Free Penguin Crochet Pattern
Pip the Penguin
Get this adorable free penguin crochet pattern right here on the blog.
Pip the Penguin is the third crochet pattern I’ve released as part of the Arctic Amigurumi collection and was designed with Valentine’s Day in mind. Pip’s crochet pattern is ideal for intermediate crocheters and the crochet pattern is written in US terms in English only.
If you have any questions at all while crocheting Pip, please feel free to get in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, or by email.
I hope you enjoy this new pattern, and don’t forget to share your completed makes with me on social media by tagging @cillacrochets and using the hashtag #CrochetPipThePenguin. I hope you have fun!
Prefer the PDF Crochet Pattern?
Pip the Penguin’s PDF crochet pattern is available for purchase via the links below. The PDF includes additional photos and is suited to less experienced crocheters.
Pip the Penguin Crochet Pattern Information
Materials needed
Here’s what you’ll need to crochet Pip the Penguin:
Yarn: DK yarn in the following colours:
A - Blue (34 grams = 78 m/ 85 yds)
B - Black (3 grams = 7 m/ 7.5 yds)
C - White (3 grams = 7 m/ 7.5 yds)
D - Yellow (8 grams = 18.5 m/ 20 yds)
E - Berry (7 grams = 16 m / 17.5 yds)
Crochet hook: 2.5 mm (US C/2)
Additional materials:
Stuffing
Needle
Scissors
Pins
2 Stitch markers
Safety eyes 6 mm (Option 1)
Black embroidery thread (Option 2 if you prefer to embroider the eyes)
Pom pom maker (3.8 mm / 1.5 ")
Gauge
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge for the amigurumi was as follows:
15 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 "
16 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 "
Amigurumi Size
I used the yarn above with a 2.5 mm (US C/2) hook and the amigurumi turned out to be 13 cm / 5.11 " high (excluding hat) and 14cm / 5.5 " wide from wing tip to wing tip. Please note: I do tend to crochet quite tightly, so your Pip may turn out larger.
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
This crochet pattern is written in US terms.
R# - Row/round number
st - Stitch
ch - Chain
sl st - Slip stitch
mc - Magic circle
sc - Single crochet
inc - Increase
dec - Decrease
dc - Double crochet
FLO - Front loop only
cc# - Change colour to the yarn indicated (#), e.g. ccA = colour change to yarn A (Blue)
sk - Skip
[...] x ... - Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
*...** - Repeat technique between the astericks as described
(...) - Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Additional Crochet Pattern Notes & Top Tips
Yarn: The yarn choice is completely up to you, and you can change the yarn weight, material, and colours based on your own personal preference. Just be aware that the weight of your yarn may impact the hook size you need to use and also the size of your final make.
Hook size: I recommend using a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label. This will stop the stuffing appearing through your stitches.
Eyes: In this pattern you have the choice of using safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Instructions are included for both. Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
Working in rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches.
Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases throughout.
No sew: There is no sewing involved for attaching the wings, feet, and tail to the body. These pieces are added to the body as you crochet. As such, I recommend crocheting the wings, feet, and tail before you make the body.
Changing colour: The head requires colour changes. To ensure straight lines, add the new colour in the last yarn over of the sc before the new colour is needed.
Copyright Notice: This pattern cannot be reproduced or sold and is for personal use only. You are however more than welcome to sell items you make on a small scale by using this pattern giving credit to the pattern designer. Please read the full copyright notice at the bottom of this page for more information.
Pip the Penguin Crochet Pattern
Wings (Make 2)
Using Colour A Yarn (Blue). Lightly stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: sc around (12)
R4: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R5: sc around (18)
R6: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R7 - 17: sc around (24) - 11 rounds
R18: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R19 - 20: sc around (18) - 2 rounds
R21: Hold sides together and work 8 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on each end (8)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into wings to hide. Make 2 wings.
Feet (Make 2)
Using Colour B Yarn (Black). Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3 - 4: sc around (12) - 2 rounds
R5: Hold sides together and work 5 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on each end (5)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into foot to hide. Make 2 feet.
