The Small Crochet Eyeball is the perfect, beginner-friendly project that can easily be used as spooky Halloween decor, a creative garland, Halloween ornaments, keychains, and so much more! You’ll want to make one in every color.
Read on to learn more about the inspiration and yarn choice for the Small Crochet Eyeball or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.
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The Inspiration
The Small Crochet Eyeball is part of a set of interactive Halloween Ornaments. Each of the ornaments can be used alone either as an ornament or just as a small Halloween piece for decoration, gift-giving, turning into a keychain, imaginative play, and so much more.
I specifically think that the Small Crochet Eyeball would not only be great as an ornament, but could also make a great garland, or pop a few of them in the treat bowl to hand out to trick-or-treaters. I know it would be my choice.
They can be made with or without the embroidered red veins and of course in every color imaginable.
One of the patterns in the Halloween Ornament set is a witch hat, which interactively can be worn by the Small Crochet Eyeball (and all of the other pieces in the set) as well. Making the pattern even more creatively versatile. I’m excited to hear how you’ll choose to use it. Happy Crocheting!
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The Yarn
The Small Crochet Eyeball was made using Red Heart Super Saver Yarn. This is a classic, inexpensive, worsted weight, acrylic yarn option that is often readily available in many stores and online.
If, like me, you plan to make the iris of the eyeballs in several colors, Red Heart Super Saver Yarns will not leave you disappointed. They come in a wide variety of solid colors including darks, neutrals, pastels, brights, and even neons. You can branch out even more from there with yarns that are flecked, variegated, ombre, striped, camo, metallic, brushed, and more! There is truly a wide variety to choose from for any project!
As I said, for the Small Crochet Eyeball, I opted for several colors. Some more traditional iris colors and others not. The beauty here is that it takes so little yarn that it’s a great way to use up even small scraps.
Substitutions. Any brand of worsted weight acrylic yarn should work well for making the Small Crochet Eyeball but note that due to variations among brands, the finished size may vary slightly. If a worsted cotton yarn is preferred, this too should work fine. Making the Small Crochet Eyeball with different-sized yarns has not been tested, but should also likely work well, just make sure that any necessary hook size adjustments are made to accommodate the chosen yarn.
As always, I’d love to see/hear about your experiences with making the design and the products you chose to use. Tag me on social media @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to share!
The Pattern
Difficulty
Beginner
Materials
- Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) (I use mostly Clover Amour hooks)
- Stitch Marker(s)
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Tapestry Needle
- Embroidery Floss, red (DMC 310) (optional)
- Embroidery Needle (optional)
- Dritz Disc Needle Pullers (optional)
- Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
- Red Heart Super Saver (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 364 yds/333 m, 7 oz/198 g), Color (A) Black, used approx. 0.5 yd/0.5 m, Color (B) Iris Color, used approx. 1 yd/1 m, Color (C) White, used approx. 12 yds/11 m
- Iris Colors Pictured (Color B): Carrot, Dark Orchid, Gold, Light Raspberry, Hot Red, Real Teal, Spring Green
Gauge
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 4 rounds of the Small Crochet Eyeball measure approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter.
Finished Measurements
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) and worsted yarn the Small Crochet Eyeball measures approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) across and is approximately 5.5 inches (14 cm) in circumference.
Design Notes
- The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology.
- The pattern is written primarily in continuous rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round.
- At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
- Further design notes, tips, and options will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
- Color changes in the pattern should be made during the last step of the stitch prior to the noted color change throughout the pattern.
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- invisible finish
- magic circle/adjustable ring
- Rnd(s) – round(s)
- sc – single crochet
- sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
- sl st – slip stitch
- standing sc – standing single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(s)
- [ ] / ( ) – work instructions between brackets/parenthesis as many times as directed
- Some hand embroidery (optional)
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Let’s Make Our Small Crochet Eyeball!
Eyeball
>Design Note: To help give the iris a rounder, cleaner look it will be noted in the pattern to use the invisible finish after making the iris in Rnd 2. This will eliminate the slight jog that occurs when working in a continuous spiral. The pupil was so small that there was no real issue with the jog, but if desired the invisible finish technique can be used in this case too, after Rnd 1. If this cosmetic jog is not a concern, the entire eye can be made in one continuous round, switching colors as directed.
>Design Option: The invisible join technique is also an option that can be used to decrease jogging instead of using the invisible finish. Learn more about the invisible join and invisible finish options HERE.
Using Color (A) – The Pupil Color
- Rnd 1: 6sc in an adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch 2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
Switch to Color (B) – The Iris Color
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around, fasten off using the invisible finish. (12sts)
>Design Tip: Weave in the tails used to make the pupil and the iris or they may show through the white yarn.
Switch to Color (C)
- Rnd 3: Fasten on to any st using a standing sc, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 5 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times, sc in the next st. (24sts)
With a separate length of Color (C) stitch a highlight in the pupil of the eye. Suggested placement: Stitch from the center of the magic ring to between Rnd 1 and 2, placing two stitches right on top of each other.
- Rnds 5-9: Sc in each st around. (24sts for 5 Rnds)
- Rnd 10: Sc in the next st, sc2tog, [sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 5 times, sc in the next st. (18sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the Small Crochet Eyeball and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 11: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 12: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
- Fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure, and weave in the end.
Adding Veins and Other Details
(All Optional)
- Pictured, the veins are stitched on radiating from the back of the eye, using three strands of red DMC embroidery floss and an embroidery needle. For even thinner veins use fewer strands, and more strands for thicker veins. For stitching purposes, it may help to think of the veins as a tree branch or snowflake, having a central line (somewhat crooked) with small branches coming from this line.
- Another fun way to add a touch of detail to the Small Crochet Eyeball is to use an embroidery floss color in the same but somewhat darker shade of the iris and stitch right around the outer edge of the iris.
Additional Options
1. Add a Witch Hat
Use the Witch Hat pattern found HERE. It can either be stitched on or left removable.
2. Add a Bow
Using a desired color (used approx. 3 yds/3 m)
- Ch 4, [dc in the 4th ch from the hook] 2 times, ch 3, sl st in the same st, ch 4, [dc in the 4th ch from the hook] 2 times, ch 3, sl st in the same st.
- Fasten off leaving a long tail for wrapping several times around the middle and securing the bow to the project. Weave in the starting tail.
- Stitch the bow on the Small Crochet Eyeball in the desired location.
3. Turn the Small Crochet Eyeball into an Ornament
Cut a length of yarn (or ribbon) long enough to create a loop for hanging. Using a tapestry needle thread one end into the top of the Small Crochet Eyeball, remove the needle, and knot the two ends together. Turn the loop until the knot hides inside the eyeball.
Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!
As always, I’d love to see your creation if you’re willing to share! Comment below or tag me on social media. You can find me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram (tag @jenhayescreations and use the hashtag #jenhayescreations to show off your work and have a chance to be featured), and stay tuned to find me in the future on YouTube!
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Copyright and Use Policy
This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!
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