Bring an adorable fun of joy to life with this crochet penguin amigurumi pattern that's cute, cuddly, and so cute you’ll want to make a whole penguin squad.
A little penguin made of yarn can melt anyone’s heart! With the Free Crochet Penguin Amigurumi Pattern, you can create a cute and squishy friend that feels soft in your hands and looks adorable anywhere. This penguin has a gentle, round body, tiny wings, and sweet little feet. Its cheerful face brings joy, making it a perfect buddy for playtime or cuddles.
Making this amigurumi is easy and fun for kids and beginners. You need three yarn colors of your choice, such as black, white, blue, grey, or even pink for a playful look. Use cotton yarn or soft acrylic yarn for a smooth and huggable toy. The 2.5mm crochet hook is just right for making neat, small stitches that help your penguin stay round and firm.
Free Crochet Penguin Amigurumi Pattern for Kids’ Toys
The main part of the pattern uses the single crochet stitch, which is simple to learn and perfect for creating amigurumi shapes. Special touches like the wings and feet can be stitched separately and attached at the end. You can even use the same pattern to make a whole family—keychains, mini ornaments, or plush toys for friends.
Change the colors or size easily! Make a bigger penguin by choosing chunky yarn and a larger hook, or create a tiny one for your backpack. The standard size is about 10–12cm tall, perfect to hold in your palm or keep on your shelf.
This lovely penguin can be a gift for birthdays, a cute desk buddy, or a surprise in a holiday stocking. It's more than just a toy—each one shows your creativity and care with every stitch. Start today with your favorite yarn colors, a 2.5mm hook, and watch your own penguin come to life!
Amigurumi Penguin Crochet Pattern
This step-by-step amigurumi pattern will help you make a cuddly little penguin using only basic stitches, color changes, and simple shaping. Great as a soft toy, desk mascot, or thoughtful handmade gift!
Before You Start
- Familiarize yourself with magic ring, single crochet, increase, decrease, and joining colors.
- Read through the pattern for helpful color change and assembly tips.
- Use a stitch marker for keeping track of rounds if you are a beginner.
- Tighten your stitches well to keep stuffing in.
Pattern Notes
- Pattern is worked in continuous rounds (do not join at the end unless instructed).
- Different yarn colors are used: Base (main body), White (belly), Blue (contrast).
- Each piece is made separately and sewn together at the end.
- Most rounds begin after a slip stitch and chain 1, serving as the round's start—unless otherwise noted.
- Stuff pieces as you go; add facial features after assembling.
How I made the Crochet Pattern?
- Began with a magic ring for a seamless start.
- Increased efficiently to shape a ball for the main body and head.
- Incorporated color changes to make a classic penguin belly.
- Designed simple wings and feet worked separately and then sewn on.
- Used basic decreasing rounds to shape the base and finish cleanly.
Skill Level
Beginner / Advanced Beginner
Requires basic crochet knowledge and simple shaping. Good practice for amigurumi and colorwork.
Finished Size
- Height: approx. 10–12 cm (4–5 inches)
- Width: approx. 7 cm (2.75 inches) at widest
Materials
- 2.5 mm crochet hook
- DK or light worsted weight yarn in three colors: Penguin Base, White, and red
- Yarn needle
- Toy stuffing (polyfill)
- Scissors
Measurements / Sizing
- Head/body: diameter ~5–6 cm
- Wings: ~3 cm length
- Feet: ~2 cm width
Gauge (Stitch Pattern)
- 6 sc x 7 rows = 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm (approximate; gauge is not critical for amigurumi)
- Keep stitches tight
Stitch Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Stitch |
|---|---|
| mr | magic ring |
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| inc | increase (2 sc in 1 st) |
| dec | decrease (sc 2 together) |
| sl st | slip stitch |
Special Stitches
- Magic ring (mr): Wrap yarn into a loop, insert hook, pull up a loop, work stitches into the loop, pull tight.
- Increase (inc): Make 2 sc into the same stitch.
- Decrease (dec): Single crochet 2 stitches together.
- Color change: Pull new color through last loop of previous stitch before continuing.
The Pattern!
Main Body & Head
Round 1:
Using base color (P), make a magic ring, 6 sc into mr. (6 sts)
You’ll start the penguin with a tight circle. This will be the top of the head.
