Pattern Description:
This free crochet pattern allows you to create an adorable little winter penguin, perfect for Christmas scenes.
The design features a pom pom hat and is described as very cute and relatively simple to make. The pattern is available for free on the blog.
Materials Need & Measurements:
- Yarn: DK (light worsted) cotton yarn is recommended. Examples given include Paintbox Yarn.
- Yarn Weight: DK (light worsted).
- Yarn Colors: The pattern specifies the following colors: Washed Teal, White, Pansy purple / Tea rose, Mustard (scrap), and Blush (scrap).
- Hook: A 2.75 mm/size C crochet hook is required.
- Notions: You will need 2 x 6 mm safety eyes (2 per penguin), Stuffing, Pins, Sewing thread, a Pom pom (or you can make your own), and a Stitch marker.
- Measurements: The finished size of the penguin is approximately 10cm / 4 inches.
Stitches & Abbreviations Used:
- magic ring: A starting technique.
- sc: Single crochet.
- 2 sc in each st / 2 st in next: Indicates an increase by working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- sc2tog: Single crochet two stitches together, a decrease technique.
- st: Stitch.
- Rnd: Round.
- ch: Chain.
- sk: Skip.
- hdc: Half double crochet.
- dc: Double crochet.
- slst: Slip stitch.
Instructions for Making the Little Winter Penguin Pattern:
Body (using washed teal yarn):
The body is worked in rounds.
- Rnd 1: Work 6 single crochets into a magic ring (6 stitches total).
- Rnd 2: Work 2 single crochets in each stitch around (12 stitches total).
- Rnd 3: [Single crochet in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (18 stitches total).
- Rnd 4: [Single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in next] repeat around (24 stitches total).
- Rnd 5: [2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 3 stitches] repeat around (30 stitches total).
- Rnd 6: Single crochet around (30 stitches total).
- Rnd 7: [Single crochet in next 4 stitches, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (36 stitches total).
- Rnds 8 – 9: Single crochet around (36 stitches total).
- Rnd 10: [2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 5 stitches] repeat around (42 stitches total).
- Rnds 11 – 14: Single crochet around (42 stitches total).
- Rnd 15: [Single crochet 2 together, single crochet in next 5 stitches] repeat around (36 stitches total).
- Rnds 16 – 17: Single crochet around (36 stitches total).
- Rnd 18: [Single crochet in next 4 stitches, single crochet 2 together] repeat around (30 stitches total).
- Attach safety eyes between Rnd 16 and Rnd 17, spacing them 5 stitches apart. Begin stuffing the body.
- Rnd 19: Single crochet around (30 stitches total).
- Rnd 20: [Single crochet 2 together, single crochet in next 3 stitches] repeat around (24 stitches total).
- Rnd 21: Single crochet around (24 stitches total).
- Rnd 22: [Single crochet in next 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together] repeat around (18 stitches total).
- Rnd 23: [Single crochet in next stitch, single crochet 2 together] repeat around (12 stitches total). This is the last chance to add stuffing.
- Rnd 24: Single crochet 2 together around (6 stitches total).
- Fasten off the yarn, leaving a tail. Thread a yarn needle onto the yarn tail and weave in and out of Rnd 24 to cinch the top of the penguin closed.
Flippers (Make 2, using washed teal yarn):
- Rnd 1: Work 5 single crochets into a magic ring (5 stitches total).
- Rnd 2: Work 2 single crochets in each stitch around (10 stitches total).
- Rnd 3: [Single crochet in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (15 stitches total).
- Rnd 4: [Single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (20 stitches total).
- Chain 1. Fold the circle in half. Work a single crochet through both sides of the half circle (9 stitches total).
- Fasten off and leave a tail for joining.
Beak (using mustard yarn):
- Chain 4. Skip 1 chain and work a single crochet into the 2nd chain from the hook. Work a half double crochet into the next stitch. Work a single crochet into the last stitch.
- Fasten off and leave a tail. You should have two tails on the same end of the beak. Using these tails, tie a knot to complete the shaping.
Hat (using purple / tea rose yarn):
The hat is worked in rounds.
- Rnd 1: Work 6 single crochets into a magic ring (6 stitches total).
- Rnd 2: Work 2 single crochets in each stitch around (12 stitches total).
- Rnd 3: [Single crochet in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next] repeat around (18 stitches total).
- Rnd 4: [Single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in next] repeat around (24 stitches total).
- Rnd 5: [2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 3 stitches] repeat around (30 stitches total).
- Rnd 6: Single crochet around (30 stitches total).
- Rnd 7: [Single crochet in next 4 stitches, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (36 stitches total).
- Rnds 8 – 10: Single crochet around (36 stitches total).
Start forming the ear flaps:
- Single crochet in the next 5 stitches. Chain 1, turn, single crochet across (5 stitches).
- Chain 1, turn, single crochet across (5 stitches). Repeat this step once more.
- Chain 1, skip 1, double crochet into the 3rd stitch. Work 5 more double crochets into the same stitch. Skip 1, slip stitch into the last stitch. Fasten off.
- Join yarn in the 12th stitch from the end of the first flap.
- Repeat steps 1-3 for the 2nd flap.
Tummy (using white yarn):
The tummy is worked in rounds.
- Rnd 1: Work 5 single crochets into a magic ring (5 stitches total).
- Rnd 2: Work 2 single crochets in each stitch around (10 stitches total).
- Rnd 3: [Single crochet in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch] repeat around (15 stitches total).
- Rnd 4: [2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 2 stitches] repeat around (20 stitches total).
- Rnd 5: [Single crochet in next 3 stitches, 2 single crochets in next] repeat around (25 stitches total).
- Fasten off and leave a long tail for joining.
Assembling:
- Using the white yarn tail, stitch the tummy in place just below the eyes. For a neat finish, stitch only into the back loops of the tummy.
- Stitch the beak on between the eyes.
- Stitch the flippers in place, ensuring the curve of the flipper is facing forwards. Each flipper should be placed approximately 5 stitches away from each eye.
- Using a scrap piece of pink yarn (Blush), stitch a small line underneath each eye.
- Add the pom pom to the hat and turn up the front of the hat.
Your new little crochet penguin friend is now ready to be enjoyed.
