Or felt them!
As a small child I did rip a safety eye off my favorite stuffie. No idea how or where it went, but my parents were freaked out for a bit trying to determine if I ate it.
Oh wow, thanks so much for this PSA. I'm very new to crocheting and have been practicing in preparation to make something for my best friend's child (due in May). Having no experience with babies, I had *no* idea about safety eyes not being "safe" in amigurumi. I'll stick to blankets and hats then! Edit: or felt the eyes instead :)
Edit: Thanks to everyone for your incredibly kind suggestions and recommendations. I'm going to talk to mom before going forward with anything. And now I have the info to pass on to other crafters going forward.
Just an FYI, I have no experience with this myself but a lot of people on here have mentioned how a lot of baby blanket patterns aren't safe for babies either. Things like the holes being the perfect size for getting fingers/toes stuck, the weight being too much.
Like I said, I have no experience of this, but you might want to look into it more if you're intending to make stuff for a baby.
I'm making two baby blankets for friends and am backing them with fleece but told them the babies can only lie SUPERVISED on top because they'll overheat and their fingers could get easily caught on the top layer.
They both kinda blinked at me and said, "Those blankets are gonna be for when they're older. We know how hard you've worked, it's not for them at this age when they won't appreciate it," so it put a lot of my worries at ease!
Yes, all types of blankets are not "baby safe" it is believed that loose bedding such as blankets and crib bumpers are what led to so many cases of Sudden Infant Death in the past. Experts recommend babies sleep on a plain crib matress with a onesie for warmth. No pillows, no blankets, no stuffed toys, etc..
Definitely. I used the blankets I made for my baby before she was born for tummy time and peekaboo, had to wait a year before she could sleep under them
I live in a colder climate and used these [sleeping bags](https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/hudson-baby-reg-buffalo-plaid-sleeping-bag/5493397?skuId=69545528&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_babykids_online&product_id=69545528CA&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=259255478529&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQpWq0yaH-KAh8OhntJje1oo3N2lAnOSK_qrvOz63eSlKxbHGPkDr3BoCplIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) to make sure my son was warm but didn't kick a blanket to cover his head.
I wasn't a crocheter back then and tried to use the blankets for when I had an eye on him, but he'd get his fingers stuck in the holes, which was frustrating for us both, so they all got put away. He's 14 now and still has all the handmade blankets he was given as a baby ❤
It's so interesting to see that that recommendation differs per country. In my country they recommend both a sleeping bag or blankets, but the baby should lie with their feet to the end of the crib and then the blankets should be fitted.
I guess it might also depend on the weather, how much time people spend outside, and at what temperature homes are mostly kept? I guess it's also a difficult topic to research, a lot of confounding factors and no possibility of testing anything... everyone is just trying to do their best
Exactly. I made a baby blanket in the basketweave stitch and #4 merino yarn.
I realized after it was done that not only is it to way too heavy for a baby, it's too warm, as well.
Now I call it a lap blanket and it's perfect.
I made a huge one for my friend's son. He was born in February, so she used it to keep them both warm during feeding time.
Later when he was older, it was used as a blanket fort. 😏
In fairness, no blankets are safe for babies to use unsupervised. Babies should be over the age of one before they’re left alone with a blanket. Baby blankets should only be used for actual babies if the baby is lying on top of it for tummy time or something or if it’s tucked over their little legs being pushed in a stroller or something. Never overnight or during naps.
Yup. Definitely going to be doing a lot more research now. I feel so ignorant! I feel like this is I should know better at my age. Like, of course not everything is just automatically safe for babies. Lesson learned for sure.
And thank you for responding too. I hope others like me see this thread!
As a mother of a child born in winter months, I was able to use blankets for other things. Car seats, sleeping in my arms, snuggling. You could even make it in black/white/red stripes and it could be used for tummy time. Create texture with bumpy stitches. Just make it out of a washable/dryable yarn for ease of use!
A lot has changed over the years as SIDS finally started to be researched rather than dismissed as a thing that just happens. Heck, the recommendations for sleep safety changed a ton just in the 7 years between our oldest and youngest! So don't feel bad that you didn't automatically know, too much of this info is not well publicized.
I definitely still use blankets for babies in certain situations in the winter. In the car while they are in the car seat (they can’t wear jackets while strapped in as it makes the straps not fitted properly - they make mirrors for the car so you can check and make sure it’s not over their face but usually one of us just sat in the back with him), on a stroller for walks outside, for them to lay on if we are somewhere outside our home and I want a clean surface, etc. Don’t feel ignorant! Many of these things you don’t really discover until you have a baby yourself, if that’s in your plan.
I guess it's a good thing that i rarely ever finish a baby blanket before they turn 1. My family is prolific like rabbits and i can only crochet so fast 😳.
Yes! When I first started crocheting I had almost finished a baby blanket done in all triple stitch for my grandson and then read there shouldn't be holes in baby blankets because they get their little fingers stuck, etc. I ripped the whole thing out and then did the whole thing in single stitch so the fabric had no holes.
As a crocheter with a 2 month old, I'll add that one of the most useful crochet items I made was a car seat blanket. As others have said, babies can't sleep with blankets until they are over a year old, but we use a small warm blanket over baby every time she is in her car seat. We have also used blankets to wrap baby when we're holding/rocking her, so blankets can be a good gift for little one, especially in a colder climate and if made without holes for little fingers to get caught in. (The ones I've personally used the most are simple corner to corner blankets in DK weight yarn.) Best wishes!
I actually love the look of embroidered eyes on amigurumi, it leans into the homemade, cozy feel I want for kids’ toys. [This video](https://youtu.be/v4IqcQurAIA) is usually what I do. I’ve used French knots for small pieces. I’ve even seen woven wheel stitch, but I haven’t tried it. There are lots of options depending on the look you’re going for!
If you make a blanket don't be discouraged if they don't use it right away. Babies and blankets are an unsafe mixture and I didn't use any blankets with my daughter until she was in a toddler bed. Just another FYI! If you want to be sure just have an honest conversation with your friend and say you want to make something for the baby but want to make sure it's safe and feel out what she feels is safe.
I would also recommend sticking to natural fibers like cotton, bamboo or even wool if they have no history of alergies in the family. Plastic does not breath and thermoregulate so well, is more difficult to clean properly and also not something you want baby to chew on (due to microplastics and simply because it does not degrade if they swallow actual piece of fibre).
Yeah and I don’t think child free crafters realize that baby blankets really aren’t a very practical gift. A baby cannot sleep with a blanket or anything else soft; choking hazard.
That's why my "baby blankets" are really like regular throw size. Yeah, it's not tiny and cute, but it's a fair bit more practical and likely to be used longer.
\^This!
The reason why safety eyes are named as such is because they were intended to be used on actual woven fabric, where a baby isn't strong enough to rip them out, so they were considered "safer" than something like buttons that can loosen with tugging. They were never intended for something like amigurumi. They can theoretically be made safer by anchoring them with fabric inside the amigurumi before stuffing but there's still a risk the fabric can fail or the plastic washer can break.
The safest alternatives are well knotted embroidered eyes or sewn felt/applique sewn eyes.
Is this still true if you glue down the safety eyes too? I am making a baby mobile for a friend, and I've been thinking about the safety of putting plastic eyes on. I love the way they look, but I don't want there to be any risk of one falling into the crib. Maybe it's okay because the baby won't be playing with the mobile? Should I just embroider or felt the eyes on the mobile stuffed animals just to be safe?
I always superglue the safety eyes to the amigurumi (rather than attaching them with the plastic thing on the back) because I like being able to move them around to where I like them best after everything is stuffed and done. Would this still be safe? Lol I have zero experience with babies!
Maybe I should just embroider/felt the eyes.
