Crochet Penguin Mug Pattern ( Christmas Amigurumi)

I have a weakness for little winter projects that feel playful without being too fussy, and this crochet penguin mug fits that mood perfectly. The black-and-white body already has so much personality, and the orange beak and feet, little black wings, cocoa top, and marshmallows make the finished piece even sweeter.

I especially like that the penguin face is built directly into the mug with color changes instead of added as a separate panel. It keeps the finished shape clean while giving you something interesting to work on through the body.

The finished penguin mug is simple, cozy, and full of little winter details.

This pattern is best for an intermediate crocheter. The stitches are simple, but the body colorwork, small separate pieces, and finishing need a little patience. The finished mug measures about 10 to 14 cm (3.94 to 5.51 in), and I would give myself around 5 to 7 hours to complete it.

Quick Pattern Details

Detail	Value
Skill Level	Intermediate
Finished Size	Approx. 10 to 14 cm (3.94 to 5.51 in)
Time to Complete	About 5 to 7 hours
Construction	Mug worked from the base upward with color changes, then finished with separately crocheted pieces
Main Techniques	Single crochet, increases, decreases, BLO, FLO, color changes, turned rows, stuffing, sewing
Terminology	US crochet terms
Main Colors	Black, white, brown, and orange

Materials Needed

YarnArt Jeans in orange 77
Alize Cotton Gold in black 60
Alize Cotton Gold in white 55
Alize Cotton Gold in brown 493
1.75 mm crochet hook
Stuffing
Cardboard or plastic for the base insert
Hot glue for securing the base support
Blunt-end yarn or sewing needle
Semi-beads for the eyes
Glue suitable for attaching the semi-beads
Scissors
Stitch marker

Most of the project uses just a few simple supplies, but keeping the colors organized helps a lot once the body colorwork begins.

Stitches & Abbreviations Used

MR – Magic Ring
ch – Chain
sc – Single Crochet
inc – Increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
dec – Decrease, work 2 stitches together
BLO – Back Loops Only
FLO – Front Loops Only
st(s) – Stitch(es)
Rnd(s) – Round(s)
FO – Fasten Off
(n) – Stitch count at the end of a round or row
(sequence) xN – Repeat the sequence N times
Row – A turned row; chain and turn where instructed

Instructions

Piece 1: Mug Base and Body (make 1)

Work from the bottom upward, beginning in black yarn.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in MR (8)
Rnd 2: inc x8 (16)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x8 (24)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x8 (32)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x8 (40)
Rnd 6: 2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc) x7, 2 sc (48)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x8 (56)
Rnd 8: 3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc) x7, 3 sc (64)

Trace the crocheted base onto cardboard or plastic, cut out the circle, and check the fit.

Rnd 9: BLO, 64 sc (64)

After working another 3 to 4 rounds above the base, secure the insert inside with hot glue.

Now the white belly and face begin to grow through the black body.

Rnd 10: 28 sc in black, change to white and work 8 sc, change to black and work 28 sc (64)
Rnd 11: 25 sc in black, change to white and work 14 sc, change to black and work 25 sc (64)
Rnds 12–14: 24 sc in black, change to white and work 16 sc, change to black and work 24 sc (3 rounds; 64)
Rnds 15–21: 23 sc in black, change to white and work 18 sc, change to black and work 23 sc (7 rounds; 64)
Rnds 22–24: 24 sc in black, change to white and work 16 sc, change to black and work 24 sc (3 rounds; 64)
Rnds 25–27: 24 sc in black, change to white and work 6 sc, change to black and work 4 sc, change to white and work 6 sc, change to black and work 24 sc (3 rounds; 64)
Rnd 28: 26 sc in black, change to white and work 3 sc, change to black and work 6 sc, change to white and work 3 sc, change to black and work 26 sc (64)
Rnd 29: 25 sc in black, change to white and work 5 sc, change to black and work 4 sc, change to white and work 5 sc, change to black and work 25 sc (64)
Rnd 30: FLO, 64 sc (64)
Rnd 31: 64 sc (64)

Fasten off, cut the yarn, and hide the end.

