Pebble the Penguin Crochet Pattern
One of my favorite stuffed animals growing up was a penguin. “Pengui” the penguin is what my brother and I named her and it was one of four arctic stuffed animals that we took on countless adventures. Even as an adult, penguins truly amuse me as an animal. They’re such unique, impressive water-birds, yet so irresistibly cute.
So of course, I wanted to create a penguin! I wanted this penguin to be small and round, hence its name (Pebble).
Shout out to coquettexleona for naming Pebble!
Like most of my patterns, I wanted this to be a cute project that can work up relatively quickly! So here’s how to make this penguin!
p.s. check out its little tail!
This pattern includes the following skills: Magic Circle, Single Crochet, Increase, Decrease (Invisible Decrease), Slip Stitch, Chain 1, Double Crochet, crocheting in Front Loop Only/Back Loop Only, and color changes. If you aren’t familiar with all the skills, I do have my step-by-step tutorial where I go over everything. I highly recommend looking at the video if you need more clarification.
Also it might be worth noting that I wrote this pattern for crocheting in continuous rounds, which is the common method used for crocheting plushies and is what I use for all of my plushies! The color changes take into account the natural slant that occurs when crocheting in continuous rounds.
Here’s the written pattern:
Do not duplicate to distribute or sell this crochet pattern in any form without permission. However, you may absolutely gift, donate, or sell any plushies that you make with this pattern. Please give "The Mary Jay" pattern credit and link back to this pattern when possible.
Skills and Abbreviations (In U.S. terms)
MR = Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
CH = Chain
SL ST or SS = Slip Stitch
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
INC = Increase
DEC = Decrease (or I recommend the Invisible Decrease)
FO = Fasten off
FLO = Front Loop Only
BLO = Back Loop Only
R = Round/Row
Changing Color
Sewing
Materials:
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6) in blue, white, and yellow (or the colors of your choice)
6.5 mm Crochet Hook (or a similar hook size)
Two 18 mm Safety Eyes (WARNING: Safety eyes can be choking hazards and are not recommended for crochet plushies made for young children, pets etc.)
Stuffing
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers (Optional)
Pins (Optional)
The above eyes, yarn size, and hook size are recommendations based on what I used to make the penguin in the sample photo. Feel free to switch up the yarn, eyes, or hook size based on what you have available or your preference.
If you are using a different yarn or hook size, don’t forget to make sure that the yarn and hook size work well together. For amigurumi, it is often recommended to use a hook size that is 1-2mm smaller than the recommended hook size on the yarn label for tighter stitches and less holes in your project. However, different crocheters have their own preferences on hook size and you are welcome to follow your own preference.
“Where can I get the materials?”
You can find most of these items in a craft store or on my Amazon Storefront. My Amazon Storefront contains my own personal favorites to use! While I do get some harder-to-find yarn colors off of Amazon (the ones linked on my storefront), I do also get a lot of my yarn from Joann! The colors that I used for the penguin in the sample photo is Baby Blue, White, and Buttercup by Bernat Blanket. Please note that my amazon storefront and the yarn colors are affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you use it to make a purchase. This is one way that helps support me and lets me continue to make free content for you.
Now let’s get into the pattern!
Body:
Using Blue
R1: 7 SC in a MR
R2: [INC] x 7 (14)
R3: [SC, INC] x 7 (21)
R4: [2 SC, INC] x 7 (28)
R5: 28 SC (28)
R6: [3 SC, INC] x 7 (35)
For rounds 7 to 16, we will be changing color within the rounds to the belly color. If you need more help with changing color please refer to the penguin tutorial or my changing color tutorial (method 1).
R7: 14 SC in blue, 2 SC in white, 3 SC in blue, 2 SC in white, 14 SC in blue (35)
R8: 13 SC in blue, 4 SC in white, 1 SC in blue, 4 SC in white, 13 SC in blue (35)
R9-10: 12 SC in blue, 11 SC in white, 12 SC in blue (35) 2 Rounds
R11-12: 12 SC in blue, 12 SC in white, 11 SC in blue (35) 2 Rounds
R13-14: 12 SC in blue, 13 SC in white, 10 SC in blue (35) 2 Rounds
R15: 13 SC in blue, 11 SC in white, 11 SC in blue (35)
R16: 14 SC in blue, 9 SC in white, 12 SC in blue (35)
The beginning of the next round forms the tail.
R17: [SL ST, CH 1, DC] in FLO of the first stitch.
[DC, CH 1, SL ST] in FLO of the second stitch.
Make 1 SC in the third stitch.
Make 1 DEC (combining the fourth and fifth stitch).
[3 SC, DEC] x 6 for the rest of the round.
For more clarification on R17, please refer to the video tutorial at timestamp: 43:40
R18: [ 2 SC, DEC] x 7 (21) *Please note that the first 2 SC of R18 are made in the 2 leftover back loops of Round 16 (beneath the tail, not on top of the stitches that form the tail in R17)
Attach the eyes between rounds 9 and 10 with each eye centered to each triangle shape on the face.
Using yellow, sew on the beak between rounds 10 and 11 (or one row beneath the eyes) and two stitches wide.
Begin stuffing.
R19: [ SC, DEC] x 7 (14)
R20: [DEC] x 7 (7)
FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
Finish stuffing if needed.
Use the leftover yarn tail to sew the body closed.
Flippers: (Make 2)
Using Blue
R1: 6 SC in a MR
R2: [SC, INC] x 3 ( 9)
R3: [SC, DEC] x 3 ( 6)
FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
Feet: (Make 2)
Using Yellow
6 SC in a MR
FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
Make 2
Assembly:
If you need more clarification on assembly, please visit 1:05:50 of the video tutorial.
Flippers
Do not stuff the flippers. Sew them on flat.
Sew the flippers onto each side between rounds 10 and 11. They should start where the white meets the blue of the body.
Optional: Sew down the second to bottom rows of the flippers as well to have them lay more flatly to the body.
Feet
Sew the feet between rounds 17 and 18 (or one row beneath where the white meets the blue). Each outer corner of the feet should start one stitch to the side of where the white ends on Round 16 of the body. If you need more clarification on how to attach the feet, please visit 1:09:16 of the video tutorial.
And that’s it!
Yay!!! You have finished your penguin!
Let me know what you named your penguin in the comments! If you have any questions or find any mistakes, please don’t hesitate to let me know as well!
I LOVE seeing your plushies! Follow and tag my socials! Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube: @themaryjay
Thank you so much for following my pattern!! I hope you adore your little penguin!!
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