Here’s a super cool ❄️ amigurumi! The Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern! This adorable little penguin has joined the Free Pocket Pal pattern series!!
This free penguin crochet pattern guides you through creating a soft and cuddly penguin amigurumi, perfect for advanced beginners, who already know a little about amigurumi crochet. Learn the best yarn options, tips for crafting toddler-safe toys, and all the techniques you need to make this cute penguin quickly and with minimal sewing.
Which Yarn is Best for a Crochet Penguin Amigurumi?
Like the Pocket Pal Bunny this Pocket Pal Penguin crochet pattern has been designed using Bernat Baby Velvet. This yarn makes some of the most soft, squishy lovable animals. The yarn can be found at most local Michaels and Walmart stores as well as online at yarnspirations.com. Feel free to experiment with your favourite Amigurumi yarns as well! Check out this scrap yarn busting post for some guidelines on how.
Which are the Safest Eyes for Toddler’s Crochet Toys?
The pattern is shown using 12 mm safety eyes, from Suncatcher Craft Eyes (Danielle is fantastic and I highly recommend her eyes). For those of you wanting to sell or gift to kids under 3, the pattern also includes a video link for embroidering sleepy eyes.
Learn More About The Pocket Pal Amigurumi Series!
The crochet patterns for the Pocket Pal series, are quick and easy to create with minimal sewing required. I love to create low-sew and no-sew amigurumi patterns for you!
- Ideal for craft markets or last-minute gifts due to their quick turnaround time.
- Head and body are worked in one piece, with an option to crochet the limbs as you go.
- Includes video tutorials for extra guidance.
Check out the Free Pocket Pal Penguin crochet pattern below or support my work and grab the inexpensive ad-free PDF on Ravelry or Etsy
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Interested in more cute crochet patterns? Check these out!
What you will need for your Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Hook size 4.0 mm (G)
Main Colour – Bernat Baby Velvet Pale Gray – 45 yards
Accent Colour – Bernat Baby Velvet Vapour Gray – 35 yards
Bernat Baby Velvet White – 20 yards
- Polyester filling – small amount
- 2 – 12mm black safety eyes (not suitable for children under 3): see video for embroidering sleepy eye as an alternative.
- Stitch Markers or Safety pins to help with sewing placement
- Yarn needle to weave in the ends
Gauge:
4 Rounds of Gauge Pattern = 1.75 inch diameter
Gauge Pattern:
Create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: 2sc in each st (12)
Round 3: *sc, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Abbreviations:
| ch | chain |
| sc | single crochet |
| scdec | single crochet decrease |
| Sc3tog | single crochet 3 stitches together |
| ss | slip stitch |
| st(s) | stich(es) |
| *to* | repeat the sequence between the ** the number of times indicated |
Special Stitches & Techniques:
Magic ring – https://youtu.be/s3xHu-fmQ6k
No Sew Method Attaching Feet: https://youtu.be/CbX1g5guZA8
No Sew Method Attaching Wings: https://youtu.be/dy5prH-AtTg
Penguin Face: available in PDF version
Sleepy Eyes – https://youtu.be/4kO0XAkXMGo
Notes:
- #sc, eg. (2sc, 3sc, etc) shows the number of scs to be completed in the indicated st
- Sts listed between brackets are all worked in the same st, eg. (hdc, dc)
- I highly recommend using a stitch marker to help keep track of the rounds for the body/head
- The pattern has both a ‘sew’ and no sew option for the limbs shown in the Body/Head section.
Recommended Sequence:
It is It is highly recommended to complete the Pocket Pal patterns in the order they are written (especially if you are using the no-sew option for the limbs).
Start your Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern
Wings (make 2):
The wings are worked from the “tip” to the body, in continuous rounds.
Using Pale Gray, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *sc, 2sc* 3 times (9)
Round 3: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 3 times (12)
Round 4: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* 3 times (15)
Rounds 5-8: sc in each st (15)
Round 9: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12)
Round 10: *sc, scdec* 4 times (8)
Do not stuff
Flatten and sc through both sides (4sts).