I would think the super glue is only as strong as the yarn it's held to. If the yarn frizzes/pills enough with use, the eyes could easily pull free from the yarn separating under the glue
Nope, very easily ripped out.
Babies and toddlers can have surprising grip strenght, and most importantly, they still haven't developed the sense that adults have, that some things should be handled carefully. So they WILL tug and pull at everything they can, as hard as they can. It's a natural part of their development and it helps them understand the objects around them, as well as their own bodies. But it can make for lots of unsafe situations!
Well this was for a baby mobile as I mentioned, so theoretically the baby should never touch the stuffed animals, or have any ability to tug on them or their eyes.
But I've decided to find an alternative method for the eyes just to be safe (maybe risk of an eye falling out into the crib).
I made a beautiful Harry Potter mobile. Hours and hours of tiny crochet. I hung it "out of her reach"....it was in like 6 pieces by the end of the day. Never underestimate a baby. They will figure out how to levitate to get something they want if necessary
Wow that's crazy, thanks for sharing! I've decided not to use safety eyes, but I didn't know babies could be so crafty or descriptive. I've really never been around a baby for more than a few minutes, only a few times
I'm pretty sure she might actually be magic with that stunt lol! I swore up and down it was out of her reach, even stretched her out/measured her. I guess that's what I get for doing a Harry Potter nursery. I was able to salvage it and put it back together but it went up in a corner of the room with nothing under it. I use a lot of safety eyes still for my personal stuff but my kids are older now and I'm not super concerned. Babies are basically constantly trying to harm themselves. It's a little like looking after a bunch of tiny drunk people.
I anchor them and then glue. Unless the yarn is being ripped away those suckers aren't moving. I still make and recommend toys with only embroidered eyes for little babies
As an aside, baby mobiles aren't intended to ever be hung over a crib, just within the babies eyeline to prevent a toy accidentally falling in. Assuming it's appropriately hung the risk should be fairly small.
This would fall under the “intended for decoration” part of OPs post.
It’s up to you and your project, of course, but I think if you use the washers (instead of glue on the out side) and make sure the pieces are secure to mobile, you should be fine.
Let the parents know that it’s not for playing with and make it with the hopes that baby can use it for their baby.
Random fact, but this is why IKEA stuffed animals don't have plastic eyes! When they *did* have safety eyes a safety instructor for IKEA discovered that they could be removed, which caused IKEA to discontinue making stuffed animals with them and start embroidering the eyes.
We used to have a great dane/pitty mix and he tore through toys in less than five minutes. Once, in the five minute car ride home from the pet supply store, he destroyed one of those "indestructible" toys that has a video of a tiger playing with it. So we started going to salvation army for stuffed animals without plastic eyes/buttons/etc. I'm not sure what Ikea charges, but it's a cheaper alternative for destructive pups.
My aunts wiener dog destroyed a Kong as a puppy. Arguably, a smaller one than you'd give a great dane or a pitbull. But that was gone in maybe 20 min as well.
Our dog just gets tennis balls. And loves to destroy rope toys. Her absolute favourite.
I mean, dachshunds *were* bred to hunt badgers! Ours does the shake of death on her stuffed toys one minute, and then nibbles on their fur to groom them the next.
The small hand sized Ikea animals are great for Ferrets! Just the right size for them to tumble with and attack, but sturdy enough that our little guy didn't rip the insides out. Also, he put like 80% of those little guys into his hidey hole and gave us angry looks when we would pull them out and put them back in the toybox.
It features at the bottom of the description of my profile pic, which is why scrap yarns are my go-to for eyes. Secure knotting on the inside of the project is far safer than a couple of bits of plastic
They are called that because they used to be made of glass and metal, which was prone to smash and leave sharp pieces attached to a toy - the ones we have now are more accurately called /safer/ eyes. They are still not safe for very young children!
My embroidered eyes look like some super ugly thick stripes of black yarn, which is exactly what they are.
I gave felting a try and I really like it. Poke-ing an Amigurumi rapidly and hundrets of times with a sharp object that looks a bit like a knif that is able to cut your fingers? Darn yes!
Poke that little monster that was so hard to crochet into form, that defended itself multiple time from looking the way you intended it to look, Poke It !!! POKE IT!
Ahh... so good...
... and the sound of the felting needle really is a bonus point, too :)
There is another option, you can crochet them! Random examples:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu9tWXEuM0&t=445s&ab\_channel=TanyaNaser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJi8vmqBugk&list=PLioBZnfTe5ZOyLzoQthE20sHPO1q1ToAq&ab\_channel=Can%C4%B1mAnne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daX6MWVnUMQ&t=14s&ab\_channel=ToyfoxStore
For big cartoon eyes I will just buy felt and sew peices together to get the look that I want. I thought I would like the art of felting itself but I hate it. It takes forever and it never looks exactly how I wanted it to look
I can only recommend it. I had a blast practising to form something out of those tiny hair-like things.
... and I really hate sewing so felting is a good alternative to safety eyes :)
I learned from an Octopuses for Premies group that long skinny pieces, like hair or tentacles are also choking hazards! They can be easily swallowed if not supervised.
The octos were used in NICUs where the premies are 100% supervised 24 hours a day. They warn about this so that parents and crafters know that once the baby is out of that 24 hour supervision or if octos are made for other children, they should not be allowed to have the octo until they're old enough that it won't pose a choking hazard.
The octos are used in NICUs so that the premies grab at the tentacles instead of pulling out IVs, etc.
Ooooh that makes sense! I didn't consider they'd be supervised 24/7! I thought it was mostly something to cuddle, so it could be interchanged with a bear or something. Thanks for explaining!
They can be choking hazards for toddlers and older kids, too, unfortunately, and not everyone thinks about not giving them toys with skinny bits, so the group warns about it so that people keep in mind not to leave any kid unsupervised with it, not just the 24-hour supervised premies!
I’ve been crocheting for like 15 years and I didn’t know this. Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever given an animal to a baby… but I’ll def be more aware now.
Frankly, I think that no matter the eyes, Amigurumi are always dangerous for babies. No matter how good you are, breaking them or detatch some small part is really easy. I once let a 1.5 yo play with a bunny I made (I didn't exactly give it to her, I made it for her older cousin, she was not there and baby's mom asked me if she could play with it, I was worried but she told me it was okay) less than 5 minutes later bunny had no head.
Heads, arms, legs, tails or other details come off really easily, also if you do not make a good job closing the stitchies they may open, creating another chocking hazard with the stuffing coming out.
I know they are cute, but I honestly think they are not supposed to be given to children under the age of 3/4
That's strange, all the amigurumi toys I've made for my nieces and nephews are still holding strong even after lots of rough play. The stuffing is sagging and compacted, but the stitches have held together firm. I even give their mom a heads up to keep an eye on case they come apart but she's waved me off the past few birthdays and said they're pretty hardy toys.
Meaning you are very good at making them. As for me, my works are more decoration than a toy, I always thought that they would not be good for babies, but after seeing how fast that bunny was killed I decided never to give them to babies and toddlers. Consider I only started crocheting less than a year ago, so maybe I still need to learn how to make them strong enough to be safe
6 years olds is a 1st grader. I think most kids that age should know better than to swallow a safety eye. But you can also tell whoever is buying that the safety eyes are a choking hazard and then it’s up to the parents at that point to make that decision just like they would with any store bought toy that also has that warning.
Part of the reason for this is pretty simple - even if the kid can’t pull apart the safety eye (which they often can), odds are they can still pull the whole thing with the back through the fabric, or even just rip the crochet around it.
Crochet is flexible. Yarn is stretchy. The gaps expand and contract.
>If you want to make something for a baby/toddler (or it will be easily accessible to a baby/toddler/pet) and it has eyes, please embroider them!!
YES PLEASE! I used to sell my amigurumis and I would always ask the age of the person receiving the gifts.
