Accessories for Making Toys

Accessories for making toys help you finish a crocheted or knitted character: stuffing gives it shape, while eyes and a nose give it expression. They suit amigurumi, the small crocheted figures, as well as larger yarn animals and dolls. You can choose stuffing made from white polyester fibre or natural virgin wool, and toy eyes in sizes from 6 to 15 mm. Crochet hooks, scissors and stitch markers also come in handy as you work.

Polyester fibre or wool: what should you use to stuff a toy?

Polyester stuffing is white, light and fluffy, making it suitable for most toys, decorations and cushions. Stuffing made from 100 % virgin wool has a natural colour and is a choice when you want only natural material inside your toy, such as a character made with wool yarn. A small 50 g pack is enough for tiny figures, while packs of up to 1 kg are included for larger animals and cushions.

Add the stuffing in small tufts and push it into the narrower parts too, so the toy stays free of lumps and holds its shape. You'll find all the types of stuffing on the Filling for Toys page.

What size eyes should you choose for a crocheted toy?

The shiny black Woolkie Toolkie eyes come in 6, 9, 12 and 15 mm sizes, in packs of 10 or a set of 24 containing all four sizes. Smaller eyes suit tiny amigurumi, larger ones suit animals with bigger heads, and the same type can also be used as a nose. A set with four sizes is useful if you don't yet know which size will suit your character's face.

Before fixing the eyes in place, try out their position with pins and check the head from both the front and the side. You'll find accessories for the face on the Eyes and Noses for Toys page.

What other accessories for making toys will you need?

Amigurumi is crocheted in a continuous spiral without joining the rounds, so a stitch marker helps you keep track of the start of each round. Use a smaller crochet hook than the size recommended for the yarn to make tight stitches that don't let the stuffing show through. A small pair of embroidery scissors is enough for trimming and finishing the ends. You'll find crochet hooks made of metal, aluminium and plastic on the Crochet Hooks page.