End off leaving a 12 inch tail if sewing.
Pocket Pal Penguin Feet (make 2):
The feet are worked from the “toes” to the body, in continuous rounds.
Using Vapour Gray, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12)
Round 3: *sc in the next st, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: sc in each st (18)
Round 5: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 3 times (15)
Round 6: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 3 times (12)
Round 7: *sc in the next st, scdec* 4 times (8)
Stuff lightly
Flatten and sc through both sides (4sts).
End off, leaving a 12 inch tail if sewing
Pocket Pal Penguin Face:
The The face is created in rows.
Using White, ch 8
Row 1: sc in the 2nd ch from hook, sc in the next 6 chs, turn, ch1 (7)
Row 2: 2sc, sc in the next 5 sts, 2sc, turn, ch1 (9)
Rows 3-4: sc in the next 9 sts, turn, ch1 (9)
Row 5: begin making first side of the face, sc in the next 3 sts (leave the last 6 sts of Row 4 unworked), turn, ch1 (3)
Rows 6-7: sc in the next 3 sts, turn, ch1 (3)
Row 8: sc3tog (1), end off, weave in end.
Row 9: make the 2nd side of the face, attach yarn in the 4th unworked st from Row 4, sc in the last 3 sts, turn, ch1 (3)
Rows 10-11: sc in the next 3 sts, turn, ch1 (3)
Row 12: sc3tog (1), do not turn or ch1, continue to sc around the entire face adding extra sc to the outer corners and sc3tog for the 3 unworked sts of round 4 (between the sides of the face).
End off, leaving a 12” tail for sewing.
Pocket Pal Penguin Body/Head:
The body and head are worked in one piece from the bottom up in continuous rounds. The last round will create the tuft of hair.
Option 1: Sewing the Feet and Wings to the body
If you are sewing your feet and wings onto your body then ‘sc in each st’ for Round 6 and Round 17.
Option 2: Crochet Feet and Wings to the body
If you are crocheting your feet and wings onto your body please follow the pattern as written for the Body/Head.For assistance in crocheting the limbs on see Videos:
Attaching Feet: https://youtu.be/CbX1g5guZA8
Attaching Wings: https://youtu.be/dy5prH-AtTg
Using Main Pale Gray, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *2sc* 6 times (12)
Round 3: *sc in the next st, 2sc* 6 times (18)
Round 4: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Round 5: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* 6 times (30)
Round 6 Option 1: sc in each st (30)
Option 2: Hold your first foot in front of your work (body). Working through both pieces, sc in the next 4 sts, working through the body only, sc in the next 5 sts, Hold the second foot in front of your work (body). Working through both pieces, sc in the next 4 sts, working through the body only, sc in the last 17 sts (30).
Round 7: *sc in the next 4 sts, 2sc* 6 times
Rounds 8-12: sc in each st (36)
Round 13: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 6 times (30)
Round 14: sc in each st (30)
Round 15: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 6 times (24)
Round 16: sc in each st (24)
Note: You may want to begin stuffing
Round 17: *sc in the next 2 sts, scdec* 6 times (18), end off, weave in end.
Round 18 Option 1: sc in each st (18), Change to Vapour Gray
Option 2: Place the animal down on a hard surface with the body face ‘up’ and the feet facing you. Locate the 4 centre front sts and mark them with a stitch marker (the wings will be placed on either side of these sts). Locate the far right marked st. Count over 4 sts to the right of it and attach your yarn to the body. (If left handed you will locate the left st and count over 4 sts to the left).
Place the first wing in front of the body to the right of the marked sts (left if you’re left handed). Working through both pieces (beginning with the first st of the wing and the stitch on the body you attached your yarn to), sc in the next 4 sts.