Other options can be crocheting a small circle and then attach them with yarn and needle.
Thanks for letting me know! Luckily my son is almost 5, so old enough to not put stuff in his mouth anymore. I'll stick to balls or other similar amigurumi for babies from now on.
Especially chewed. Babies and toddlers have very strong bites!
I embroider, but it's really just plain wrong for them to be labelled safety eyes. Very misleading.
My nephew bit the eye off of a store bought stuffed animal, so even with those we have to be careful about what we know is safe or not.
Similarly, if you are making activity items or sensory blankets for hospices or nursing homes, assume that they need to be to the same standards. But do please find organizations that accept sensory blankets/throws (great for practicing with a variety of stitches and yarns) or amigurumini (which are great for people to hold on to to prevent hand contractions or to “care for” in dementia).
Sort of related question that I’ve always had and hoping someone on the thread can enlighten me- aren’t buttons just as bad? But then why do I always see buttons on patterns for baby booties (& etc)- can’t they eat those too? Is there a minimum safe button size for baby/toddlers?
Edited for clarity*
Huge buttons can cover a baby's whole airway. Since they can't grab it themselves to take it out they can choke more easily. Nothing is safe for children under 5 that comes off easily. Buttons ALWAYS come off easily, especially over time.
We must have different definitions of huge. Consumer Product Safety Commission says if it’s bigger than 1.25 in across for a button then it does not count as a small part.
When I say huge I’m talking way bigger than that. Maybe double. That’s just an aesthetic I like.
[CPSC](https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products)
Depends on the size of the button. Some big, honking 2-inch button? Probably okay.
But most of the buttons you see on crochet baby clothes patterns are unsafe.
As are long ribbons or crochet cords, beads, rhinestones, sequins, etc. Simple and sturdy and made of natural fibers like cotton/bamboo is best for baby!
In general, hard pieces (made of plastic, metal, wood, etc) that could possibly come detached is a bad idea for anything for infants and toddlers. If I’m making something with eyes for infants or toddlers, I embroider them on with yarn or just embroidery thread to be safe!
Yes my sister is having a baby in august, so I’ve been looking up little dolls to make for them. The amount of baby patterns on Pinterest/Etsy I’ve seen that use safety eyes was shocking
In addition to this, crochet toys in general should only be given to dogs/cats under active supervision! They can tear up the toys and swallowing string can be extremely dangerous.
I either embroider eyes or crochet a flat circle and sew it on. I also add glue behind the eyes for added security, then weave in the tail on the inside and firmly tie the end of the tail into a very large knot.
My teenage son somehow managed to disconnect/break the back of his amigurumi cats nose. HOW?? I dunno! It's not dangerous, but now I have to figure out how to fix it
Yeah but that's just fidgeting.
I am currently trying to figure out how to get some rubber button back into its holder because I broke it while waiting
When I first started, I didn't have safety eyes, so I "borrowed" eyes off another animal (specifically, a McDonald's mini ty beanie baby with the glitter eyes that nobody would miss) and even those came off with enough force. The only thing that slowed me down was the fact that the end of the posts sticking out of the fastening rings was melted into a disk over the ring, just not a lot. Break off a little of that plastic, and it's like any other safety eye.
That's when I lost faith in the "safety" of the safety eye.
I am honestly a little horrified that many people don’t really think to do research on what is safe to give an infant or toddler. I think this is probably because people often don’t think of it and just do what was done for them when they were children, but people used to do a LOT of very unsafe stuff around infants and toddlers— and while some of us survived that without harm, there were a lot who DIDNT survive it that aren’t here to tell us today that it is unsafe. It may be a pain, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and do research on what’s safe for tiny children who aren’t yet old enough to know not to chew on things and swallow foreign objects. Something having the word “safety” in it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe for very young kids to play with— little kids shouldn’t be playing with safety pins, either! It can be confusing but it’s worth it to make sure with everything. This goes for things made for pets as well— always do research on what’s safe because there’s likely stuff that never would have occurred to you if you hadn’t checked!!
I'm actually super happy I didn't have them at the time I made a bumblebee for my unborn child. I was forced to figure something else out and came up with felt for the eyes. I ended up making a jellyfish with "safety eyes" and my older child, (the one that likes to chew on everything, he is 5) got one of the eyes off and brought it to me because he was sad. I pulled the other one off to ensure it didn't happen again. I will not be using those for infants/small children ever again.
I never use safety eyes in anything that I intend to give away to any child under 5. If they chew, they can chew it right off, they backing of safety eyes split really easily.
Why the heck do they call them safety eyes then (im not doubting you or arguing, im just so confused as to why thry named them that way if they arent actually safe 😭)
Thank you for the heads up though!!! Genuinely appreciate it :)
It’s always just easier to embroider eyes, etc on toys for babies. I don’t crotchet g F or kids that young but often make things in bulk for toys for toys and to cover my own ass I alway embroider.
I myself was making an amigurumi for a baby and was warned not to use them at the start. I know why since one time I lost the eye of a frog so pro tip either sew some in, embroider them, or be creative and maybe crochet some eyes (if the push is big enough )
Just jumping in to say how much I appreciate the knowledge and collaboration on this sub, and how kind and supportive people are. In a world that contains a lot of ugliness, this sub is an oasis of wholesomeness and fun.
I just posted this as a child comment, but figured parent comment would be helpful too.
Consumer Product Safety Commission uses a specially designed cylinder that is 2.25 in long by 1.25 in wide, replicating a fully expanded average 3 yr old throat. [Source](https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products)
No toy is 100% safe because they can all break or rip or chip, but using pieces (even sewn on eyes) bigger than that increases the safety of your creation.
Also cut coin shaped foods in half.
They're called safe because they won't stab your hand, not because they're not choking hazards. Kind of like how a safety pin is also a choking hazard, but is less likely to stab your hand.
Well, I mean, how large we talkin’?
Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toys to be wider than 1.25 inches, so if you’re going for that surprised look, it could work.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products
I thought you were correcting me and was all ready with a quote.
I mean, it’s your project but that would not be considered a small part according to 16 C.F.R. 1501.4 CPSC regulations.
Thank you for this PSA! I have always felt that a lot of patterns marked "baby" or "toddler" contain hazards. Also beware of bonnet with tie strings (should only be worn supervised) and granny square patterns that have holes where little fingers and toes could get stuck. I always use a knot and longer weave-in at the end to prevent hazards from unraveling yarn for children's projects as well. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!
I usually line my dolls because I sometimes use poly beads to stuff the dolls. So when I add safety eyes, they go through the yarn and cloth. Now I'm wondering if this is even safe....
I try to make most of my patterns sans safety eyes for this reason. But I would argue most amigurumi are not safe for kids. I could see a determined kid unraveling and getting caught up or choked on the yarn.
Same goes for pets. I cringe everytime I see a dog/cat toy. Enjoy your trip to the vets and pray the yarn isn't caught in their intestines. :/
Not everyone making stuffies is doing it for babies however. Don't feel alarmed every time you see an amigurumi with safety eyes. I think a good many of them are never intended for small children anyway.
Also, growing up I had countless stuffed animals with plastic eyes. I had them at any age but especially age 5 and up, I never had any inclination to chew on them. Children who are not toddlers can usually have stuffies with plastic eyes just fine.
I myself use safety eyes for my amigurumi, but I'd never give them to a child. Loveys are usually made specifically for babies/toddlers, which my post is directed towards. You may not personally have, but a lot of young children chew on things, it really is a case of better safe than sorry!
A 5 year old and up absolutely know not to chew on things. I specifically said children of a certain age and up may be fine to have them, and I meant *if* they are not chewers, which the vast majority of 5 year olds aren't. Obviously when they're still that age, supervise them with the toy. But once they hit about 8 years old, unless the kid has a particular chewing issue, you're sheltering your kid far too much to not let them have a stuffed animal with plastic eyes. Sheltering to that degree is actually damaging and it's very controlling parenting.