Round 2:
Inc in each st around (2 sc in every stitch). (12 sts)
Increase evenly to grow the round. Each stitch gets two single crochets.
Round 3:
(1 sc, 1 inc) in each group around (repeat 6 times). (18 sts)
For this round, work one single crochet in the first stitch, then two in the next. Repeat all the way.
Round 4:
(sc, inc, sc) repeat around (6 sets). (24 sts)
Work one single crochet, then an increase, then one single crochet, repeat.
Round 5:
(3 sc, inc) repeat around (6 sets). (30 sts)
You’ll do three single crochets, then an increase—increasing the body in a round ball shape.
Round 6:
(2 sc, inc, 2 sc) repeat (6 sets). (36 sts)
This set is: two single crochets, one increase, two single crochets; repeat around.
Round 7:
Sc in next 23 sts in base color.
Switch to white.
Sc in next 2 sts with white.
Switch to blue.
Sc in next 3 sts.
Switch to white.
Sc in next 2 sts.
Switch to blue.
Sc in last 6 sts.
You’ll have five color sections in this round (body and belly begin to take shape). Change colors as shown, making tidy transitions.
Round 8:
Sc in next 22 sts with blue.
Switch to white.
Sc in next 4 sts.
Switch to blue.
Sc in next st.
Switch to white.
Sc in next 4 sts.
Switch to blue.
Sc in last 5 sts.
Continue working the colors around the belly, expanding the white section for the belly.
Round 9:
Repeat round 8.
Continue the pattern as established—follow your previous round’s color pattern for smooth colorwork. If confused, reference the prior round.
Round 10:
Sc in next 21 sts with blue.
Switch to white.
Sc in next 11 sts.
Switch to blue.
Sc in last 4 sts.
Here, the belly section (white) becomes even larger, getting the classic penguin look.
Rounds 11–14:
Repeat round 10 for four more rounds.
(That is: 21 sc in blue, 11 sc in white, 4 sc in blue in each round; total 36 sts per round.)
Maintain this colorwork for consistent belly panel.
Round 15:
[4 sc, dec] x3 in blue,
4 sc in blue, dec in white, 4 sc in white, dec in white,
1 sc in white, 3 sc in blue, dec in blue. (30 sts)
You will be shaping the bottom with decreases. Observe color changes as you follow the round.
Round 16:
[3 sc, dec] x4 in blue,
3 sc in white, dec in white,
3 sc in blue, dec in blue. (24 sts)
Continue decreasing and following colorwork. You will still have blue on the back and white on the front.
Round 17:
[sc, dec, sc] x6. (18 sts)
This round creates the final round of decreases. By now, you can stuff the penguin, making sure the belly is plump and even.
Round 18:
[1 sc, dec] x6 in blue. (12 sts)
Single crochet and decrease around.
Round 19:
6 decreases around to close (every 2 sts together). (6 sts)
Finish stuffing, then weave end through front loops of remaining sts and pull tight to close.
Now, the main body and head are complete. You will have plush, berthed shape with a belly and colored back. Next, make wings and feet!
Wings (Make 2)
- Round 1: Magic ring, 4 sc in mr. Slip stitch to join, ch 1.
- Round 2: Inc in every st (8 sc).
- Round 3: 8 sc.
- Round 4: 8 sc.
Two wings, small and neat, ready to be sewn on.
Feet (Make 2)
- Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc in mr.
We don’t increase, leaving flat little feet.
Assembly & Finishing
- Sew the wings to the body sides, near the middle, using a yarn needle and matching yarn.
- Sew the feet to the base/front of the belly so penguin sits upright.
- Embroider or glue small circles of white and black felt for eyes and beak, or use safety eyes.
- Add blush or accessories if desired.
Solution of Problem
Problem: Color changes look messy; stuffing is popping out.
Solution:
- For cleaner color changes, always pull new color through in last yarn-over of stitch before color switch.
- Stuff gently but fully; use a smaller hook if stuffing still comes out.
What you can make by using these stitches
- Amigurumi penguins of any color or size
- Birds and small animals (just alter color placement)
- Keychains, desk mascots, or plush gifts
- Add hats, scarves, or bow ties for fun variations
For Non-Pattern Readers
Make a ball using single crochet, growing to about the size of a lemon, changing to white yarn in the center few stitches for the belly. When done, sew on two flipper-shaped wings and round feet. Add eyes and a beak to finish your sweet penguin.
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