Soft pastel yarn, a rounded body, floppy layered wings, and tiny yellow feet give this crochet baby penguin its sweet character, while simple shaping and separate details make the little amigurumi satisfying to assemble.
Crochet Baby Penguin Pattern
There is something especially charming about a small crochet penguin with an oversized head, soft colors, and tiny feet. This version keeps the main body fairly simple, then builds its personality through the cream belly, layered wings, embroidered beak, and optional eyes. The result is a cuddly little crochet penguin that works just as well as a handmade gift as it does for a nursery shelf or seasonal display.
The body is crocheted in continuous rounds, so the most important part is keeping track of your rounds and increases as the shape grows.
After the straight section, the decreases gradually bring the top inward to form the rounded head. The separate wings, belly, and feet are much smaller pieces, so careful placement during assembly makes a noticeable difference to the finished expression and proportions.
Credit Frayed KnotCo Tutorials
Materials & Tools
- Lion Brand Feels Like Bliss yarn
- Sky: main body
- Sand Dollar: belly and face area
- Buttercup: beak and feet
- 6 mm crochet hook
- Stitch marker
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Safety eyes, optional
- Scissors
Finished Character & Customization
The finished penguin has a rounded body with a slightly oversized head, small feet, and soft floppy wings.
You can personalize the design by:
- Using different pastel or traditional penguin colors
- Adding a small hat or scarf
- Embroidering the eyes instead of using safety eyes
- Adjusting the forehead or head proportions
- Using seasonal colors for a holiday version
Pattern Abbreviations
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: decrease, turning 2 stitches into 1
- sl st: slip stitch
- ch: chain
- MR: magic ring
How to Crochet the Baby Penguin
Crochet the Body and Head
Work the body and head in continuous rounds, beginning with Sky yarn.
Because there are many consecutive rounds, a stitch marker is especially helpful here. Move it at the end of every round rather than relying on the shape of the crochet to tell you where a round ends.
Rounds 1-9: Expand the Base
Round 1: Make a MR and work 6 sc into the ring. Place a stitch marker. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 1 inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Repeat (1 inc, 1 sc) around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Repeat (1 inc, 2 sc) around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Repeat (1 inc, 3 sc) around. (30 sts)
Round 6: Repeat (1 inc, 4 sc) around. (36 sts)
Round 7: Repeat (1 inc, 5 sc) around. (42 sts)
Round 8: Repeat (1 inc, 6 sc) around. (48 sts)
Round 9: Repeat (1 inc, 7 sc) around. (54 sts)
Shape Check
The stitch count should increase by 6 stitches on every increase round. If your count is off before moving into the straight section, it is worth correcting it now; otherwise the body can gradually become wider or narrower than intended.
Work the Straight Body Section
Rounds 10–25: Straight Rounds – Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 16 rounds. (54 sts each round)
These rounds create the main length of the penguin.
There are no increases or decreases here, so the stitch count should remain 54 stitches throughout Rounds 10–25.
Shape Tip: This is a good point to check the overall body before beginning the decreases. The sides should remain relatively even rather than continuing to flare outward.
Shape the Head
The next rounds gradually reduce the stitch count to bring the top of the body inward.
Round 26: Repeat (1 dec, 7 sc) around. (48 sts)
Round 27: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (48 sts)
Round 28: Repeat (1 dec, 6 sc) around. (42 sts)
Round 29: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (42 sts)
Round 30: Repeat (1 dec, 5 sc) around. (36 sts)
Round 31: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (36 sts)
Round 32: Repeat (1 dec, 4 sc) around. (30 sts)
Round 33: Work 1 sc in each stitch around. (30 sts)
Round 34: Repeat (1 dec, 3 sc) around. (24 sts)
Round 35: Switch to Sand Dollar yarn and work 1 dec in every stitch around. (12 sts)
The alternating decrease and straight rounds keep the shaping gradual rather than closing the head too quickly.
Color-Change Note
The Sand Dollar section begins at Round 35, so make the color change cleanly before working the decreases. Keep the new yarn tension similar to the Sky yarn so the top of the head does not become noticeably tighter.
Stuff and Close the Body
After Round 35, begin filling the body with polyester fiberfill.