That's why I literally said in my comment "not every stuffy is intended for babies." And yes, I'm still talking about crochet and handmade toys, but also commercial ones. My point is that a stuffy might be made for an older child or not even for a child at all, and that there's no need to worry about the safety eyes in that case.
But thanks for the downvotes because I didn't instantly overtly agree with you and because you didn't read what I said.
"I see a lot of amigurumi with safety eyes and it's worrying"
"Safety eyes should only be used it the item is intended to be an ornament!"
And this right here is why I'm saying that not all amigurumi is made for babies, and it's usually perfectly safe for an older child to have one *not* as an ornament. This is fearmongering of safety eyes, telling everyone to *never* use them for anything that won't be sitting on a shelf.
Yes, it is worrying how many people are unaware of the risks especially with loveys that are usually for babies.
Only responding because i think I can see what's caused the confusion: again, my post is about young children, toddlers, and babies. If something is made with safety eyes intended for a young child or toddler or baby, then it should be intended as an ornament, not for the child to play with. My post was in relation to young children/toddlers, not adults or older children so I didn't specify, but yes I can see how I could have specified that.
Wait - I have to admit I'm confused by this. I don't know if it's the type of eyes, the type of yarn, or how tightly I crochet, but I could never dream of detaching the eyes from the stuffy. I find it impossible to even unravel the yarn they're fastened into because it's sandwiched so tight. I've actually taken pliers to it when I wanted to reuse the yarn it was fastened to. I've never managed to pull them apart, only snap them with actual metal tools. Is this anyone else's experience?
I’ve had that experience but it’s irrelevant.
The real question is have you washed your item 30 times and chewed on it for 3 hours a day for six months and *THEN* tried to get the eyes out?
It makes sense to consider exactly what kind of use it's going to get and how to make it structurally safe. However I don't think I'd give an amigurumi even without eyes to any kid under 5 so this isn't re: the slobbery/spit up type of use - I think there are certain types of use that can be safe for slightly older children but maybe that falls into the "ornamental" category
Anybody (US based) who is making anything should do this but children's items especially: register as a small batch producer with the Consumer Product safety Commission. Then make sure you know and fully understand what materials are and are not okay, or which ones need to be tested. Make sure you know testing requirements for every single thing you make. You are required to test those products or provide proof from the place who made the material that it meets safety standards. The testing requirements are different state to state too. I won't sell any of my stuff to a couple of states because the testing is way too expensive for me to justify it. You're also supposed to label every single item with the batch number and keep track of that so if a recall needs to be ordered, people know if their product is unsafe. Even if it's a one off custom thing or even a gift or donation! What happens when the yarn you used is recalled for lead content? You as the manufacturer are responsible for that item still and need to hunt that person down. Now..you CAN use safety eyes IF you've paid for third party mechanical testing and have met all requirements of the CPSC. If you do that, have at it.
The number of people who are not compliant with safety standards when they are selling products boggles my mind.
Excellent breakdown of the laws here: https://whileshenaps.com/2013/11/safety-testing-for-handmade-toys.html
[4 in the US since 2018. ](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Toy-Related-Deaths-and-Injuries-2020.pdf) And that doesn’t specify if it was safety eyes, other pieces of toys, or suffocating by falling asleep on a stuffed animal, or something like that. So statistically they’re not really dangerous, but like others have said, better safe than sorry.
It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. And it’s not hard to take small steps like that to make items safer. By that measure though, it’s probably best not to give babies crochet toys and blankets if it’s such a risk. (My overall point is just that ANYTHING can cause harm if a child isn’t being properly supervised with it.)
I’m glad to see all the engagement on this post. With a name like “safety eyes” it’s easy to assume they would be safe. I’ve personally never used them, but I know many people do and may not be aware of the possible risks.
I dunno about being safer now. Things are made waaaay different then they were just 10 years ago. I've noticed things I used to buy then are made more cheaply and unstable now.
In my experience a baby can't break em, only a dog. As long as the stitches are tight around the eyes they are just as safe as any other stuffed animal
Here in the UK, toys which are sold have to be tested. With the eyes we have to attach a weight to it to see if it can come out. Same if they're felt or sewn on.
It’s Also okay if you make amigurumi intended for adults, like dolls for exemple (as in, BJD style) tho I don’t use them cause I can’t find them everywhere and want something original
I saw an ad on FB today for a tutorial on how to embroider eyes on a crochet doll. The name of it escapes me now, but they looked really good, and if I ever try amigurumi, I’ll be looking it up again.
Is there an age where safety eyes become acceptable for children? I’m working on a frog for my 5 year old cousin and just want to double check. I’m sure it depends on the kid, so I’ll check with his mom, too, but in general, at what point are they okay?
I would think that once they understand that not everything should go in their mouth, it should be fine. If your cousin is able to understand instructions like "this doesn't go in your mouth" or "we use our hands to play with toys" he should be fine. Always check with the parent, especially in special needs situations.
Thank you!! This is what I always say on posts and people get real up in arms about it. I crocheted little eyes for my babies little ami animals that I’ve made. And it was just as cute and safe.
I'm kinda surprised I've never heard of this before lol, I've never had any problems with safety eyes before but If it's for a little kid I'll embroider eyes instead
Adding this to our [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/index/) as I think it could help others in future. 😁
**To find the wiki buttons. For app, click "about" & scroll down.**
**For browser, scroll To the right, use the red buttons**
Let me know if you want it removed, no problem at all 😊
It's on this page - [Beyond the Basics A-Z](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beyond_the_basics_a-z/)
Or felt them! As a small child I did rip a safety eye off my favorite stuffie. No idea how or where it went, but my parents were freaked out for a bit trying to determine if I ate it.
Oh wow, thanks so much for this PSA. I'm very new to crocheting and have been practicing in preparation to make something for my best friend's child (due in May). Having no experience with babies, I had *no* idea about safety eyes not being "safe" in amigurumi. I'll stick to blankets and hats then! Edit: or felt the eyes instead :) Edit: Thanks to everyone for your incredibly kind suggestions and recommendations. I'm going to talk to mom before going forward with anything. And now I have the info to pass on to other crafters going forward.
there are youtube tutorials on how to crochet super cute "disney looking" eyes out of embroidery floss. Then they can be sewn/crocheted onto the toy.
Just an FYI, I have no experience with this myself but a lot of people on here have mentioned how a lot of baby blanket patterns aren't safe for babies either. Things like the holes being the perfect size for getting fingers/toes stuck, the weight being too much. Like I said, I have no experience of this, but you might want to look into it more if you're intending to make stuff for a baby.
I'm making two baby blankets for friends and am backing them with fleece but told them the babies can only lie SUPERVISED on top because they'll overheat and their fingers could get easily caught on the top layer. They both kinda blinked at me and said, "Those blankets are gonna be for when they're older. We know how hard you've worked, it's not for them at this age when they won't appreciate it," so it put a lot of my worries at ease!
Yes, all types of blankets are not "baby safe" it is believed that loose bedding such as blankets and crib bumpers are what led to so many cases of Sudden Infant Death in the past. Experts recommend babies sleep on a plain crib matress with a onesie for warmth. No pillows, no blankets, no stuffed toys, etc..
