Howie the Penguin – free crochet amigurumi pattern

February 21, 2018

Howie the Penguin - gree crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitchesHowie is a great pattern for those just getting started, because he uses only a few of the most basic skills. You’ll find links to those skills sprinkled throughout the pattern wherever you need them – that way you can learn as you go! Just click on the link to hop to the tutorial.

There are loads of free video lessons here that take you through everything you need to know to get started with amigurumi. You can work your way through those lessons using this free pattern if you like. 🙂

The skills you’ll need for just about any amigurumi are. . .

Additional skills for this pattern. . .

You can go through all those posts now, or just hop to them as you get to those points in the pattern – whatever works best for you!

Yarn

This pattern can be used with any weight yarn! Just use the hook recommended on the ball band, and adjust as needed (see ‘gauge notes’ below). For a bigger, super-cuddly animal, try a bulky weight yarn! Just keep in mind that you’ll use more yardage than recommended. The sample is crocheted in worsted weight yarn, and all yardage/ hook recommendations are calculated based on the sample.

Less than 220 yards (1 skein) is required of each color. For the yarn, Stacey used 100% wool worsted weight (Ella Rae Classic the brand used in the sample). However, any worsted weight yarn can be substituted.

  • MC- Black (Plymouth Galway Worsted color # 154)
  • SC- White (Ella Rae Classic color #01)
  • AC1- Yellow (Ella Rae Classic color #44)
  • AC2- Blue (Ella Rae Classic color #83)

Other Tools and Supplies

Gauge Notes

This pattern doesn’t specify a gauge. It’s a stuffed animal, and you don’t need to be too picky about exact sizing. The most important thing is that you use a hook size that creates a nice looking fabric for your yarn. If you use the recommended hook size, and your fabric looks very loose (so that stuffing would show through), then you will want to use a smaller hook. Other than that, no measuring required!

In case you’re curious about getting the exact gauge Stacey does, it’s 5 rounds=2 inches. Note that you will need to have this gauge for the yardage suggestions to provide an accurate estimation.

Stitch into the Back

All stitches in this pattern (that are worked in the round) are worked through the back loop only, unless otherwise directed. Look at this picture.

Stitching in the Back Loop

See how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it’s what you’ll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.

Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Check out this blog post. It talks all about why Stacey crochets through the back loop and even has a handy dandy video showing how to find that loop. 🙂

Abbreviations

  • ch: chain
  • sc: single crochet
  • sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
  • st(s): stitch(es)

Ready? Let’s jump in!

The Pattern

Eye Circles

Make 2.
With AC2, ch 2 (I like to start with a sloppy slip knot. This video shows how. And this video shows how to chain.)
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6) This post will help you find that second chain from the hook.
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12) This video will help you if you find it tricky to start the second round.
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18) (Whoa! What’s with the brackets? It’s just telling you that set is going to repeat. So do everything in the brackets, and then repeat that same series for a total of six times. No big deal. And the 18 in parentheses is telling you that this round is a total of 18 stitches. It’s a good way to check your work.)
Round 4 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts.] 6 times (24)

Fasten off with long tail.

Feet

Make 2.
With AC1, ch 2
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12)
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18)
Rounds 4-5 sc in each st (18, 2 rounds)

Fasten off with long tail.

Wings

Make 2.
With MC, ch 2
Round 1 sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12)
Rounds 3-4 sc in each st (12, 2 rounds)
Round 5 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st] 6 times (18)
Rounds 6-9 sc in each st (18, 4 rounds)
Round 10 [sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times (12)

Fasten off with long tail.

Beak

With AC1, ch 2
Round 1 sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12)
Rounds 3-5 sc in each st (12, 3 rounds)

Fasten off with long tail.

Tummy Circle

With SC, ch 2
Round 1 sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12)
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st] 6 times (18)
Round 4 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times (24)
Round 5 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts] 6 times (30)
Round 6 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts] 6 times (36)
Round 7 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 6 times (42)
Round 8 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts] 6 times (48)

Fasten off with long tail.

