Easy Peasy Amigurumi Eye Emboidery FREE Tutorial

Embroidering eyes onto your amigurumi may seem like an impossible feat, but it really can be done AND it’s actually quite easy.  So, gather up your materials, fill up your wine glass, and let’s get to work!

Tools and Materials
~Embroidery thread in black, white, and iris color of your choice (I’ll be using green in this tutorial)

~Scissors

~Thin crochet hook or yarn needle

~Straight pins

~Crewel needle (this is basically a sewing needle that has an eye large enough for embroidery thread to fit through)

~Practice ball*

*To create a practice ball you will need to crochet a simple ball shape in the normal yarn and size that you would typically use for amigurumi.

Easy Amigurumi Eye Embroidery

We will be creating the pupils first.  To do this use the straight pins to mark where you would like the center of the eyes to be on your practice ball.  Then, thread the black floss onto your needle like in the picture to the right. 

If your practice ball is about 2.5 inches in diameter, like mine is, then you’ll want to cut about a 10 inch length of the black thread.  Larger practice balls would need a little longer length of thread.  

Easy Amigurumi Eye Embroidery Tutorial:

Step One: Beginning with the eye on your right (which will be the ami’s left eye), insert the needle BETWEEN crochets about 6 stitches away from the pin marking the pupil position.  Bring the needle out of the practice ball in the place where the pin marker is (this will now be referred to as point A).  Be sure to leave a short tail hanging from the insertion point as this will be used to tie off later.  Remove pin marker.

Use the diagram below regarding point placement.

Step Two: Insert the needle in point B and bring it back out at point A in the same stitch.  Repeat once. 

Step Three: Insert the needle at point C and bring it back out at point D in the same stitch.  Insert the needle at point C again and bring it back out at the original insertion point. 

Note: If you feel you need more coverage – which you may if you are working with a larger practice ball – then go ahead and add a few stitches in the same manner.  Don’t worry if you don’t have a perfect circle shape.

To finish off gently tie both of the threads together and cut off the excess thread.  Use the thin crochet hook or yarn needle to tuck that little knot back into the head to hide it (see photos below). Repeat process in reflection to create other pupil.

Next, we will be creating the iris.  Use the diagram below regarding point placement.

Step Four: Cut about a 20-inch length of thread in the color of your choice, thread onto the needle (the same way as the threaded black yarn photo before step one), and insert one row below where you inserted when beginning the pupil.  Bring needle out above the pupil and just a little to the right.  We’ll call this point E.  Again, be sure to leave a short tail hanging from the insertion point as this will be used to tie off later.

*Insert the needle at point F.  Bring it out at point G.

Insert at point H.  Bring it out at point I. 

Insert at point E.  Bring it out at point F.

Insert at point G.  Bring it out at point H.

Insert at point I.*  Bring it out at point E.

Repeat *to* around just next to the circle of iris that you just made.  Once you get to the last step where you insert at point I, you will then exit on the side in the same place where you first inserted.  If you feel like you need more coverage, then go ahead and make another round(s) in this same manner next to the one that you just made.  To finish off gently tie both of the threads together and cut off the excess length.  Use the thin crochet hook or yarn needle to tuck that little knot back into the head to hide it.  Repeat process in reflection to create other iris.

In this next section we will create the white area of the eyes and a little glint.  Use the diagram below regarding point placement.

Step Five: Cut about a 20-inch length of white embroidery floss, thread it onto the needle, and insert one row below where you inserted when beginning the iris.  Bring needle out a little to the right of point E.  We will call this point J.

Insert into point K.  Bring the needle out at point L.

Insert at point M.  Bring the needle out at the top right star and insert the needle just below (a few millimeters) to create a glint in the eye.  Bring the needle out at point K.

Insert at point L.  Bring the needle out at the top of the bottom left star and insert just below (a few millimeters) to create a second glint in the eye.  Bring it out at point J.

Add another round of white by following the pattern: Out at J, in at K, out at L, in at M, out at K, in at L, out at original white thread insertion point on the side of the head.

To finish off gently tie both of the threads together and cut off the excess length.  Use the thin crochet hook or yarn needle to tuck that little knot back into the head to hide it.  Repeat process in reflection to create other white and glint(s).

In this last section we will be creating the eyelids and eyelashes.  Use the diagram below regarding point placement.

Step Six:  Thread a 20-inch length of black embroidery floss onto your needle.  Insert the needle BETWEEN crochets about 6 rows away from the top of the eye.  Bring the needle out just to the left of point M.  We’ll call this point N.

Insert the needle at point O.  Bring it out at point P.

Insert at point O again.  Bring it out at point Q.

Insert at point O again Bring it out at point R.

Insert at point S.  Bring it out where you first inserted at the beginning of this section.

Finish off by gently tying these two ends together and cut off the excess length.  Use the thin crochet hook or yarn needle to tuck that little knot back into the head to hide it.  Repeat the process in reflection to create the eyelid and lashes on the other eye.

FINISHED! And embellished with nose, mouth, and hair.

Tutorial notes:

The pupil is similar to the satin stitch in traditional embroidery and the iris and whites of the eyes along with the eyebrow and lashes are similar to the backstitch.

Keep in mind that the more you practice your new easy amigurumi eye embroidery skills, the more proficient you will become.  Just like in crochet, the more you practice the better you become.  Most of you reading this can probably crochet a scarf of ball shape with your eyes closed!  With enough practice you will no doubt have people asking you to teach them how to embroider eyes!

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