Yay! We’re kicking off this super fun CAL. Over the next three weeks, we’ll be sharing free patterns for 5 unique Amigurumi birds on our blog. This week, we’re starting with Bird #1: Pip the Penguin! Read on for the free pattern and crochet this cute penguin.
We’re making a total of 5 unique Amigurumi birds. This week, we’re sharing the free pattern for Penguin Pip. Next week, we’ll post birds 2 and 3, and the week after that, the last two birds (birds 4 and 5). The birds are cheerful bag charms, so we’ll also attach a carabiner to them so you can hang these cuties on your bag (or keychain)! Want to read all the instructions for these cute little birds (again)? Then head over to the blog post where everything about the 5 unique birds is explained.
Save Them All
We’ll start with the bird that’s mainly found in freezing cold regions and is incredibly cute. Penguin Pip is funny, enthusiastic, and brave! The heads and bodies of the little birds are all crocheted using the same basic pattern. The rest (such as the beak, feet, wings, etc.) varies per bird, so you’ll get a new pattern each time. The goal is to crochet the bird so tightly that no stuffing is visible. Annemarie likes to crochet with a 2mm Crochet Hook. Using a small Crochet Hook naturally results in very tight stitches. Adjust your Crochet Hook size as needed to suit your crocheting style. The pattern is described below. TIP: As an extra resource, we’ve made a video in which Annemarie (the designer of the Amigurumi birds) explains how to crochet Penguin Pip.
Total
materials used:1 ball of Yarn and Colors Must-have: White (1), Orange (20), Pepper (32), Anthracite (99), Blossom (45), and Sunglow (13).
- 1 ball of Yarn and Colors, Must-have Minis: Deep Cerise (34), Sapphire (68), Peony Leaf (86), and Raspberry (33)
- 5 pairs of black 6mm safety eyes
- Sewing needle with a sharp point
- 2mm Crochet Hook
- Panda Filling
- 5 snap hooks
Bird 1, Pip the penguin, is crocheted using Anthracite, White, and Orange.
The other colors are used for the other birds (which we’re keeping a secret for now). Bird 2 is crocheted with White, Orange, and Anthracite. Bird 3 is crocheted with Sunglow and Orange. Bird 4 is crocheted with Blossom, Deep Cerise, White, and Anthracite. Bird 5 is crocheted with Pepper, Anthracite, Peony Leaf, and Sapphire.
How handy! We've put together a complete Crochet Kit for you so you can crochet all 5 birds.
Free Crochet Pattern: Pip the Penguin
Abbreviations used:
l = chain stitch
hv = slip stitch
v = single crochets
hst = half double crochet
st = double crochet
dst = double crochet
Basic Pattern (for all 5 birds)
The basic pattern consists of the head and body of the birds (including Penguin Pip). Penguin Pip’s beak, feet, wings, and so on are described in this pattern.
Row 1: Make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2 chains. Crochet 6 sc in the first chain, then crochet 1 sl st in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 2nd single crochet (18).
Row 4: Crochet 1. * Crochet 2 into the next chain, crochet 2. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with a chain 1 (24).
Row 5: Crochet 2 dc in every 4th dc (30).
Row 6: Crochet 30 single crochets (30).
Row 7: Crochet 2 sc. * Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 4 sc*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 2 sc (36).
Rows 8 through 12: Crochet 36 single crochets in each row (36).
Before continuing to crochet, attach the safety eyes between rows 9 and 10, leaving 2 holes between them.
Row 13: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 2 chains. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, crochet 4 chains. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 2 single crochets (30).
Row 14: Crochet 30 single crochets (30).
Row 15: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th chain together (24).
Row 16: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th st together (18).
Row 17: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12).
Row 18: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (24).
Rows 19–24: Crochet 24 single crochets in each row (24).
Row 25: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 4th single crochet (30). Before continuing to crochet the head, stuff it firmly with Stuffing. Stuff it firmly, but make sure the Stuffing isn't visible between the stitches.
Row 26: Crochet 30 single crochets (30).
Row 27: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th chain together (24).
Row 28: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th st together (18).
Row 29: Before continuing to crochet the bodice, stuff it firmly with stuffing. Stuff it firmly, but make sure the stuffing isn't visible between the stitches.
Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12).
Row 30: Make 6 decreases. Crochet the stitches together 2 at a time. Fasten off. Pull the ending thread through the last 6 stitches to close the last hole completely. Tuck the ending thread inside.
