I must admit that I only VERY recently picked up the art of crochet and amigurumi. October 2012 to be exact and I was instantly hooked (pun intended:D) !! I was wowed by the large collection of super cute patterns I found through blogs and Ravelry and after a few frustrating days deciphering all the basic stitches from Youtube and a few books I purchased, my love for crochet took off and so did my yarn collection.
After many different projects (which I will share with you in the future),
I finally decided to take the plunge of designing my own amigurumi pattern. I came up with the idea for this project when I received a request from my boyfriend’s grandma for a pair of seals. I had made a couple of different styles of seals before based on available patterns on Ravelry, but I struggled to find one that matched what I had envisioned. I’m very happy with the results but I also know this is my first design. If you are trying this pattern and want to give me some feedback, please contact me! I would love to see pictures of your creations as well. Thank you for allowing me to share my first pattern with you!
Please Note: The pattern detailed below is the property of Kawaiigurumi Blog on Tumblr and Ravelry . You may not sell this pattern or the finished product for profit. You may contact me for permission to sell the finished product for purposes of fundraising or for charity by email:
[email protected]
**SWEET HEART BABY SEALS**
MATERIALS: - two working skeins (to crochet with 2 strands together) of white worsted weight yarn (I used Patons Canadiana in winter white, 2 full skeins was more than enough to make both baby Seals) - one pair of 10.5mm black safety eyes - one 8mm safety eye (used for the nose) - polyfill (to stuff the seals) - 4mm hook
- stitch marker - small amount of black and pink worsted weight yarn (for collars) - blush, q-tip, kleenex (for applying blush on girl seal)
PATTERN: * pattern is crocheted in continuous spiral/circle
BODY: Magic circle R1: 6 Sc into magic circle, pull in magic circle tightly before continuing R2: *Sc, 2Sc* 3 times (9) R3: *2Sc* 9 times (18) R4: Sc around (18) R5: *Sc, 2Sc* 9 times (27) R6: *Sc, Sc, 2Sc* 7 times, Sc, *Dec* 5 times, Sc (35) R7: Sc, *2Sc, Sc* 12 times, 2Sc, *Dec* 3 times, Sc, Dec (44) R8: Sc around (44)
* this is a good time to attach the safety eyes and nose in place* R9: *Sc* 10 times, *Dec, Sc, Sc, Sc* 4 times, *Sc* 13 times, 2Sc (41) R10-13 (4 Rows): Sc around (41) R14: *Sc, Dec* 13 times, Sc, Sc (28) R15-16 (2 rows): Sc around (28)
R17: *Sc, Sc, Dec* 7 times (21) R18: *Sc, Sc, 2Sc* 7 times (28) R19: 2Sc each stitch around (56) R20: Sc around (56) R21: *Sc, Sc, Dec* 14 times (42) R22: *Sc, Sc, Dec* 9 times, *Dec* 3 times (30) R23-24 (2 rows): Sc around (30)
*Start stuffing head tightly to smooth out and shape*
R25: *Sc, Sc, Sc, Dec* 6 times (24) R26-27 (2 rows): Sc around (24) R28: *Sc, Sc, Dec* 6 times (18) R29: Sc around (18) R30: *Sc, Dec* 6 times (12) R31: Sc around (12)
*finish stuffing body tightly to shape and smooth. Make sure the body is stuffed firm enough that it can hold its shape, to the point that it stretches out your work a little bit*
R32 (this row will start the foundation for the left flap of the tail): Sc, Sc, Sc, skip 6 stitches (these skipped stitches will be used later to for the right flap of the tail), Sc, Sc, Sc (6)
R33 (continuing with left flap): 2Sc around (12) R34 (left flap): 2Sc around (24) R35 (left flap): Dec around (12) R36 (left flap): Dec around (6) R37 (left flap): Dec around (3), f.o. R38 (right flap): insert hook into last skipped stitch and pull through loop, Sc around previously skipped stitches (6) R39 (right flap): 2Sc around (12) R40 (right flap): 2Sc around (24) R41 (right flap): Dec around (12) R42 (right flap): Dec around (6) R43 (right flap): Dec around (3), f.o
FINS (MAKE 2): Magic circle R1: Sc 8 times into magic circle, pull together (does not need to be tight in order to leave a opening)
R2-3 (2 rows): Sc around (8) R4: 2Sc, Sc, Sc, Dec, Sc, Sc, Sc (8) R5: Sc around (8) R6: 2Sc, Sc, *Dec* 5 times , f.o. leaving long tail to weave to open end of fin with enough length to attach fin to body
Attach fins to body just past the neck closer to belly so that the fins will slightly prop up the seal and allow it to “sit up”
ADDITIONAL FINISHING:
GIRL:
Lightly dab small amount of blush with q-tip to cheeks (you should not need to apply more than once or twice), using kleenex, gently rub the blushed cheeks in a circular motion to spread the remaining loose blush (careful not to over spread it!) Flower collar:
Follow the instructions for Bethany Scofield’s puff flower found here: http://bethsco.blogspot.ca/2011/04/crocheted-puff-flower.html
When the flower is complete instead of finishing off, make a continuous row of Ch until you have a little more length then actually needed to wrap around the neck then f.o. Tie a knot once or twice on the f.o end to create a *bud* that you should be able to tuck through the centre of the flower to secure the collar onto the seal snuggly. BOY: To add the whiskers I purchased thin round finished leather (can be found at Micheal’s or your local art or jewelry making supply store). I threaded the leather strand through a yarn needle and pulled each strand through the snout (side to side). Before trimming down the length, tie a knot that can be pulled into and hidden within the snout. This will secure the leather whiskers in their place, trim down to the
length of whiskers your desired length on each side. Repeat this 2 more times or more if you want more whiskers.
Bowtie collar:
Follow the instructions for Adaiha Covington’s Super simple bows found here: http://adaiha.blogspot.ca/2011/02/super-simple-crochet-bows.html When the bow is complete instead of finishing off, make a continuous row of Ch until you have a little more length then actually needed to wrap around the neck then f.o. Tie a knot once or twice on the f.o end to create a *bud* that you should be able to tuck through the centre of the bow to secure the collar onto the seal snuggly.
and you are DONE!
I hope everyone will enjoy making these seals as much as I did! If you have any questions, please email me at
[email protected]
