The holidays are such a magical time, and there’s nothing quite like adding a personal touch to your decorations. Creating an amigurumi Christmas penguin family is one of my absolute favorite projects to get into the festive spirit! 🐧🎄 These adorable little critters bring so much charm and warmth to any holiday setup. Whether you’re a seasoned crochet enthusiast or just starting out, crafting these tiny penguins is both fun and rewarding. They make perfect gifts, charming ornaments, and delightful keepsakes that capture the joy of the season. The whimsical nature of each penguin makes them a hit with kids and adults alike—everyone loves a cute, cuddly penguin dressed in its winter best!
Diving into the amigurumi process is a joy in itself. It all begins with choosing the perfect yarn—soft, snug, and in those classic penguin colors. I love picking out vibrant hues for the little scarves and hats that give each penguin its unique personality. 🧣✨ The pattern usually involves working in rounds and using simple stitches like single crochet, so it’s accessible for all skill levels. As I stitch together the body, wings, and little beaks, I can almost feel the festive cheer growing with each loop. Adding the final touches, like those tiny beady eyes or a fluffy pom-pom for a hat, brings these penguins to life. It’s such a heartwarming process, watching these characters emerge from simple skeins of yarn into a merry little family ready to spread holiday joy!
🐧 Christmas Penguin Family Crochet Pattern
Bring a touch of winter wonder to your home with this adorable Christmas Penguin Family! With their soft plush texture, floppy Santa hats, and chubby bodies, these penguins are ready to steal your heart and spread festive joy. Perfect for cozy holiday décor or as handmade gifts, they’re fun to make and impossible to resist.
✨ Skill Level
Intermediate – Features gentle shaping, velvet-yarn handling, and simple accessory assembly.
📏 Finished Size
Using plush or chenille yarn and 4 mm hook:
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Adult Penguins: 25–28 cm (10–11 in)
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Baby Penguin: 15 cm (6 in)
🧶 Materials
Yarn (Velvet / Chenille or tight worsted):
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Black – body & wings
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White – belly & eye patches
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Yellow / mustard – beak & feet
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Red – Santa hats & scarf
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White – hat trim & pom-pom
Notions
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10–14 mm safety eyes
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Polyester fiberfill
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Yarn needle
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Stitch markers
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Optional: small weighted beads for base
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Blush or pastel chalk
🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR = Magic Ring
sc = Single Crochet
inc = Increase
dec = Decrease
ch = Chain
sl st = Slip Stitch
FO = Fasten Off
st(s) = stitches
🐧 Body (Head & Body in One Piece – Black)
R1: MR 6 (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5: (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
R6: (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
R7: (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
R8–15: sc around (42)
R16: (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
R17–20: sc around (48)
R21: (6 sc, dec) ×6 (42)
R22: (5 sc, dec) ×6 (36)
R23: (4 sc, dec) ×6 (30)
R24: (3 sc, dec) ×6 (24)
R25: (2 sc, dec) ×6 (18)
Insert eyes between R10–11.
Stuff firmly, heavier at base.
R26: (sc, dec) ×6 (12)
R27: dec ×6 (6)
FO and close.
🤍 Belly Panel (White – Teardrop Shape)
Ch 9
Round 1: sc 7, 3 sc in last ch, sc 7 (17)
Round 2: inc, sc 6, inc ×3, sc 6, inc ×2 (23)
Round 3: inc at both ends (27)
Round 4: inc at both ends (31)
Rounds 5–6: sc around
Round 7: dec at both ends (29)
Round 8: dec at both ends (27)
FO.
Sew centered on body, starting just below eye patches and ending just above feet.
👀 Eye Patches (Make 2 – White)
R1: MR 6 (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: sc around (18)
FO (do not stuff)
Attach close together on upper face. Insert safety eyes through center.
🐤 Beak (Yellow)
R1: MR 6 (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3–4: sc around (12)
R5: (2 sc, dec) ×3 (9)
FO, stuff lightly, sew between eye patches.
🪽 Wings (Make 2 – Black)
R1: MR 6 (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4–8: sc around (18)
R9: (2 sc, dec) ×4 (14)
R10: (sc, dec) ×4 (10)
R11–12: sc around (10)
Flatten slightly. Sew low on sides angled downward.
🦶 Feet (Make 2 – Yellow)
R1: MR 6 (6)
R2: inc ×6 (12)
R3: (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
R4: (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
R5–6: sc around (24)
Toe shaping:
(sc 6, turn, sc 6 back, sl st next st) ×3
Stuff firmly and flatten.
Attach slightly forward under belly so penguin stands upright.
🎅 Santa Hat (Adult Penguins)
Red Cone
R1: MR 4 (4)
R2: (sc, inc) ×2 (6)
R3–4: sc around (6)
R5: (2 sc, inc) ×2 (8)
R6–8: sc around (8)
R9: (3 sc, inc) ×2 (10)
R10–13: sc around (10)
R14: (4 sc, inc) ×2 (12)
R15–18: sc around (12)
FO (do not stuff, allow droop)
White Brim
Ch 24, join
R1–2: sc around
FO, sew to base
Add pom-pom.
🧣 Scarf (One Adult)
Ch 44
Row 1: sc across, change color every 2 sts (red/white stripes)
FO
Add fringe and wrap around neck.
🐣 Baby Penguin
Follow same pattern but:
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stop body at R23
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use smaller hook (3.5 mm)
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omit hat and scarf
🧵 Assembly
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Sew belly panel
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Attach feet
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Attach wings
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Attach eye patches and eyes
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Sew beak
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Add Santa hat & scarf
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Lightly blush cheeks
Optional: add weighted beads to base.
🌟 Finishing Tips
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Shape belly and base with fingers
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Angle wings slightly downward
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Bend hats for natural droop
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Keep eyes close together for cute expression
🎄 Final Thoughts
This Christmas Penguin Family captures the warmth and charm of the holidays with their rounded bodies, soft bellies, and festive accessories. Designed to stand securely and display beautifully, these penguins make a joyful centerpiece or heartfelt handmade gift.
Whether crafting the full family or a single penguin, each one brings winter magic and cozy cheer to your home.
Happy crocheting 🐧❄️🎅
