10.27.2014

Eyeballs. Literally, eye... balls.



Materials:


- G hook
- worsted weight yarn
- fiberfill stuffing
- stitch marker
- yarn needle

You will need to know how to:

- chain (ch)
- slip stitch (ss)
- single crochet (sc)

**  This portion of the pattern is worked in a continuous spiral round (with no joining or turning) so, don't forget to mark your place with a stitch marker of some sort - I use a paperclip.  It drives me nuts to fumble with those teeny, tiny plastic rings...

Using white yarn:

You can start 'Round 1' in one of two ways:

- Ch 2 and then sc 6 into 2nd ch from hook.

OR

- Sc 6 into a 'magic ring' - do not join.

I prefer to use a 'magic ring' because it allows me to tug on the tail and make the round snug; beginners may choose to use the 'ch 2' method.

Here we go:

Round 2:  2 sc in each sc around.  (12 sts)
Round 3:  (Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc) around.  (18 sts)
Round 4:  (Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc) around.  (24 sts)
Round 5:  (Sc 3, 2 sc in next sc) around.  (32 sts)
Round 6-10:  Sc around.  (32 sts)
Round 11:  (Sc 3, dec) around.  (24 sts)
Round 12:  (Sc 2, dec) around.  (18 sts)
Round 13:  (Sc 1, dec) around.  (12 sts)

Stop for a moment to begin stuffing the eyeball.

**  How I do it is, I grab a good chunk of fluff and place it inside the eyeball.  I kind of work my way around, pressing the fluff up the sides, (think about how a potter works on the sides of a bowl...) creating a little open area in the center, and that's where I add my extra fluff as it is needed here and through the next couple rounds.

Round 14:  Dec around.  (6 sts)

**  Since we're talking 'stuffing' today:  at this point, I roll the ball between my hands to check on the firmness of it.  I'm looking for it to be firmly stuffed, but, not so much that I can see the fiberfill through the stitches.  If you can see it a little through these last few rounds, it's not a big deal.  We're going to sew the iris/pupil over this, anyway.  If you are unhappy with the firmness, simply add more bits of fiberfill, using a crochet hook to push it through the opening of this round...  

Round 15:  Sc in every other sc.  (3 sts)

Fasten off.  Sew closed.  Hide the end.

Now, to do the pupil and iris:

Using black yarn:

Round 1:  Start with 6 sc in whichever method you choose.  (See round 1 of the eyeball.)  But this time, you will join with a ss into the first sc of that round, and ch 1 without turning to start the next round.
**  If this step is unclear and/or could be worded better, let me know.  Leave a message in the comments, shoot me an e-mail, hit me up on Facebook.  Remember:  I do this for 'you'.  So, if you can't walk away from my blog having made something awesome, my blog is pointless...  ; )

Round 2:  2 sc in each sc around.  Ss into 1st sc of the round.  Ch 1.  Do not turn.

Using blue, purple, green, yellow (whichever color you choose for your eye) yarn:

Round 3:  (Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc) around.

Ss into next sc and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing onto the eyeball.

Position the iris/pupil piece over the bottom of the eyeball.  This will be the less-attractive side, the one that we talked about covering as we were finishing up the eyeball.  You can pin it into place if you need to.  Using the long tail, sew this iris/pupil into place.

**  A word about sewing:  Take that extra time to do it well.  Don't rush it.  The results are worth it.  Don't allow gaps between the two pieces you are sewing together.  It ups the 'baby-safe' factor and gives a polished, professional look.  I sew through each sc when I am attaching crochet pieces such as this...  : )

Optional:  Using red yarn, 'embroider' zig-zaggy lines for veins on the eyeball.  It may take a little practice to get the technique down for 'embroidering' on stuffed pieces, but - once you do, you'll love having an additional embellishment technique up your sleeves for other crochet projects...  : )

If you'd like to share what you've made, post it to my crochet page or e-mail it to me at crochetbydanellerae@yahoo.com so I can help you show it off...  ; )

**  Of course, what you make from this mini-pattern is your property: sell it, donate it, keep it all to yourself. However, please do not steal my pattern to call as your own and always give credit where credit is due - a quick little link to my blog is the greatest 'thank you', ever.  <3