I already wrote a penguin for you (the Christmas penguin with the scarf and Santa hat), so this one is a different design: a larger, huggable penguin plushie. The head and body are worked separately, the belly is a soft oval patch, and the flippers are wide. It wears a little striped beanie instead of a Santa hat, so it suits any time of year. Give it as a baby shower gift, a birthday present, or a cuddly shelf friend.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner to intermediate, with shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, flippers, feet, beak, tail, and beanie are worked separately, then sewn together. The belly patch is worked in the round from a chain.
Estimated size: About 20 cm (8 in) tall including the beanie, 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 navy or black, approximately 55 g, for the head, body, flippers, and tail.
- White yarn, approximately 15 g, for the belly patch, beanie stripe, and pom-pom.
- Orange yarn, approximately 6 g, for the beak and feet.
- Light blue yarn, approximately 8 g, for the beanie.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.75 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the penguin is for a baby or young child.
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. When you change color, switch on the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous 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 body should be a plump pear shape, wider at the bottom. The flippers need no stuffing, and the feet need only a little.
Head (navy)
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]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 10 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the beak at the center front on Rounds 11–12, between and just below the eyes.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Body (navy)
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]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Round 8: (6 sc, inc) × 6. [48]
Rounds 9–16: Sc in every stitch. [48 per round; 8 rounds]
Round 17: (6 sc, dec) × 6. [42]
Round 18: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 19: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 20: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, pushing the filling into the lower half. Flatten the bottom slightly so the penguin sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Belly Patch (white)
Ch 9.
Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in the next 6 ch. Work 3 sc in the last ch. Turn and work 6 sc along the other side of the chain, then 2 sc in the last stitch. [18]
Round 2: Inc in the first st, sc in the next 6 sts, inc in each of the next 3 sts, sc in the next 6 sts, inc in each of the last 2 sts. [24]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Pin the patch to the front of the body, and sew all around the edge with small white stitches.
Beak (orange)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 2. [6]
Round 3: Sc around. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten slightly into a small triangle and sew to the pinned position.
Flippers (make 2, navy)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–6: Sc around. [9 per round; 4 rounds]
Round 7: (Sc, dec) × 3. [6]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew the open edge to the sides of the body at about Rounds 10–12, angled slightly outward.
Feet (make 2, orange)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: Sc around. [12]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff with a tiny wisp, flatten, and add two short orange stitches across the front to mark the toes. Sew to the bottom front of the body, about 6 stitches apart, with the toes pointing forward.
Tail (navy)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Round 3: Sc around. [9]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff very lightly and sew to the lower back, angled slightly upward.
Beanie (light blue and white)
Round 1: With light blue, 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]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–9: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 2 rounds]
Rounds 10–11: Change to white. Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 2 rounds]
Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Leave unstuffed.
Pom-pom (white):
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. [12 per round]
Round 5: Dec × 6. [6]
Stuff lightly, close the hole, and sew to the top of the beanie.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Belly and beak: Sew on the belly patch and the beak if you have not already.
- Flippers: Sew the flippers to the sides of the body, at the same height on each side.
- Feet and tail: Sew the feet to the bottom front and the tail to the lower back, so the penguin sits steadily.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
- Beanie: Place the beanie on the head with the white band just above the eyes. Sew all around the edge with small stitches.
Hide every tail and give the beak, flippers, feet, and beanie a gentle tug to check they hold.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
The head looks lopsided. Check that the stuffing is even, and roll the head between your palms. Use small wisps of filling as the opening narrows.
The penguin leans. Flatten the bottom of the body and sew the feet on at the same height.
The belly patch puckers. Sew it on with small, loose stitches and press it flat with a damp cloth first.
The flippers stick out. Sew them on with more stitches along the base and angle them closer to the body.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook. The penguin will be about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 10 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make a baby penguin? Yes. Use soft gray yarn for the body and head, and leave out the beanie.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try pink, teal, or lavender for a colorful flock.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Free Christmas Amigurumi Pattern (Little Penguin)
- Teddy Bear Amigurumi Pattern
- Crochet Polar Bear Pattern
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Pin this Crochet Penguin Plushie Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next handmade gift. Happy crocheting!
