This is a set of knitted ornaments I designed in 2012. The Inuk (a member of the Inuit people, although please let me know if the usage has changed in the past 10 years) was based on the wee princess from my Dragon pattern. She has little bobble arms, which make her look very determined! The legs are I-cord, but could be left off if you don't care for it. The seal is perfect in fuzzy white yarn, if you have some, or use a smooth grey yarn for an adult seal.
I tried to design these toys to be simple and fast, so you can make a set in an evening. I've designed them in worsted weight yarn because I always have lots around, but you can easily knit them in a different weight with needles about 1-2 sizes smaller than you'd usually use for that yarn (for example, 3 mm needles for DK weight yarn). The pattern is advanced-beginner to intermediate level, and you will need to know how to knit, purl, increase, decrease, change yarns, make bobbles, work I-cord, and sew seams. However, these all make the toys fun and interesting to knit, and small toys are a great way to learn new skills!
Materials
Inuk: 15 g of worsted weight yarn in main colour (yarn A), 5 g of fuzzy yarn for trim (yarn B), 5 g of worsted weight yarn in light brown (yarn C), 5 g of worsted weight yarn in black (yarn D), pair of 4 mm (US size 6) knitting needles, two 4 mm double pointed needles, pair of 6 mm safety eyes*, stuffing, length of ribbon or cord for hanging, tapestry needle
Baby Seal: 15 g of worsted weight yarn in white or grey, black yarn to embroider face, pair of 4 mm (US size 6) knitting needles, pair of 6 mm safety eyes, stuffing, length of ribbon or cord for hanging, tapestry needle
Gauge: 5.5 sts per 2.5 cm (1 inch) in stockinette
Size: 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall (Inuk) or long (seal)
Inuk
Inuk Body
CO 9 sts with yarn A and regular knitting needles.
Row 1: Purl.
Row 2: k2, [m1, k1] x 7. (16 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: k2, [m1, k2] x 7. (23 sts)
Row 5: Purl.
Switch to yarn B on next row.
Row 6: k2, [m1, k3] x 7. (30 sts)
Row 7-9: K 3 rows in garter st.
Break off yarn B. Switch back to yarn A on next row.
Row 10-11: Beginning with a k row, work 2 rows in st st.
Row 12: k3, [k2tog, k4] x 2, [k4, ssk] x 2, k3. (26 sts)
Row 13: Purl.
Row 14: k3, [k2tog, k3] x 2, [k3, ssk] x 2, k3. (22 sts)
Row 15: Purl.
Row 16: k6, mb, k8, mb, k6.
Row 17: Purl.
Break off yarn A. On next row, switch to yarn C.
Row 18: k5, k2tog, k8, ssk, k5. (20 sts)
Row 19: Purl.
Row 20: k8, p1, k2, p1, k8. (purled stitches mark eye locations)
Row 21: Purl.
Break off yarn C. On next row, switch to yarn D.
Row 22-23: Work 2 rows in st st.
Row 24: k1, [k1, k2tog] x 6, k1. (14 sts)
Row 25: Purl.
Row 26: k1, [k2tog] 6 times, k1. (8 sts)
Cut yarn leaving a long end, thread end through remaining stitches and pull tight to gather. Secure yarn ends from colour changes. Attach the safety eyes at purled stitches on Row 20. Sew the back seam down to the garter-stitch section. Stuff the body. Thread the cast-on yarn end through cast-on stitches, gather, then finish sewing the seam. Weave in both yarn ends. You may need to make a couple small stitches around bobble arms to close any holes. Embroider a face and hands. Add braids for hair if you like. Any embellishments can be as simple or as creative as you like.
Hood
Start at front. CO 16 sts with yarn B and regular knitting needles.
Row 1-3: Knit 3 rows in garter st.
Break off yarn B. On next row, switch to yarn A.
Row 4-5: Beginning with a k row, work 2 rows in st st.
Row 6: k5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5. (14 sts)
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4. (12 sts)
Row 9: Purl.
Row 10: k3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3. (10 sts)
Bind off all sts. Sew a vertical seam at the back of the hood. Weave in yarn ends on WS. Sew the bottom edge of the hood to the toy, just below where the yarn colour changes from A to C. If you are hanging the toy, thread the ribbon or cord through the top of the hood and head, and tie a knot.
Legs (make 2)
CO 5 sts with yarn A onto one double pointed needle. Work I-cord for 4 rounds. Cut yarn, thread end through remaining stitches and pull tight to gather. Sew this end of legs to bottom of the Inuk's body. Weave in all yarn ends.
Baby Seal
Seal Body
Start at tail. CO 6 sts with regular knitting needles.
Row 1: Purl.
Row 2: k2, [m1, k1] x 4. (10 sts)
Row 3-5: work 3 rows in st st.
Row 6: k2, [m1, k2] x 4. (14 sts)
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: k2, [m1, k2] x 6. (20 sts)
Row 9-13: work 5 rows in st st.
Row 14: k9, m1, k2, m1, k9. (22 sts)
Row 15: Purl.
Row 16: k1, k2tog, k7, m1, k2, m1, k7, ssk, k1.
Row 17: Purl.
Row 18: [k1, k2tog] x 3, k4, [ssk, k1] x 3. (16 sts)
Row 19-21: work 3 rows in st st.
Row 22: k5, p1, k4, p1, k5. (purled sts mark eye locations)
Row 23: Purl.
Row 24: k1, [k2tog] x 3, k2, [ssk] x 3, k1. (10 sts)
Row 25: Purl.
Cut yarn leaving a long end, thread end through remaining stitches and pull tight to gather. This is the nose end. Attach the safety eyes at the purled stitch on Row 22. Sew up the seam along the underside of the body, leaving an opening. Stuff the body: most of the head shaping is done with the stuffing, adding extra bits to the cheeks and nose. Sew the seam closed. If you are hanging the toy, thread the ribbon or cord through the back of the neck, and tie a knot.
Flippers (make 4)
CO 8 sts with regular knitting needles.
Row 1: k6, k2tog. (7 sts)
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: k5, k2tog. (6 sts)
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: k4, k2tog. (5 sts)
Bind off. Fold in half lengthwise and sew together the short straight edge (not the edge with decreases). Sew 2 flippers to the tail end of the toy body, with decreased edges facing out, and cast-on edges facing forwards. Sew the other 2 flippers to the sides of the body near the neck, in the same orientation as the tail. Weave in all yarn ends.
*I find all my safety eyes on Etsy. Search for the size you need.
Abbreviations
[ ] x N = repeat sequence in brackets N times ("to end" means to repeat until the end of the row)
CO = cast on
K = knit
k2tog = decrease 1 by knitting 2 together
kfbf = increase 2 by knitting into front, then back, then front of next stitch
m1 = increase 1 to the left by picking up loop between stitch just worked and next stitch, with your left needle, from front to back, and knit into the back of this loop
mb = make bobble: kfbf, turn, p3, turn, k3, turn, p3, turn, s2kp. You should start and end with 1 st. (there are many ways to make bobbles. If you need help, search for a tutorial that makes sense to you)
P or p = purl
p2tog = decrease 1 by purling 2 stitches together
RS = right side
s2kp = decrease 2 by slipping 2 stitches as if to k2tog, knit the next stitch, then pass both slipped stitches over the knit stitch
ssk = decrease 1 by slipping 2 stitches as if to purl, transfer slipped stitches back to left needle, then knit slipped sts together
st or sts = stitch or stitches
st st = stockinette stitch
WS = wrong side