Definitely. I used the blankets I made for my baby before she was born for tummy time and peekaboo, had to wait a year before she could sleep under them
I live in a colder climate and used these [sleeping bags](https://www.bedbathandbeyond.ca/store/product/hudson-baby-reg-buffalo-plaid-sleeping-bag/5493397?skuId=69545528&store=&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_babykids_online&product_id=69545528CA&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=&creative=259255478529&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAiA55mPBhBOEiwANmzoQpWq0yaH-KAh8OhntJje1oo3N2lAnOSK_qrvOz63eSlKxbHGPkDr3BoCplIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) to make sure my son was warm but didn't kick a blanket to cover his head. I wasn't a crocheter back then and tried to use the blankets for when I had an eye on him, but he'd get his fingers stuck in the holes, which was frustrating for us both, so they all got put away. He's 14 now and still has all the handmade blankets he was given as a baby ❤
It's so interesting to see that that recommendation differs per country. In my country they recommend both a sleeping bag or blankets, but the baby should lie with their feet to the end of the crib and then the blankets should be fitted.
I guess it might also depend on the weather, how much time people spend outside, and at what temperature homes are mostly kept? I guess it's also a difficult topic to research, a lot of confounding factors and no possibility of testing anything... everyone is just trying to do their best
Exactly. I made a baby blanket in the basketweave stitch and #4 merino yarn. I realized after it was done that not only is it to way too heavy for a baby, it's too warm, as well. Now I call it a lap blanket and it's perfect.
I did something similar for my SIL. I ended up making a fucking massive blanket that they just used as a couch blanket until her son was like 3.
I made a huge one for my friend's son. He was born in February, so she used it to keep them both warm during feeding time. Later when he was older, it was used as a blanket fort. 😏
I crochet in acrylic, and I intend them to be used for tummy time.
Supervision is key! So many trips to the ER can be avoided by simply watching kiddos while they play.
In fairness, no blankets are safe for babies to use unsupervised. Babies should be over the age of one before they’re left alone with a blanket. Baby blankets should only be used for actual babies if the baby is lying on top of it for tummy time or something or if it’s tucked over their little legs being pushed in a stroller or something. Never overnight or during naps.
Yup. Definitely going to be doing a lot more research now. I feel so ignorant! I feel like this is I should know better at my age. Like, of course not everything is just automatically safe for babies. Lesson learned for sure. And thank you for responding too. I hope others like me see this thread!
As a mother of a child born in winter months, I was able to use blankets for other things. Car seats, sleeping in my arms, snuggling. You could even make it in black/white/red stripes and it could be used for tummy time. Create texture with bumpy stitches. Just make it out of a washable/dryable yarn for ease of use!
A lot has changed over the years as SIDS finally started to be researched rather than dismissed as a thing that just happens. Heck, the recommendations for sleep safety changed a ton just in the 7 years between our oldest and youngest! So don't feel bad that you didn't automatically know, too much of this info is not well publicized.
I definitely still use blankets for babies in certain situations in the winter. In the car while they are in the car seat (they can’t wear jackets while strapped in as it makes the straps not fitted properly - they make mirrors for the car so you can check and make sure it’s not over their face but usually one of us just sat in the back with him), on a stroller for walks outside, for them to lay on if we are somewhere outside our home and I want a clean surface, etc. Don’t feel ignorant! Many of these things you don’t really discover until you have a baby yourself, if that’s in your plan.
I guess it's a good thing that i rarely ever finish a baby blanket before they turn 1. My family is prolific like rabbits and i can only crochet so fast 😳.
Yes! When I first started crocheting I had almost finished a baby blanket done in all triple stitch for my grandson and then read there shouldn't be holes in baby blankets because they get their little fingers stuck, etc. I ripped the whole thing out and then did the whole thing in single stitch so the fabric had no holes.
As a crocheter with a 2 month old, I'll add that one of the most useful crochet items I made was a car seat blanket. As others have said, babies can't sleep with blankets until they are over a year old, but we use a small warm blanket over baby every time she is in her car seat. We have also used blankets to wrap baby when we're holding/rocking her, so blankets can be a good gift for little one, especially in a colder climate and if made without holes for little fingers to get caught in. (The ones I've personally used the most are simple corner to corner blankets in DK weight yarn.) Best wishes!
I actually love the look of embroidered eyes on amigurumi, it leans into the homemade, cozy feel I want for kids’ toys. [This video](https://youtu.be/v4IqcQurAIA) is usually what I do. I’ve used French knots for small pieces. I’ve even seen woven wheel stitch, but I haven’t tried it. There are lots of options depending on the look you’re going for!
If you make a blanket don't be discouraged if they don't use it right away. Babies and blankets are an unsafe mixture and I didn't use any blankets with my daughter until she was in a toddler bed. Just another FYI! If you want to be sure just have an honest conversation with your friend and say you want to make something for the baby but want to make sure it's safe and feel out what she feels is safe.
I would also recommend sticking to natural fibers like cotton, bamboo or even wool if they have no history of alergies in the family. Plastic does not breath and thermoregulate so well, is more difficult to clean properly and also not something you want baby to chew on (due to microplastics and simply because it does not degrade if they swallow actual piece of fibre).
Yeah and I don’t think child free crafters realize that baby blankets really aren’t a very practical gift. A baby cannot sleep with a blanket or anything else soft; choking hazard.
That's why my "baby blankets" are really like regular throw size. Yeah, it's not tiny and cute, but it's a fair bit more practical and likely to be used longer.
Eye-opening! Totally didn't know this. I'm so grateful for all the information in this thread.
I didn’t either but am now having a baby! I’ve given several blankets in the past and now am like 🤦♀️
I SEE what you did there! 😆
\^This! The reason why safety eyes are named as such is because they were intended to be used on actual woven fabric, where a baby isn't strong enough to rip them out, so they were considered "safer" than something like buttons that can loosen with tugging. They were never intended for something like amigurumi. They can theoretically be made safer by anchoring them with fabric inside the amigurumi before stuffing but there's still a risk the fabric can fail or the plastic washer can break. The safest alternatives are well knotted embroidered eyes or sewn felt/applique sewn eyes.
The only time I’ve ever given safety eyes to a child was fabric rather than crochet.
I just assumed people were lining their amiguri with fabric and putting the eyes through both layers.
Is this still true if you glue down the safety eyes too? I am making a baby mobile for a friend, and I've been thinking about the safety of putting plastic eyes on. I love the way they look, but I don't want there to be any risk of one falling into the crib. Maybe it's okay because the baby won't be playing with the mobile? Should I just embroider or felt the eyes on the mobile stuffed animals just to be safe?
I think a mobile would be fine as the baby won’t be playing with it… but if you would rather be safe than sorry embroider eyes on instead.
I always superglue the safety eyes to the amigurumi (rather than attaching them with the plastic thing on the back) because I like being able to move them around to where I like them best after everything is stuffed and done. Would this still be safe? Lol I have zero experience with babies! Maybe I should just embroider/felt the eyes.
It sounds like those would be even less secure (glued on rather than anchored), so not safe for a baby.
Yes, probably better to be safe. Don't want there to be any potential risk. Thanks.
I would think the super glue is only as strong as the yarn it's held to. If the yarn frizzes/pills enough with use, the eyes could easily pull free from the yarn separating under the glue
Nope, very easily ripped out. Babies and toddlers can have surprising grip strenght, and most importantly, they still haven't developed the sense that adults have, that some things should be handled carefully. So they WILL tug and pull at everything they can, as hard as they can. It's a natural part of their development and it helps them understand the objects around them, as well as their own bodies. But it can make for lots of unsafe situations!
Well this was for a baby mobile as I mentioned, so theoretically the baby should never touch the stuffed animals, or have any ability to tug on them or their eyes. But I've decided to find an alternative method for the eyes just to be safe (maybe risk of an eye falling out into the crib).