Body

With MC, ch 2
Round 1 sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in each st (12)
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st] 6 times (18)
Round 4 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times (24)
Round 5 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts] 6 times (30)
Round 6 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts] 6 times (36)
Round 7 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 6 times (42)
Round 8 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts] 6 times (48)
Round 9 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 7 sts] 6 times (54)
Round 10 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 8 sts] 6 times (60)
Rounds 11-21 sc in each st (60, 11 rounds)
Round 22 [sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts] 6 times (54)
Round 23 sc in each st (54)
Round 24 [sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts] 6 times (48)
Round 25 sc in each st (48)
Round 26 [sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts] 6 times (42)
Round 27 sc in each st (42)
Round 28 [sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts] 6 times (36)
Round 29 sc in each st (36)
Round 30 [sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts] 6 times (30)
Round 31 sc in each st (30)

Remove hook, but do not fasten off!

Flatten feet, and attach to round 7 of body. This post shows to how flatten and attach amigurumi pieces.

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Flatten wings, and attach to each side of body, at approximately round 22.

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Attach eye circles to body. The bottom of the eye circles should be attached to round 21, and the top of the eye circles will reach round 27. Be sure that the two eye circles touch in the center. This post shows how to use running stitch to attach flat pieces (like spots) to amigurumi.

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Attach tummy circle to body. The bottom should be attached at round 9 (two rounds above the feet), and slightly overlap the bottom of the eye circles at the top.

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Fasten eyes onto the head. To do so, just insert the post where you want the eye to go (for Howie it’s in the center of his eye circles) and press the washer onto the back post to secure. Make sure the washer is pushed on all the way.

Stuff beak slightly, and attach over the point where the eye circles and tummy circle meet. This post shows how to do that kind of attachment.

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Stuff the penguin body and continue crocheting.

This post has tips for stuffing amigurumi (it’s a little different from sewn softies), and this video has some terrific help for closing up those last few rounds.

Round 32 [sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts] 6 times (24)
Round 33 [sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times (18)
Round 34 [sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times (12)
Round 35 [sc2tog] 6 times (6)

Slipstitch across the top and fasten off. Here’s a video showing how to slipstitch, and here’s one showing how to fasten off.

Ta da! You made a penguin!

Howie the Penguin - free crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Aren’t you proud? You should be!

Click here to download a handy dandy printable PDF of the free Howie the penguin amigurumi pattern.

Snap a photo and share it with us over in the Shiny Happy People group! If you share it on social media, tag with with #shinyhappyworld so I can see it. 🙂

I hope you want to make something else now. You can shop for more crochet patterns here.

Happy stitching!

Best,
Wendi

How to Slip Stitch – video tutorial

February 13, 2018
How to Slip Stitch - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Slip stitch is a really easy – and very handy – stitch to have in your toolbox.

It’s one way to close up the very final tiny hole in the top of an amigurumi.

I also use it any time I want to shift from the “step” of a single crochet stitch, to a more gradual “ramp.” You’ll see what I mean in the video – and also how to do it. 🙂

See how easy that is?

Here are handy links to all the posts teaching the basic crochet stitches. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for more advanced crochet stitches.

Happy stitching!

How to Chain in Crochet – video tutorial

February 11, 2018

Chain stitches are the foundation for most crochet work – and they’re really easy to do.

Watch this video – Stacey will show you how to do it.

It’s kind of crazy that all crochet is just one long, continuous piece of yarn wrapped and looped around itself. 🙂

If you’re just getting started with crochet and want to really get a feel for how to hold your hook, just starting crocheting a chain. Keep chaining until the hook feels natural in your hand!

You can either unravel the finished chain or use it like bulky yarn to crochet something else. 🙂

Here are handy links to all the posts teaching the basic crochet stitches. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for more advanced crochet stitches.

