Isn’t this little Penguin Buddy Crochet Pattern a cute winter companion? I first designed this toy in 2019. Immediately, my boys began asking to keep these penguins for themselves. So, I know from firsthand experience that these are great handmade gifts for little ones.
You don’t have to be little to enjoy this penguin stuffy, though! He is cute for holiday decor or to just have around at any time of year. And of course, I think he makes an excellent gift for all ages. Who wouldn’t enjoy cuddling up with this toy? Plus, knit and crochet penguins are trending this year, which is why I’ve decided to republish this pattern. I wanted to make sure you could find it if you haven’t seen it, yet.
Where To Purchase My Ad-Free Downloadable PDF’s:
Are you looking for more penguin patterns?
Check out my:
- Penguin Buddy Knit Pattern, which is the knit version of this cute crochet penguin design
- Newborn Penguin Knit Outfit. Yes an adorable penguin outfit for babies. So cute for photos!
- Newborn Penguin Crochet Outfit. Whether you knit or crochet, you can make this cuteness.
And if you love cute animal patterns, you might want to check out my Bear Sleeping Bag Crochet Blanket.
Disclosure: To cover the cost of publishing my blog and bringing you awesome content, this page may contain affiliate links. Should you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small percentage of the sale.
Fun Facts About Penguins
Why are knit and crochet penguins trending right now? Partly it’s because they’re cute. Partly it’s because it’s winter and they’re snuggly. But there’s also a resurgence of interest in penguins in general because they are really special creatures. Here are just a few fun facts about penguins:
- Penguins live in various places all around the world. Surprisingly, only one of ~18 species lives above the Southern Hemisphere.
- Penguins range in size from just 10″ tall to over 4′ tall! Our little crochet penguin is just a little bit smaller than the smallest real penguins out there.
- Penguins are monogamous. The father watches the eggs of unhatched babies while the mom goes out to hunt. Go Mom Penguins!
- Penguins swim; they don’t fly. Some can swim over 20 mph. They typically only go about 30-60 feet deep. However some species go much deeper; the biggest ones go well over 1000 feet deep.
Supplies for the Penguin Buddy Crochet Pattern:
• Size US G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Removable stitch markers if needed
• Yarn needle to weave in ends
• Fiberfill or stuffing
Yarn:
Yarn Bee Soft & Sleek DK Yarn
in colorways:
Ivory
Cedar
Linen
Dijon
Yarn substitutions (check gauge):
• Bernat Baby Sport
• Paintbox Yarns Baby DK
• Plymouth Yarn Deambaby DK
Skill Level:
• Advanced Beginner
Measurements:
Penguin stands about 7.5” (19 cm) tall
Abbreviations:
• ch – chain
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two together
• st(s) – stitch(es)
Yardage:
• 135 yards (124 m)
Gauge:
• 22 sts and 28 rows = 4” (10 cm)
in single crochet stitch
Many of the supplies can be found at the affiliate links below:
Notes for the Penguin Buddy Crochet Pattern:
- This crochet buddy is worked in pieces and then hand sewn together.
- The Ch 1 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch.
- In order to reduce a traveling seam use the hook over method. This occurs when completing the last step of the single crochet. Instead of placing the yarn over the hook, place the hook over the yarn, and complete stitch.
- This pattern is worked in the round continuously without joining. Use a stitch marker to keep track of rounds.
Helpful Videos
Here are some of the video tutorials that will help you with the Penguin Buddy Crochet Pattern in case you get stuck.