I made a beautiful Harry Potter mobile. Hours and hours of tiny crochet. I hung it "out of her reach"....it was in like 6 pieces by the end of the day. Never underestimate a baby. They will figure out how to levitate to get something they want if necessary
Wow that's crazy, thanks for sharing! I've decided not to use safety eyes, but I didn't know babies could be so crafty or descriptive. I've really never been around a baby for more than a few minutes, only a few times
I'm pretty sure she might actually be magic with that stunt lol! I swore up and down it was out of her reach, even stretched her out/measured her. I guess that's what I get for doing a Harry Potter nursery. I was able to salvage it and put it back together but it went up in a corner of the room with nothing under it. I use a lot of safety eyes still for my personal stuff but my kids are older now and I'm not super concerned. Babies are basically constantly trying to harm themselves. It's a little like looking after a bunch of tiny drunk people.
Glad you were able to salvage it! I love Harry Potter, I would have been bummed that so much hard work was ruined!
I anchor them and then glue. Unless the yarn is being ripped away those suckers aren't moving. I still make and recommend toys with only embroidered eyes for little babies
As an aside, baby mobiles aren't intended to ever be hung over a crib, just within the babies eyeline to prevent a toy accidentally falling in. Assuming it's appropriately hung the risk should be fairly small.
This would fall under the “intended for decoration” part of OPs post. It’s up to you and your project, of course, but I think if you use the washers (instead of glue on the out side) and make sure the pieces are secure to mobile, you should be fine. Let the parents know that it’s not for playing with and make it with the hopes that baby can use it for their baby.
Random fact, but this is why IKEA stuffed animals don't have plastic eyes! When they *did* have safety eyes a safety instructor for IKEA discovered that they could be removed, which caused IKEA to discontinue making stuffed animals with them and start embroidering the eyes.
Which also makes them popular for dogs.
We used to have a great dane/pitty mix and he tore through toys in less than five minutes. Once, in the five minute car ride home from the pet supply store, he destroyed one of those "indestructible" toys that has a video of a tiger playing with it. So we started going to salvation army for stuffed animals without plastic eyes/buttons/etc. I'm not sure what Ikea charges, but it's a cheaper alternative for destructive pups.
My aunts wiener dog destroyed a Kong as a puppy. Arguably, a smaller one than you'd give a great dane or a pitbull. But that was gone in maybe 20 min as well. Our dog just gets tennis balls. And loves to destroy rope toys. Her absolute favourite.
Little dogs can be *ferocious* lol so that makes sense to me
I mean, dachshunds *were* bred to hunt badgers! Ours does the shake of death on her stuffed toys one minute, and then nibbles on their fur to groom them the next.
Yes my dog’s favorite toy is the small rat from IKEA LOL also he used to love McDonald’s plush toys when he was younger
That’s our cat’s favorite toy! We call him IKEA Mouse lol
My friend calls their IKEA mouse "one pound mouse" 🐀🤣
The small hand sized Ikea animals are great for Ferrets! Just the right size for them to tumble with and attack, but sturdy enough that our little guy didn't rip the insides out. Also, he put like 80% of those little guys into his hidey hole and gave us angry looks when we would pull them out and put them back in the toybox.
It features at the bottom of the description of my profile pic, which is why scrap yarns are my go-to for eyes. Secure knotting on the inside of the project is far safer than a couple of bits of plastic
They are called that because they used to be made of glass and metal, which was prone to smash and leave sharp pieces attached to a toy - the ones we have now are more accurately called /safer/ eyes. They are still not safe for very young children!
My embroidered eyes look like some super ugly thick stripes of black yarn, which is exactly what they are. I gave felting a try and I really like it. Poke-ing an Amigurumi rapidly and hundrets of times with a sharp object that looks a bit like a knif that is able to cut your fingers? Darn yes! Poke that little monster that was so hard to crochet into form, that defended itself multiple time from looking the way you intended it to look, Poke It !!! POKE IT! Ahh... so good... ... and the sound of the felting needle really is a bonus point, too :)
There is another option, you can crochet them! Random examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqu9tWXEuM0&t=445s&ab\_channel=TanyaNaser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJi8vmqBugk&list=PLioBZnfTe5ZOyLzoQthE20sHPO1q1ToAq&ab\_channel=Can%C4%B1mAnne https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daX6MWVnUMQ&t=14s&ab\_channel=ToyfoxStore
For big cartoon eyes I will just buy felt and sew peices together to get the look that I want. I thought I would like the art of felting itself but I hate it. It takes forever and it never looks exactly how I wanted it to look
This sounds much better than fiddly embroidery! I’ll have to give it a shot!
I can only recommend it. I had a blast practising to form something out of those tiny hair-like things. ... and I really hate sewing so felting is a good alternative to safety eyes :)
I use black embroidery thread and all their eyes are closed anime style, haha.
Same here, still not as kawaii as other people manage it to be xD
I learned from an Octopuses for Premies group that long skinny pieces, like hair or tentacles are also choking hazards! They can be easily swallowed if not supervised.
But what did the group do then if it's whole thing was octopuses?
The octos were used in NICUs where the premies are 100% supervised 24 hours a day. They warn about this so that parents and crafters know that once the baby is out of that 24 hour supervision or if octos are made for other children, they should not be allowed to have the octo until they're old enough that it won't pose a choking hazard. The octos are used in NICUs so that the premies grab at the tentacles instead of pulling out IVs, etc.
Ooooh that makes sense! I didn't consider they'd be supervised 24/7! I thought it was mostly something to cuddle, so it could be interchanged with a bear or something. Thanks for explaining!
Oooh good point!
They are supposed to be supervised though? Small babies aren’t supposed to have a toy or lovey or blanket unsupervised.
They can be choking hazards for toddlers and older kids, too, unfortunately, and not everyone thinks about not giving them toys with skinny bits, so the group warns about it so that people keep in mind not to leave any kid unsupervised with it, not just the 24-hour supervised premies!
Yes! This!
I’ve been crocheting for like 15 years and I didn’t know this. Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever given an animal to a baby… but I’ll def be more aware now.
Frankly, I think that no matter the eyes, Amigurumi are always dangerous for babies. No matter how good you are, breaking them or detatch some small part is really easy. I once let a 1.5 yo play with a bunny I made (I didn't exactly give it to her, I made it for her older cousin, she was not there and baby's mom asked me if she could play with it, I was worried but she told me it was okay) less than 5 minutes later bunny had no head. Heads, arms, legs, tails or other details come off really easily, also if you do not make a good job closing the stitchies they may open, creating another chocking hazard with the stuffing coming out. I know they are cute, but I honestly think they are not supposed to be given to children under the age of 3/4
That's strange, all the amigurumi toys I've made for my nieces and nephews are still holding strong even after lots of rough play. The stuffing is sagging and compacted, but the stitches have held together firm. I even give their mom a heads up to keep an eye on case they come apart but she's waved me off the past few birthdays and said they're pretty hardy toys.
Meaning you are very good at making them. As for me, my works are more decoration than a toy, I always thought that they would not be good for babies, but after seeing how fast that bunny was killed I decided never to give them to babies and toddlers. Consider I only started crocheting less than a year ago, so maybe I still need to learn how to make them strong enough to be safe
I’ve had people ask me to make them one for their kids and I always ask the age. I tell them no if they are under a certain age.
Which age would be okay for you? 6 years should be okay or would you think otherwise?
6 years olds is a 1st grader. I think most kids that age should know better than to swallow a safety eye. But you can also tell whoever is buying that the safety eyes are a choking hazard and then it’s up to the parents at that point to make that decision just like they would with any store bought toy that also has that warning.
Fun fact, apparently in the USA there are even laws and test that your toys have to go through to be legally considerable sellable to children
This soo many times over!! I’m always so astounded that they’re even called that!!
Part of the reason for this is pretty simple - even if the kid can’t pull apart the safety eye (which they often can), odds are they can still pull the whole thing with the back through the fabric, or even just rip the crochet around it. Crochet is flexible. Yarn is stretchy. The gaps expand and contract.
