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Pippa is a free penguin crochet pattern ideal for intermediate crocheters.
I’m so delighted to introduce you to my latest penguin crochet pattern, Pippa the Penguin. This adorable penguin amigurumi was designed to give Pip the Penguin some company.
I originally drew out my crochet design idea for Pip and Pippa with Valentine’s Day in mind. But as we all know, crocheting and crochet pattern writing takes a wee bit longer than drawing an idea out.
As such, Pip the Penguin’s crochet pattern was released in time for Valentine’s Day. However, Pippa’s crochet pattern is only just being released now. Even though the release date is a little later than I had initially planned, I hope you think this cute penguin amigurumi duo makes the wait worthwhile.
I hope you enjoy the crochet pattern for Pippa the Penguin, and if you do make her, I would absolutely love to see your makes.
You can share photos with me on Instagram or Facebook by using the hashtag #CrochetPippaThePenguin and by tagging me @cillacrochets.
Prefer the PDF Crochet Pattern?
If you would prefer the PDF Crochet Pattern, it can be purchased from my online pattern shops below. The PDF pattern includes additional photos and gives you access offline.
About Pippa the Penguin’s Crochet Pattern
Pippa the Penguin’s crochet pattern is ideal for intermediate level crocheters and the crochet pattern is written in US terms.
This is also a minimal sewing crochet project as Pippa’s feet, tail and wings are crocheted to the body as you crochet. The only sewing required is for attaching Pippa’s head to her body and also for the assembly of her accessories.
As for Pippa’s accessories, they are also removable and the bag is functional (e.g. it can open), making Pippa fun for the young ones to play with.
What you need to crochet Pippa the Penguin
Here’s a list of the items you’ll need to crochet Pippa the Penguin:
- DK yarn (see yarn & colour key)
- Crochet hook size 2.5 mm (US C/2)
- Stuffing
- Needle
- Scissors
- Pins
- 2 Stitch markers
- Safety eyes 6 mm (Option 1)
- Black embroidery thread (Option 2 – If you’d prefer to embroider the eyes)
Recommended Yarn & Colour Key
I used Rico Design Ricorumi DK 100% Cotton yarn (25g = 57.5 m / 63 yds per ball) in the following colours:
- A – Light Grey (13 grams = 30 m/ 33 yds)
- B – Purple (21 grams = 48.5 m/ 53 yds)
- C – Black (2 grams = 4.6 m/ 5 yds)
- D – Dark Grey (10 grams = 23 m/ 25yds)
- E – White (2 grams = 4.6 m / 5 yds)
- F – Yellow (12 grams = 27.6 m / 30 yds)
- G – Berry (1 grams = 2.3 m / 2.5 yds)
Guage & Amigurumi Size
Gauge is not required for this pattern, however for reference my gauge for the Pippa was as follows:
15 sc stitches on 5 cm / 1.96 “
16 rows on 5 cm / 1.96 “
As for Pippa’s size, if you use the same yarn, tension, and hook size as noted above, your amigurumi will turn out to be 13 cm / 5.11 ” high and 14cm / 5.5 ” wide from wing tip to wing tip.
Crochet Abbreviations
R# – Row/round number
st – Stitch
ch – Chain
sl st – Slip stitch
mc – Magic circle
sc – Single crochet
inc – Increase
dec – Decrease
hdc – Half double crochet
dc – Double crochet
FLO – Front loop only
sk – Skip
cc# – Change colour to the yarn indicated (#), e.g. ccE = change to yarn E (White)
[…] x … – Repeat the sequence of stitches in brackets x-times
(…) – Total number of stitches at the end of each row/round
Sharing your Pippa the Penguin creations
Tag @cillacrochets and use the hashtag #CrochetPippaThePenguin when sharing pictures on social media. I’d love to see your creations and share them with the community!
Additional Crochet Pattern Notes & Top Tips
- Yarn & Crochet Hook Size: You can use different yarn if you like, but just make sure you use a hook size that is smaller than the recommendation on your yarn label. This will ensure the stuffing won’t appear through your stitches. Depending on the yarn you choose, this may also impact the size of your Pippa the Penguin.
- Eyes: In this pattern you have the choice of using safety eyes or embroidered eyes. Instructions are included for both within the PDF pattern, however this online version only includes safety eye placement. Please note that safety eyes are a choking hazard and are not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
- Working in continuous rounds: All parts within this pattern are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated.
- Stitch marker: Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to keep track of the number of stitches in each round.
- Stuffing: Unless otherwise stated, stuff all amigurumi parts firmly as you crochet.
- Decreases: I recommend using invisible decreases throughout. To do this, simply insert your hook into the FLO of two stitches and finish your stitch as per usual.