Working through the body only, sc in the next 4 sts (these are your marked sts). Place the second wing in front of your work (body). Working through both pieces, sc in the next 4 sts, working through the body only, sc in the last 6 sts (18). Change to Vapour Gray
Round 19: *sc in the next 2 sts, 2sc* 6 times (24)
Round 20: *sc in the next 3 sts, 2sc* 6 times (30)
Round 21: *sc in the next 4 sts, 2sc* 6 times (36)
Rounds 22-27: sc in each st (36)
Begin stuffing the head and place safety eyes in the middle of Rows 5 and 8 of the face first and then between Rounds 26 and 27 of the head approx 8 sts apart. see video;https://youtu.be/JFyA5IKYT-c
Round 28: *sc in the next 4 sts, scdec* 6 times (30)
Round 29: *sc in the next 3 sts, scdec* 6 times (24)
Round 30: *sc in the next 2 sts, scdec* 6 times (18)
Finish stuffing
Round 31: *sc, scdec* 6 times (12)
Round 32: *scdec* 6 times (6)
End off leaving a 6 inch tail, cinch the last 6 sts of Round 32 together and weave in the end.
Pocket Pal Penguin Beak:
Made in continuous rounds beginning with the tip of the beak
Using Vapour Gray, create a Magic Ring
Round 1: 6sc in the ring (6)
Round 2: *sc, 2sc* 3 times (9)
Round 3: sc in each st (9)
Stuff lightly, ss in the next st to end off
End off leaving a 6 inch tail for sewing to the head.
How to assemble your Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern
Sewing Placement – I highly recommend pinning ALL parts in place BEFORE sewing to make sure everything sits properly and is to your liking 🙂
| Note: Disregard sewing the feet and wings if you’ve already crocheted them on. Feet: Place the Feet at approx Round 5 of the body about 4 sts apart. Sew in place. When sewing the feet in place I sewed the top of the last FULL ROUND DOWN instead of just the sts from crocheting the round together. |
| Wings: Place the wings at approx Round 17 of the body, approx 4 sts apart. Sew in place. When sewing the wing in place I sewed the top of the last FULL ROUND DOWN instead of just the sts from crocheting the round together. |
| Face: Sew down along the outer edge of the face. |
| Beak: Centre the beak below the eyes placing it between Rounds 22 and 25 of the head (with the top of the beak sitting just above the centre of the face). Stuff lightly and sew down along Round 3 of the beak. |
Congratulations!
You have now completed your Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern!
How to Adapt This Little Penguin Crochet Pattern
Here are some creative tips to modify the original pattern, if you’d like to try out some different styles of penguins.
- Color Variations
You could swap out the traditional gray colors for black and white yarn to create a classic Emperor or King Penguin look. Use yellow or orange yarn for the beak and feet to give a more realistic touch.
- Add an Accessory
Crochet a tiny scarf or a beanie in bright colours to transform your penguin into a winter-ready character, perfect for holiday decorations!
- Eye Expression
Instead of using safety eyes, embroider different eye shapes or colors to give your penguin a variety of expressions—sleepy, surprised, or even winking.
- Alternative Sizes
Experiment with different hook sizes or yarn thickness to create smaller or larger penguins, making a family of penguins in different sizes!
- A Really Cool Fact!
On land, a group of penguins is called a colony or a rookery. But! In the water, they’re known as a waddle or a raft. I mean, how cute is that?!
- High Quality Bird!
Add a small bow tie or create a tuxedo-style front using black yarn to make a fancy-looking penguin that would be great for themed events or gifts.
- Character Details
Use bright colors like red and green to turn your penguin into a festive elf or use a bow and eyelashes to make a female penguin character.
- Fluffy Chick
For a baby penguin effect, use a fuzzy or boucle yarn to give the penguin a fluffier and softer appearance, mimicking the downy feathers of a penguin chick.
These small changes can help you customize your Pocket Pal Penguin to suit different themes or personalities, making each amigurumi penguin you craft, even more unique!
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Thank you so much for joining us! I hope you loved completing your Pocket Pal Penguin Crochet Pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it. Don’t want to miss a stitch? Subscribe to the Darling Maple Designs newsletter and I’ll send updates for new pattern releases, sales and promotions straight to your inbox. See you again soon! Sara <3
If you have any questions or concerns with this, or any other pattern written by Darling Maple Designs, please do not hesitate to contact me at: info@darlingmapledesigns.com.
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