Penguin Pip Pattern
Body and Eyes
: Crochet the basic head-and-body pattern using Anthracite and White, with the following adjustments and color changes. Wind a few meters of White yarn and set it aside for now.
Rows 1 through 10: Crochet according to the pattern using the color “Anthracite.”
Row 11: Change to the “White” crochet hook and follow the pattern.
Row 12: Crochet as directed in the pattern, but crochet the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th sts in the back loop so that a few loops form on the outside of your work.
Rows 13–17: Crochet according to the pattern using White. After Row 14, first crochet the eye spot as follows: attach a new strand of White yarn to the outermost loops of Row 12. Insert the Crochet Hook into your loops from below. Crochet 1 sc, 5 x 1 hdc, and 1 sc. Single crochet off. Now insert the safety eyes through the eye patch between the 1st and 2nd, and 4th and 5th hdc in the anthracite-colored section between rows 9 and 10. Secure them.
Now use the end thread to single crochet the white section around the eyes with a small stitch. Now continue crocheting according to the pattern.
Rows 18 through 30: Crochet as directed in the pattern, but using Anthracite.
Legs (2x)
Row 1: Using Orange, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2 chains. Crochet 6 sc in the first ch, then crochet 1 sl st in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 sc in every 2nd sc (9).
Round 3: Crochet 9 sc (9).
Round 4: Crochet 2 sc in every 3rd sc (12).
Round 5: Crochet 12 sc (12).
Row 6: Now fold your little foot flat and crochet it closed as follows. Crochet 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 sc in the first stitch. Crochet 1. Now crochet 1 sc, 2 hdc, 1 sc in the center. Crochet 1. For the last toe, crochet 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, and fasten off with a chain 1 on the side. Weave in the ends neatly. Crochet another paw just like this one. Attach the paws to the underside of the body using single crochets, as you see fit. Make sure the toes stick out.
Beak
Tour 1:
Using Orange, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2 chains. Crochet 6 sc in the first chain, then crochet 1 sl st in the first sc to form a round of 6 sc (6).
Rows 2 and 3:
Crochet 6v in each row (6).
Row 4:
Crochet 2 dc in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th dc (9). Single crochet off. Stuff the beak with stuffing and securely attach it to the front of the face, below the eyes, using small stitches. Make sure the increases are on the underside of the beak.
Wings (2x)
The wings consist of 2 parts.
First, crochet the inside of the wings using white.
Row 1: Using white, chain 6. Now, work 1 sc, 3 hdc into the chain. Crochet 5 half-double crochets in the last chain. Now continue crocheting on the other side of the chain. Crochet 3 half-double crochets and finish with 1 single crochet. Fasten off. Neatly weave in all ends. Crochet another identical inner section. Now repeat Round 1 using anthracite.
Row 2: Place the White section against the anthracite section. Crochet them together as follows: Crochet 4 single crochets. Crochet 5 sets of 2 single crochets in the next stitch. Crochet 4 single crochets. Fasten off.
Repeat this once more with the other wing.
Tail
The tail consists of 2 parts. First, crochet the inside of the wings using White.
Row 1: Using White, chain 4. Now, on the chain, work 1 sc, 1 hdc. Work 5 hdc in the last ch. Now continue crocheting on the other side of the chain. Crochet 1 hdc and finish with 1 sc. Round 2: chain 1. Turn your work. Crochet 2 sc. Work 5 sets of 2 sc in the next 5 stitches. Crochet 2 sc. Fasten off. Weave in the ends neatly. Now repeat Rounds 1 and 2 using Anthracite.
Round 3: Now place the white section against the anthracite section. Chain 1. Turn your work.
Crochet the anthracite-colored section to the white section using 14 single crochets. Fasten off. Sew the tail securely to the back of the body at round 25 with a few small stitches.
Feathers on the Head
: Crochet with Anthracite a chain of 4. Crochet 3 sl sts into the chain. Chain 6. Crochet 5 sl sts back into the chain. Crochet 4. Crochet 3 back. Now fold the two short pieces together and join them with 1 slip stitch. Fasten off. Secure it firmly to the top of the head on row 1 with a few small stitches.
Snap
Hook: For the section where the attachment will go, use the bird’s main color. Crochet this section back and forth. After each round, chain 1 and turn your work. This turning chain does not count as a stitch. Chain 3.
Rows 1 through 6: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2). Now thread the crocheted flap through the ring of the carabiner. Close the crocheted flap with 2 slip stitches. Pin it to the back of the head at row 8 and sew it securely in place with a few single crochets.
Explanatory Video: Pip the Penguin
Crochet and collect them all!
