Looking for a cute and playful crochet appliqué? This Penguin Crochet Appliqué is the perfect little project! With its round shape, tiny wings, and sweet face, this penguin is quick to make and full of personality. It’s a fun, beginner-friendly pattern that works up fast and is great for using small amounts of yarn.

This crochet penguin appliqué is perfect for adding a whimsical touch to hats, scarves, blankets, bags, or children’s accessories. You can keep it simple or dress it up with a hat and scarf for a cozy winter look. Whether you’re crocheting for winter, Christmas, or just because you love cute animals, this little penguin is sure to make you smile.

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I hope you enjoy this pattern and find it easy to follow. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help. And I would love to see your creations! Don’t forget to share your finished work using #natalinacraft.

Crochet Penguin Applique

Start Here

Please read the entire pattern before starting.
This pattern is written using US crochet terms.

Material:

Worsted yarn in orange, white and black (optional: blue or any other color for the hat and scarf)
3.5 mm crochet hook
2 black safety eyes (7.5 mm)
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

chain (ch)
magic ring (mr)
single crochet (sc)
increase (inc)
invisible decrease (dec)
slip stitch (sl st)
half double crochet (HDC)
double crochet (DC)

What Did I Use?

Light worsted yarn
I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby.

How to crochet a penguin applique?

Body and head

Worked in rows, starting at the bottom of the body and finishing at the top of the head.
The wings will be added later.

With a 3.5 mm hook and black yarn:

ch 6
Row 1: turn, working in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 5 st. (5 st)
Row 2: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 inc. (7 st)
Row 3: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 inc. (9 st)
Rows 4 to 9: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (9 st)
Row 10: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 dec. (7 st)
Row 11: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (7 st)
Row 12: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 dec. (5 st)
Row 13: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (5 st)
Row 14: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 inc. (7 st)
Row 15: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 inc. (9 st)
Rows 16 to 19: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (9 st)
Row 20: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 dec. (7 st)
Row 21: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 dec. (5 st)
Row 22: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc in the next st, 1 dec. (3 st)

Fasten off.

Wings

The wings are worked directly onto the body, in rows.

Left Wing

Join black yarn to a stitch just below the neck on the left side of the body.

Row 1: 1 sc in the same st where you join, make 3 sc in the 3 following st. (4 st)
Row 2: ch1, turn: 2 sc, 1 dec. (3 st)
Row 3: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 inc. (3 st)
Row 4: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 dec. (3 st)
Row 5: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 sc. (2 st)
Row 6: ch1, turn: 1 dec. (1 st)

Fasten off.

Right Wing

Join black yarn to the stitch located 4 st below the neck on the right side of the body.

Row 1: make 1 sc in the same st where you join, make 3 sc in the 3 following st. (4 st)
Row 2: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 2 sc. (3 st)
Row 3: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 dec. (3 st)
Row 4: ch1, turn: 1 dec, 1 inc. (3 st)
Row 5: ch1, turn: 1 sc, 1 dec. (2 st)
Row 6: ch1, turn: 1 dec. (1 st)

Fasten off.

Finishing the Body

Join black yarn at any stitch at the top of the head and crochet 1 sc evenly all around the body and head.
Do not crochet too tightly—use a larger hook if needed.

Fasten off.

White Belly

Worked in rows, starting at the bottom.

With a 3.5 mm hook and white yarn:

ch 4
Row 1: turn, working in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 3 st. (3 st)
Row 2: ch1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 1 st, 1 inc. (5 st)
Row 3: ch1, turn: 1 sc in the next 2 st, 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 2 st. (6 st)
Rows 4 to 9: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (6 st)
Row 10: ch1, turn: 3 dec. (3 st)
Row 11: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (3 st)
Row 12: ch1, turn: 3 inc. (6 st)
Rows 13 to 15: ch1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (6 st)
Row 16: ch1, turn: 1 sc, 3 dc in the next st, 1 sc in the next 2 st, 3 dc in the next st, 1 sc. (10 st)

Do not turn. Crochet evenly around the belly shape, stopping before the stitches of Row 16.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the belly to the body.

Place the safety eyes as shown in your reference photos.

Feet (make 2)

With a 3.5 mm hook and orange yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the feet to the bottom of the body.

Beak

With a 3.5 mm hook and orange yarn:

Ch 3
Row 1: turn, starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: sc 2 together. (2 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the beak below the eyes.

Hat

With a 3.5 mm hook and blue yarn:

Ch 5
Row 1: turn, starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 4 st. (4 st)
Row 2: ch 1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 2 st, 1 inc. (6 st)
Row 3: ch 1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 4 st, 1 inc. (8 st)
Row 4: ch 1, turn: 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 6 st, 1 inc. (10 st)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Pompom

With white yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
Sl st to first st.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the pompom to the top of the hat, then sew the hat to the penguin’s head.

Scarf

Worked in rows.

With a 3.5 mm hook and blue yarn:

ch 3.
Row 1: turn, starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 2 st. (2 st)
Rows 2 to 9: ch 1, turn: 1 sc in all st. (2 st)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Bottom Part of the Scarf

Join yarn at the top left corner of the scarf.

Row 1: 1 sc in the same st where you joined, and in the next st. (2 sts)
Rows 2–4: ch 1, turn: 1 sc in all sts. (2 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew the scarf around the penguin’s neck.

Congratulations 🎉

Congratulations! Your crochet penguin appliqué is finished.
I hope you enjoyed making this cute little penguin!

Copyright Notice

All rights reserved. This pattern and all accompanying photographs are the property of Natalina Craft and are protected by copyright law. This pattern is for personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or publication of this pattern, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern in small quantities. While crediting Natalina Craft as the designer is not required, it is always greatly appreciated—especially when selling online—so others can find the original pattern. Thank you for respecting these guidelines.

Crochet Applique Penguin

Crochet Applique - Penguin