The white sections change across the rounds, so keep an eye on the center as you work.

The white section gradually shapes the penguin belly and face as the mug grows upward.

Piece 2: Handle (make 1)

Work in black yarn.

Foundation: ch 8, leaving a 30 to 40 cm (11.81 to 15.75 in) tail for sewing. Close into a ring.
Rnds 2–17: 30 sc per round, as written in the pattern (16 rounds).

Fasten off and leave another 30 to 40 cm sewing tail.

The instructions move from an 8-chain ring directly to 30 sc per round without explaining how the stitch count increases. I would test the handle construction carefully before completing all 16 rounds.

Piece 3: Cocoa Top (make 1)

Attach brown yarn to the remaining back loops of mug-body round 29.

Rnd 1: 3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) x7, 3 sc (56)
Rnd 2: (5 sc, dec) x8 (48)
Rnd 3: 2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec) x7, 2 sc (40)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, dec) x8 (32)

Begin stuffing the mug.

Rnd 5: (2 sc, dec) x8 (24)
Rnd 6: (sc, dec) x8 (16)
Rnd 7: dec x8 (8)

Finish stuffing, draw the opening closed, fasten off, cut the yarn, and hide the end.

Piece 4: Marshmallows

Work each marshmallow in white. There is no fixed quantity, so make enough to arrange nicely over the cocoa top.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: inc x6 (12)
Rnd 3: BLO, 12 sc (12)
Rnds 4–8: 12 sc per round (5 rounds; 12)
Rnd 9: BLO, dec x6 (6)

Stuff, draw the opening closed, fasten off, cut the yarn, and hide the end.

I like making all the marshmallows first so I can move them around and decide on the nicest arrangement before sewing.

Piece 5: Beak and Feet (make 3 pieces total)

Work in orange yarn. Make three identical pieces: one for the beak and two for the feet.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) x3 (9)
Rnds 3–5: 9 sc per round (3 rounds; 9)

Do not stuff. Fasten off and leave a long sewing tail on each piece.

Piece 6: Wings (make 2)

Work in rows with black yarn.

Row 1: 3 sc in MR (3)
Row 2: ch 1, turn, inc x3 (6)
Row 3: ch 1, turn, (sc, inc) x3 (9)
Row 4: ch 1, turn, (2 sc, inc) x3 (12)
Row 5: ch 1, turn, (3 sc, inc) x3 (15)
Row 6: ch 1, turn, (4 sc, inc) x3 (18)

Fasten off and leave a long sewing tail on each wing.

The little wings and orange pieces are quick to make, and once they are laid out together you can finally see the penguin starting to take shape.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the black handle onto the black-and-white mug.
Sew the orange beak onto the face.
Sew one black wing onto each side.
Sew the two orange feet onto the lower front of the mug.
Arrange and sew the marshmallows onto the cocoa top.
Attach the semi-bead eyes to the face.
Weave in and secure the remaining ends.

Pin or loosely position the face pieces before sewing them permanently so you can adjust the expression.

Once the wings, feet, beak, and eyes are in place, the little penguin personality really comes through.

Tips for This Pattern

Keep the base insert slightly smaller than the crocheted bottom so it sits flat inside.
Use a stitch marker throughout the body, especially during the long colorwork section.
Check the white sections regularly while crocheting so the face stays centered.
Do not overstuff the mug; firm but flexible stuffing keeps the stitches looking smooth.
Test the handle before completing all 16 rounds because the stitch-count transition is not fully explained.
Position the beak, wings, feet, and eyes before sewing so you can adjust the final expression.

This penguin mug is such a fun Christmas project because the black-and-white colorwork keeps the body interesting, while the orange feet, wings, cocoa, and marshmallows give the finished piece plenty of personality.

It would look sweet on a winter shelf or wrapped up as a handmade gift for someone who loves penguins and cozy crochet.

Browse more Christmas and amigurumi patterns on Learn Crochet Daily, and if you make your own penguin mug, I would love to see how yours turns out.