- No sew: There is no sewing involved for attaching the wings, feet, and tail to the body. These pieces are added to the body as you crochet. As such, I recommend crocheting the wings, feet, and tail before you make the body.
- Changing colour: The head, body and arms require colour changes. To ensure straight lines, add the new colour in the last yarn over of the sc before the new colour is stated within the crochet pattern.
Pippa the Penguin’s Crochet Pattern Copyright Notice
© 2022 Cilla Crochets. Cilla Richards – All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use only.
The pattern (or parts of it) may not be reproduced, distributed or resold, translated, published, altered, shared, or posted (for sale or for free) over the internet or offline.
You can sell items made from this pattern if they are handmade by yourself in a limited number and you give credit to the designer. Please add the following text to your item description for any item designed by Cilla Crochets/Cilla Richards that you are selling:
“This product is handmade by [your name] from a design and pattern by Cilla Richards at Cilla Crochets. See www.cillacrochets.com for more information.”
Let’s Start Crocheting Pippa the Penguin
Now that you’ve got all of your items together for making Pippa the Penguin, let’s start crocheting!
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Feet (Make 2)
Using Colour C Yarn (Black).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3 – 4: sc around (12) – 2 rounds
R5: Hold sides together and work 5 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on each end (5)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into foot to hide. Make 2 feet.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Tail
Using Colour A Yarn (Light Grey).
Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc around (9)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 3 (12)
R5: sc around (12)
R6: [3 sc, inc] x 3 (15)
R7: sc around (15)
R8: Hold sides together and work 7 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on one side (7)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into tail to hide.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Wings (Make 2)
Using Colour A Yarn (Light Grey).
Lightly stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: sc around (12)
R4: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R5: sc around (18)
R6: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R7: sc around (24)
Change to Colour B Yarn (Purple).
R8 – 17: sc around (24) – 10 rounds
R18: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
R19 – 20: sc around (18) – 2 rounds
R21: Hold sides together and work 8 sc into both sides to join, leaving one unworked st on each end (8)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew yarn tail into wings to hide. Make 2 wings.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Body
Using Colour A Yarn (Light Grey).
Stuff piece firmly.
R1: mc with 8 sc (8)
R2: [inc] x 8 (16)
R3: [sc, inc] x 8 (24)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 8 (32)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 8 (40)
In R6, R8 and R30 you will attach the feet, tail and wings to the body piece as you crochet. To do this, insert hook into a st in the last round of the foot, tail, or wing. Then insert hook into the next st of the body and sc to join. Repeat steps to attach the full piece to the body then continue the round as usual.
R6: 12 sc, join first foot to body with 5 sc, 6 sc, join second foot to body with 5 sc, 12 sc (40) – See image 9
R7: [4 sc, inc] x 8 (48)
Please note: In R8 the tail will be added to the body. Position the tail so it is on the opposite side of the body to the feet. My starting stitch was right in the centre of where the tail should sit. Therefore, you may need to start the join in a middle st of the tail (I started in st 4) and complete tail attachment with your last sc sts in R8.
R8: sc around and join the tail to the body with 1 sc joining 7 sts of the body to the 7 sts of the tail (48) – positioning note above
R9: [5 sc, inc] x 8 (56)
R10 – 13: sc around (56) – 4 rounds
Change to Colour B Yarn (Purple).
R14: BLO sc around (56)
R15 – 22: sc around (56) – 8 rounds
R23: [5 sc, dec] x 8 (48)
R24: sc around (48)
R25: [4 sc, dec] x 8 (40)
R26: sc around (40)
R27: [18 sc, dec] x 2 (38)
R28: sc around (38)
R29: [17 sc, dec] x 2 (36)
Use pins to position each arm so they are on either side of the feet with 10 sts in between the front of the arms at the top of the body piece as shown in image 11.
R30: Using the same technique to attach the feet and tail to the body, sc around and join the wings to the body with 1 sc in each st around (36)
R31: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
Firmly stuff the body.
Cut yarn, leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing and fasten off.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Head
Start with Colour D Yarn (Dark Grey).
Stuff piece firmly.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
R3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
R8: sc around (42)
Colour changes start in R9. Please refer to the cc# abbreviation explanation and changing colour at the top of this pattern.
R9: 16 sc, ccE 2 sc, ccD 6 sc, ccE 2 sc, ccD 16 sc (42)
Please note: The following colour changes to yarn E (white) should increase by 2 sc in each of the next rounds. Please check that one additional white sc is added to either side of the R10 – 12, if the lines don’t align, adjust your colour placement as required.
