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Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern

Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern
4.3★ Rating
2-4 Hours Time Needed
2.9K Made This
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Beginner Friendly Level

Perfect for those just starting their crochet journey, with clear instructions and simple techniques

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Bite-Sized Project

Finishes in 2-4 hours—perfect for an afternoon of creative relaxation.

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Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a small, adorable penguin named Brian with a removable coat, embroidered beak detail and matching flippers and feet. It is written in US terminology with clear rounds and construction notes. Perfect as a gift or a decorative handmade companion, the design uses DK-weight yarn for a compact, cuddly finish. The pattern includes full stitch-by-stitch rounds and tips for assembly.

Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Designed for crocheters who enjoy quick, satisfying projects, this pattern includes guidance for embroidery and finishing touches. Make Brian in your favourite colours and personalise his coat for unique results.

Why You'll Love This Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines simple shaping with playful details that bring Brian to life. I enjoy how quick it is to work up—perfect for an afternoon project when I want something charming and satisfying. The removable coat and embroidered beak let me add personality and color choices easily. Sewing and finishing are straightforward, and I take pleasure in seeing how small changes in yarn and colour make each Brian unique.

Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing Brian by changing Colour A to create a striped or speckled coat—variegated yarn looks especially fun.

You can make Brian larger or smaller by swapping yarn weight and hook size; try bulky yarn with a larger hook for a chunky version or fingering weight for a mini keychain.

I often switch the body colour to a pastel tone to make a softer, more nursery-friendly penguin.

Try embroidering different beak shapes or adding felt cheeks to change Brian's expression and personality.

Make a set of penguins in complementary colours for a family or holiday display; small changes in yarn give each one a unique look.

If you prefer no hard eyes, substitute embroidered eyes using black thread for a safer toy for babies and small children.

Experiment with adding tiny accessories like a scarf, hat, or crocheted bow to jazz up the design for gifting.

I sometimes add a small loop at the top of the head to turn Brian into an ornament or keychain—perfect for quick gifts.

Try sewing on little wings in a contrasting colour or working the flippers slightly longer to change the silhouette.

If you like texture, use a fluffy or boucle DK yarn for the coat to create an extra tactile, fluffy friend.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers when instructed can cause you to lose track of shaping; place a stitch marker at the marked stitch and move it each round to keep your place. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go results in lumps or uneven shaping; stuff gradually throughout the body rounds and add small amounts to keep an even shape. ✗ Placing safety eyes too early or without checking fit can lead to misaligned features; try the coat on the body and verify eye placement between rounds 14-15 before securing them. ✗ Not using the recommended yarn weight or hook can change the finished size drastically; use DK weight yarn and a 2.5mm hook (or adjust your gauge) to match the pattern size and proportions. ✗ Overlooking the instruction to work the foundation row in BLO for some pieces can flatten or distort shape; work the first round in BLO exactly as written to ensure correct edges and shaping.

Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern

Make your own charming Brian the Penguin amigurumi with clear beginner-friendly instructions. This pattern uses DK weight yarn and a 2.5mm hook to create a cuddly 5-inch penguin with a removable coat and embroidered details. Follow step-by-step rounds for the coat, beak, body, flippers and feet, plus assembly guidance to finish a polished handmade toy you will love to gift or keep.

Beginner Friendly 2-4 Hours

Materials Needed for Brian the Penguin Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Use DK weight yarn for body and coat (use yarn of the same brand or that will work up to the same size to avoid a poor fit)
  • 02
    Colour (A) Made by Penguins DK / Light Worsted Baby Alpaca, Blackberry - approx 25g (coat/main colour)
  • 03
    Colour (B) Novita DK Baby Merino, Cream - approx 20g (body/main contrast)
  • 04
    Colour (C) Ricorumi DK Cotton, pale yellow - approx 10g (beak and feet)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.5mm (recommended)
  • 02
    Safety eyes 6mm x 2 (safety eyes are not recommended for young children)
  • 03
    Toy stuffing
  • 04
    Tapestry needle for construction and embroidery
  • 05
    Stitch marker
  • 06
    Small amount of black and yellow thread for embroidery
  • 07
    Blush (for rosy cheeks)

Progress Tracker

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— The Coat :

Info :

Use yarn A.

