I already wrote two penguins for you (the Christmas penguin with a scarf and Santa hat, and the beanie penguin plushie), so this one is a different design: a tiny standing penguin ornament with a gift-wrapped belly, a green-and-red earmuff headband, and a hanging loop. It is small, quick, and made in one piece with a separate belly patch, so it works as a tree ornament, a gift topper, or a stocking filler.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with color changes, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head and body are worked in one piece in continuous rounds. The belly patch, beak, flippers, feet, and earmuffs are worked separately and sewn on. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 9 cm (3.5 in) tall, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in black, approximately 15 g, for the head, body, and flippers.
- White yarn, approximately 5 g, for the belly patch.
- Orange yarn, approximately 3 g, for the beak and feet.
- Red yarn, approximately 4 g, and green yarn, approximately 3 g, for the earmuffs and headband.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for the eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
All features are embroidered, so this penguin can be gifted to children, but keep ornaments with small parts away from babies and children under three.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. The penguin should be a plump egg shape, wider at the bottom. Embroider the face after stuffing so you can place the features where they look best.
Head and Body (black)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Rounds 6–8: Sc in every stitch. [30 per round; 3 rounds]
Round 9: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 10–14: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 5 rounds]
Round 15: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 16: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff firmly now, pushing the filling into the lower half.
Round 17: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 18: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 19: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end. The closed hole is the bottom. Flatten the bottom slightly so the penguin stands.
Belly Patch (white)
Ch 6.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in the next 3 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Turn and work 3 sc along the other side of the chain, then 2 sc in the last stitch. [12]
Round 2: Inc in the first st, sc in the next 3 sts, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next 3 sts, inc in each of the last 2 sts. [18]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Sew to the lower front of the body, from about Round 8 to Round 16.
Beak (orange)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Round 2: Sc around. [4]
Fasten off with a long tail. Flatten into a small triangle and sew to the face on Rounds 6–7, at the center front.
Flippers (make 2, black)
Round 1: 5 sc in MR. [5]
Rounds 2–4: Sc around. [5 per round; 3 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew to the sides of the body at about Rounds 9–10, angled slightly downward.
Feet (make 2, orange)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the bottom front, about 4 stitches apart, toes pointing forward.
Earmuffs and Headband
Earmuffs (make 2, red): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten each into a small disc.
Headband (green): Ch 22. Sl st in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. [21] Fasten off with a long tail.
Sew a red disc to each end of the headband. Arch the headband over the top of the head, and sew each disc to the sides of the head at about Round 6, with several passes.
Face and Finishing
- Eyes: With black thread, embroider two small satin-stitch ovals on Rounds 5–6, with about 8 stitches between them. Add a tiny white highlight stitch to each if you like.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Hanging loop: With green or red yarn, ch 15, sl st in the first ch to form a ring, and sew it firmly to the top center of the head, under the headband.
- Hide every tail and give each part a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The penguin leans. Flatten the bottom and sew the feet on at the same height, with a little extra stuffing in the lower half.
The headband slips. Sew it on with more stitches at each side and at the top center.
The belly patch puckers. Sew it on with small, loose stitches and press it flat with a damp cloth first.
The ornament hangs crooked. Move the loop slightly toward the back of the head until it hangs straight.
The face looks too low. Move the eyes and beak up one round.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for a penguin about twice the size, and add 2 extra plain rounds before the decreases.
Can I use safety eyes? Yes, for older children and adults. Use 6 mm safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, with 8 stitches between them.
Can I make a garland? Yes. Make 6 to 8 penguins, skip the loops, and sew them along a length of twine.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try blue, pink, or gray, and match the earmuffs to your tree colors.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Free Christmas Amigurumi Pattern (Little Penguin)
- Crochet Penguin Plushie Pattern
- Crochet Christmas Decorations Pattern
Save This Pattern
Pin this Cute Christmas Penguin Amigurumi Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next festive project. Happy crocheting!
