eyelet

An eyelet is a small reinforced hole designed to permit the passage of a cord, lace, or fastener through a material while reducing the risk of tearing. The term can refer to the hole itself or to the surrounding ring or tubular sleeve that reinforces it. Eyelets are found in clothing, footwear, tents, curtains, sails, and leather goods, as well as in upholstery and bags.

Eyelets are created by punching a hole and setting a metal or plastic ring or tube around it. The ring is secured with a setter tool or crimping pliers; the material is often folded or pressed to lock the eyelet in place. There are many styles, including flush-mounted, domed, and anti-rust finishes.

Materials used include brass, steel, aluminum, copper, and durable plastics. Sizes and thicknesses vary by application, from small lace holes in garments to large reinforcement rings in sails or leatherwork.

Typical uses include lacing shoes, tightening corsets, drawing cords in garments, passing drawstrings through hoodies, reinforcing holes in curtains, tents, and sails, and as a decorative or functional element on bags and gear.

In some contexts the term grommet is used interchangeably, but technically a grommet refers to the surrounding ring plus washer that reinforces a hole, whereas an eyelet emphasizes the reinforced hole itself.