Tail
Using Colour A Yarn (Blue). Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc around (9)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 3 (12)
R5: sc around (12)
R6: [3 sc, inc] x 3 (15)
R7: sc around (15)
R8: Hold sides together and work 7 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on one side (7)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into tail to hide.
Body
Using Colour A Yarn (Blue). Stuff piece firmly.
R1: mc with 8 sc (8)
R2: [inc] x 8 (16)
R3: [sc, inc] x 8 (24)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 8 (32)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 8 (40)
In R6, R8 and R30 you will attach the feet, tail and wings to the body piece as you crochet. To do this, insert hook into a st in the last round of the foot, tail, or wing. Then insert hook into the next st of the body and sc to join. Repeat steps to attach the full piece to the body then continue the round as usual.
R6: 12 sc, join first foot to body with 5 sc, 6 sc, join second foot to body with 5 sc, 12 sc (40)
R7: [4 sc, inc] x 8 (48)
Please note: In R8 the tail will be added to the body. Position the tail so it is on the opposite side of the body to the feet. My starting stitch was right in the centre of where the tail should sit (as indicated by the st marker in the image here). Therefore, you may need to start the join in a middle st of the tail (I started in st 4) and complete tail attachment with your last sc sts in R8.
R8: sc around and join the tail to the body with 1 sc joining 7 sts of the body to the 7 sts of the tail (48) - positioning note above
R9: [5 sc, inc] x 8 (56)
R10 - 22: sc around (56) - 13 rounds
R23: [5 sc, dec] x 8 (48)
R24: sc around (48)
R25: [4 sc, dec] x 8 (40)
R26: sc around (40)
R27: [18 sc, dec] x 2 (38)
R28: sc around (38)
R29: [17 sc, dec] x 2 (36)
Use pins to position each arm so they are on either side of the feet with 10 sts in between the front of the arms at the top of the body piece.
R30: Using the same technique to attach the feet and tail to the body, sc around and join the wings to the body with 1 sc in each st around (36)
R31: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
Firmly stuff the body.
Cut yarn, leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Head
Start with Colour A Yarn (Blue).
Stuff head firmly throughout.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: sc around (42)
Colour changes start in R9. Please read cc# abbreviation explanation, and the changing colour note at the beginning of this pattern.
R9: 16 sc, ccC 2 sc, ccA 6 sc, ccC 2 sc, ccA 16 sc (42)
Please note: The following colour changes to yarn A (white) should increase by 2 sc in each of the next rounds. Please check that one additional white sc is added to either side of the R10 - 12, if the lines don't align, adjust your colour placement as required.
R10: 15 sc, ccC 4 sc, ccA 4 sc, ccC 4 sc, ccA 15 sc (42)
R11: 14 sc, ccC 5 sc, ccA 4 sc, ccC 5 sc, ccA 14 sc (42)
R12: 13 sc, ccC 7 sc, ccA 2 sc, ccC 7 sc, ccA 13 sc (42)
R13 - 14: 12 sc, ccC 18 sc, ccA 12 sc (42) - 2 rounds
If using safety eyes insert them now between R11 & R12 of the head with 7 stitches in between each eye. If you've chosen to do eye embroidery, this can be left until after assembly.
R15: 12 sc, ccC 18 sc, ccA 12 sc (42)
R16: 5 sc, dec, 5 sc, ccC dec, [5 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccA 3 sc, dec, 5 sc, dec (36)
R17: [4 sc, dec] x 2, ccC [4 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccA 2 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec (30)
R18: [3 sc, dec] x 2, ccC [3 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccA 1 sc, dec, 3 sc, dec (24)
Finish stuffing head firmly.
R19: [2 sc, dec] x 2, ccC [2 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccA dec, 2 sc, dec (18)
R20: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12)
R21: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn leaving a short yarn tail and fasten off. Using a needle, weave through FLO of each 6 sc and pull tight to close. Weave yarn tail into head to hide.
Beak
Start with Colour B Yarn (Black). Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc around (9)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 3 (12)
R5: sc around (12)
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and fasten off.
Hat
Start with Colour D Yarn (Yellow). Do not stuff.
