This cute crochet penguin granny square is a free crochet pattern by Nana’s Crafty Home!

I am working on a series of large Christmas granny squares and this crochet penguin is the fourth in my series.You can also check out the Snowman Granny square, Reindeer Granny Square,  Gingerbread Man Granny Square, Polar Bear Granny Square, Elf Granny Square, Santa Granny Square, Mrs. Claus Square and the Peppermint Candy Man Square which are also free crochet patterns on the blog.

Want to see the whole blanket together? You can now find the complete joining and border instructions now on the blog!

A crochet penguin pattern that is so quick & easy – great for beginners!  

Crochet Penguin Granny Square Pattern Details

The granny squares for this series of Christmas granny square patterns work up to a large 14″ square.  Perfect for pillows or to mix-and-match for an adorable winter Christmas-themed throw!  These squares would also make wonderful wall hangings for Christmas decoration.

This crochet penguin granny square pattern starts out as a circle using double crochet stitches and then the circle is squared off so you can easily join and sew squares together.

The hat and pom pom are sewn to the top of the square and add a fun and whimsical 3D effect to my crochet penguin square.

I had a real problem deciding on red or pink yarn, small or large cheeks so I took to Instagram to see what you all thought there and it seems that everyone is split on it as well!  Some like the small in pink or red and some liked the large.

I finally settled on large red to go with the theme of my previous squares but you could certainly change that up as well.  The small cheeks would just be one round instead of two.  

I played around quite a bit with the design for his eyes and came up with a way to add a lot of character with slip stitches in two different colors worked in the same stitches.  So cute!

I am using Red Heart With Love* yarn which is a medium weight #4 acrylic worsted weight yarn.  One of my favorite economical yarns to use.  However, change it up to your favorite.  This pattern is a great way to use up your stash, too!

*This post contains affiliate links.  You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase.  I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra!  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

This crochet penguin granny square pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF!  You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

The complete pattern is now available as 1 PDF! The Christmas Crochet Granny Square Blanket  is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF!  You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

This PDF will contain all 9 squares + joining and border instructions all for 1 low price! Each of the 9 Christmas granny square patterns are also available for purchase.

Purchase the ad-free pdf of my Crochet Penguin Granny Square Pattern for a small fee.  Thank you so much for supporting my work!

If you would like daily crochet inspiration be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, Twitter and Tumblr!

To get notified of my free crochet patterns and future giveaways, sign up for my newsletter. I never share or sell your information to third parties — it stays private!

You may also like the following free Christmas crochet patterns by Nana’s Crafty Home:

• 1. Bobble Christmas Tree Decor free crochet pattern
• 2. Crochet Snowman Hat free crochet pattern
• 3. Polar Bear & Penguin Pals C2C Throw

Crochet Penguin Square free crochet pattern

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

• Red Heart With Love Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic, 7 oz / 370 yds)
•     White 1.0 oz / 65 yds (White)
•     Holly Berry 0.8 oz / 43 yds (Red)
•     Iced Aqua 1.5 oz / 80 yds (Blue)
•     Pumpkin 0.1 oz / 4 yds (Orange) 
•     Black 0.4 oz / 25 yds (Black)

Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch marker (optional)
Tapestry needle

Approximate finished size:  14” square

Gauge: First 4 rounds = 4” / 4 dc sts = 1”

Abbreviations:

MC = magic circle
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
RS = right side
BLO = back loop only
sc3tog = single crochet 3 sts together (see special stitches section below)

Special Stitches:

sc3tog = (insert hook into next st, yo and pull up a loop) three times, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern Notes:

• Face, eyes and cheeks are all worked in the round.  
• Ch 3 at beginning of each round counts as first dc stitch.
• When changing between colors for face do not fasten off yarn.  Drop and pick up colors as indicated.  Carry and work over white yarn while working black stitches.  Drop black yarn and do not carry while working white stitches, pull black yarn back in when beginning black stitches in next round, working over the float created.
• Hat is a half-hat for show not a complete hat.

Pattern Instructions

With White, make MC.

Round 1:  ch 3, 11 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3 and tighten ring. (12)

Round 2:  ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st in top of ch-3. (24)

Round 3:  ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st, switch to black, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st,* switch to white, repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (36)

Round 4:  ch 3, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, switch to black, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, switch to white, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 dc in last st, sl st in top of ch-3. (48)

Round 5:  ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, switch to black, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, switch to white, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (60)

Round 6:  ch 3, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to black, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, switch to white, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, 1 dc in last 2 sts, sl st in top of ch-3.  (72)

Round 7:  ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 5 sts, switch to black, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts,* switch to white, repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (84)

Fasten off White.

Round 8:  With Black, ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, 1 dc in last 3 sts, sl st in top of ch-3.  (96)

Round 9: ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 7 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * 6 times, repeat from * to * to end,  sl st in top of first st. (108)

Fasten off Black.

Round 10: Join Blue in first st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (120 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 11: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (136 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 12 – 13: ch 3 (counts as first st), *dc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st top of ch-3.  (152 row 12, 168 row 13)

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Eyes (make 2)

With Black, make MC.

Round 1:  (RS) ch 3, 10 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3, tighten ring. (11)

Fasten off Black, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Row 2: Join Blue in first st of round 1, sl st in next 5 sts.

Fasten off Blue.

Row 3: Join White in first st of round 1 (behind slip stitches of row 2), sl st in next 5 sts.

Fasten off White, leaving a long tail for embroidery of eye.

With long tail of White, embroider center of eye.

Weave in remaining ends not left for sewing.

Beak

With Orange, ch 4.

Row 1:  1 sc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end. Turn. (3)

Row 2 – 3:  ch 1, sc in each st to end. Turn. (3)

Row 4: ch 1, sc3tog. (1)

Turn.  Ch 1, sc evenly around outside edge of beak, sl st to first st.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Cheeks (make 2)

With Red, make MC.

Round 1:  ch 3, 11 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3 and tighten ring. (12)

Round 2:  ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st in top of ch-3. (24)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Hat

With Red and leaving a long tail for sewing folded hat brim, ch 21.

Row 1: sc in second ch from and in each ch to end. (20)

Row 2:  working in BLO, ch 1, sc in each st to end. (20)

Row 3 – 27: repeat row 2.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming top of hat together.

With long tail, cinch top of hat closed by weaving your needle along edge of rows 1-27 and pull tightly.

Make a small pom pom approximately 1 3/8” size with red and white yarn.  Attach pom pom to top of cinched hat.

With long tail from beginning, fold brim up approximately 3/4” and sew in place.

Assembly 

Note:  Sew following pieces to RS of square.

With long tail, sew eyes to face.

With long tail, sew beak to face.

With long tails, sew cheeks to face.

With long tails, sew hat to RS of face.

Weave in remaining ends.

Copyright 2022 Tonya Bush/Nana’s Crafty Home

Social Media links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nanascraftyhome

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/nanascraftyhome/

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/nanascraftyhome/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/TonyaBush

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/nanascraftyhome

Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/829792060522798

Sign up for my Newsletter:  https://nanascraftyhome.com/sign-up-for-my-free-newsletter/