Crochet Penguin Christmas Ornament

About This Penguin Christmas Tree Ornament

• It is a quick and easy pattern for a beginner to make.
• It is the perfect practice piece for a beginner to learn how to crochet a circle because the main body is made up of four flat circles.
• You will need to know how to make a double crochet 3 cluster (dc3 CL) to make the beak. If you don't know how to make this stitch, you can find instructions to make this stitch in our special stitches section below.
• Some simple hand sewing is required to assemble this crochet ornament.
• These crochet penguins require very little yarn, making them perfect for stash-busting.
• Not only are they great for decorating your Christmas tree like these Christmas bell ornaments, but you could make them as gifts or sell them at craft fairs.
• This is a free crochet pattern, and you will find a printable pattern card at the end of this post.

Yarn To Use

We used a #4 worsted-weight acrylic yarn (this is also known as Afghan, Aran, or 10py yarn), which is quite thick and easy to work with for a beginner.

However, you don't need to use this yarn weight or fiber type, other weights and fibers can be used.

But be aware that a lighter yarn weight such as #3 light (light worsted, DK or 8 ply) yarn will make smaller crochet ornaments, and heavier chunkier yarns will make larger ornaments.

About The Hook Sizes Used

This pattern uses two different hook sizes a 3.5 mm hook for the body pieces and a 2.5 mm hook for the hanging loop and feet.

We chose to use a 3.5 mm hook size for the body pieces, which is smaller than the 5mm needle size recommended on the yarn label for the yarn I used.

We did this to create tight stitches and a firm fabric that would not require additional support with a backing.

The hanging loop is made with a 2.5 mm hook which gives the loop a nice clean look, because of the tight stitches.

Using other hook sizes

If you choose to use another yarn weight, experiment with different hook sizes to create a firm fabric that lays flat.

If you find that the circles curl up and refuse to sit flat, you are using a hook size that is too small, try again with a slightly larger hook, until you find one that gives you a tight fabric that will lay flat.

Step By Step Tutorial

Skill Level

Intermediate Beginner

What You Will Need

#4 worsted (Afgan, Aran, or 10ply) Acrylic yarn

Yarn

• Color A = body and head, 17.5 yards (16 meters) of light blue yarn.
• Color B = belly and face, about 12 yards (11 meters) of white yarn.
• Color C = beak and feet, about 5 yards (4.5 meters) of dark red yarn.

Crochet Hook

• 3.5 mm (D/3) hook for all body pieces 
• 2.5 mm (C/2) hook will be used to crochet the hanging loop

Notions

• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Joggle eyes or black yarn for embroidered eyes
• Glue

Finished Size

The finished size of the crochet penguin ornament is about 5 ½ inches (14cm) tall (not including the hanging loop) and 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide with wings curled in or about 5 ⅕ inches (14cm) wide with wings spread out.

Gauge

The gauge is not so important for this pattern. However, when using another yarn weight, use a smaller hook size than recommended on the yarn label to create a firm and tight fabric.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

• MR – magic ring
• ch - chain stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc - half double crochet
• dc - double crochet
• dc3 CL - double crochet 3 cluster (see special stitches below)
• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• sl st – slip stitch
• hk - hook
• rnd – round
• rpt – repeat
• YO - yarn over hook
• [ ] - at the end of a round, indicates the number of stitches in that round

Special Stitches

A double crochet 3 cluster is made by working three double crochets in the same space and completed as one stitch, which means that the extra stitches made will not change the stitch count.

1. Yarn over hook (YO), insert hook into a stitch, yarn over the hook (YO), and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should have three loops on your hook.
2. Yarn over the hook (YO) and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You should now have two loops on the hook.
3. Yarn over the hook (YO), insert hook into the same stitch, then yarn over the hook (YO), and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have four loops on the hook.
4. Yarn over the hook (YO) and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You should have three loops on the hook.
5. Yarn over the hook (YO), insert the hook into the same stitch, yarn over the hook, and pull the yarn through the stitch. You should now have five loops on the hook.
6. Yarn over the hook (YO) and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You should now have four loops on the hook.
7. Yarn over the hook (YO) and pull the yarn through all four loops remaining on your hook. 
8. This completes a dc3 cluster.