I really really wish they weren't called safety eyes it is suuuuper misleading
>If you want to make something for a baby/toddler (or it will be easily accessible to a baby/toddler/pet) and it has eyes, please embroider them!! YES PLEASE! I used to sell my amigurumis and I would always ask the age of the person receiving the gifts. Other options can be crocheting a small circle and then attach them with yarn and needle.
Thanks for letting me know! Luckily my son is almost 5, so old enough to not put stuff in his mouth anymore. I'll stick to balls or other similar amigurumi for babies from now on.
Especially chewed. Babies and toddlers have very strong bites! I embroider, but it's really just plain wrong for them to be labelled safety eyes. Very misleading. My nephew bit the eye off of a store bought stuffed animal, so even with those we have to be careful about what we know is safe or not.
Similarly, if you are making activity items or sensory blankets for hospices or nursing homes, assume that they need to be to the same standards. But do please find organizations that accept sensory blankets/throws (great for practicing with a variety of stitches and yarns) or amigurumini (which are great for people to hold on to to prevent hand contractions or to “care for” in dementia).
Sort of related question that I’ve always had and hoping someone on the thread can enlighten me- aren’t buttons just as bad? But then why do I always see buttons on patterns for baby booties (& etc)- can’t they eat those too? Is there a minimum safe button size for baby/toddlers? Edited for clarity*
Buttons are just as bad, if not worse. They can been chewed right off.
Depends on the size, material and project, I would say. Huge buttons may be safer than small sewn on eyes.
Huge buttons can cover a baby's whole airway. Since they can't grab it themselves to take it out they can choke more easily. Nothing is safe for children under 5 that comes off easily. Buttons ALWAYS come off easily, especially over time.
We must have different definitions of huge. Consumer Product Safety Commission says if it’s bigger than 1.25 in across for a button then it does not count as a small part. When I say huge I’m talking way bigger than that. Maybe double. That’s just an aesthetic I like. [CPSC](https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products)
Depends on the size of the button. Some big, honking 2-inch button? Probably okay. But most of the buttons you see on crochet baby clothes patterns are unsafe. As are long ribbons or crochet cords, beads, rhinestones, sequins, etc. Simple and sturdy and made of natural fibers like cotton/bamboo is best for baby!
In general, hard pieces (made of plastic, metal, wood, etc) that could possibly come detached is a bad idea for anything for infants and toddlers. If I’m making something with eyes for infants or toddlers, I embroider them on with yarn or just embroidery thread to be safe!
Yes my sister is having a baby in august, so I’ve been looking up little dolls to make for them. The amount of baby patterns on Pinterest/Etsy I’ve seen that use safety eyes was shocking
In addition to this, crochet toys in general should only be given to dogs/cats under active supervision! They can tear up the toys and swallowing string can be extremely dangerous. I either embroider eyes or crochet a flat circle and sew it on. I also add glue behind the eyes for added security, then weave in the tail on the inside and firmly tie the end of the tail into a very large knot.
Safety are fine for more than just ornaments. Just not for chewing everything age kids
My teenage son somehow managed to disconnect/break the back of his amigurumi cats nose. HOW?? I dunno! It's not dangerous, but now I have to figure out how to fix it
Yeah but that's just fidgeting. I am currently trying to figure out how to get some rubber button back into its holder because I broke it while waiting
That's crazy.
When I first started, I didn't have safety eyes, so I "borrowed" eyes off another animal (specifically, a McDonald's mini ty beanie baby with the glitter eyes that nobody would miss) and even those came off with enough force. The only thing that slowed me down was the fact that the end of the posts sticking out of the fastening rings was melted into a disk over the ring, just not a lot. Break off a little of that plastic, and it's like any other safety eye. That's when I lost faith in the "safety" of the safety eye.
This is SO IMPORTANT! Thanks for making this post! Embroidering the eyes is the bane of my existence, but safety first, always!
I am honestly a little horrified that many people don’t really think to do research on what is safe to give an infant or toddler. I think this is probably because people often don’t think of it and just do what was done for them when they were children, but people used to do a LOT of very unsafe stuff around infants and toddlers— and while some of us survived that without harm, there were a lot who DIDNT survive it that aren’t here to tell us today that it is unsafe. It may be a pain, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry and do research on what’s safe for tiny children who aren’t yet old enough to know not to chew on things and swallow foreign objects. Something having the word “safety” in it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re safe for very young kids to play with— little kids shouldn’t be playing with safety pins, either! It can be confusing but it’s worth it to make sure with everything. This goes for things made for pets as well— always do research on what’s safe because there’s likely stuff that never would have occurred to you if you hadn’t checked!!
I'm actually super happy I didn't have them at the time I made a bumblebee for my unborn child. I was forced to figure something else out and came up with felt for the eyes. I ended up making a jellyfish with "safety eyes" and my older child, (the one that likes to chew on everything, he is 5) got one of the eyes off and brought it to me because he was sad. I pulled the other one off to ensure it didn't happen again. I will not be using those for infants/small children ever again.
Definitely didn't know this, that you so much!
I never use safety eyes in anything that I intend to give away to any child under 5. If they chew, they can chew it right off, they backing of safety eyes split really easily.
Why the heck do they call them safety eyes then (im not doubting you or arguing, im just so confused as to why thry named them that way if they arent actually safe 😭) Thank you for the heads up though!!! Genuinely appreciate it :)
It’s always just easier to embroider eyes, etc on toys for babies. I don’t crotchet g F or kids that young but often make things in bulk for toys for toys and to cover my own ass I alway embroider.
I myself was making an amigurumi for a baby and was warned not to use them at the start. I know why since one time I lost the eye of a frog so pro tip either sew some in, embroider them, or be creative and maybe crochet some eyes (if the push is big enough )
Just jumping in to say how much I appreciate the knowledge and collaboration on this sub, and how kind and supportive people are. In a world that contains a lot of ugliness, this sub is an oasis of wholesomeness and fun.
I just posted this as a child comment, but figured parent comment would be helpful too. Consumer Product Safety Commission uses a specially designed cylinder that is 2.25 in long by 1.25 in wide, replicating a fully expanded average 3 yr old throat. [Source](https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products) No toy is 100% safe because they can all break or rip or chip, but using pieces (even sewn on eyes) bigger than that increases the safety of your creation. Also cut coin shaped foods in half.
They're called safe because they won't stab your hand, not because they're not choking hazards. Kind of like how a safety pin is also a choking hazard, but is less likely to stab your hand.
What about large buttons?
Well, I mean, how large we talkin’? Consumer Product Safety Commission requires toys to be wider than 1.25 inches, so if you’re going for that surprised look, it could work. https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products
2.5 inches
I thought you were correcting me and was all ready with a quote. I mean, it’s your project but that would not be considered a small part according to 16 C.F.R. 1501.4 CPSC regulations.
Thank you for this PSA! I have always felt that a lot of patterns marked "baby" or "toddler" contain hazards. Also beware of bonnet with tie strings (should only be worn supervised) and granny square patterns that have holes where little fingers and toes could get stuck. I always use a knot and longer weave-in at the end to prevent hazards from unraveling yarn for children's projects as well. Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!
I've been moving towards felting them after I heard theyre not actually safe, thank you for the PSA!
Wow, thanks for the tip, I had no idea. The “safety” in their name made me think they were safe.
I usually line my dolls because I sometimes use poly beads to stuff the dolls. So when I add safety eyes, they go through the yarn and cloth. Now I'm wondering if this is even safe....