Info :

Ch 13

Round 1 :

Work this round in BLO, Sc in 2nd Ch from your hook, Sc x 10, (Sc x 3) in the last Ch. Now work down the other side of your foundation chain. Sc x 10, Sc inc (26)

Round 2 :

Sc inc, Sc x 10, Sc inc x 3, Sc x 10, Sc inc x 2 (32)

Round 3 :

Sc, Sc inc, Sc x 10, (Sc, Sc inc) x 3, Sc x 10, (Sc, Sc inc) x 2 (38)

Round 4 :

Sc x 2, Sc inc, Sc x 10, (Sc x 2, Sc inc) x 3, Sc x 10, (Sc x 2, Sc inc) x 2 (44)

Round 5 :

Sc x 3, Sc inc, Sc x 10, (Sc x 3, Sc inc) x 3, Sc x 10, (Sc x 3, Sc inc) x 2 (50)

Round 6 :

Sc x 4, Sc inc, Sc x 10, (Sc x 4, Sc inc) x 3, Sc x 10, (Sc x 4, Sc inc) x 2 (56)

Round 7 :

Sc inc, Sc x 15, (Sc inc, Sc x 5) x 3, Sc x 10, (Sc inc, Sc x 5) x 2 (62)

Round 8-16 :

Sc x 62 (62) 9 rounds

Round 17 :

Sc x 8, Sc dec, Sc x 10, Sc dec, Sc x 2, Sc x 5, Sc dec, Sc x 8, Sc dec, Sc x 10, Sc dec, Sc x 7, Sc dec (56)

Info :

Mark the stitch just made with a stitch marker.

Info :

SS, break yarn & pull through. Leave a long tail for sewing later.

— The Beak :

Info :

Ch 1. Your first Sc will be made in the same St where you have just joined your yarn

Round 1 :

Sc x 14 (14)

Round 2 :

Sc dec, Sc x 10, Sc dec (12)

Round 3 :

Sc dec, Sc x 8, Sc dec (10)

Round 4 :

Sc dec, Sc x 6, Sc dec (8)

Round 5 :

Sc dec, Sc x 4, Sc dec (6)

Round 6 :

Sc x 6 (6)

Round 7 :

Sc dec, Sc x 2, Sc dec (4)

Round 8 :

Sc x 4 (4)

Round 9 :

Sc dec x 2 (2)

Round 10 :

Sc x 2 (2)

Round 11 :

Sc dec (1)

Round 12 :

Sc x 1 (1) Do not Ch 1 & turn here

Info :

Break yarn & pull through. Weave in the loose end.

Info :

We will now Sc around the edge of the beak: Join yarn A where your stitch marker is now placed (this should be one stitch back from where you joined your yarn to start the beak). Ch 1 and SS on to the side of the beak. Sc up the edge until you reach the point of the beak.

Info :

Make 3 Sc in the final St from row 12 of the beak. This should give you a nice point. Sc back down the other side of the beak. SS back on to the next stitch on the coat. Break yarn and pull through. Weave in the loose end. With yellow thread embroider a small triangle on the tip of the beak.

— The Body :

Info :

Use yarn B and work in continuous rounds.

Round 1 :

Sc x 6 in to a MR (6)

Round 2 :

Sc inc x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

(Sc, sc inc) x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

(Sc x 2, sc inc) x 6 (24)

Round 5 :

(Sc x 3, sc inc) x 6 (30)

Round 6 :

(Sc x 4, sc inc) x 6 (36)

Round 7 :

(Sc x 5, sc inc) x 6 (42)

Round 8-25 :

Sc x 42 (42) - 18 rounds

Info :

Insert the safety eyes between rounds 14 -15. There should be a 9 stitch gap between the eyes.

Info :

Stuff the body. Continue to stuff the remainder as you go.

Info :

To check you are happy with the position of your safety eyes and the amount you are stuffing you can try the coat on the body now and then. The eyes should be about level with the yellow embroidery on the beak and about half way between this and the sides of the coat.

Round 26 :

(Sc x 5, sc dec) x 6 (36)

Round 27 :

(Sc x 4, sc dec) x 6 (30)

Round 28 :

(Sc x 3, sc dec) x 6 (24)

Round 29 :

(Sc x 2, sc dec) x 6 (18)

Round 30 :

(Sc, sc dec) x 6 (12)

Round 31 :

Sc dec x 6 (6)

Info :

SS in to the next stitch, break yarn & pull through. Try the coat on the body again. Ensure you have placed enough stuffing. Weave the loose end through the FLO of the final row of the body to close off the end.