Happy stitching!

How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi

February 7, 2018
How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi - two methods. Image shows a blue crocheted oval on a white background.

Why would you need to learn how to crochet an oval?

Well, I love making softies with oval bases. They require shaping that’s a little different than your usual amigurumi rounds – but they’re not hard to do.

There are two basic techniques for creating an oval. Each one gives you a slightly different look, so I’ll show you both.

Start with a Chain

Chain until the piece is as long as you want. You’re creating the center of the oval, so keep in mind that this piece will grow in all directions!

blue chain stitch with blue crochet hook attached

Crochet around the Chain to Grow Your Oval

Turn and sc in 2nd stitch and each remaining stitch.

You will end up with one stitch fewer than the number of chains you started with. (That’s because one of those chain stitches became a turning chain.)

Blue crochet with crochet hook still attached

That grew one side of your oval. To grow the other side you’ll need to work the bottom side of the foundation chain

If you aren’t sure how to do that, hop on over to this blog post – How to Work the Bottom Side of a Foundation Chain.

Now we’re going to start looking at the two different ways to crochet an oval. Each results in a slightly different shape.

Technique 1: Increase at ends

One way to achieve an oval is to sc 3 times in each of the end stitches. You want to use stitches *directly* on the ends to get an even oval.

To do this, single crochet into the turning chain and the starting knot (unusual, I know!)

How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi - two methods from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Put a locking stitch marker in the center of the 3 single crochet stitches, and increase (3 stitches in 1) on each side every round.

How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi - two methods from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

You increase 4 stitches each round. The result is a flatter oval with more pointy-looking ends.

Technique 2: Increase at ‘corners’

To begin this technique, sc twice in each of the 4 ‘corners’ of your piece, that is the first and last stitch of each side.

Do not work the turning chain or knot.

How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi - two methods from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Place a locking stitch marker in the increase stitch furthest away from the end points.

How to Crochet an Oval for Amigurumi - two methods from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

The result is a nicely rounded oval. Just like technique 1, you are increasing by 4 sts/round.

Continue increasing (sc twice in 1 stitch) at the stitches with the stitch marker. The stitch markers will move apart by 2 stitches each round (put differently, the ‘increased stitch’ goes towards the short side of the rectangle).

Crocheted Ovals in Use

I used this method to create an oval base for this cute crocheted cat pattern.

Felix the Fat Cat - crochet pattern from Shiny Happy World

See? You can see the crocheted oval at his base.

crocheted cat showing the oval base

I also used it to give Duke the Dog here his oval feet.

Duke the Dog - an adorable crochet amigurumi pattern from Shiny Happy World

See?

Once you learn how to crochet an oval you can stitch up all kinds of cute critters!

Here are handy links to all the posts about crocheting more advanced shapes. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the posts about troubleshooting common problems.

Happy stitching!

Closing Up the Final Rounds on Amigurumi – video tutorial

February 7, 2018
How to Stitch Up Those Last Few Amigurumi Rounds - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Those last couple of rounds of closing up an amigurumi can feel kind of awkward and tricky. Here Stacey shows you exactly how to do it.

See?

It’s really not hard to do – just kind of awkward to hold. 🙂

For some extra tips on keeping the stuffing out of your last stitches, take a look at this post – and be sure to read the comments for additional great ideas!

Here are handy links to all the posts about closing up the stuffing opening and fastening off in amigurumi. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for attaching parts.

Happy stitching!

How to Single Crochet Decrease – video tutorial

February 7, 2018

When you need to make a shape smaller, you’ll use single crochet decrease.

You’ll see this abbreviated in patterns as dec, or sc2tog – which stands for single crochet two stitches together.

And that’s exactly what it is! You’re going from two stitches down to one.

Here’s how.

See how easy that is?

If your decrease stitch looks a little loose, hop on over to this tutorial for some extra help.

This post has a bit more info about a technique called invisible decrease.