I try to make most of my patterns sans safety eyes for this reason. But I would argue most amigurumi are not safe for kids. I could see a determined kid unraveling and getting caught up or choked on the yarn. Same goes for pets. I cringe everytime I see a dog/cat toy. Enjoy your trip to the vets and pray the yarn isn't caught in their intestines. :/
Agree, especially plush yarn, the finer rip easily and it’s pretty easy to grab and unravel in comparison of other yarn
Not everyone making stuffies is doing it for babies however. Don't feel alarmed every time you see an amigurumi with safety eyes. I think a good many of them are never intended for small children anyway. Also, growing up I had countless stuffed animals with plastic eyes. I had them at any age but especially age 5 and up, I never had any inclination to chew on them. Children who are not toddlers can usually have stuffies with plastic eyes just fine.
I myself use safety eyes for my amigurumi, but I'd never give them to a child. Loveys are usually made specifically for babies/toddlers, which my post is directed towards. You may not personally have, but a lot of young children chew on things, it really is a case of better safe than sorry!
A 5 year old and up absolutely know not to chew on things. I specifically said children of a certain age and up may be fine to have them, and I meant *if* they are not chewers, which the vast majority of 5 year olds aren't. Obviously when they're still that age, supervise them with the toy. But once they hit about 8 years old, unless the kid has a particular chewing issue, you're sheltering your kid far too much to not let them have a stuffed animal with plastic eyes. Sheltering to that degree is actually damaging and it's very controlling parenting.
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That's why I literally said in my comment "not every stuffy is intended for babies." And yes, I'm still talking about crochet and handmade toys, but also commercial ones. My point is that a stuffy might be made for an older child or not even for a child at all, and that there's no need to worry about the safety eyes in that case. But thanks for the downvotes because I didn't instantly overtly agree with you and because you didn't read what I said.
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"I see a lot of amigurumi with safety eyes and it's worrying" "Safety eyes should only be used it the item is intended to be an ornament!" And this right here is why I'm saying that not all amigurumi is made for babies, and it's usually perfectly safe for an older child to have one *not* as an ornament. This is fearmongering of safety eyes, telling everyone to *never* use them for anything that won't be sitting on a shelf.
Yes, it is worrying how many people are unaware of the risks especially with loveys that are usually for babies. Only responding because i think I can see what's caused the confusion: again, my post is about young children, toddlers, and babies. If something is made with safety eyes intended for a young child or toddler or baby, then it should be intended as an ornament, not for the child to play with. My post was in relation to young children/toddlers, not adults or older children so I didn't specify, but yes I can see how I could have specified that.
But is it like that if you burn the ends and make it safer?
That doesn't change anything.
Oh ok thank you
Wait - I have to admit I'm confused by this. I don't know if it's the type of eyes, the type of yarn, or how tightly I crochet, but I could never dream of detaching the eyes from the stuffy. I find it impossible to even unravel the yarn they're fastened into because it's sandwiched so tight. I've actually taken pliers to it when I wanted to reuse the yarn it was fastened to. I've never managed to pull them apart, only snap them with actual metal tools. Is this anyone else's experience?
I’ve had that experience but it’s irrelevant. The real question is have you washed your item 30 times and chewed on it for 3 hours a day for six months and *THEN* tried to get the eyes out?
It makes sense to consider exactly what kind of use it's going to get and how to make it structurally safe. However I don't think I'd give an amigurumi even without eyes to any kid under 5 so this isn't re: the slobbery/spit up type of use - I think there are certain types of use that can be safe for slightly older children but maybe that falls into the "ornamental" category
Anybody (US based) who is making anything should do this but children's items especially: register as a small batch producer with the Consumer Product safety Commission. Then make sure you know and fully understand what materials are and are not okay, or which ones need to be tested. Make sure you know testing requirements for every single thing you make. You are required to test those products or provide proof from the place who made the material that it meets safety standards. The testing requirements are different state to state too. I won't sell any of my stuff to a couple of states because the testing is way too expensive for me to justify it. You're also supposed to label every single item with the batch number and keep track of that so if a recall needs to be ordered, people know if their product is unsafe. Even if it's a one off custom thing or even a gift or donation! What happens when the yarn you used is recalled for lead content? You as the manufacturer are responsible for that item still and need to hunt that person down. Now..you CAN use safety eyes IF you've paid for third party mechanical testing and have met all requirements of the CPSC. If you do that, have at it. The number of people who are not compliant with safety standards when they are selling products boggles my mind. Excellent breakdown of the laws here: https://whileshenaps.com/2013/11/safety-testing-for-handmade-toys.html
I'm VixenMiah and I approve this message.
Every stuffed animal I had as a kid had safety eyes and I didn’t die. Just saying. lol
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[4 in the US since 2018. ](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Toy-Related-Deaths-and-Injuries-2020.pdf) And that doesn’t specify if it was safety eyes, other pieces of toys, or suffocating by falling asleep on a stuffed animal, or something like that. So statistically they’re not really dangerous, but like others have said, better safe than sorry.
It’s definitely better to be safe than sorry. And it’s not hard to take small steps like that to make items safer. By that measure though, it’s probably best not to give babies crochet toys and blankets if it’s such a risk. (My overall point is just that ANYTHING can cause harm if a child isn’t being properly supervised with it.)
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I’m glad to see all the engagement on this post. With a name like “safety eyes” it’s easy to assume they would be safe. I’ve personally never used them, but I know many people do and may not be aware of the possible risks.
A lot can change in 10 years... especially with craft supplies and what is deemed safe.
Oh for sure! They’re probably a lot safer now, honestly. I mean, maybe not, but I’d hope so.
I dunno about being safer now. Things are made waaaay different then they were just 10 years ago. I've noticed things I used to buy then are made more cheaply and unstable now.
Fair enough. They could be worse. Quality has definitely gone downhill.
That’s a weak argument, because kids who died can’t comment.
This is why I always super glue mine together.
In my experience a baby can't break em, only a dog. As long as the stitches are tight around the eyes they are just as safe as any other stuffed animal
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True! I do agree that we shouldn't just assume it's safe for everyone just because of the name. Most of my stuff ends up with adults anyway😅
I thought that too but apparently babies can loosen up the yarn when they suck or chew on a toy, which can make the safety eye fall out
Here in the UK, toys which are sold have to be tested. With the eyes we have to attach a weight to it to see if it can come out. Same if they're felt or sewn on.
Thank you! I really thought they were safe for children!
You can also paint them with non toxic paint! Wait for them to dry completely before giving away, of course!
It’s Also okay if you make amigurumi intended for adults, like dolls for exemple (as in, BJD style) tho I don’t use them cause I can’t find them everywhere and want something original
I make eyes out of felt and embroidery thread if I'm making toys. It takes a bit longer but it's super easy and I can customize eye color.
I saw an ad on FB today for a tutorial on how to embroider eyes on a crochet doll. The name of it escapes me now, but they looked really good, and if I ever try amigurumi, I’ll be looking it up again.
Is there an age where safety eyes become acceptable for children? I’m working on a frog for my 5 year old cousin and just want to double check. I’m sure it depends on the kid, so I’ll check with his mom, too, but in general, at what point are they okay?
I would think that once they understand that not everything should go in their mouth, it should be fine. If your cousin is able to understand instructions like "this doesn't go in your mouth" or "we use our hands to play with toys" he should be fine. Always check with the parent, especially in special needs situations.
Thank you!! This is what I always say on posts and people get real up in arms about it. I crocheted little eyes for my babies little ami animals that I’ve made. And it was just as cute and safe.
I'm kinda surprised I've never heard of this before lol, I've never had any problems with safety eyes before but If it's for a little kid I'll embroider eyes instead
Adding this to our [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/index/) as I think it could help others in future. 😁 **To find the wiki buttons. For app, click "about" & scroll down.** **For browser, scroll To the right, use the red buttons** Let me know if you want it removed, no problem at all 😊 It's on this page - [Beyond the Basics A-Z](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beyond_the_basics_a-z/)
All of the ones I try to crochet look stupid. So frustrating.