Introduction: Knitted Eyeball
This is a fun, easy knitting project using the Knifty Knitter knitting looms. Knitted eyeballs of different sizes make great Halloween decorations. Make a whole set in different eye colors, to match all your family members!
This project is suitable for older children, too, as long as they are old enough to use a (fairly dull) plastic yarn needle.
Step 1: Materials
The Materials you will need to make this project:
1. Knifty Knitter set of knitting looms.
These come in 4 sizes, for this project I am using the smallest loom (the blue one) but you can use any size. I have made larger eyeballs using the green loom.
2. Yarn- I am using Lion Brand Vanna's Choice. If you are using one of the larger looms you will want to either use thicker yarn (bulky weight) or use a double strand of worsted weight.
1 skein of white yarn
1 skein of black yarn (you won't use very much black so if you have some leftover from another project that is perfect)
1 skein of blue yarn (or brown or green, whatever eye color you want to make)
1 small skein of red yarn or red embroidery floss, I used Sugar 'n' Cream crochet yarn.
3. scissors
4. Poly fiberfill stuffing
Step 2: Getting Started
You will start with the white yarn.
The knitting process follows the basic Knifty Knitter instructions, I'm assuming if you own the looms you have used them before and know the basics.
Cast on with the white yarn and begin to knit a tube.
Knit until the white tube is about 5 inches* long.
*5 inch measurement pertains to using the smallest loom. If you are using a larger size loom, these length measurements will be larger.
Step 3: Changing Colors
Now you want to switch to the blue yarn.
(or brown or green, whatever eye color you chose)
Leave a tail of the white thread anchored to the outside peg, and wrap the next circle of loops using the blue yarn.
Continue knitting with the blue yarn a few more times around, and then tie off the tails of blue and white in a knot together. Pull the tails of the knot inside the tube to weave in later.
Step 4: Knitting the Pupil
Follow the same color changing directions as in step 3.
Now knit about an inch and a half with the black yarn.
When you are done, anchor the tail to the outside peg and cut the yarn leaving about a 6 inch tail.
- Inch and a half measurement pertains to using the smallest loom. If you are using a larger size loom, these length measurements will be larger.
Step 5: Remove Eyeball From the Loom
Wrap a piece of black yarn around the outside of the loom to measure it, and cut a piece about 6 inches larger than the loom circumference.
Thread the piece of black yarn in the plastic yarn needle that came with your Knifty Knitter loom.
Use the yarn needle to lift the last set of loops off the loom, one by one, following the basic Knifty Knitter directions.
This piece of yarn will serve as a drawstring to close the pupil, once the eyeball is off the loom.
Step 6: Tying the Drawstring
Now your knitted tube should be off the loom and look something like this.
It looks long and skinny but don't worry, the tube will stretch quite a bit when it is stuffed.
Turn the tube inside out, and pull the last black piece of yarn tight from booth sides like a drawstring, closing off the black end. Tie them in a tight knot and also tie those 2 tails to the black tail from the tube.
Weave in the ends of these tails and the tails from both times you changed colors.
Turn the tube right side out again.
Step 7: Stuff the Eyeball
Start to stuff the eyeball through the white end, which will still be open.
Use white poly fiberfill stuffing, it will still be somewhat visible through the holes in the knitted tube, but it won't fall out.
It won't b e as visible through the blue and black sections because they are not stretched as much.
Stuff it until you get a nice rounded shape, it can even be a little oval shaped like a nearsighted eyeball.
When you think it is full enough, thread some of the white yarn with the plastic yarn needle and thread it through the bottom loops on the white end of the tube.
Close it tight and tie it off using the same drawstring method you used on the black end.
Weave in ends.
Step 8: Add the Bloodshot Veins!
Now you could stop here, it's a perfectly nice little eyeball. Roly-poly and soft, all ready to be thrown at someone! But something is missing! To make a good Halloween decoration, you really need some veins.
Cut some of the red yarn, about 24 inch pieces are easiest to handle.
Thread one of the pieces in the plastic yarn needle and start "embroidering" veins onto the eyeball. I just improvised this step, weaving the red yarn in & out, over & under until it looked good. When you reach a stopping point like the end f a vein, just tie off the yarn in a knot and cut off the excess.
This is really a creative license thing, you can make the veins as simple or as branched as you like. No two eyeballs are alike in real life, so no two knitted eyeballs will be alike either.
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21 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
O.K. another shot at posting a picture. I hope this one shows up! Thanks again for the great instructable & inspiration!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Oh that turned out fantastic! I love it!
11 years ago on Introduction
nice
12 years ago on Introduction
I wonder if you could make them small enough for hackysack balls ? hmmm light weight ones at that !
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Hey..the hackysack size would be cool to do on my P knitter. I am inspired!
12 years ago on Step 5
Is it possible provide more detail and pictures for this step? pls and thanks
12 years ago on Introduction
Hey eclipsed,
I made a slideshow of my eyeball! It's entered in the critter contest so you can see it if you like!
13 years ago on Introduction
Totally awesome! I don't have a loom so I've adapted my own version - by crocheting! I'll post a pic as soon as I finish it! :D
13 years ago on Step 1
can you do this w/ needles. because i never learned to use the loom and from what i hear, loom knitting isnt real. can you do it with needles though?
Reply 13 years ago on Step 1
Yes you can, I have some instructions below.
DIRECTIONS: Cast on 28 stitches.
Row 1--Knit 20 stitches--turn.
Row 2--Knit 12 stitches--turn
.Row 3--Knit 14 stitches--turn.
Row 4--Knit 16 stitches--turn
.Row 5--Knit 18 stitches--turn.
Row 6--Knit 20 stitches--turn
.Row 7--Knit 22 stitches--turn
.Row 8--Knit 24 stitches--turn.
Row 9--Knit 26 stitches--turn.
Row 10-Knit 28 stitches--turn.
Pick up 2nd color, Tie on, carry along or break off & knit 2nd wedge.
Repeat pattern, alternating colors until there are 5 wedges of each.
Stuff with polyester fiberfil and sew seam.
3 colors can be used by knitting two rows of a 4th color
and only making 9 wedges.
(When using three colors--one gets 12 wedges).
Here ya go..... Each can be made of scrap yarn.
Baby Ball
Reply 13 years ago on Step 1
SUPPLIES:- baby yarn or 4 ply worsted weight
- #4 or #5 needles
- Use contrasting colors and alternate wedges
13 years ago on Introduction
The idea is very nice, I think it could be better like juggle ball, to give the impression to juggle with eyes. Good idea anyway!
13 years ago on Introduction
I have made up 2 of these eye balls so far! They are great fun to make! I cut a length of pantyhose to fit inside to stuff it so you can't see the fluff. It worked well! Thanks for the inspiration! Great instructions!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
ooh I like that pantyhose idea, very good addition.
14 years ago on Introduction
You are seriously blowing my mind! I used to make eyeballs in high school by balling up paper and drawing on a pupil, then leave them laying around the classroom, this however is super fun, and waaaay better!
Imagine having a few on your bed our couch as pillows, yikes!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
the smaller ones would be good juggling toys
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, you could fill it with rice or something and make a hackey-sack out of it. :D
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
That would be cool, maybe put the rice in a plastic baggie first so it doesn't leak out through the holes in the knitted eyeball.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
those make the WORST hacky sacks though, i would suggest using hacky sack beads, and making sure you make all of your stitches VERY tight.
14 years ago on Introduction
Mmmmmmm...eyeballs. I think my mom has those loom thingies, so I'm going to try to make one. Good instructions.