14 Crochet Penguin Free Patterns
Penguins might be the cutest animal to crochet. Their round bodies are easy to shape, the black-and-white color blocking looks great in any yarn, and a little orange beak makes them instantly recognizable.
This roundup is for crocheters who want a winter toy, a gift for a penguin-loving kid, or a quick keychain. You will find tiny pocket penguins, chunky squishes, a hatching chick and a big no-sew plush. All 14 patterns are free to read on the designer’s page.
Crochet Penguin Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted weight yarn in black, white and yellow or orange
- Crochet hook set (2 mm to 8 mm)
- Safety eyes in several sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Tapestry needles
- Keychain rings for mini penguins
1. Osvaldo the Penguin
Photo: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
Osvaldo is a chunky 10.5-inch penguin made with super bulky yarn, so he grows fast. The front and back are worked flat in single crochet, and the eyes and flippers are worked in the round. A bobble and front post stitches add texture. He is a cozy pick for a winter gift.
- Designer: Marie Segares / Underground Crafter
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Parker Penguin
Photo: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
Parker is soft and fluffy thanks to fur yarn for the body and wings. He stands about 9.5 inches tall and is worked bottom-up in single crochet rounds. The tummy patch, wings, beak and feet are made separately and sewn on. Fur yarn hides small mistakes, which makes this a friendly easy project.
- Designer: Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Fur yarn plus worsted (#4) for beak and feet
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E) and 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Penguin Squish
Photo: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
This round, pillow-like penguin is about 10 inches across and made with Bernat Blanket yarn. It is worked in spiral rounds mostly in half double crochet, so it grows quickly. Large 24 mm safety eyes give it a big, happy face. You can stuff it with a pillow ball or fiberfill.
- Designer: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Hook: 8 mm (L)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Playful the Baby Penguin
Photo: Pia Thadani / Stitches n Scraps
A 7-inch baby penguin with a hood worked in rows over his head. The eyes and neckline are embroidered with backstitch, so there are no safety eyes. The body is mostly single crochet in continuous rounds. The designer rates it intermediate because of the shaping and hood.
- Designer: Pia Thadani / Stitches n Scraps
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Cute Penguin Amigurumi with Hat
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
This pattern gives you two sizes: a small cotton penguin and a larger, plush one in chenille yarn. Both are single crochet in the round with a color change for the belly. A little hat with a pompom and flower finishes the look. A video tutorial helps if you get stuck.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Sport weight cotton (small) or super bulky chenille (large)
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/1) or 5 mm (H/8)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. No-Sew Pocket Penguin
Photo: Jade / Sweet Softies
This 3-inch penguin stands up on its own and can be finished as a keychain. The wings are made first and attached as you work the body, and the beak and feet are added with no-sew methods. It is a great project for practicing color changes. A free video tutorial is linked.
- Designer: Jade / Sweet Softies
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.25 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Stuffy the Christmas Penguin
Photo: Amy Ramnarine / The Stitchin Mommy
Stuffy is a round, holiday-ready penguin with a scarf and hat. He is about 5 inches from crown to foot, not counting the hat. The pieces are worked in the round with single, half double and double crochet, then stuffed and sewn together. Make him for a Christmas shelf or a stocking.
- Designer: Amy Ramnarine / The Stitchin Mommy
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Medium weight (#4) cotton
- Hook: I (body), G (feet and beak), H (scarf)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Baby Penguin Toy
This 7.5-inch baby penguin has fuzzy fur accents and lots of optional extras like a hat, scarf and headband. The body starts flat as a rectangle base, then is worked in rounds, which helps it sit nicely. There is also a matching adult penguin pattern linked from the page.
- Designer: Rhondda Mol / Oombawka Design Crochet
- Skill level: Easy to Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) plus fur yarn for accents
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Alex the Penguin Amigurumi
Photo: Jenny & Teddy
Alex is a tiny 3.5-inch penguin who comes with his own little surfboard and hat. He is worked in continuous rounds with a very small hook, so the stitches are tight and neat. The body is made by joining two legs. A fun summer twist on a winter animal.
- Designer: Jenny & Teddy
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: 8 ply acrylic
- Hook: 1.25 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Snuggles the Penguin
Photo: Stephanie Lau / All About Ami
Snuggles is a turquoise penguin with a removable striped scarf and pink felt cheeks. The belly, head, beak and arms are worked separately in single crochet rounds. Using a small 2 mm hook with worsted yarn gives a firm, smooth fabric. The bright color makes him stand out from classic black penguins.
- Designer: Stephanie Lau / All About Ami
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Crochet Baby Penguin
Photo: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
This fluffy baby penguin has felt eyelids and little feathers added with a tapestry needle. The head and body are one piece with a single color change, and the wings and feet are sewn on. The designer says he is pretty easy to crochet, so it is a good weekend project.
- Designer: Jessica / Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) cotton
- Hook: F
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Hatching Penguin Chick
Photo: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati (via 3amgracedesigns)
A baby penguin popping out of a cracked egg, with a piece of shell on its head like a hat. It is about 8 inches tall and uses a mix of worsted and bulky velvet yarn. Taller stitches shape the jagged egg edge. Kids love the surprise of the hatching shell.
- Designer: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati (via 3amgracedesigns)
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) and bulky (#5)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Mini Penguin Amigurumi Keychain
Photo: Amanda Maciel (Ravelry)
At about 2.5 inches tall, this is the smallest penguin on the list. Add a keyring and clip it to a bag or zipper. It is a free Ravelry download and works up quickly from small scraps of yarn. Make a handful for party favors or stocking stuffers.
- Designer: Amanda Maciel (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 2.25 mm (B)
- Price: Free (Ravelry download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
14. Peter the Penguin (No-Sew)
Photo: Jess Huff
Peter is a big 14-inch penguin with a hat, pompom and scarf. The body and head are worked in one spiral, and the feet, beak and wings are attached as you go, so there is no sewing at the end. It takes about 165 yards of yarn. A great project if you hate assembly.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First penguin ever? Start with #2 Parker. It is rated easy and the fur yarn hides uneven stitches.
- Need something quick? Try #6 or #13. Both are tiny and great as keychains.
- Want a big, soft gift fast? Go with #1 or #3. Bulky yarn means fewer rounds.
- Hate sewing pieces together? Pick #14 Peter or #6, which are both no-sew.
- Making a Christmas gift? #7 Stuffy comes with a hat and scarf already.
FAQ
What yarn is best for a crochet penguin?
Worsted weight acrylic or cotton is the most common choice and is easy to find in black, white and yellow. For a soft, cuddly look, try chenille, blanket yarn or fur yarn. For tiny keychains, use cotton, which shows stitch detail well and holds its shape.
How do I make my penguin’s color change look neat?
Change colors on the last yarn over of the stitch before the new color starts. Carry the unused color loosely inside if the pattern allows it. Many penguin patterns change color for the belly or face, so a little practice on a swatch first can really help.
Can I make a penguin without safety eyes?
Yes. Embroider the eyes with black yarn or floss instead, like in #4 Playful the Baby Penguin. This is the safer choice for toys meant for babies and toddlers. You can also cut small felt circles and sew them on firmly.
Whichever penguin you choose, you will have a little waddling friend ready for winter in no time.