7 Best Plastic Safety Eyes For Durable Toys To Use
Choosing the right plastic safety eyes is vital for toy longevity. Discover our top 7 durable, secure picks that ensure your handmade creations stay safe.
Choosing the right safety eyes can make or break the personality of your handmade amigurumi. While a simple knot or embroidered face has its charm, plastic safety eyes provide that professional, polished finish that turns a project into a keepsake. With two decades of experience at the needles, I have learned that the hardware you choose is just as vital as your choice of yarn. This guide will help you navigate the sea of options to ensure your toys are both beautiful and structurally sound.
6mm Glitz Solid Black Safety Eyes: Best Overall
When you are working on a delicate, small-scale project, the 6mm glitz eye is my go-to choice. These eyes offer a subtle, light-catching quality that prevents the "dead-eyed" look often associated with flat plastic components.
They are incredibly versatile, fitting perfectly into tight, fine-gauge stitches without distorting the fabric. Because they are solid black, they blend seamlessly into almost any color palette, making them a reliable staple to keep in your notions bag.
The trade-off here is the size; they are quite small, which can be tricky if you have limited dexterity. However, for a classic, timeless aesthetic, they remain the industry standard for a reason.
10mm Colored Iris Safety Eyes: Best for Detail
If you want your plushies to have a soul, you need to look at colored iris eyes. These add a layer of depth and personality that solid colors simply cannot replicate.
I often use these for whimsical creatures or dolls where the eye color needs to complement the yarn choice. By matching the iris to a secondary accent color in your project, you create a cohesive, high-end look that stands out at craft fairs.
Be aware that these can sometimes look "cheap" if the printing on the iris is low quality. Always inspect them for crisp, clear lines before installing them into your work.
12mm Matte Finish Safety Eyes: Best for Realism
Sometimes, the high-gloss shine of standard plastic eyes feels a bit too "toy-like" for a sophisticated design. Matte finish eyes provide a soft, muted look that mimics the appearance of natural, non-reflective eyes.
They work exceptionally well with rustic, wool-based yarns that have a natural halo. Because they don’t catch the light, they feel more grounded and organic, which is perfect for woodland creatures or realistic animals.
The main drawback is that they don’t "pop" as much as glossy ones. If your project is meant to be a high-contrast display piece, you might find these a bit underwhelming.
8mm Screw-Back Round Eyes: Best for Beginners
When you are just starting out with amigurumi, the screw-back mechanism is the most forgiving option. These are sturdy, reliable, and incredibly easy to install, even if your tension is a bit uneven.
The screw-back design allows you to adjust the placement slightly before locking the washer in place. This is a huge advantage when you are still learning how to map out facial features symmetrically.
Don’t overthink the simplicity; these are the workhorses of the knitting world. They provide a secure fit that holds up well to the inevitable tugging and pulling that toys face in the hands of a child.
14mm Premium Glass-Look Eyes: Best for Plushies
If you are crafting a larger, huggable plushie, you need an eye with presence. Glass-look plastic eyes offer a high-clarity, domed appearance that adds significant weight and visual interest to a larger head.
These eyes look expensive and feel substantial. They are perfect for projects made with bulky or super-bulky weight yarns, where a smaller eye would simply get lost in the fluff.
The downside is their weight; if your fabric is too thin or your tension is too loose, these heavy eyes can cause the fabric to sag. Always reinforce your eye placement area with a small square of felt to prevent drooping.
20mm Oversized Animal Eyes: Best for Monsters
For those fun, quirky monster projects, bigger is almost always better. These 20mm eyes are designed to be exaggerated, providing that playful, slightly chaotic look that makes monsters so endearing.
They are fantastic for hiding minor imperfections in your stitching. When you have a massive eye taking up the space, the viewer is less likely to notice a slightly wonky increase or a stray yarn end.
Be mindful of the scale of your project, though. A 20mm eye on a small toy will look comical, which might be the goal, but ensure the weight of the eye doesn’t pull the face out of shape.
9mm Locking Washer Safety Eyes: Best for Safety
Safety is the absolute priority when gifting toys to children. Locking washers are designed with a specialized, tight-fitting backing that is notoriously difficult to remove once snapped into place.
I always recommend these for any toy that will be handled by a toddler. The locking mechanism creates a physical barrier that prevents the eye from being pulled through the fabric, which is a significant choking hazard.
While they provide peace of mind, they can be physically taxing to install. I suggest using a specialized tool or a small socket wrench to help press the washer down without straining your hands.
How to Select the Right Safety Eye Size for Toys
Choosing the right size is all about balancing the scale of the face with the density of your yarn. A good rule of thumb is to hold the eyes up to your work-in-progress before you finish the head.
- Fine gauge (fingering/sport): Stick to 6mm to 8mm.
- Medium gauge (worsted/aran): 9mm to 12mm usually hits the sweet spot.
- Bulky/Super Bulky: Feel free to go 14mm and above.
Remember that your stitch count matters. If your stitches are too large for the eye post, the eye will wobble; if they are too small, the eye will distort the fabric.
Essential Tips for Securing Safety Eye Washers
Installing washers can be the most frustrating part of the process, especially if you have sensitive joints. My best advice is to use a "washer tool" or a simple DIY alternative like a small piece of PVC pipe to apply even pressure.
If the washer is particularly stubborn, soak it in warm—not boiling—water for a few minutes. This softens the plastic, making it much more pliable and easier to snap over the notched post of the eye.
Always double-check the tightness before you close up your project. Once the stuffing is in and the head is sewn shut, there is no going back to fix a loose eye.
Safety Considerations for Toys for Young Children
Even with the best "safety" eyes, there is no such thing as a toy that is 100% indestructible. If you are making a gift for a child under three, consider embroidering the eyes instead of using plastic hardware.
If you insist on plastic, always perform a "pull test" on every single eye before the toy leaves your hands. Pull firmly on the eye to ensure the washer is fully seated and the post is not bending or slipping.
Never assume that a product label saying "safety eyes" makes the toy inherently safe for all ages. As the maker, you carry the responsibility of ensuring the hardware is installed correctly and securely.
Selecting the right safety eyes is a blend of artistic vision and functional engineering. By considering the size, finish, and locking mechanism, you ensure your plushies are as durable as they are charming. Take your time with the installation, prioritize safety for the youngest recipients, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles. Your attention to these small details is exactly what separates a handmade toy from a store-bought one.
