Penguin Pillow

Penguin Pillow by Whitney Webster

Project Overview

The Penguin Pillow is a knitted toy and decorative cushion designed by Whitney Webster. This intermediate-level knitting project combines colorwork and shaping techniques to create a three-dimensional penguin-shaped pillow suitable for display or play. The finished piece showcases classic penguin coloring with contrasting details.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a stuffed penguin pillow—a decorative or toy cushion featuring the iconic penguin silhouette. The project involves knitting a three-dimensional form that is subsequently stuffed to create a plush, dimensional toy or decorative accent piece. The penguin design incorporates multiple yarn colors to achieve realistic penguin markings and features.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Penguin Pillow employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its structured shape and colorwork details:

• Increases: The pattern uses M1L (make one left-leaning) and M1R (make one right-leaning) increases to shape the pillow and create dimensional form. These increases are created by lifting the strand between stitches and knitting through the loop, with directional lean controlled by the needle approach.
• Decreases: Shaping is accomplished using k2tog (knit two stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases, which allow for tailored shaping and closure of the form.
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary fabric structure is created using stockinette stitch (SS), which produces a smooth, finished appearance suitable for a toy or pillow.
• Circular and Flat Knitting: The pattern utilizes both double-pointed needles and circular needles, allowing for seamless knitting in the round as well as flat sections where needed.
• Colorwork: Multiple yarn colors—black, white, orange, and serrano—are incorporated to create penguin features and markings.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and techniques. Key stitches include stockinette stitch for the main fabric, with strategic increases (M1L, M1R) and decreases (k2tog, ssk) for shaping. The pattern notation uses brackets [ ] to indicate stitch repeats, allowing knitters to work sections multiple times as specified in the instructions.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Penguin Pillow is designed for worsted-weight yarn, specifically Knit Picks Swish Worsted in 100% Superwash Merino Wool. The yarn requirements include 3 balls of black (the primary color), 1 ball of white, 1 ball of orange, and 2 balls of serrano. Each ball of Swish Worsted contains 110 yards and weighs 50 grams, providing approximately 550 yards of black yarn and 330 yards of combined accent colors.

Needles: The pattern calls for 4mm (US 6) needles in two configurations: a set of five 7-inch double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working in the round on smaller circumferences, and a 24-inch circular needle for larger sections. The inclusion of both needle types allows for seamless transitions between different stages of the project.

Superwash Merino Wool provides durability and easy care, making this pillow suitable for toys that may require frequent washing. The worsted weight creates a fabric with good stitch definition and structure, essential for maintaining the penguin's shape.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, reflecting the requirement for knitters to be comfortable with increases, decreases, colorwork integration, and transitioning between different needle types. Knitters should have solid foundational skills before approaching this project.