How to Crochet an Adorable Pudgy Penguin

ByEmila Lorein

Are you looking for a cuddly crochet project that’s both fun to make and irresistibly cute? Look no further than this pudgy penguin pattern! This beginner-to-intermediate level project creates an adorable plushie with all the iconic penguin features – from the classic black and white coloring to adorable tufts of hair and little feet.

Materials You’ll Need

  • Size 7 Jumbo Yarn: You’ll need about 150-175g of your main color (blue or black), 50-70g of white, and about 10g of yellow for the beak and feet
  • 10mm Crochet Hook: While the yarn recommends 11.5mm, using a 10mm creates tighter stitches to keep stuffing secure
  • Polyester Fiberfill Stuffing: About 12-14 ounces
  • 20mm Safety Eyes
  • Small Felt Squares: Optional, for securing eyes
  • Lighter: Optional, for melting eye posts for security
  • Basic Notions: Scissors, yarn needle, stitch marker
  • Acrylic Yarn: For sewing pieces together (more secure than chenille yarn)

Getting Started: The Body

The penguin body is worked in the round from top to bottom, with color changes to create the classic penguin look.

  1. Make a magic ring and work 8 single crochets into it
  2. Round 2: Increase in each stitch (16 stitches)
  3. Round 3: [1 sc, increase] repeat 8 times (24 stitches)
  4. Round 4: [2 sc, increase] repeat 8 times (32 stitches)

Creating the Penguin Face

This is where things get interesting! You’ll work color changes to create the distinctive penguin face pattern:

  1. Round 5: 11 blue sc, 3 white sc, 4 blue sc, 3 white sc, 11 blue sc
  2. Round 6: 10 blue sc, 5 white sc, 2 blue sc, 5 white sc, 10 blue sc

For rounds 7-9, you’ll work 10 blue, 12 white, 10 blue to create the face pattern.

Shaping the Body

The next rows involve strategic increases and decreases to create the pudgy penguin shape:

  1. Round 10: [decrease, 3 sc] twice in blue, [decrease, 3 sc] twice in white, [3 sc, decrease] twice in blue
  2. Round 11: Place increases where decreases were in previous round
  3. Round 12: Continue with increases to widen the body

At this point, you’ll pause to add the safety eyes between rows 7 and 8, about 5-6 stitches apart. For extra security, you can add felt behind the eyes and melt the eye posts slightly to flatten them.

Completing the Body

Continue with rounds 13-21, following the color pattern and decreases to shape the body. As you work, remember to stuff your penguin to your desired firmness. Many crafters prefer a slightly firm penguin, using almost a pound of stuffing.

For the final round, work 8 decreases, then close the opening by threading yarn through the front loops of the remaining stitches and pulling tight.

Making the Accessories

The Beak

  1. Make a magic ring with 4 single crochets in yellow
  2. Close with a slip stitch and leave a tail for sewing
  3. Sew between the white stitches on the face

The Wings

  1. Make a magic ring with 4 single crochets
  2. Increase over the next few rounds to 9 stitches
  3. Work even for 2 rounds, then decrease to finish
  4. Sew to the sides of the body between rounds 11-12

The Feet

  1. Make a magic ring with 5 single crochets
  2. Increase to 10 stitches
  3. Decrease to shape, then finish off
  4. Sew to the bottom corners of the white belly

The Hair Tuft

Use the chain loop method to create cute hair tufts on the forehead:

  1. Attach yarn with a slip stitch between the widow’s peak
  2. Make three chains
  3. Slip stitch to the head again
  4. Repeat to create multiple tufts

Final Touches

To perfect your pudgy penguin, use white yarn to tidy up any color changes where blue might peek through the white areas. This is especially important around the widow’s peak for a clean, professional finish.

Enjoy Your New Friend!

Congratulations! You’ve created an adorable pudgy penguin plushie that’s perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself. The careful shaping and details make this penguin stand out from other patterns, creating a truly special crochet creation.

Whether you make the classic blue and white, pink and white, or traditional black and white penguin, these pudgy pals are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Remember, creating with yarn brings joy, and sharing that joy with others is what the crochet community is all about. Happy crocheting!

More Free Pattrens