Crochet Baby Safety 101: The Rules that can save a baby’s life

Crocheting for babies is all about being creative while making sure everything is safe. Learning how to make your crochet safe for babies is important.

No matter if you’re just starting or have been crocheting for years, this guide covers the basics, like which yarns are best and how to finish your projects so your crochet is safe for babies.

I’m Millie, and I love designing crochet patterns and helping others learn, especially when it comes to making things for babies.
As the rules and regulations for baby safety have evolved, so have the ways of crocheting for babies. I’ve tried out lots of different yarns and ways to finish projects, always trying to find the best way to attach pieces or make cute outfits safely.

Here are rules and tips that professional makers and NICU programs use to keep handmade baby items safe, soft, and easy to wash.

What Makes Crochet Safe for Babies?

Crochet can be safe for babies if you use the right materials and make sure your stitches are secure.

To keep your crochet baby-friendly, focus on:

• Soft, breathable, chemical-safe fibers
• Tight stitches that hide stuffing and prevent fingers from catching
• Secure seams and woven ends
• No buttons, beads, or glued on pieces

If a baby can pull, chew, or tug on something, make sure it’s extra secure.

Choosing Safe Yarn

Just because a yarn says ‘baby’ on the label doesn’t mean it’s always safe. It’s a good idea to read the label and try out a small swatch first. Choosing yarns that are OEKO-TEX certified is vital.

Cotton	Hypoallergenic, machine washable, durable	Blankets, clothes, washcloths
Bamboo	Silky, breathable, antibacterial	Summer items, loveys
Superwash Merino Wool	Warm, soft, regulates temperature	Winter wear
Certified Acrylic	Affordable, easy care, durable	Everyday projects

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Look for labels:

• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 (Class I) — safe for baby skin
• GOTS — organic and chemincal-free

Avoid:

• Mohair, angora, or llama (these shed fibers)
• Metallic or glitter yarns
• Hand-dyed skeins that may bleed color

How Do I Keep My Crochet Safe for Babies?

Here are five things I always do to keep crochet safe for babies:

1. Choose soft, washable fibers.
   If a yarn squeaks, sheds, or feels scratchy, I skip it. Pay extra attention when working with chenille yarns. Make sure to choose a high-quality chenille that doesn’t shed easily.
2. Attach details as if they’ll be pulled every day.
   Sew on things like buttons or ears as firmly as you can, and don’t use glue.
3. Take your time weaving in the ends so they stay put.
   I use long yarn tails, but make sure to keep the length under weave them through a few times, and make sure everything is finished tightly.
4. Avoid large holes.
   Lacy stitches can look nice, but they might catch little fingers or toes.
5. Check fit and comfort.
   A little bit of looseness is okay, but if something feels tight, it’s not safe for a baby.

How to Wash and Care for Baby Crochet Items

With a baby around, there’s always laundry to do. Follow the below steps to wash your crochet.

• Prewash everything before gifting.
• Machine wash on gentle cycle with cool water.
• Use mild detergent. No bleach, no softener.
• Air dry flat. Hanging stretches stitches.
• Inspect after each wash for loose threads or parts.

If you’re giving your crochet as a gift, adding a little care tag is a nice touch and helps the parents know how to look after it.

Safety & Quality Checklist

Yarn has OEKO-TEX® or GOTS certification

No buttons, beads, or detachable parts

Seams double-stitched and ends woven in

Washable, colorfast, soft texture

Proper fit (not tight)

Clean, scent-free packaging

The Rules to Amigurumi Safety

1. The Small Parts Rule: Age is Everything

The most common safety regulation across all major markets (US, UK, EU) is the Small Parts Rule, which applies to all items intended for children under 3 years old (36 months).