Start: leave a yarn tail of approximately 20cm/8" before your slip knot, ch 44 and sl st to first ch to form a loop
Please note: ch sts in the following rounds count as 1 st in total st count.
R1 - 4: ch 3 (this counts as your first dc), sk 1, dc in each st around, sl st to top of ch to join (44) - 4 rounds
R5: ch 1 (this counts as your first sc), sk 1, sc in each st around, sl st to ch to join (44)
Cut yarn and fasten off.
Attach Colour E Yarn (Berry) to the sc next to where you fastened off as shown in image 20. This next section will create the ribbing of the hat.
R6: ch 3, in 2nd ch from hook 1 sc in each ch, *Sl st to next st at base of hat, ch 1 and turn, 2 sc back along the ch, ch 1 and turn, BLO 2 sc along ch, sl st to next st at base of hat** Repeat from * to ** 20 times until you reach where you started. - your last sc should be in the 1st ch in R5
Cut yarn leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Use yarn tail to sew the two sides of the ribbing together.
Sew in all yarn ends at base of hat.
Using a needle and the yarn tail from your starting ch, weave in and out of ch sts at the top of the hat as shown in image 23. Pull tight to close.
Sew extra stitches through the centre of the gap to secure the top of the hat.
Make a pom pom using Colour E Yarn (Berry) and a 3.8 cm / 1.5 " pom pom maker.
Cut pom pom so it is approximately 4 cm / 1.6 " wide.
Sew pom pom to the top of the hat.
Love Heart
Start with Colour E Yarn (Berry).
Firmly stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4 - 5: sc around (18) - 2 rounds
Cut yarn and fasten off.
Repeat R1 - R5 again so there is a second semi-circle piece. For the second piece, do not cut yarn or fasten off.
Using the yarn tail from your first semi-circle, sew the two pieces together in the middle with 6 sc on either side of each piece.
R6: sc in each st around skipping the sts that were sewn together (24)
R7: sc around (24)
R8: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R9: sc around (18)
Stuff firmly.
R10: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
R11: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn leaving a short tail for sewing and fasten off. Weave tail through FLO of 6 sc and pull tight to close.
Sew yarn tail into love heart to hide.
Love Heart Handle
Using Colour E Yarn (Berry)
After making each of the following chains, check the length against Pip's body. Depending on your tension, you may need to add extra chains to ensure the handle is long enough.
Start: Leave approximately 20 cm of yarn before your slip knot, ch 55.
Fasten off leaving a yarn tail of approximately 20 cm / 8".
Using Colour D Yarn (Yellow)
Start: Leave approximately 20 cm of yarn before your slip knot, ch 55.
Fasten off leaving a yarn tail of approximately 20 cm / 8".
Line up each ch and tie a knot to join both chs together. Repeat knot 4 times at the same end.
Fold chains over each other approximately 10 times so they appear twisted.
Repeat knot x 4 on other end of chains to secure ch twist.
Sew each side of ch between R3 & R4 of either side of the love heart.
Using Colour D Yarn (Yellow) embroider a thick horizontal line between R6 & R7 in the middle of the heart.
Assembly Instructions for Pip the Penguin
Step 1: Sew beak to head
Sew beak to the head. The top side of the beak should sit between R11 & R12 of the head in the centre of the eyes. The bottom of the beak sits between R14 & R14 of the head. There is no need to stuff this piece, however if you think your piece requires stuffing, stuff when you are half way through sewing.
Step 2: Sew body to the head
Sew body to between R16 & R17 of the head.
Step 3: Dress Pip in his hat and bag
Place the hat on the Pip the Penguin's head and hang the back across his body.
Eye Embroidery (If Applicable)
Using black embroidery thread, embroider two eyes onto your Pip the Penguin. The image here shows you the pin placement I used to embroider my penguin eyes.
Congratulations, you have finished crocheting Pip the Penguin!
Don’t forget you can share your makes with the community by using the hashtag #CrochetPipThePenguin & by tagging me on social media @cillacrochets.
I hope you had fun!
If you enjoyed this pattern, you may like to try some of my other free crochet patterns. You can check these out here.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
© 2022 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards - All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”
