look cute....maybe I'll try that a couple of times.

[Yarn or Fabric]

You might also try the shank style black buttons - just push the shank through the crochet and sew from the back so that it lays flat.  It is odd that your stores don't carry them.  I am only in Huntsville(still pretty south but maybe the restocking hasn't been done but it has been a long time since the hurricane.  I hate to think that all the stores still aren't back up and running the way they should be...) and they both carry them.  They were in a weird spot.  Last time I was in they were doing a relocation on all the stuff in HL and it was difficult to find them but they were there... mixed in with the googly eyes... a bead will definitely be too big for must stuffed animals and dolls though.

A lot of people also use felt for their dolls.  Felt seems to be making a big comeback in the stuffed animal/doll world..

[pureeva]

try CR's Crafts. I think their shipping is lower than Craft King and you can buy in bulk if you wish. I've used them before and they have a great selection of animal eyes with backings! They also sell other great things like animal whiskers and name tape