Cute Amigurumi Penguin Crochet Pattern: Step-by-Step Tutorial

ByLina Morgen

How to Crochet a Cute Amigurumi Penguin: A Step-by-Step Winter Tutorial

There is nothing quite as cozy as a little penguin dressed up for the winter! Whether you are looking to create a charming nursery decoration, a unique gift for a friend, or a seasonal tabletop accent, this amigurumi penguin pattern is the perfect project. This tutorial will guide you through creating a round, adorable penguin complete with a tiny sweater, a warm hat, and a cozy scarf.

This pattern is designed to be beginner-friendly, focusing on basic stitches like the single crochet. While the penguin itself is crocheted, I have also included instructions for a little knitted hat to give your penguin that extra touch of handmade charm. Grab your favorite soft yarns and let’s get started!

Materials & Abbreviations

To make this penguin, you will need a few basic supplies. Because amigurumi relies on a tight fabric to keep the stuffing inside, I recommend using a hook size slightly smaller than what is suggested on your yarn label.

What You’ll Need

  • Yarn: Medium weight (worsted) yarn in several colors. You will need white, a dark color (black or dark gray) for the penguin’s body, a bright color for the sweater (like pink or blue), and a color for the boots (red or bright blue).
  • Crochet Hook: A size appropriate for your yarn (typically 3.5mm or 4mm).
  • Knitting Needles: A pair of knitting needles (size 3.5mm or 4mm) for the hat.
  • Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill.
  • Eyes: Safety eyes (approx. 10mm-12mm) or black embroidery thread.
  • Extras: Tapestry needle, scissors, and a stitch marker.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • MR: Magic Ring
  • sc: Single crochet
  • inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (sc 2 together)
  • ch: Chain
  • hdc: Half double crochet
  • st(s): Stitch(es)
  • sl st: Slip stitch
  • BLO: Back loop only
  • FLO: Front loop only

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: The Upper Arms

We will work in a continuous spiral. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the start of each round.

  1. 6 sc in MR (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times (18)
  4. 18 sc (18)
  5. 18 sc (Change color here if you want stripes! Use your main penguin color)
  6. 18 sc in BLO (18)
  7. Rounds 7-13: 18 sc (You can change colors every 2-3 rounds to create a striped sleeve)
  8. 4 sc, 1 dec, repeat until end of round (15)
  9. 15 sc (15)
  10. Fold the two pieces together and join them by crocheting 8 sc through both layers. Do not stuff the arms.
  11. In the next round, work 18 sc in FLO to create a finished edge.

Step 2: The Legs and Body

The body and legs are worked together to create a seamless transition from the feet to the torso.

The Legs

  1. 8 sc in MR using your “boot” color (8)
  2. 8 inc (16)
  3. (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (24)
  4. (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (32)
  5. 32 sc (32)
  6. 8 sc, 8 dec, 8 sc (24)
  7. 24 sc (24)
  8. 6 sc, (1 dec, 1 sc) repeat 4 times, 6 sc (20)
  9. 20 sc (20)
  10. 20 sc in FLO using boot color. Switch to your main penguin color (black/gray) and work 20 sc in BLO. Fasten off the first leg.

Joining the Legs and Starting the Body

  1. Do not cut the yarn on the second leg! Work 15 sc on the second leg, then ch 4. Join to the 6th stitch of the first leg with a sc.
  2. Work sc across the chains to the first leg and continue around both legs (48)
  3. 48 sc (48)
  4. 7 sc, inc repeat to end (54)
  5. 54 sc (54)
  6. (1 inc, 2 sc) repeat 3 times, 42 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc (58)
  7. (1 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc) repeat 1 time, 53 sc (60)
  8. 60 sc (60)
  9. Change to your sweater color.
  10. 60 sc in BLO (60)
  11. 8 sc, 1 dec repeat to end (54)
  12. Rounds 12-15: 54 sc (54)
  13. 7 sc, 1 dec repeat to end (48)
  14. Rounds 17-20: 48 sc (48)
  15. 6 sc, 1 dec repeat to end (42)
  16. Rounds 22-24: 42 sc (42)
  17. 5 sc, 1 dec repeat to end (36)
  18. Rounds 26-27: 36 sc. Note: In Round 27, attach the arms. Work 8 sc on one arm, 12 sc for the body, 8 sc on the other arm, and finish with 8 sc (36)
  19. 4 sc, 1 dec repeat to end (30)
  20. 30 sc in BLO (30)

The Collar

Working into the front loops of Round 29: In the 14th stitch, ch 3 and work 1 hdc into the same stitch. Continue (2 hdc, 1 inc) to the end of the round.