“Limiting the prevalence of choking and related occurrences is an important public health goal. The current federal rule requiring the testing of small parts protects children under three years of age, which is the age group most likely to mouth objects. The risk of choking can potentially be decreased by requiring that products for children under the age of three meet a new standard for size and breakability.” Published in the international journal of pediatrics by Nancy Cowles, Ragini Sharma on 28 May 2017

According to https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/products-toys.html Toys, or parts of toys, should not be too small. Even handmade amigurumi toys need to meet the requirements for size. A minimum diameter of 1 1/4” (3 cm) and length 2 1/4” (6cm).

Using a small part tester for each of your crochet parts is important. Investing in a choke tube is smart from both a safety standpoint and a time-saver.

• The Rule: Any toy or accessory intended for a child under 3 must not contain any parts that can fit entirely inside a standard small parts cylinder (approximately 1.25 inches in diameter).

2. The embroidery Rule: Eyes and Noses The Amigurumi Safety Standard

The face is the focal point of amigurumi, but the eyes are the number one safety risk. Some say that safety eyes are safe for babies, some say they are not. In the debate over safety features for amigurumi, there is more than just the eyes themselves to consider. Even though the backings are made to be safe, you also have to consider the fact that crocheted fabric stretches over time. These safety backings may also have slightly sharp edges that can wear the yarn down over time.

A. Safety Eyes: The Seller’s Warning

What is safety eyes?

“Safety eyes” are plastic eyes with washers designed to be difficult to remove.

• For Personal Use: They are generally fine if properly installed and checked frequently.
• For Selling (Crucial Warning): Many legal authorities (including CPSC in the US) warn that no homemade item using plastic safety eyes can be guaranteed safe for children under 3 years old. IF You cannot prove your specific safety eyes attachment method meets the required pull-force strength for commercial toys.

B. The Mandate: Embroidered Features Only

If you are selling an amigurumi or toy intended for a baby (0-3T), you must use embroidery for all facial features.

If you don’t know how to embroider cute amigurumi eyes theresascrochetshop has this AMAZING youtube tutorial!

Use these adorable embroidered eyes on one of my patterns to make it safe for babies. How about a cute turtle lovey or a big eared bunny

Eyes	Embroider eyes directly onto the amigurumi using a dark, thicker yarn.	French Knots (for quick, small dots) or Satin Stitch (for larger, almond shapes).
Noses/Mouths	Use a sewn-down piece of fabric or embroidery.	Straight Stitch or Backstitch, ensuring all ends are knotted inside the amigurumi.
Cheeks/Spots	Use surface slip stitches or simple stitching. No attached buttons or glued felt pieces. Avoid using makeup to tint cheeks.	Slip Stitch or Surface Crochet.

Even if you do not intend to sell your amigurumi to anyone under the age of three, you should always assume that it will be used by someone under 3 years old and make your toy accordingly.

3. The 3 times Rule: How to attach parts safely

When making your amigurumi toys, moving parts, limbs, buttons, and snaps may be cute details but pose a risk and must therefore be secured ferociously.

The “Sewn-Securely” Test

Every single limb, button, snap, toggle, or decorative item on an amigurumi must be sewn on with multiple passings, preferably using a stronger thread combined with your yarn.

• Use heavy-duty thread (dental floss is a common substitute for strength).
• Run the thread through the button and fabric at least six times, knotting it securely on the back and then hiding the tail within the seam.
• Run the thread/yarn over the same piece multiple times (at least 3) and then secure your ends by weaving them in no less than 3 ways.
• The Ultimate Test: Give the piece a sharp, hard pull. If you can remove it with significant force, a baby can likely chew it off. If in doubt, do not use it.

4. The Check it twice Rule: Squeeze and Tug

Before you package any item for sale or gift, perform a final, rigorous safety test.

1. The Tug Test: Pull every attached item (eyes, buttons, pompoms, trims, appliques) with the same force a determined toddler would use.
2. The Seam Squeeze: Squeeze all seams firmly to ensure no stuffing or toy filling can leak out. Loose stuffing can also be a choking hazard.
3. The Small Parts Test: If you have a small parts tester, test any parts that haven’t been crocheted on.

Frequently Asked Questions