Piper the Penguin – Free Crochet Pattern

Penguins have always been one of my favorite animals to visit at the zoo, so I was really excited to finally design this free penguin crochet pattern! This pattern includes instructions for creating both a solid colored head, as well as a chart to create the two-toned head. This cute crochet penguin also includes a little hat as well!

I would classify this free penguin crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Piper the Penguin

Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
• Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
• Body, head, beak, and tail require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the wings or feet.  
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Beak

Using color A (shown as orange):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R3: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Feet (make 2)

Using color A (shown as orange):

R1: Ch 5, turn, SC in second ch from hook and each of the next 2 sts. Working around to the other side of the ch, 3 SC in final ch. Now working on the other side of the ch, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. 2 SC in final ch. (10 sts)

R2-3: 1 SC in each st around. (10 sts)

R4: Fold the foot closed. Working through both sides, leaving 1 unworked SC on each end of the fold, 1 SC in each st across. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Body

Using color B (shown as white):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)

R8-13: 1 SC in each st around. (42 sts)

R14: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R15: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R17: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R19-20: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R21: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Do not fasten off. Move on to head.

Head

Using color C (shown as gray):

R22: Working in the front loops only, *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R23: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R24: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R25-31: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R32: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R33: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R29 and R30, with 5 sts showing between.

R34: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R35: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R36: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Wings (make 2)

Using color C (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R6-7: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (21 sts)

R9: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R11: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R13: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R14: Fold the wing closed. Leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold, working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across. See tutorial photos. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Tail

Using color C (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R4-6: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R8: Fold the tail in half. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Hat

Using color D (shown as blue):

R1: Begin with 10 DC in a magic ring. Join with a sl st to beginning. (10 sts)

R2: Ch 2, 2 DC in each st around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (20 sts)

R3: Ch 2, *2 DC in next st, 1 DC in next st. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (30 sts)

R4: Ch 2, 1 DC in each st around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (30 sts)

Using color B (shown as white):

R5: Ch 2, 1 DC in each st around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (30 sts)

Making the first earflap:

R6: Ch 2, 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. (4 sts)

R7: Ch 2, turn, DC2tog across. (2 sts)

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Making the second earflap:

Leaving 11 sts from the first earflap, join yarn to create the second earflap.

R1: Ch 2, 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. (4 sts)

R2: Ch 2, turn, DC2tog across. (2 sts)

R3: Ch 1, turn, 1 SC in each st across. (2 sts)

Do not fasten off.

Continue working SC sts around the edge of the earflap, the brim, around the first earflap, the brim, and back around to the remainder of the earflap. Join with a sl st to beginning.

Pom Pom

Using white yarn, make a pom pom. Cut a 6-inch piece of yarn and set aside. Start by wrapping white yarn around your pointer and middle fingers about 10 times. With the 6-inch piece of yarn, thread between your fingers and tie around the middle of the wrapped yarn. Remove your fingers and cut the loops of the yarn. Trim the pom pom. See tutorial photos.

Tassels (one for each earflap)

Cut 3 long equal strands of colors D (blue) and B (white) for a total of 6 strands for each tassel. The strands should be long enough that when folded in half, the length is slightly longer than your desired finished tassel length. You will have a total of 12 strands for braiding.

Insert your hook at the bottom of the Earflap. Pull the strands of yarn through with your hook and tie a knot with all strands held together to secure.

Separate the strands by color and braid them together. Tie a knot at the end of the braid to secure. Cut yarn ends to be even.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach pom pom to the top of the hat.

Attach beak to the front of the head, between the eyes, over R26-28.

Attach wings over R19-20, leaving about 10 sts between each wing. Secure in the middle of each wing as well to ensure the wings stay facing downward. Flare the bottom of the wings outward.

Attach feet between R3-4 with the inside of each end touching. Secure in the middle of each foot to ensure that the feet stay facing upright.

Attach tail between R5-6 of the back of the body and secure in the middle to ensure that the tail stays facing upright.

I hope you enjoyed this free penguin crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Piper the Penguin

Tips & Tricks

• When assembling the pieces of your crochet penguin, use pins to hold them in place to ensure proper placement.
• While working in continuous rounds of this free penguin crochet pattern, use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each round.
• For more tips and tricks, be sure to check out my full list of amigurumi tips and tricks here on my blog.

Alterations

• Try out the solid head, as well as the two-colored head, for this free penguin crochet pattern.
• Utilize non-traditional colors for a fun crochet penguin plushie.
• Using a plush yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size will create a larger finished crochet penguin.
• Pair this crochet penguin with a Spirit Earflap Hat in the same colors for the perfect gift!

More Free Animal Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

If you’ve enjoyed this free penguin crochet pattern, be sure to check out some of my other animal amigurumi patterns, such as my free lion crochet pattern, free hippo crochet pattern, and free giraffe crochet pattern! Be sure to check out my full collection of free animal crochet patterns!