Add the stuffing gradually rather than putting a large amount in all at once.
Stuffing Tip
The penguin should feel full enough to hold its rounded shape, but the stitches should not be stretched open. Pay particular attention to the head, because overstuffing this area can make the decreases look too pronounced.
Once the body has the desired shape, use the tapestry needle to weave through the remaining stitches, pull the opening closed, and secure the yarn.
Set the finished body aside while you make the smaller pieces.
Make the Wings
Each wing is made from two matching pieces, giving you four pieces total for the pair of wings.
The two pieces for each wing are sewn together to create a thicker, more structured wing.
Row 1: Ch 7, then work 6 sc starting in the second chain from the hook. (6 sc)
Rows 2–6: Work 1 sc in each stitch across. (6 sc each row)
After Row 6, round the outer edges of the piece.
Shape the Wing Edges
Work around the outer edge by catching the appropriate stitches at the beginning and end of the rows to soften the corners. At the first end, work 1 sc through the first and second stitches together, continue across the edge, then work 1 sc through the last stitch and the following stitch to round the opposite end.
Repeat to make 4 wing pieces.
Wing Construction Tip
The wing pieces are intentionally made in pairs. Align two pieces carefully before sewing so their outer edges match rather than allowing one piece to shift sideways.
Sew two pieces together to make each finished wing.
Crochet the Belly
Work the belly in Sand Dollar yarn as a small flat circle.
Round 1: Make a MR and work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Repeat (1 inc, 1 sc) around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Repeat (1 inc, 2 sc) around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Repeat (1 inc, 3 sc) around. (30 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
Belly Placement
Before sewing, position the belly against the front of the body and check that it sits centrally. It is easier to correct the position while the piece is loose than after several stitches have been sewn.
Once centered, sew around the entire edge with the tapestry needle and secure the yarn neatly.
Make the Tiny Feet
Work both feet in Buttercup yarn.
Row 1: Ch 4, then work 3 sc starting in the second chain from the hook. (3 sc)
Rows 2-4: Work 1 sc across. (3 sc each row)
Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail.
Place the feet along the lower front of the body and sew them securely.
Proportion Tip
Because the feet are small, even a slight change in their spacing can affect the penguin’s expression. Place both feet first and compare their positions before sewing them permanently.
Add the Beak
The beak is embroidered directly onto the face using Buttercup yarn.
- Mark the center area of the face.
- Bring the yarn through the chosen stitches.
- Work several stitches back and forth across approximately 3–4 stitches.
- Build up the embroidery gradually until the beak has a slightly raised appearance.
- Secure the yarn at the back.
Face Placement Tip
Take a moment to check the beak position against the belly below it. A centered beak helps the face look balanced, especially because the body and head are one continuous piece.
Add the Eyes
You can finish the face with either safety eyes or embroidered eyes.
Safety Eyes
If using safety eyes, position them evenly on either side of the beak and secure them firmly.
If your safety-eye placement is being done before the body is completely closed, make sure they are securely fastened before the final stuffing and closure.
Embroidered Eyes
For a softer finish, embroider each eye with black yarn in a small circle or oval.
Face Tip: Place both eyes before fully committing to the stitches if possible. Small differences in height or spacing can noticeably change the expression of an amigurumi.
Assemble the Penguin
With all the separate pieces finished, assemble the character in a deliberate order.
Attach the Wings
Position one finished wing on each side of the body.
Sew through the wing and into the body stitches, keeping the attachment secure without pulling the wing so tightly that it loses its natural floppy shape.
Attach the Feet
Position the two small feet along the bottom of the body and sew them securely.
Check that the penguin can sit evenly after both feet are attached.
Finish the Face
Add the embroidered or safety eyes and complete the Buttercup beak if you have not already done so.
Finishing
Give the finished penguin one final shape check. Smooth the stuffing from the outside, straighten the belly and wings, and make sure the feet sit at an even height. Trim any visible yarn tails and check that all sewn pieces are secure.
The finished baby penguin has its character built from simple details: a rounded body, contrasting belly, layered floppy wings, tiny yellow feet, and a small embroidered beak. Because the main shaping is worked directly into the body, you can achieve that oversized, cuddly silhouette without having to assemble a separate head.
