A petite winter crocheted penguin with a pom-pom beanie and scarf makes a sweet handmade accent for holiday shelves, gifts, and Christmas displays.
The little beanie and oversized pom-pom are what give this crochet penguin its unmistakable winter character. The compact body is worked with simple amigurumi shaping, while the contrasting scarf, flippers, and embroidered details add enough personality to make the finished crochet piece feel especially playful.
There is also plenty of room to make this crochet penguin your own before you reach the finishing steps. Keep the body in icy blue for a snowy look, switch to red or green for a more traditional Christmas palette, or turn the beanie into an ornament by adding a hanging loop at the top.
Credit Crochet Musings
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Medium/Worsted weight yarn in 4–5 colors:
- Dark Grey or Charcoal for the head
- White for the face, beanie rim, pom-pom, and details
- Light Blue or Red for the lower body and beanie
- Yellow or Orange for the beak
- Light Blue for the flippers
- Dark Blue for the scarf
- Crochet Hook: 3.0 mm
- Safety Eyes: 6–7 mm black safety eyes
- Fiberfill: Polyester stuffing
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker, and scissors
Finished Size & Customization Ideas
The completed penguin measures approximately 3–3.5 inches (7.5–9 cm) tall, depending on yarn weight and tension.
For a different holiday palette, replace the light blue with Christmas red, forest green, or winter purple. A contrasting shade for the flippers creates a cozy mitten-like effect. You can also add a ribbon or silver cord through the top of the beanie if you want to use the finished penguin as a Christmas tree ornament.
Pattern Abbreviations & Terminology
- MR: Magic Ring
- st/sts: Stitch/Stitches
- sc: Single Crochet
- hdc: Half Double Crochet
- inc: Increase – 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: Invisible Decrease
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- FO: Fasten Off
Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions
1. Penguin Body & Head Base
Use the grey, white, and light-blue or red yarn with a 3.0 mm hook.
Rounds 1–7: Work the head and upper body using the standard amigurumi increase sequence, beginning with 6 sc in a magic ring and increasing evenly to 30 sts; on the final yarn-over of Round 7, change to Light Blue or Red and secure the grey yarn inside. (30 sts)
Rounds 8–15: Work 1 sc in each stitch around in Light Blue or Red. (30 sts)
Face Placement: Position the 6–7 mm safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, approximately 5–6 stitches apart, then embroider the yellow or orange beak centered beneath them.
Rounds 16–18: Work the decrease rounds using (sc, dec) to reduce the opening gradually; add fiberfill before the opening becomes too small, then finish the remaining decreases, fasten off, and weave in the tail.
Shape check: Add stuffing in small amounts as you work the closing rounds. The body should feel firm enough to hold its rounded shape, but not so tightly packed that the stitches stretch and reveal the stuffing.
2. Winter Beanie
Use Light Blue or Red yarn with the 3.0 mm hook.
Round 1: Make a MR and work 6 sc into the ring; pull the center closed tightly. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Repeat (1 sc, 1 inc) 6 times around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Repeat (2 sc, 1 inc) 6 times around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Repeat (3 sc, 1 inc) 6 times around. (30 sts)
Rounds 6–7: Work 1 sc in each stitch around for both rounds; on the final stitch of Round 7, complete the final yarn-over with White yarn. (30 sts)
Rounds 8–9: With White yarn, work 1 sc in each stitch around for both rounds; fasten off at the end of Round 9, leaving a long white tail for attaching the beanie. (30 sts)
Color-change tip: Once the White rim is established, secure the blue and white tails inside the beanie before trimming them. Keeping these ends tucked inside prevents them from interfering when the hat is fitted onto the penguin.
3. Mini Pom-Pom
- Leave a long starting tail and wrap White yarn around two fingers approximately 45 times.
- Carefully remove the yarn bundle and tie the center tightly with the long starting tail.
- Cut through all the loops on both sides.
- Trim the loose strands and roll the bundle between your palms to shape a small, round pom-pom.
- Thread the pom-pom tails onto a yarn needle and sew it securely to the center of Round 1 of the beanie.
- Tie the tails firmly inside the beanie and trim the excess.
4. Winter Scarf
Use a contrasting yarn such as Dark Blue.
Foundation Chain: Make a slip knot and chain 60.
Row 1: Turn the chain and work 1 hdc into the 3rd chain from the hook, then work 1 hdc into the back bump of every remaining chain to the end. (58 hdc)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Edge tip: Working into the back bumps gives both long edges a cleaner appearance. Make sure the first hdc goes into the 3rd chain from the hook so the scarf does not end up shorter than intended.
Assembly & Finishing
Beanie Attachment
Place the finished beanie over the penguin’s head and adjust it so the white rim sits evenly around the face. Thread the long white tail from Round 9 onto a yarn needle and stitch through the beanie and head to anchor it securely. Fasten off and hide the remaining tail inside.
Face Details
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6 if they have not already been installed. Keep the spacing even, then embroider the yellow or orange beak directly beneath them.
Flipper and Belly Details
Use the chosen contrasting yarn for the flippers so they stand out against the body. For the two small belly details, embroider X-shaped stitches vertically down the center of the lower body with White yarn. Hide the beginning and ending knots inside the penguin.
Scarf
Wrap the scarf around the neck just below the face and beanie rim. Cross the two ends in front and leave them hanging naturally. If you prefer a fixed position, add a small securing stitch at the back.
Final Finishing
Check the pom-pom, beanie, scarf, eyes, beak, and embroidered details before trimming any remaining yarn ends. If you plan to use the penguin around young children, remember that safety eyes can present a choking hazard; embroidered facial details are a safer alternative.
Conclusion
Your Crochet Christmas Winter Penguin is ready for a festive shelf, holiday display, handmade gift, or ornament. The small size makes it a satisfying amigurumi to finish, while the beanie, pom-pom, and scarf give you easy ways to change the character with different colors and details.
