Wednesday 9 December 2015

Tiny Crochet Penguin - free pattern


Here's my next free Christmas pattern, to make a tiny crochet penguin, only about 3 cm/1.5" tall. This little fellow is perfect as a tree decoration, or you could use him in a Christmas scene or wreath, or add him to the wrapping on a present to make it extra special. He's made all in one go, with the wings crocheted as you go, so he's very quick and easy to create.
 
 
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch or stitches
ss = slipstitch
sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK)
dc = double crochet (US), treble crochet (UK)
tog = together
sc2tog = decrease by working two sc together
FO = fasten off

General instructions:
Work in rounds unless otherwise stated and do not join rounds unless told to. Use a stitch marker to mark the start of a round - a small piece of different coloured yarn placed under the stitch at the start of the round will do. To start a round, you can use the magic ring method, but I prefer to ch 2, and work the appropriate number of sc into 1st ch. If you work the sc over the tail of yarn as well you can use that to pull the hole tight.

Work through both loops of stitches unless otherwise indicated.

Special stitch instructions:
3 dc bob: bobble stitch. YOH (yarn over hook), insert hook into next stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH, pull through 2 loops, *YOH, insert hook into same stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH, pull through 2 loops, repeat once from*, YOH, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

You will need:
Small amounts of black and white yarn, double knitting or worsted weight.
Small amount of orange yarn for the beak.
A length of cotton yarn.
Small amount of stuffing.
3.5mm (E) hook.
Tapestry needle.

 
 
Pattern:
Start with white yarn.
Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc into 1st ch - 6 st.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around - 12 st.
Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 6 times – 18 st.

Change to black yarn
Round 4: Sc in each st around - 18 st.
Round 5: Sc in next 6 st, [wing: ss in next st, ch 4, miss ch next to hook, sc in next 3 ch, ss back into original st], sc in next st, [3dc bob] 2 times, sc in next st, [wing: as before], sc in next 6 st – 18 st.
Push bobbles from the inside out, they will form the head.
Round 6: Sc in each st around - 18 st.
Round 7: [Sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times – 12 st.
Round 8: Sc2tog 6 times – 6 st.
FO, leaving a length of yarn.

Embroider the eyes using three short lines of white yarn for each eye, then one or two even shorter lines of black in the centre. Make the beak by sewing a French knot with the orange yarn. To do this, take the yarn out between the eyes and, with the needle held close to this point, wrap the yarn three times around the needle. Sew back into the head very close to the point where the yarn came out. If you find this difficult, just sew two or three short lines in the orange yarn.

Using cotton yarn, sew a loop at the top of the head if you want to hang your penguin as a decoration. Finish stuffing and neatly sew up the hole at the back.
 
 
Here's Penguin just chilling with his friend Snowman, pattern coming soon!
 
 

3 comments:

Kimi said...

This is like Christmas for me! I've been haunting your site for the past few days, seized by an unholy obsession to make-all-the-things (the word Bazaar was used at my kids' new school and your old Craftster "How bazaar!" threads came to mind, and led me eventually here). Anyway, today I've seen not one but TWO new Things to make appear on my new favorite list on the right, and I'm literally bouncing in my seat. Merry Christmas Lucy and thank you!!

Kimi said...

Did I mention penguins are my favorite thing ever?? My kids are so getting penguin ornaments this year.

LucyRavenscar said...

Thank you Kimi, it's really lovely to read comments like that! Have fun making lots of little things (I posted another pattern today, and there are two more after that) and have a very Merry Christmas!