Keychain Penguin Crochet Pattern — Old Library
There is something quietly magical about a tiny crocheted penguin dangling from a set of keys. It catches the light just right, it makes people smile on the subway, and it carries that particular warmth that only handmade things seem to hold. This keychain penguin crochet pattern — which I have named Old Library — was designed to feel like a well-loved book: a little classic, a little nostalgic, and small enough to slip into your pocket without a second thought.
Whether you are a seasoned crafter looking for your next quick project or a beginner who has just mastered the magic ring, this pattern is approachable, satisfying, and endlessly giftable. A single penguin works up in about an hour, which means you can make a whole flock in an afternoon. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.
Why “Old Library”?
The name came to me while I was sitting in a secondhand bookshop, turning a skein of deep navy yarn over in my hands. Navy and cream, with a small pop of mustard yellow for the beak and feet — the color palette reminded me of vintage book spines lined up on wooden shelves. The kind of library that smells like dust and stories and quietly encourages you to stay longer than you planned.
Every version of this penguin I have made since carries that feeling. It is a small, sturdy, well-crafted thing that is meant to be used, carried around, and loved. I hope your version carries that feeling too.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on (or in crochet terms, before you start that first magic ring), gather everything together. There is nothing more frustrating than pausing mid-project to hunt for a stitch marker.
Yarn: You will need a small amount of worsted weight yarn in three colors. For the classic Old Library colorway, use deep navy or black for the body, off-white or cream for the belly, and a warm mustard yellow for the beak and feet. Because this is such a small project, it is a perfect way to use up yarn scraps from larger projects. You will not need more than about 15–20 grams of your main color and only a few yards each of the belly and accent colors.
Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook works beautifully with standard worsted weight yarn for a tight, firm fabric. If you prefer a slightly looser stitch or are using a lighter yarn, go up to 4.0mm. The goal is an amigurumi-style fabric with no gaps, so that your stuffing stays neatly inside.
Other supplies: Polyester fiberfill stuffing, two small black safety eyes (6mm works well for this size), a yarn needle for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together, a keychain ring or lobster clasp, stitch markers, and scissors.
Optional: A small piece of felt in yellow if you prefer to embroider or glue the beak and feet rather than crochet them separately. Some makers also add a tiny dab of fabric glue behind safety eyes for extra security.
Gauge and Sizing
This is a small amigurumi project, and precise gauge matters less here than in, say, a garment. What matters most is that your fabric is tight enough to hold the stuffing in without gaps showing through. As a rough guide, 10 single crochet stitches and 11 rows in the round should measure approximately 4cm x 4cm with a 3.5mm hook and worsted weight yarn.
The finished penguin keychain will be approximately 6–7cm tall (roughly 2.5 inches), not including the keychain ring. This makes it a comfortable size — big enough to be charming, small enough to not weigh down your keys.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
This pattern is written using standard US crochet abbreviations.
MR — Magic ring
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of the next two stitches and complete as one single crochet)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
st(s) — Stitch(es)
rnd — Round
All rounds are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
The Pattern
Body (worked from the bottom up)
The body is the main piece of the penguin and is crocheted in the round using your main color (navy or black).
Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–7: Sc in each st around. (24 sts) — three rounds even
Round 8: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)
Before you begin decreasing further, attach your safety eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, approximately 5–6 stitches apart. Insert them through both layers of the fabric and secure the washers firmly on the inside. This is the last moment you will have easy access before the opening becomes too small.
Round 9: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)
Begin stuffing the body firmly at this point. Use small pinches of fiberfill and press them in gradually so you get an even, round shape without lumps.
Round 10: Dec around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your yarn needle to weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull gently to close. Weave in the end securely on the inside.
Belly Patch
The belly gives the Old Library penguin its classic tuxedo look and is worked flat in rows before being sewn onto the front of the body.
Using your cream or off-white yarn:
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (3 sts) Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–4: Sc across. (3 sts) Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: Dec, sc 1. (2 sts) Ch 1, turn.
Row 6: Dec. (1 st)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. The shape will be a slightly tapered oval or shield shape — classic penguin belly territory.
Center the belly patch on the front of the body (the side with the eyes) and sew it in place using the long tail and your yarn needle. Use small, even stitches around the edges and weave in the end neatly on the inside.
Wings (make two)
The wings are small, simple ovals worked in the main color.
Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (9 sts)
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. (9 sts)
Round 5: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (6 sts)
Do not stuff the wings. Flatten each wing and sew the opening closed with a few stitches. Then sew one wing to each side of the body, positioning them just below where the eyes sit, angled slightly downward and outward.
Beak
The beak is a tiny triangle worked in your mustard yellow yarn.
Round 1: MR, 3 sc. (3 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st. (6 sts)
Round 3: Sc around. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long sewing tail. Do not stuff. Pinch the piece flat into a triangle shape and sew it onto the face, centered between and just below the eyes. Take a few extra stitches to make sure it is secure — beaks have a way of becoming popular targets for curious fingers.
Feet (make two)
The feet are small oval shapes that anchor your penguin to its own little sense of ground. Work them in mustard yellow.
Round 1: MR, 5 sc. (5 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st. (10 sts)
Rounds 3–4: Sc around. (10 sts)
Round 5: Dec around. (5 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a sewing tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the piece. Sew one foot to each side of the bottom of the body, facing slightly outward in that characteristic penguin stance.