Here are handy links to all the posts about crocheting round two of your pattern and beyond. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for how to stuff your amigurumi.

Happy stitching!

How to Single Crochet Increase – video tutorial

February 7, 2018
How to Single Crochet Increase - a video from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Any time you need to make your amigurumi bigger, you’ll use single crochet increase. It’s super easy! You just stitch twice in one stitch.

Here’s how.

Sometimes you’ll see this written in instructions as “inc” and you decide where to put the increases, but our patterns usually spell it out. If we want you to crochet increase, we’ll say “sc twice in next st.” We like to make things clear and easy. 🙂

Want to practice how to crochet increase (and decrease)? Pick up a super easy pattern.

Jay the Bird is one of the easiest – great for beginners.

blue crocheted bird - very simple crochet pattern, perfect for practicing basic skills like crochet increase and decrease

Want something just as simple, but a little smaller? This bird and bunny are adorable!

They’re a lot smaller (so you won’t get in as much practice on those crochet increases) but you’ll finish faster!

These squishy monsters are also really simple – and the pattern is free!

Aren’t they cute?

Here are handy links to all the posts about crocheting round two of your pattern and beyond. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for how to stuff your amigurumi.

Happy stitching!

How to Crochet the Second Round of Amigurumi – video tutorial

February 7, 2018
How to Crochet the Second Round on Amigurumi - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

There are a kajillion tutorials out there showing you how to start amigurumi. (My favorite is the sloppy slip knot.)

And there are several showing how to single crochet.

But that’s where many of them seem to stop.

And a lot of people have questions about what comes next.

How do you crochet the second round of amigurumi? The trick for a lot of people is finding the first stitch of the round.

That’s what Stacey shows you here.

See? The trick is in counting your stitches. 🙂 Once you have that down, the rest is easy as pie!

Want to see a photo version of this tutorial? You’ll find it here.

Here are handy links to all the posts about crocheting round two of your pattern and beyond. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for how to stuff your amigurumi.

Happy stitching!

How to Single Crochet – video tutorial

February 7, 2018
How to Single Crochet - a video tutorial from Shiny Happy World and FreshStitches

Single crochet is the only stitch you need for almost all amigurumi – and it’s super easy to do!

Here’s how to do it.

See how easy that is? Just wrapping and pulling. 🙂

Now that you know how to single crochet, you can make almost every amigurumi pattern in my shop.

Here are handy links to all the posts teaching the basic crochet stitches. . .

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the lessons for more advanced crochet stitches.

Happy stitching!

Crochet Tools – Everything You Need

February 6, 2018
Crochet Tools - everything you need to get started, from Shiny Happy World

You only need a few things to crochet amigurumi – a hook (to crochet), some stitch markers (to mark your place), and a tapestry needle (to weave in the ends and attach arms and legs).

Besides yarn – that’s really it! It’s a lovely craft – and easy to carry your projects everywhere.

Crochet Hook Set from Shiny Happy World

This set of hooks includes the three most common sizes for working with medium weight yarn. I think this kind with the fat “neck” makes it extra easy to control the tension of your stitches.

Locking Stitch Markers from Shiny Happy World

You’ll need a handful of stitch markers. I use these to mark the end of a row, to mark where eyes and noses go, to hold pieces in place while I whipstitch them together, and more. They’re super useful!

Extra Large Tapestry Needles from Shiny Happy World

Grab the biggest tapestry needles you can find. Yes – you may have a large embroidery needle that you could maybe, with a lot of effort and swearing, work a piece of yarn into. Do yourself a favor and just get the enormous needles. They’re super cheap and you’ll be glad you spent the money every time you need to thread some yarn.

Total for all these tools?

Should be less than $20.

Add in a pattern and a skein of yarn and maybe a packet of eyes, you could be making your first amigurumi for less than $30.

Give it a try! And happy stitching! 🙂

Here are handy links to all the posts about crochet tools and supplies.

Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.

Move on to the posts about yarn.

Happy stitching!