Info :

Optional detail: With a strand of black thread embroider the eyebrows 3 rounds above the eyes over r 10-11. Use a small amount of blush to create rosy cheeks on the lower border of the eyes.

— The Flippers :

Info :

Use yarn A & make 2. Work in continuous rounds.

Round 1 :

Sc x 4 in to a MR (4)

Round 2 :

(Sc, Sc inc) x 2 (6)

Round 3 :

(Sc x 2, Sc inc) x 2 (8)

Round 4 :

(Sc x 3, Sc inc) x 2 (10)

Round 5 :

(Sc x 4, Sc inc) x 2 (12)

Round 6 :

(Sc x 5, Sc inc) x 2 (14)

Round 7 :

(Sc x 6, Sc inc) x 2 (16)

Round 8 :

(Sc x 7, Sc inc) x 2 (18)

Round 9 :

Sc x 18 (18)

Round 10 :

(Sc x 7, Sc dec) x 2 (16)

Round 11 :

Sc x 16 (16)

Round 12 :

(Sc x 6, Sc dec) x 2 (14)

Round 13 :

Sc x 14 (14)

Round 14 :

Sc dec x 7 (7)

Info :

Break yarn & pull through. Leave a long length for sewing. Fold the flipper flat and sew the top closed prior to attaching.

— The Feet :

Info :

Use yarn C and make 2. Ch 7.

Round 1 :

In BLO, Sc in the 2nd Ch from your hook, Sc x 4, (3 Sc) in the last Ch. Now work down the other side of your foundation chain. Sc x 4, Sc inc (14)

Round 2 :

Sc inc, Sc x 4, Sc inc x 3, Sc x 4, Sc inc x 2 (20)

Round 3 :

Sc, Sc inc, Sc x 4, (Sc, Sc inc) x 3, Sc x 4, (Sc, Sc inc) x 2 (26)

Info :

SS, break yarn & pull through. Leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the foot in half. Sew around the edges to secure this.

— Construction :

Info :

Place the coat on the body. The little yellow beak should sit equal distance between the eyes. Pin in place and sew the coat to the body. You can use either a whip stitch or a mattress stitch for this.

Info :

Sew the feet to the body. The flat end of the feet should point outward. Sew the top of the curved section to the base of the coat.

Info :

Sew the flippers to the sides of the coat. The top of the flipper is about level with the eyes.

Info :

Congratulations your MBP Penguin is complete!!

Assembly Instructions

  • Place the coat on the body so the embroidered yellow beak sits equidistant between the eyes; pin in place and sew the coat to the body using a whip stitch or mattress stitch.
  • Sew the feet to the bottom of the body with the flat end pointing outward; sew the top of the curved section to the base of the coat for stability.
  • Attach the flippers to the sides of the coat, with the top of the flipper approximately level with the eyes; sew securely to the coat so they sit naturally.
  • Join the beak to the coat at the marked stitch; weave in ends and embroider a small yellow triangle on the tip of the beak for detail.
  • After sewing all parts, weave in any loose ends, trim excess yarn, and add blush to the lower border of the eyes for rosy cheeks.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use a stitch marker to mark the specified stitch on the coat and move it as you work to keep your shaping accurate.
  • 💡Insert safety eyes between rounds 14-15 with a 9 stitch gap, and check alignment by trying the coat on the body before securing.
  • 💡Stuff the body gradually while working the rounds to avoid lumps and to achieve a smooth, even shape.
  • 💡Work the foundation rounds in BLO where instructed to get the correct edge shape for pieces like the coat and feet.

This sweet Brian the Penguin pattern is a joyful, compact amigurumi that's great for gifting or keeping as a cute shelf friend. The removable coat and tiny embroidered beak add personality and charm to every penguin you make. Happy crocheting and enjoy creating colourful companions! 🧶🐧

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 5 inches tall when made with the recommended DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but the finished size and stitch density will change; choose an appropriate hook size and adjust stuffing to maintain proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is beginner-friendly and written in US terms, but basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases and working in BLO/FLO is helpful.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 2-4 hours depending on experience and finishing details like embroidery and assembly.

Are safety eyes recommended for toys for very young children?

Safety eyes are not recommended for young children; for toys intended for small children, embroider eyes instead to keep the toy safe.