Easy Amigurumi Seal Crochet Pattern: A Cute and Quick DIY Tutorial

Are you looking for a quick, adorable crochet project that you can whip up in a single afternoon? This amigurumi seal pattern is the perfect solution! Whether you are looking to make a tiny keychain, a desk companion, or a thoughtful handmade gift for a loved one, this little seal is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. This tutorial is designed with beginners in mind, making it a wonderful way to practice your amigurumi techniques.

Amigurumi, the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures, is incredibly rewarding. This specific pattern creates a palm-sized seal that is chunky, cute, and full of personality. Because it is worked in one continuous piece, you won’t have to worry about sewing multiple body parts together, which is a common struggle for many crocheters. Instead, we focus on creating texture and shape within a single piece.

In this guide, we will walk you through every step of the process, from choosing the right yarn to the final decorative touches. Grab your crochet hook, find a cozy spot, and let’s dive into making your very own adorable crochet seal!

Materials & Abbreviations

Before we begin, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Having your materials organized beforehand will make your crafting experience much more relaxing and enjoyable.

What You Will Need:

Yarn: A medium-weight (DK or Sport weight) cotton or cotton-blend yarn is ideal for amigurumi because it provides excellent stitch definition. You will need a main color in light grey (approximately 100–150 yards) and a small amount of black yarn for the nose.
Crochet Hook: A 2.0mm (B) or 2.5mm (E) crochet hook. Using a slightly smaller hook than recommended for your yarn weight helps create tighter stitches, which prevents the stuffing from poking through.
Safety Eyes: 6mm safety eyes. If you are making this for a very young child, consider embroidering the eyes with black yarn instead for safety.
Stuffing: High-quality polyester fiberfill to give your seal its plump, cute shape.
Notions: A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and embroidery, scissors, and a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds.

US Crochet Abbreviations:

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. If you are used to UK terms, please be sure to convert them before starting!

MR: Magic Ring (or Magic Circle)
Inc: Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
Dec: Decrease (sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together)
sc: Single crochet
hdc: Half double crochet
dc: Double crochet
tr: Treble crochet
sl st: Slip stitch
Bobble Stitch: A textured stitch created by working multiple double crochets into a single stitch. (Follow the specific counts in the pattern instructions).
(..) : The number in parentheses indicates the total stitch count at the end of that round.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Remember that amigurumi is worked in continuous spirals. Do not join at the end of each round unless specifically instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

The Main Body

We will start at the top of the seal and work our way down. The body is worked in a single piece.

Round 1: Create a Magic Ring and work 6 sc into the ring. (6)

Round 2: 6 Inc. (12)

Round 3: (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (18)

Round 4: (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (24)

Round 5: (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (30)

Rounds 6–10: sc in each stitch around. (30)

Pro Tip: Between rounds 9 and 10, it is time to insert your safety eyes. Position them so there are exactly 3 sc between the eyes. This gives your seal that wide-eyed, adorable look!

Adding Face Texture

Round 11 adds a lovely textured detail to the snout area, giving the seal a more realistic and “squishy” appearance.

Round 11: 14 sc, Bobble stitch (6 dc in one stitch), 1 sc, Bobble stitch (6 dc in one stitch), 13 sc. (30)

Rounds 12–13: sc in each stitch around. (30)

Creating the Flippers and Shaping

Now we begin to taper the body and add the little flippers/paws.

Round 14: (3 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (24)

Round 15: 9 sc, Bobble stitch (5 dc in one stitch), 7 sc, Bobble stitch (5 dc in one stitch), 6 sc. (24)

Round 16: sc in each stitch around. (24)

Note: Before moving to the next round, begin stuffing your seal firmly with fiberfill. Make sure to stuff the snout area well to support the bobble stitches.

Decreasing and Closing

We will now decrease the stitches to close the bottom of the seal.

Round 17: (6 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (21)

Round 18: (5 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (18)

Round 19: (4 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (15)

Round 20: (3 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (12)

Round 21: (2 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (9)

Round 22: (1 sc, 1 dec) repeat 3 times. (6)

Finishing the Tail

The tail is a unique detail that makes this seal look like it’s ready to wiggle. To achieve this, we will perform one more decrease to leave us with 5 stitches. This will allow the tail to be folded in half.

Perform one final decrease. Position the remaining stitches so that the opening can be folded in half. Hold the two sides of the opening together and work through both layers to create the tail edge:

Tail Edge: (1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc), then 2 sl st. Fasten off, leaving a tail for weaving.

Finishing

Your seal’s body is complete, but it needs its final facial features to truly come to life!

Embroidering the Nose

Using your tapestry needle and the small amount of black yarn, embroider a small nose right between and slightly below the eyes. You can make it a small triangle or a soft oval to match the “chibi” style of the amigurumi. Secure the yarn firmly on the inside of the piece.

Final Details

Check your tension and ensure all ends are woven in securely. If you want to turn your seal into a keychain, you can easily attach a metal key ring or a lobster clasp to the top of the head using a small loop of yarn or a jump ring.

Tips for Success

Crocheting amigurumi is a skill that improves with practice. Here are a few professional tips to help you get the best results with this pattern:

Maintain Consistent Tension

The most important rule in amigurumi is to keep your stitches tight. If your tension is too loose, the white stuffing will peek through the holes in your stitches, which can look messy and make the toy feel unstable. If you find you are struggling with this, try dropping down half a millimeter in hook size.

The Magic Ring Advantage

If you are new to crochet, the Magic Ring (MR) might feel intimidating. However, it is the best way to start amigurumi because it allows you to pull the center completely closed, leaving no hole at the top of your seal’s head. If you find it too difficult, you can alternatively chain 2 and work your first 6 sc into the first chain, but be sure to pull the starting tail very tight.

Stuffing Technique

Don’t be afraid to stuff your seal! A common mistake is under-stuffing, which results in a lumpy or “sad” looking toy. Use small clumps of fiberfill at a time and push them into the corners (especially around the snout and flippers) using your crochet hook to ensure an even, plump shape.

Working with Bobble Stitches

Bobble stitches are the star of this pattern, providing the texture for the face and flippers. When working your bobbles, ensure you are working them into the correct stitch to maintain the total stitch count for the round. If you find your count is off, stop and recount before moving on to the next round.