Abbreviated Version

dc3 CL - YO, insert hook in st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops, (YO, insert hook in same st, YO, pull up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops) twice, YO, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern Notes

• Crochet the pieces in with a 3.5mm hook, except for the hanging loop and feet, where a 2.5mm hook is used.

Pattern Instructions

Body and Wings - Round One

Round 1, color A, - Make a magic ring, chain 3 (this counts as a double crochet), make 11 double crochets into the ring, slip stitch into the 1st st to join. [12 double crochets in this round]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color A - In MR, ch3 (counts as dc), 11dc, sl st 1st st to join. [12dc]

Round Two

Round 2 - Chain 3 (this counts as a double crochet), 1 double crochet in the same space as chain 3, then make 2 double crochets in each stitch, slip stitch into the 1st stitch to join. [24 double crochets in this round]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc), 1dc in same sp as ch-3, 2dc in each st, sl st in 1st st to join. [24dc]

Round Three

Round 3 - Chain3 (this counts as double crochet), 1 double crochet in the same space as chain 3, 1 double crochet in the next stitch, (make 2 double crochets in the next stitch, then 1 double crochet in the next, then 2 double crochets in the next. 

(Start of wing 1) Chain 8, then single crochet in 2nd chain from, the hook, make 1 half double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then 1 double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, and 1 single crochet in the next stitch, slip stitch into the top of last double crochet made in the round. (End of wing)

Next, make 1 double crochet in the next stitch, then (make 2 double crochets in the next stitch, and 1 double crochet in the next) repeat the instructions in the brackets 6 times, then make 1 double crochet in the next stitch, and turn the work so the wrong side is facing you.

(Start of wing 2) Chain 8, then single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, then make 1 half double crochet in each of the next 2 stitches, then 1 double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, make 1 single crochet in the next stitch, turn the work so that the right side is facing you, make a slip stitch into the top of the last double crochet made in the round. (End of wing)

Next, make 1 double crochet in the same space as the last double crochet made, then (make 1 double crochet in the next stitch, and 2 double crochets in the next) repeat the instructions in the brackets 2 times, then make 1 double crochet in the last stitch, slip stitch into the 1st stitch to join, chain 1, cut yarn, fasten off. [36 double crochets and two wings]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight then weave in both ends.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 3 - Ch3 (counts as a dc), 1dc in same sp as ch-3, 1dc in next st, (2dc in next, 1dc in next, 2dc in next, (start of wing 1) ch8, sc in 2nd-ch from hk, 1hdc in next 2-sts, 1dc in next 3-sts, 1sc in next st, sl st into top of last dc made in rnd, (end of the wing), 1dc in next st, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next) rpt 6 times, 1dc in next st, turn, (start of wing 2) ch8, sc in 2nd-ch from hk, 1hdc in next 2-sts, 1dc in next 3-sts, 1sc in next st, turn sl st into top of last dc made in rnd, (end of the wing), 1dc in same sp as last dc made, (1dc in next st, 2dc in next) rpt 2 times, 1dc in last st, sl st in 1st st to join, ch1, cut yarn, fasten off.  [36dc and 2 wings]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight then weave in both ends.

Head - Round One

Round 1, color A - Make a magic ring, chain 3 (this counts as a double crochet), make 11 double crochets into the ring, slip stitch into the 1st st to join. [12 double crochets in this round]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color A - In MR, ch3 (counts as dc), 11dc, sl st 1st st to join. [12dc]

Round Two

Round 2 -  Chain 3 (this counts as double crochet), make 1 double crochet in the same space as chain 3, then make 2 double crochets in each of the next 5 stitches. 

Change to 2.5mm hook and chain 40 (make sure the chains are nice and even this is the hanging loop), slip stitch into top of last double crochet made, and change back to the 3.5mm hook.

Next, make 2 double crochets in each of the next 6 stitches, then slip stitch into the top of the last stitch to join, chain 1, cut the yarn, leave a long yarn tail for attaching, and fasten off. [24 double crochets and hanging loop]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight, and weave in the end.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc), 1dc in same sp as ch-3, 2dc in each of the next 5-sts, change to 2.5mm hk and ch40 (make sure the chains are nice and even this is the hanging loop), sl st into top of last dc made and change back to 3.5mm hk, 2dc in next 6-sts, sl st into top of last st to join, ch1, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for attaching, and fasten off. [24dc and hanging loop]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight, and weave in the end.

