Polar Playmat Series - Sally the Seal

 In the penultimate release of the Polar Playmat Series, we welcome Sally the Seal to the group.   Sally, like her friends, is made from Paintbox Simple Aran Yarn* in Misty grey and a 3mm hook.

Sally is primarily made in one piece from her head down to her tail, although the actual tail flipper and side flippers are made separately from 2 pieces joined together and sewn on.   Her neck uses short row shaping to allow her to look more like a seal!   I have made Sally a couple of times, and in order to get her to stand up independently the placement and direction of the front flippers is key.   I would advise pinning them on and adjusting placement before sewing.  However, I did discover that you can counter any mistakes with a few stitches sewing the head to the back, although I prefer not to do this if at all possible.

I have actually made a couple of versions of Sally, Sally in Misty grey with darker grey spots, Sally in just the Misty grey and also a white Sally (the cuddly version) and I love her in all 3 forms.   I think she represents different variations of seals, and in the cuddle version in white she really reminds me of the fluffy baby seals.  The cuddle version was made using the Aldi baby yarn (although any blanket type yarn would work) in white and a 6mm hook.

If you would like to make your own Sally the Seal, then you can find her FREE pattern below and the video tutorial here  As with my other patterns, if you would prefer the ad free, printable pdf version, then you can find it in my Etsy store for a small fee here. 

I look forward to seeing any Sally's you decide to make, so please feel free to post them on my social media sites.   I hope you have enjoyed this post about Sally, and please join me next time for the final release of the Polar Playmat Series and my personal favourite - Roxy the Rockhopper Penguin!

Vicky x

Sally the Seal

 1.  Materials and Resources

Below is a list of everything you will need to make Sally

·        Paintbox Simply Aran Yarn (although any aran/worsted weight will work) – 100g balls in the following colours

o   Misty Grey (203)

o   Slate Grey (205)

·        2 x 10mm black safety eyes (or you can sew them on in black)

·        Stuffing

·        3 mm hook

·        Tapestry needle

·        Stitch marker

2.   Stitch List

Below is a list of all the stitches (and their abbreviations) featured in this series of patterns.  All terms used are American.

·        Sl st – slip stitch

·        Sc – single crochet

·        Sc inc – single crochet increase

·        Sc dec – single crochet decrease – I use the invisible decrease method

·        Ch – chain

·        Dc – double crochet

·        Trc – treble crochet

3.  Notes

Here are a few handy tips to help you with the pattern.

·        There is no specific gauge for Sally, however the tighter you crochet the fewer gaps will be available when stuffing.   My finished Sally is 7” long and 5” wide (including flippers)

·        All these patterns are worked in continuous rounds, do not sl st at the end of each round.   A stitch marker is essential for keeping track of the start of your rows.

·        The neck is shaped using short row shaping where short rows are worked by turning the work rather than completing each round.

 4.  Pattern

Body – in Misty Grey

Row	Instruction	Stitches
1	6 sc in magic circle	6
2	(sc inc) x 6	12
3	(sc, sc inc) x 6	18
4	Sc around	18
5	Sc, (sc inc) x 3, 14 sc	21
6	Sc around	21
7	Sc around	21
8	Sc, (sc dec) x 3, 14 sc	18
9	sc around	18
10	( sc, sc dec) x 6	12
11	Sc around	12
	Add eyes between rows 4-5 either side of the ridge created by the (sc inc)x 3 Stuff Sew nose between rows 6&7 and mouth just below
12	Short row shaping -
	4 sc, sl st, turn
	4 sc, sl st, turn
	Sc in sl st, 4 sc, sc in sl st, sl st, turn
	Sc in sl st, 5 sc, sc in sl st, sl st, turn
	Sc in sl st, 6 sc, Sc in sl st and sc around until you get to the next sl st, sc in this stitch as well – this is now the start of the new row
13	Sc around (1 stitch is on side of short rows)	12
14	(sc, sc inc) x 6	18
15	Sc around	18
16	(2 sc, sc inc) x 6	24
17	Sc around	24
18	(3 sc, sc inc) x 6	30
19-24	Sc around	30
25	(3 sc, sc dec) x 6	24
26-27	Sc around	24
28	(2 sc, sc dec) x 6	18
29-30	Sc around	18
31	(sc, sc dec) x 6	12
	Stuff
32	(sc dec) x 6	6
	Fold in half and sew shut

 Tail – Make 2 in Misty Grey

Row	Instruction	Stitches
1	ch 4, skip 1st ch and sc down rest of chain, turn	3
2	Sc across, turn	3
3	Ch 6, skip first chain and then down the rest of the chain, dc, dc, trc, trc, trc, sl st in middle sc on row 2	5
4	Ch 6, skip first chain and then down the rest of the chain, dc, dc, trc, trc, trc, sl st in last sc on row 2, cast off	5
	Holding 2 pieces sc together around the edge of tail then sew to seal.

 Flippers – Make 4 in Misty Grey

Row	Instruction	Stitches
1	Ch 9, skip first ch, and 7 sc down ch and 3 sc in end ch, then working up the other side, 7 sc and sc in skipped stitch, sl st and cast off	18
2	Match 2 flippers and sc together around the outside, sl st, cast off	18
	Sew flippers either side of seal at the front

 

Sew a few spots randomly on the seal in Slate Grey.

Sew a few stitches in misty grey holding neck to the body to keep it more upright and balance the animal when sitting.

 

© All patterns on this page belong to www.cosycrochet.co.uk You may not sell this pattern. Please feel free to sell the items you make using this pattern, however please acknowledge me in your listing.