Turn a few small crochet pieces into a cheerful penguin keychain that is easy to carry and fun to personalize. The simple panel construction, light stuffing, and quick finishing make it a satisfying make for beginners.
A tiny penguin can add a surprising amount of personality to an everyday bag or set of keys. This crochet penguin keychain combines a cream belly, colorful body, little wings, and red feet to create a small character that feels especially charming once the eyes and keyring are added.
The construction is made from two matching flat panels, so the penguin takes shape without requiring complicated three-dimensional crochet. The main point to watch is the shaping around the wings and head, while the final joining and light stuffing give the finished piece enough body to work as a keychain, bag charm, zipper pull, or small crochet ornament.
Credit arizka pitta
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn Colors: Cream/off-white, green (or red for the main body), and red for the feet and accents
- Crochet Hook: Fine steel/lace crochet hook
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill (Dacron)
- Eyes: Small plastic googly eyes
- Keyring: Ball chain or standard split keyring
- Tools: Tapestry needle, scissors, and a glue stick with a lighter or a hot glue gun for attaching the eyes
Finished Size & Customization Ideas
Finished Size: Approximately 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) tall.
The small finished size makes this penguin especially suitable for keys and bags, but you can easily change its personality by adjusting the main body color.
Customization Ideas:
- Change the main body from green to red, blue, or classic black for different penguin styles.
- Add a small yellow or orange felt beak, or embroider a tiny beak.
- Attach it to a backpack, purse, or zipper.
- Use the finished penguin as a small Christmas tree ornament.
Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology
- MR: Magic Ring
- Ch: Chain
- Sl st: Slip stitch
- sc: Single crochet
- hdc: Half double crochet
- dc: Double crochet
- tr: Treble crochet
- ext dc: Extended double crochet
- st(s): Stitch(es)
Crochet Penguin Keychain Pattern
The penguin is made from two identical body panels. Make the first panel completely, then repeat the same instructions for the second one before moving on to the feet and assembly.
Belly Center – Cream Yarn
The belly begins as a small flat circle. Keep your stitches even and pull the Magic Ring firmly closed so there is no open hole at the center.
Round 1: Start with a Magic Ring. Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), work 11 dc into the Magic Ring, pull the ring tight, and sl st into the first dc to join. (12 dc)
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), work 1 dc in the same stitch, then work 2 dc in each of the next 11 stitches. Sl st into the first dc to join. (24 dc)
Fasten off: Ch 1, cut the yarn, pull the yarn through, and weave in the loose end securely. If using synthetic yarn, secure the end carefully with a lighter.
Main Body & Wings – Green Yarn
Attach the green yarn with a slip knot to any stitch around the cream belly circle.
Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in the same stitch, 1 dc in the next stitch, then repeat (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) 11 times around. Sl st into the first dc to join. (36 dc)
Shaping the Wings – Round 4
This round creates the penguin’s wings and begins forming the recognizable silhouette. The stitch heights change several times, so follow the sequence carefully rather than trying to make the edge look symmetrical while you work. The longer stitches create the wing points, while the shorter stitches shape the inner sections.
Round 4: Ch 4; work 2 tr in next stitch (first wing); 2 dc in next stitch; 1 hdc in next stitch; 1 sc in next stitch; sl st in each of next 4 stitches; 1 sc in next stitch; 1 hdc in next stitch; 2 dc in next stitch; 2 ext dc in each of next 2 stitches; 2 dc in next stitch; 1 hdc in next stitch; sl st in each of next 4 stitches; 1 sc in next stitch; 1 hdc in next stitch; 2 dc in next stitch; 2 tr in next stitch (second wing); Ch 4 and sl st in next stitch.
Fasten off: Ch 1, cut the yarn, and weave in all ends securely.
Panel check: Before making the second panel, look at the first one from the front. The two wing points should mirror one another, and the center should remain relatively even. If the shape looks uneven, check the stitch sequence before repeating it.
Make the second panel: Repeat the belly, main body, and wing instructions to create a second matching panel.
Crochet the Feet – Red Yarn
The feet are added to one panel only, so make sure you have identified the panel that will become the front of the penguin before attaching the red yarn.
Attach the red yarn near the bottom edge by skipping 3 stitches from the center and making a sl st in the next stitch.
Feet: Ch 2, 1 dc in the same stitch, 2 dc in the next stitch, sl st in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch, 1 dc in the next stitch, Ch 2 and sl st in the same stitch.
Fasten off: Ch 1, cut the yarn, and weave in the end securely.
Join the Penguin Panels
Place the two body panels together with the wrong sides facing inward. This keeps the finished sides facing outward while you join the edges.
Attach green yarn with a slip knot through both layers.
Joining: Sl st around the sides and wings through both panels to join them together.
Shape the Head Carefully
When you reach the top treble-stitch space at the head, work 5 sc into the space. This fills out the larger opening created by the treble stitch and helps form a smoother curve across the top of the penguin.
Continue slip stitching around the remaining edges.
Add the Stuffing
Before completely closing the penguin, add a small amount of polyester fiberfill between the two panels.
Because this is a keychain, avoid overstuffing. Too much fiberfill can make the small body bulge and can also make the joined edge harder to close neatly. Add just enough to give the penguin a little dimension while allowing the panels to remain close together.
Resume slip stitching across the remaining open edge.
Final joining: Continue around the top curve, work 5 sc into the top treble-stitch space, sl st to join, fasten off, and weave in the ends securely.
Add the Face and Keyring
The final details turn the flat crocheted shape into a recognizable little penguin.
- Melt a glue stick carefully using a lighter, or use a hot glue gun.
- Glue the two small googly eyes onto the upper belly area.
- Allow the adhesive to set securely before handling the keychain.
- Thread a ball chain or standard keyring through the top loop of the head.
Finishing tip: Position both eyes before gluing them permanently. Because the penguin is only a few inches tall, even a small difference in eye placement can noticeably change its expression.
Final Thoughts
Your crochet penguin keychain is now ready to accompany you wherever you go. Its small two-panel construction keeps the making manageable, while the shaped wings, little feet, googly eyes, and light stuffing give it plenty of character.
For a coordinated set, try making additional penguins in different body colors. Changing the main yarn color or adding a tiny felt or embroidered beak can give each one a slightly different personality without changing the basic pattern.
