Crochet Penguin with Leaf Collar Charm Free Pattern

Introduction

This little crochet penguin is the perfect quick project for anyone who loves amigurumi but wants something small, sweet, and finished in an afternoon. Worked in 2 mm macrame cord, it has a firm, smooth, almost bead-like texture that holds its egg shape beautifully. The star of the show is the white spike-stitch row around the neck, which creates a frilled Victorian collar, finished with a tiny crocheted leaf charm at the center front. At about 2.5 inches tall, it makes a charming keychain or bag charm with a romantic autumn feel.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Macrame cord, 2 mm (similar to sport weight). Black: about 20 yd (18 m). White: about 10 yd (9 m).
• Hook: 2.5 mm (US B/C).
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, keychain hardware (split ring or lobster clasp with a small jump ring).
• Finished size: Approx. 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) tall, excluding keychain hardware.

Abbreviations

• MR – magic ring: an adjustable loop you work the first stitches into.
• sc – single crochet.
• hdc – half double crochet.
• dc – double crochet.
• ch – chain.
• inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• dec – decrease: work 2 sc together into 1 stitch.
• spike st – spike stitch: work a sc into a stitch in a lower round (here, Round 9) instead of the current round, pulling the loop up to the working height.
• sts – stitches.
• R / Rnd – round.

Gauge

8 sc and 9 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet. Work a small flat swatch or the first few rounds of the body, then measure across several stitches and rounds to check you match before continuing.

Tips Before You Start

• Macrame cord is stiff, so keep your tension relaxed and even; pulling too tight makes the spike stitches hard to work.
• Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, since the body is worked in a continuous spiral.
• When you make a spike stitch, insert the hook into the Round 9 stitch directly below and pull the loop up gently so the collar sits flat and frilly.
• Stuff the body firmly just before the final closing round so the egg shape stays smooth and rounded.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (black, then white)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6 (24 sts).

Rnds 5–8: sc in each st around (24 sts).

Rnd 9: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).

Rnd 10: Change to white. sc in each st around (18 sts).

Rnd 11 (collar): [sc, spike st in Rnd 9] x9 (18 sts).

Rnd 12: sc in each st around (18 sts).

Rnd 13: Change to black. [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).

Rnd 14: dec x6 (6 sts).

Stuff firmly, then fasten off and weave the tail through the remaining 6 stitches to close.

Leaf Charm (white)

Row 1: Ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from hook: sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc (5 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Assembly and Finishing

Thread the leaf tail onto a tapestry needle and sew the leaf to the center front of the body, just below the white collar, catching only the surface so the stuffing stays inside. Attach the keychain hardware to the top of the head with a few firm stitches through the closing hole, or thread a small jump ring through the top. Weave in all remaining ends, tucking them inside the body. Gently shape the penguin with your fingers and lightly steam or spritz and air-dry to smooth the cord and settle the collar; do not over-wet the fiberfill.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the white leaf for an autumn-colored one (rust, mustard, or olive) to lean into the seasonal look.
• Add a second spike-stitch row in a contrasting color for a double frill.
• Use a larger hook and thicker cord to make a bigger version as a hanging ornament, adjusting gauge accordingly.