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
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Large Penguins: 10–11 in (25–28 cm) tall
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Baby Penguin: 6 in (15 cm) tall
(Using velvet or chenille yarn with a 4 mm hook)
🧶 Materials
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Yarn (Velvet/Chenille):
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Black – body & wings
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White – belly & face
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Mustard – beak & feet
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Red – hat & scarf
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Hook: 4 mm (velvet) or 3.5 mm (tight worsted)
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Safety eyes: 10–14 mm
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Stuffing: Polyfill
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Optional: thin floral wire for hat bend
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Tapestry needle & blush paint
🧵 Abbreviations (US Terms)
MR – Magic Ring
sc – Single Crochet
inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
dec – Decrease (sc 2 together)
ch – Chain
sl st – Slip Stitch
FO – Fasten Off
🐧 Body (Black Yarn)
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MR 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
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(3 sc, inc) x6 (30)
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(4 sc, inc) x6 (36)
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(5 sc, inc) x6 (42)
8–16. sc around (42) -
(6 sc, inc) x6 (48) – widest belly point
18–20. sc around (48) -
(6 sc, dec) x6 (42)
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(5 sc, dec) x6 (36)
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(4 sc, dec) x6 (30)
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(3 sc, dec) x6 (24)
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(2 sc, dec) x6 (18)
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(1 sc, dec) x6 (12)
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dec x6 (6), FO and close.
💡 Tip: Stuff the bottom more firmly than the top to help your penguin stand upright.
🐧 Belly Patch (White Yarn)
Worked in rows for an elongated teardrop shape.
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Ch 9, work around the chain.
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sc 7, 3 sc in last ch, rotate, sc 7 (17)
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inc in first st, sc 6, inc x3, sc 6, inc x2 (23)
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inc each end (27)
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inc each end again (31)
6–7. sc across, dec one at each end (29, then 27) -
sc around edge, FO.
📍 Placement: Center the belly patch with the top edge starting around Row 8–10 of the body and ending just above the feet.
👀 Eye Patches (White Yarn)
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MR 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
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sc around (18), FO.
🔸 Do not stuff — patches should lie flat.
Attach closely together on the upper front of the head, and insert safety eyes through the center.
🐤 Beak (Mustard Yarn)
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MR 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
3–4. sc around (12) -
(2 sc, dec) x3 (9)
FO, stuff lightly, and sew between the eye patches.
🦶 Feet (Mustard Yarn)
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MR 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
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(2 sc, inc) x6 (24)
5–6. sc around (24) -
Form toes: (sc 6, turn, sc 6 back, sl st next st) ×3
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FO, stuff firmly.
💡 This creates three rounded bumps visible from the front. Attach slightly forward under the belly so the penguin stands upright.
🐧 Wings (Black Yarn)
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MR 6 sc
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inc x6 (12)
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(1 sc, inc) x6 (18)
4–8. sc around (18) -
(2 sc, dec) x4 (14)
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(1 sc, dec) x4 (10)
11–12. sc around (10), FO.
Flatten slightly and sew angled downward for a natural flipper pose.
🎅 Santa Hat (Red & White Yarn)
Red Cone:
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MR 4 sc
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(1 sc, inc) x2 (6)
3–5. sc around (6) -
(2 sc, inc) x2 (8)
7–9. sc around (8) -
(3 sc, inc) x2 (10)
11–14. sc around (10) -
(4 sc, inc) x2 (12)
16–20. sc around (12) -
Insert a bit of wire or leave unstuffed for a natural droop.
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FO.
White Brim:
Ch 24, join to form ring.
sc around 2 rows, FO and sew to base.
Add a pom-pom and bend the hat to one side.
🧣 Scarf (Red & White Yarn)
Ch 44.
Row 1: sc across, changing colors every 2 stitches.
FO and add small fringes at each end.
Wrap around the neck and tack with a stitch.
✂️ Assembly
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Sew the belly patch centered on the body.
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Attach stuffed feet slightly forward.
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Sew wings angled downward.
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Attach eye patches and insert safety eyes.
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Sew the beak in between.
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Add hat and scarf.
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Apply blush or embroider tiny snowflakes for festive detail.
💡 Finishing Tips
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Brush gently with a soft bristle brush for an even plush finish.
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Add a small pouch of weighted beads to the base for extra stability.
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For a matching baby penguin, reduce stitch counts by 25%.
🎄 Bring Your Penguins to Life
This charming Christmas Penguin Family will make any holiday setting warmer. With their velvety texture, cheerful accessories, and balanced design, they’re a heart-melting addition to your handmade décor or a treasured gift for loved ones.