No More Twisted Chains
Magic Circle/Ring:
Invisible Decrease (sc2tog):
Penguin Buddy Crochet Pattern Instructions:
Crochet Penguin Head:
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Ivory yarn sc 6 in Magic Ring | 6 |
| 2 | 2 sc in each stitch around | 12 |
| 3 | *2 sc in first, sc in next; repeat * around | 18 |
| 4 | *2 sc in first, sc 2; repeat * around | 24 |
| 5 | *2 sc in first, sc 3; repeat * around | 30 |
| 6 | *2 sc in first, sc 4; repeat * around | 36 |
| 7 | *2 sc in first, sc 5; repeat * around | 42 |
| 8-14 | sc in each stitch around | 42 |
| 15 | *sc2tog, sc 5; repeat * around | 36 |
| 16 | *sc2tog, sc 4; repeat * around. Begin to stuff with fiberfill as you go. | 30 |
| 17 | *sc2tog, sc 3; repeat * around | 24 |
| 18 | *sc2tog, sc 2; repeat * around | 18 |
| 19 | *sc2tog, sc 1; repeat * around | 12 |
| 20 | sc2tog around. Fasten off and use the tail end to weave through the remaining stitches and close the hole. Weave in ends, set aside until assembly. | 6 |
Crochet Penguin Body:
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Light Grey yarn chain 20 | 20 |
| 2 | *2 sc in first, sc 4; repeat * around | 24 |
| 3 | sc in each stitch around | 24 |
| 4 | *2 sc in first, sc 5; repeat * around | 28 |
| 5 | sc in each stitch around | 28 |
| 6 | *2 sc in first, sc 6; repeat * around | 32 |
| 7 | sc in each stitch around | 32 |
| 8 | *2 sc in first, sc 7; repeat * around | 36 |
| 9 | sc in each stitch around | 36 |
| 10 | *2 sc in first, sc 8; repeat * around | 40 |
| 11 | sc in each stitch around | 40 |
| 12 | *2 sc in first, sc 9; repeat * around | 44 |
| 13 | sc in each stitch around | 44 |
| 14 | *2 sc in first, sc 10; repeat * around | 48 |
| 15 | sc in each stitch around | 48 |
| 16 | *2 sc in first, sc 7; repeat * around | 54 |
| 17 | sc in each stitch around | 54 |
| 18 | *2 sc in first, sc 8; repeat * around | 60 |
| 19 | sc in each stitch around | 60 |
| 20 | *2 sc in first, sc 9; repeat * around | 66 |
| 21-26 | sc in each stitch around | 66 |
| 27 | *sc2tog, sc 9; repeat * around | 60 |
| 28 | *sc2tog, sc 8; repeat * around | 54 |
| 29 | *sc2tog, sc 7; repeat * around | 48 |
| 30 | *sc2tog, sc 6; repeat * around | 42 |
| 31 | *sc2tog, sc 5; repeat * around | 36 |
| 32 | *sc2tog, sc 4; repeat * around | 30 |
| 33 | *sc2tog, sc 3; repeat * around | 24 |
| 34 | *sc2tog, sc 2; repeat * around. Begin to stuff with fiberfill as you go. | 18 |
| 35 | *sc2tog, sc 1; repeat * around | 12 |
| 36 | sc2tog around. Fasten off and use the tail end to weave through the remaining stitches and close the hole. Weave in ends, set aside until assembly. | 6 |
Crochet Penguin Arms (make 2):
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Light Grey yarn sc 6 in Magic Ring | 6 |
| 2 | 2 sc in each stitch around | 12 |
| 3-4 | sc in each stitch around | 12 |
| 5 | *2 sc in first, sc 5; repeat * around | 14 |
| 6 | sc in each stitch around | 14 |
| 7 | *2 sc in first, sc 6; repeat * around | 16 |
| 8 | sc in each stitch around | 16 |
| 9 | *2 sc in first, sc 7; repeat * around | 18 |
| 10 | sc in each stitch around | 18 |
| 11 | *2 sc in first, sc 8; repeat * around | 20 |
| 12-16 | sc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 17 | *sc2tog, sc 8; repeat * around. Begin to stuff with fiberfill as you go. | 18 |
| 18 | sc in each stitch around | 18 |
| 19 | *sc2tog, sc 7; repeat * around | 16 |
| 20 | sc in each stitch around | 16 |
| 21 | *sc2tog, sc 6; repeat * around | 14 |
| 22-23 | sc in each stitch around. Fasten off and leave a 12-inch tail, set aside until assembly. | 14 |
Crochet Penguin Head Piece:
| Row | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Black yarn ch 5, sc in 2nd stitch from hook and across, turn. | 4 |
| 2-5 | Ch 1, sc 4, turn. | 4 |
| 6 | Ch 1, 2sc in first, sc until last stitch, 2 sc in last, turn. | 6 |
| 7-22 | Repeat row 6 until stitch count is 38 | 38 |
| Round | To work in the round, work the next stitch into the first stitch from the previous row. This will now be worked continuously in the round, using a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of the round. | |
| 23 | sc in each stitch around (including chains) | 40 |
| 24 | *sc2tog, sc 6; repeat * around | 35 |
| 25 | *sc2tog, sc 5; repeat * around | 30 |
| 26 | *sc2tog, sc 4; repeat * around | 25 |
| 27 | *sc2tog, sc 3; repeat * around | 20 |
| 28 | *sc2tog, sc 2; repeat * around | 15 |
| 29 | *sc2tog, sc 1; repeat * around. Fasten off and use the tail end to weave through the remaining stitches and close the hole. Weave in ends, set aside until assembly | 10 |
Crochet Penguin Beak:
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Yellow yarn sc 4 in Magic Ring | 4 |
| 2 | *2sc in first, sc; repeat * around | 6 |
| 3 | *2sc in first, sc 2; repeat * around | 8 |
| 4 | *2sc in first, sc 3; repeat * around | 10 |
| 5 | *2sc in first, sc 4; repeat * around. Fasten off and leave a 12-inch tail, set aside until assembly. | 12 |
Crochet Penguin Toes Small (make 4):
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Black yarn sc 4 in Magic Ring, join. | 4 |
| 2 | Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch around, join. Fasten off and leave the tail end to attach to other toes. Weave in ends, set aside until penguin feet. | 8 |
Crochet Penguin Toes Big (make 2):
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | With Black yarn sc 4 in Magic Ring, join. | 4 |
| 2 | Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch around, join. | 8 |
| 3 | Ch 1, *2sc in first, sc 3; repeat * around, join. Fasten off and leave the tail end to attach to other toes. Weave in ends, set aside until penguin feet. | 10 |
Penguin Feet (make 2):
For each foot, one big toe and two small toe pieces will be crocheted together. Using a yarn needle, sew big toes & small toe together by joining one stitch on each side. Repeat one more time by sewing a small toe to one side of the joined small toe. Attach yarn and prepare to crochet around the remaining stitches, the sewn joined stitches will not be worked. 24 total stitches are worked around the exterior of the joined toes.
| Round | Description | Stitch Count |
| 1 | sc in each stitch around | 24 |
| 2 | *sc2tog, sc 4; repeat * around | 20 |
| 3-5 | sc in each stitch around | 20 |
| 6 | *sc2tog, sc 3; repeat * around | 16 |
| 7 | sc in each stitch around | 16 |
| 8 | *sc2tog, sc 2; repeat * around Begin to stuff foot with fiberfill. | 12 |
| 9 | *sc2tog, sc 1; repeat * around. Fasten off and use the tail end to weave through the remaining stitches and close the hole. Weave in ends, set aside until assembly | 8 |
Penguin Assembly:
Using a yarn needle and black yarn, sew the headpiece onto the penguin head.
Next, sew the head to the body.
Then attach arms, feet, and beak. Use pins to put in place if helpful.
For the eyes, use black yarn to stitch a U, or upside-down U, and small eyelashes.
Crochet & Tag
I hope you have enjoyed making the Pattern!
If you have made this, please share it on social media. Above all, I love to see the projects created with my patterns and also share your beautiful work.
Please use #brianakdesigns or @brianakdesigns
It is much appreciated and adored!
