Sea Lion Amigurumi

“Lion in an Ocean” Soft Toy

A huggable beginner knitted sea lion worked in the round. Approximately 8 inches (20 cm) long from nose to tail flippers and 4 inches (10 cm) tall when seated. Perfect first amigurumi project—only knit, knit-front-and-back, and knit-two-together stitches are used.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (approx. 100 yd / 90 m total):
  • MC (main color): gray or ocean blue, 80 yd (75 m)
  • CC (contrast): cream or light gray, 20 yd (18 m)
  • Scrap black for nose and whiskers
• US 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or 32-inch circular for Magic Loop (use needles 1–2 sizes smaller than yarn label for a dense fabric)
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing, approx. 2 oz (55 g)
• 9 mm safety eyes (or black embroidery floss if preferred)
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Small amount of pink embroidery floss (optional mouth)

Gauge

6 sts and 8 rnds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round. Tight, even fabric is more important than exact gauge so stuffing does not show. Adjust needle size if necessary.

Abbreviations (US)

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
• k2tog: knit two stitches together (1 st decreased)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• St st: stockinette stitch (knit every round)
• BO: bind off
• MC: main color
• CC: contrast color
• ( ): stitch count at end of round

Pattern Notes

• Worked in the round on DPNs or Magic Loop; join carefully and mark beginning of round.
• Stuff each piece firmly as directed before closing.
• Safety eyes must be inserted before the head is fully closed.
• All seams use mattress stitch for an invisible join.
• Weave ends securely to the inside of the toy.

Head

With MC, CO 6 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts) Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; rep from * around (18 sts) Rnd 3: *k2, kfb; rep from * around (24 sts) Rnd 4: *k3, kfb; rep from * around (30 sts)
(6 increases → 24 + 6 = 30 ✓)

Rnds 5–10: knit (30 sts) — 6 rounds total

Insert 9 mm safety eyes between Rnds 7 and 8, spaced 6 sts apart, centered on the face. Lock washers on inside.

Rnd 11: *k3, k2tog; rep from * around (24 sts) Rnd 12: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around (18 sts) Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 13: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around (12 sts) Rnd 14: k2tog around (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave end inside.

Muzzle (worked flat, then seamed)

With CC, CO 10 sts.

Rows 1–4: knit (garter stitch for a slight texture). BO all sts.

Gather the CO and BO edges slightly with running stitch to form an oval. Lightly stuff and mattress-stitch to lower front of head (centered below eyes, covering Rnds 9–12 area). With black scrap, embroider a small triangle nose at top of muzzle and 2–3 whiskers on each side. Optional: add a small pink smile with embroidery floss.

Ears (make 2)

With MC, CO 6 sts. Join.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts) Rnds 2–3: knit (12 sts) Rnd 4: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around (8 sts) Rnd 5: k2tog around (4 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Flatten ear into a small rounded flap. Do not stuff. Set aside.

Body

With MC, CO 6 sts. Join.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts) Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; rep from * around (18 sts) Rnd 3: *k2, kfb; rep from * around (24 sts) Rnd 4: *k3, kfb; rep from * around (30 sts) Rnd 5: *k4, kfb; rep from * around (36 sts)
(6 increases → 30 + 6 = 36 ✓)

Rnds 6–25: knit (36 sts) — 20 rounds for body length (≈2.5 inches)

Begin belly color (optional but recommended for ocean-lion look): Rnds 26–30: with CC, knit (36 sts)

Change back to MC. Rnds 31–35: knit (36 sts)

Rnd 36: *k4, k2tog; rep from * around (30 sts) Rnd 37: *k3, k2tog; rep from * around (24 sts) Rnd 38: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around (18 sts) Stuff body firmly, shaping it into a smooth torpedo/sea-lion silhouette (slightly fatter in middle).

Rnd 39: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around (12 sts) Rnd 40: k2tog around (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave end inside. Body measures approx. 5 inches long.

Front Flippers (make 2)

With MC, CO 8 sts. Join.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts) Rnds 2–6: knit (16 sts) Rnd 7: *k2, k2tog; rep from * around (12 sts) Rnds 8–10: knit (12 sts) Rnd 11: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around (8 sts) Lightly stuff.

Rnd 12: k2tog around (4 sts) Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Flatten slightly into paddle shape. Set aside.

Hind Flippers / Tail Flippers (make 2)

With MC, CO 6 sts. Join.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts) Rnds 2–5: knit (12 sts) Rnd 6: *k1, k2tog; rep from * around (8 sts) Rnds 7–8: knit (8 sts) Lightly stuff.

Rnd 9: k2tog around (4 sts) Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Flatten. Set aside.

Finishing & Assembly

1. Attach head to body: Place head on the CO end of the body (narrower neck area). Using mattress stitch and MC, sew head securely to body opening, adding a tiny bit more stuffing at the neck join if needed for a smooth transition. (Head circumference 30 sts matches body after early decreases.)
2. Attach ears: Position ears on top of head, approx. 4 sts apart and slightly behind the eye line. Mattress-stitch the flattened base of each ear to the head.
3. Attach front flippers: Sew one flipper to each side of the body at approx. Rnd 10–12, angled slightly forward and downward so the sea lion can “rest” on them. Keep placement symmetric (count sts from center belly marker if helpful).
4. Attach hind flippers: Sew both hind flippers side-by-side at the rear (closed end) of the body, angled outward like a tail fluke. Overlap their bases slightly and sew through both for a unified tail look.
5. Weave in all ends: Thread every yarn tail to the inside of the body or head and secure with a few hidden stitches so nothing can be pulled loose.
6. Final shaping: Gently roll and squeeze the toy so the stuffing is even. Adjust muzzle and flippers if needed.

Your sea lion is ready to swim! This beginner pattern uses only the simplest increases and decreases, making it an ideal first stuffed-animal project. Enjoy your little lion of the ocean.