Step 3: The Head

  1. 8 sc in MR (8)
  2. 8 inc (16)
  3. (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (24)
  4. (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (32)
  5. (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (40)
  6. (4 sc, 1 inc) repeat 8 times (48)
  7. 48 sc (48)
  8. 7 sc, 1 inc repeat to end (54)
  9. Rounds 9-10: 54 sc (54)
  10. Color Changes (White/Main): Round 11 involves alternating colors. Follow the pattern: 18 sc main, 5 sc white, 8 sc main, 5 sc white, 18 sc main (54).
  11. Continue following the specific color changes and increases/decreases noted in the pattern for rounds 12-20. This creates the facial markings.
  12. Around Round 20, the head will begin to decrease. Follow the decrease pattern: (5 sc, 1 dec), (4 sc, 1 dec), etc., until you reach 30 stitches.
  13. Safety Eyes: If using safety eyes, insert them between Rounds 15 and 16, approximately 14 stitches apart.
  14. Stuff the head firmly.

Step 4: The Nose

  1. 4 sc in MR (4)
  2. (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 2 times (6)
  3. 6 sc (6)

Finishing

Assembly

  1. Sew the head onto the body.
  2. Sew the small nose onto the face.
  3. If you didn’t use safety eyes, embroider the eyes and some cute eyelashes for extra personality.
  4. Stuff the body and head completely with fiberfill.

The Knitted Hat

This hat is worked using knitting needles for a textured look.

  1. Cast on 64 stitches.
  2. Rounds 1-8: Work in 1×1 ribbing (knit 1, purl 1).
  3. Rounds 9-14: Work in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches).
  4. Round 15: (6 k, 1 dec) repeat to end (56).
  5. Round 16: Knit all stitches (56).
  6. Round 17: (1 dec, 12 k) repeat to end (52).
  7. Round 18: Knit all stitches (52).
  8. Round 19: (1 dec, 5 k, 1 dec, 4 k) repeat to end (44).
  9. Rounds 20-21: Knit all stitches (44).
  10. Round 22: (1 dec, 9 k) repeat to end (40).
  11. Round 23: (1 dec, 8 k) repeat to end (36).
  12. Round 24: (1 dec, 7 k) repeat to end (32).
  13. Round 25: (1 dec, 6 k) repeat to end (28).
  14. Round 26: (1 dec, 5 k) repeat to end (24).
  15. Round 27: (1 dec, 4 k) repeat to end (20).
  16. Bind off all stitches and sew the top closed. Attach a fluffy pom-pom to the top!

The Scarf Options

  • Classic Long Scarf: Cast on 7 stitches and work in stockinette stitch until it reaches your desired length. Sew it around the neck and attach the ends to the pom-pom.
  • Cozy Snood: Cast on 10 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) until desired length. In the second-to-last row, work: (1 k, ch 1, 1 dec, 1 k, ch 1, 1 k) to create buttonholes. Finish with a final row and bind off.

Tips for Success

  • Use Stitch Markers: Working in a spiral can make it very easy to lose your place. Always use a marker at the start of your rounds.
  • Tension is Key: Try to keep your stitches even. If you crochet too loosely, the stuffing might peek through the holes.
  • Personalize It: Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can add felt decorations like a little bear for the sweater, or use pastel makeup/chalk to add a soft blush to the penguin’s cheeks.
  • Color Changes: When changing colors, pull the new color through the last two loops of the previous stitch to ensure a clean transition.

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