R10: 15 sc, ccE 4 sc, ccD 4 sc, ccE 4 sc, ccD 15 sc (42)
R11: 14 sc, ccE 5 sc, ccD 4 sc, ccE 5 sc, ccD 14 sc (42)
R12: 13 sc, ccE 7 sc, ccD 2 sc, ccE 7 sc, ccD 13 sc (42)
R13 – 14: 12 sc, ccE 18 sc, ccD 12 sc (42) – 2 rounds
If using safety eyes insert them now between R11 & R12 of the head with 7 stitches in between each eye. If you’ve chosen to do eye embroidery, instructions along with a photo tutorial are included in the PDF pattern.
R15: 12 sc, ccE 18 sc, ccD 12 sc (42)
R16: 5 sc, dec, 5 sc, ccE dec, [5 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccD 3 sc, dec, 5 sc, dec (36)
R17: [4 sc, dec] x 2, ccE [4 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccD 2 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec (30)
R18: [3 sc, dec] x 2, ccE [3 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccD 1 sc, dec, 3 sc, dec (24)
Finish stuffing head firmly.
R19: [2 sc, dec] x 2, ccE [2 sc, dec] x 2, 2 sc, ccD dec, 2 sc, dec (18)
R20: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12)
R21: [dec] x 6 (6)
Cut yarn leaving a short yarn tail and fasten off. Using a needle, weave through FLO of each 6 sc and pull tight to close. Weave yarn tail into head to hide.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Beak
Start with Colour C Yarn (Black). Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 6 sc (6)
R2: [sc, inc] x 3 (9)
R3: sc around (9)
R4: [2 sc, inc] x 3 (12)
R5: sc around (12)
Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and fasten off.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Headband
Using Colour B Yarn (Purple).
Do not stuff.
This piece is worked back and forth in rows. Turning chains are not counted in the total stitch count.
Start: Ch 4
R1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook sc in each st, ch 1, turn (3)
R2 – 43: 3 sc, ch 1, turn (3) – 42 rounds
R44: 3 sc (3)
Fasten off leaving a longer yarn tail for sewing.
Use yarn tail to sew short ends of headband together and weave in yarn tails.
Crochet Pippa the Penguin’s Flower
Using Colour F Yarn (Yellow).
Do not stuff.
Leave a longer yarn tail at the start of the mc for assembly.
R1: mc with 8 sc (8)
R2: [inc] x 8 (16)
In the next round, you will create the four petals. All sts in this row are in FLO except for the slip stitches. Sl sts should be crocheted as normal.
R3: [FLO 1 sc & 1 hdc in next st, FLO 2 dc in next st, FLO 1 hdc & sc in next st, sl st] x 4 (28)
Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave in fastened off yarn tail. The yarn tail from the start of your mc will be used for assembly. See completed flower in images 2.
Using mc yarn tail from flower, sew flower to the headband.
Crochet Pippa’s Love Heart Bag
Start with Colour F Yarn (Yellow). Do not stuff.
R1: mc with 8 sc (8)
R2: [inc] x 8, ch 2 (16) – ch is not counted in total st count
The next round creates the love heart shape.
R3: 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next 4 sts, sk 1, sl st in next 2 sts, sk 1, 2 dc in next 4 sts, 1 dc in next 2 sts, sl st to top of 1st dc to join (22) – sl sts are counted in total st count. First dc is not counted.
Cut yarn and fasten off. Sew in yarn ends.
Repeat R1 – 3 using Colour G Yarn (Berry) to create a second love heart. However, do not cut yarn or fasten off.
Line up the hearts so the right side of each heart is facing outwards. Now you will crochet the sides of the heart together & add a bag strap.
R4: Starting in next st of both hearts 6 sc to join, ch 45, sk 9 sts (3 dc, 2 sl st, 4 dc) from your last sc, 6 sc joining other side of hearts together, 1 sc in sl st of both hearts (13) – See image 25 & 26.
Cut yarn leaving a shorter tail for sewing and fasten off. Sew around the love heart tip to tidy it up and weave in all ends.
Assemble Pippa the Penguin
Follow the steps below to finish Pippa the Penguin and assemble crochet pieces.
Step 1:
Sew beak to the head. The top side of the beak should sit between R11 & R12 of the head in the centre of the eyes. The bottom of the beak sits between R14 & R15 of the head. There is no need to stuff this piece, however if you think your beak requires stuffing, stuff when you have sewn half way around.
Step 2:
Sew body to between R16 & R17 of the head.
Step 3:
Place the headband on the Pippa the Penguin’s head and hang the back across her body.
Congratulations, you’ve finished crocheting Pippa the Penguin!
I hope you enjoyed crocheting Pippa the Penguin and would love to hear what you think in the comments below. I’d also absolutely love to see your makes. Remember you can share your makes with me on social media using the hashtag #CrochetPippaThePenguin and by tagging me @cillacrochets.
If you’re looking for another free crochet pattern that you might enjoy, why not give Pippa and mate? Simply head on over to Pip the Penguin’s crochet pattern here.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