Face - Round One

Round 1, color B - Make a magic ring, make 8 single crochets, and slip stitch into the 1st st to join. [8 single crochets in this round]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color B - In MR make 8sc, sl st into 1st st st join. [8sc]

Round Two

Round 2 - Chain 3 (this counts as double crochet), 1 double crochet in the same space as chain 3, then make 2 double crochet in each of the next 6 stitches, then 1 double crochet in the next, chain 3, slip stitch into the same stitch as the last double crochet, chain 1, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for attaching. [16 stitches in this round.]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight and weave in the end.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc), 1dc in same sp as ch-3, 2dc in next 6-sts, 1dc in next, ch3, sl st in same st as last dc, ch1, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for attaching. [16sts]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight and weave in the end.

Belly - Round One

Round 1, color B - Make a magic ring, chain 3 (this counts as a double crochet), make 11 double crochets into the ring, slip stitch into the 1st st to join. [12 double crochets in this round]

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color B - In MR, ch3 (counts as dc), 11dc, sl st 1st st to join. [12dc]

Round Two

Round 2 - Chain 3 (this counts as double crochet), 1 double crochet in the same space as chain 3, then make 2 double crochets in each stitch, slip stitch into the 1st stitch to join, chain 1, cut yarn, leave a tail for attaching, fasten off. [24 double crochets in this round.]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight then weave in the end.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 2 - Ch3 (counts as a dc), 1dc in same sp as ch-3, 2dc in each st, sl st in 1st st to join, ch1, cut yarn, leave a long yarn tail for attaching, fasten off. [24dc]

Pull the yarn tail of the magic ring tight then weave in the end.

Beak

Round 1, color C - Chain 3, make a double crochet 3 cluster (see instructions in the special stitches section above) in the 3rd chain from hook, slip stitch into 1st stitch, chain 1, cut yarn, leave a tail long enough for sewing, and fasten off, and weave in the starting yarn tail end.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color C - Ch3, dc3 CL in the 3rd ch from hk, sl st into 1st st, ch1, cut yarn, leave a tail long enough for sewing, fasten off, and weave in the starting yarn tail end.

Feet (make 2)

Round 1, color C, 2.5mm hook - In a magic ring, make 2 single crochets, chain 4, then slip stitch into the magic ring, chain 5, slip stitch into the magic ring, chain 4, and make 2 single crochet, pull magic ring tight, slip stitch in 1st single crochet join, cut yarn, leave a tail long enough for sewing, and fasten off.

Pull the magic ring yarn tail tight and weave in the end.

Abbreviated version

Rnd 1, color C, 2.5mm hk - In a MR, 2sc, ch4, sl st MR, ch5, sl st in MR, ch4, 2sc, pull MR tight, sl st in 1st sc to join, cut yarn, leave a tail long enough for sewing, and fasten off. Pull the magic ring yarn tail tight and weave in the end.

Finishing

1. Attach head to body

• Thread the yarn tail of the head onto a needle.
• Position the head on the body, so that the bottom edge of the head overlaps and extends down into round two of the body. Make sure to position the head evenly between the wings and the hanging loop is centered at the top.

2. Sew the beak to the face

• Position the beak at the center of the head and stitch it into place.

3. Attach belly to body

• Position the belly over the body so that it matches round two of the body and stitch into place. 
• Avoid stitching through to the back of the work with the white yarn for a nice clean look.

4. Attach the face to the head

• Position the face over the head so that the base of the head overlaps the top of the belly and stitch into place. 
• Avoid stitching through to the back of the work with the white yarn for a nice clean look.

Attach the feet to the body

• Stitch the feet to the base of the body, positioning them how you like.

Attach the eye

• Glue the eyes to the face.

More Free Crochet Patterns

If you like the simple easy Christmas crochet ornament you might also like this pattern for a crochet mini wreath, these small granny stitch crochet stars, this crochet Christmas tree coaster, these crochet Christmas gift card holders, or this Crochet Santa hat ornament, or Angelica the crochet angel or these other easy crochet ideas:

• Reusable crochet face scrubbies
• Crochet flower bookmark
• Small crochet drawstring pouch
• Ruffle crochet scrunchies

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