A step-by-step guide to making your own adorable crochet 💖

You will learn how to crochet a charming beanie-style beret for a penguin amigurumi. The hat is worked in the round, starting from the top and gradually increasing to form a flat circle before shaping the sides.

The pattern includes two sizes:

• A small beret for a baby penguin
• A larger beret for a big penguin

Both versions follow the same logic, so once you understand the increases and decreases, the process becomes very intuitive.

🎀 Beret for Baby Penguin

Leave a long starting tail. This will be used later to crochet the decorative chain detail.

Round-by-Round Instructions

Round 1:
Create a magic ring and crochet 6 single crochets inside the ring. (6 stitches)

Round 2:
Increase in each stitch around by working 2 single crochets in every stitch. (12 stitches)

Round 3:
Work 1 single crochet, then 1 increase. Repeat this sequence 6 times. (18 stitches)

Round 4:
Work 2 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)

Round 5:
Work 3 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)

Round 6:
Work 4 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (36 stitches)

Round 7:
Work 5 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (42 stitches)

Round 8:
Work 6 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (48 stitches)

Round 9:
Work 7 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (54 stitches)

Round 10:
Work 8 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (60 stitches)

Round 11:
Work 9 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (66 stitches)

🧠 Explanation: These gradual increases create a smooth, flat circle that will form the top of the beret.

Rounds 12–13:
Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for two rounds. (66 stitches each round)

Round 14:
Work 9 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. (60 stitches)

Round 15:
Work 8 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. (54 stitches)

Round 16:
Work 7 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. Finish with a slip stitch. (48 stitches)

✂️ Cut the yarn and neatly weave in the end.

Decorative Chain Detail

Using the long starting tail:

• Chain 6 stitches.
• Starting in the second chain from the hook, crochet 5 slip stitches along the chain.
• Secure and weave in the end.

This small chain adds a cute beret-style decorative finish ✨

🎩 Beret for Big Penguin

This larger version follows the same structure but includes additional increase rounds to make a wider hat.

Leave a long starting tail for the decorative chain later.

Round-by-Round Instructions

Round 1:
Create a magic ring and crochet 6 single crochets inside. (6 stitches)

Round 2:
Increase in each stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3:
Work 1 single crochet, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (18 stitches)

Round 4:
Work 2 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (24 stitches)

Round 5:
Work 3 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (30 stitches)

Round 6:
Work 4 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (36 stitches)

Round 7:
Work 5 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (42 stitches)

Round 8:
Work 6 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (48 stitches)

Round 9:
Work 7 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (54 stitches)

Round 10:
Work 8 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (60 stitches)

Round 11:
Work 9 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (66 stitches)

Round 12:
Work 10 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (72 stitches)

Round 13:
Work 11 single crochets, then 1 increase. Repeat 6 times. (78 stitches)

🧵 Tip: If the circle starts to ruffle, your tension may be tight. Try relaxing your tension slightly or moving up half a hook size.

Rounds 14–16:
Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for three rounds. (78 stitches each round)

Round 17:
Work 11 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. (72 stitches)

Round 18:
Work 10 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. (66 stitches)

Round 19:
Work 9 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 6 times. (60 stitches)

Round 20:
Work 18 single crochets, then 1 decrease. Repeat 3 times. Finish with a slip stitch. (57 stitches)

✂️ Cut the yarn and carefully weave in all loose ends.

Decorative Chain Detail

Using the long starting tail:

• Chain 6 stitches.
• Starting from the second chain, crochet 5 slip stitches back along the chain.
• Secure and weave in to finish the classic beret look 🎨

🎁 Optional & Creative Ideas

✨ Add a pom-pom on top of the beret for a playful winter style.

🎨 Use pastel yarn colors to create themed penguins (baby shower or nursery gifts).

💝 Make matching berets in different colors for a penguin family set.

🧵 Embroider tiny initials on the hat to personalize it as a handmade gift.