Finishing the Keychain
To attach the keychain ring, cut a short length of your main color yarn (about 10cm). Thread it through the top of the penguin’s head — just a few stitches worth, using your yarn needle to guide it through the fabric at the very top center. Thread both ends of the yarn through the keychain ring, then tie them together in a secure double knot close to the top of the penguin’s head. Trim the ends close to the knot and dab with a tiny drop of clear craft glue if you want extra security. Alternatively, use a small lobster clasp clip threaded the same way — this makes the penguin removable from different keychains or bags.
Tips for a Polished Finish
The difference between an okay amigurumi and a truly lovely one often comes down to finishing details. Here are a few things that will elevate your Old Library penguin.
Take your time stuffing. Understuffed amigurumi looks deflated and sad. Overstuffed pieces stretch uncomfortably. Aim for a firm, round shape that holds itself up and feels satisfying in the hand. Add stuffing gradually as you decrease, not all at once at the end.
Weave in ends on the inside. For amigurumi, always run your yarn tail in several different directions through the inside stuffed body before trimming it. This prevents ends from working their way back out over time with handling.
Safety eyes placement matters. Before snapping those safety eyes in place permanently, take a moment to hold the penguin at arm’s length and try different positions. Wider apart reads as more cartoonish and fun; closer together looks slightly more realistic. For Old Library, I favor placing them about 5–6 stitches apart, which hits a nice classic sweet spot.
The belly patch shape. If you find the belly patch instructions produce a shape that is too wide or too narrow for your tension, adjust the starting chain. Adding or subtracting one stitch from the chain will change the width noticeably on such a small piece.
Block if needed. Because this is a stuffed amigurumi, you will not block it the way you would a flat piece. However, if the belly patch or wings look a little curled or uneven before sewing, a quick spritz of water and a gentle press flat with your hand will help them lie nicely.
Color Variations
One of the greatest joys of a simple base pattern is how much personality you can give it through color choices alone. Here are a few colorway ideas to inspire you.
Classic Tuxedo: Black and white with orange-yellow feet and beak — the original. Timeless, crisp, and always charming.
Old Library (the namesake): Deep navy, warm cream, and mustard yellow. This is the version that inspired the name. It has an antique warmth that makes it feel slightly different from the standard penguin.
Winter Lilac: Soft lavender body with white belly and pale pink beak and feet. A gentle, cozy version perfect for a baby gift.
Midnight Teal: Deep teal body with silver-white belly and gold accent details. Elegant and slightly more grown-up feeling.
Speckled Tweed: If you have a heathered or tweed-effect yarn in a neutral charcoal or brown, it gives the penguin an unexpectedly sophisticated look. Use cream and burnt orange for the accent colors.
Festive Red and Green: A fun holiday version with a red body, white belly, and green feet. A little unconventional from a biology standpoint, but absolutely delightful as a Christmas ornament variation.
Making a Flock: Batch Production Tips
Because each penguin takes only about an hour, these make wonderful gifts in multiples. Here are a few strategies for making several at once without losing your mind.
Work all pieces for all penguins at the same time — all bodies together, then all belly patches, then all wings, and so on. This assembly-line approach keeps you from having to re-read the instructions for each piece and dramatically speeds up your work.
Keep each penguin’s components together in a small zip-lock bag as you go. Label the bag with the colorway if you are making multiple versions. There is nothing more confusing than a pile of tiny unsewn body parts in four different colors.
Pre-cut all your yarn tails to the same length before sewing. Consistency in the length of your sewing tails makes the finishing process feel less chaotic.
Gifting and Packaging Ideas
A handmade keychain penguin deserves a presentation that matches its charm. A small square of kraft paper or a gift tag with a handwritten note goes a long way. If you are giving these as party favors or small gifts, you can use a mini binder clip to attach a little card that says something like “handmade with love” or even includes the name of the colorway — Old Library sounds rather lovely on a tag.
These also work beautifully as bag charms, zipper pulls on a pencil case or backpack, ornaments on a small houseplant, or bookmarks (just add a length of ribbon instead of a keychain ring). The penguin itself is the same; only the attachment changes.
A Note on Yarn Substitutions
This pattern is flexible about yarn weight. You can scale the penguin up by using bulky yarn and a larger hook (you will get a penguin roughly the size of a small plush toy) or scale it down beautifully with fingering weight yarn and a 2.0mm hook for a truly miniature version. The miniature version takes significantly more patience and better lighting, but the result is an incredibly delicate little charm that is almost absurdly cute.
Whatever yarn you use, look for one with a tight, smooth ply rather than a fluffy or textured yarn. Textured yarns hide your stitches (which can be nice if your tension is uneven), but they also make it harder to get clean, sharp edges on the belly patch and wings.
Sharing Your Makes
If you make your own Old Library penguin, I would genuinely love to see it. The beauty of a pattern like this is watching how different makers interpret the same instructions and come up with something that feels entirely their own. Different yarn weights, different eyes, different color combinations — the base stays the same, but every penguin has its own character.
Tag your projects online or leave a note in the comments. Seeing a whole flock gathered from different makers in different places is one of the best parts of sharing a pattern like this one.
Final Thoughts
The Old Library keychain penguin is one of those patterns that I find myself returning to again and again — not just because it is quick and easy, but because there is something genuinely satisfying about it. It is the kind of project you can pick up for twenty minutes between other things, or carry in your bag and work on during a commute, or settle into for a whole afternoon and make half a dozen without ever feeling like you are on an assembly line.
It is small, it is portable, it is charming, and it makes people smile. In crochet, as in most things, that is more than enough.
Happy hooking.
