Not Quite Duck Pins
January 19, 2009 at 12:03 am | In Crochet | 55 CommentsIn the frozen depths of the arctic, very few creatures are equipped to survive the severe conditions by themselves. If you think the weather is bad where you live, just imagine the creatures that have to deal with snow storms that continue to dump frozen precipitation for weeks at a time! Polar bears have their thick fur coats to stay warm, seals have comfortable layers of blubber… but penguins? Though they lack the same degree of insulation, penguins are unique in that their communities are able to band together- Literally- And share body heat to stave off those subzero temperatures.
All squished up close together, penguins are certainly not claustrophobic. The more I thought about this arrangement, though, I couldn’t help but wonder if they ever get bored of the same extreme togetherness. What do they do for fun? Would one ever try to lighten the mood or play games in the midst of that tight circle? Imagining all sorts of ways that a restless penguin might try to make the situation more enjoyable, it suddenly hit me that there was one perfect past time that some penguins would undoubtedly enjoy…
Bowling! Just as your neighbors begin to nod off, one mischievous bird might excuse themselves from the group and wake them up with a lighthearted roll of the bowling ball!
Strike!
The only thing that might prevent this game from catching on is the risk that the rest of the colony might get tired of your antics, and march off into the sunset without you.
*For a usable set, you will need to make at least 6 penguins, stomachs, and beaks, and 1 bowling ball.
Penguin:
With a F hook and worsted weight yarn of any color, Sc6 in a circle using the magic loop technique.
Sc twice into each st (12)
Sc 1, sc twice into next st* around (18)
Sc 2, sc twice into next st* around (24)
Sc 5 rounds even
Sc 2, sc2tog* around (18)
Sc 1, sc3tog* around (12)
-Insert eyes and lightly stuff head-
Sc 2 rounds even
Sc 1, sc twice into next st* around (18)
Sc 1 round even
Sc 2, sc twice into next st* around (24)
Sc 3, sc twice into next st* around (30)
Sc 16 rounds even
Sc in back loops all the way around
-Stuff the body, and for extra stability, insert a yogurt lid cut to size into the bottom-
Sc3, sc2tog* around (24)
Sc2, sc2tog* around (18)
Sc1, sc2tog* around (12)
Sc2tog* around (6)
Gather the remaining stitches together and tie off, burying the knot and excess yarn inside.
Stomach:
With an F hook and white worsted weight yarn, Ch4
Sc into 2nd ch from hook and once into remaining 2 sts (3)
Turn, ch1, sc twice into first, sc1, sc twice into last (5)
Turn, ch1, Sc even
Turn, ch1, Sc Twice in the first st, sc3, sc twice in last st (7)
Turn, ch1, Sc3, sc twice into next st, sc3 (8)
Turn, ch1, Sc even* for 8 rows
Break the yarn, leaving a long tail to sew with.
Beak:
With an E hook and sport weight orange or yellow yarn, sc3 in a circle
Sc twice into each st (6)
Sc even for 2 rounds
Break yarn, leaving a long tail to sew with.
Bowling Ball:
With an F hook and grey worsted weight yarn, Sc6 in a circle
Sc twice in each st (12)
Sc 1, sc twice into next st* around (18)
Sc 2, sc twice into next st* around (24)
Sc 3, sc twice into next st* around (30)
Sc 4, sc twice into next st* around (36)
Sc 5, sc twice into next st* around (42)
Sc around for 4 rounds
Sc 5, sc2tog* around (36)
Sc 4, sc2tog* around (30)
-Insert a tennis ball, and while holding it in place, continue to crochet around it. You may need to pull your finished work tightly to get it to cover to completely-
Sc 3, sc2tog* around (24)
Sc 2, sc2tog* around (18)
Sc 1, sc2tog* around (12)
Sc2tog* around (6)
Gather remaining stitches together, break yarn, tie tightly, and bury the knot and excess yarn.
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You slay me! These photos are so great ;-)
Comment by jumbleberryjam — January 19, 2009 #
Oh my gosh, these are so incredibly adorable!!! Seriously, I want to hug the crap out of these.
Comment by Nicole — January 19, 2009 #
How cute and creative!
Comment by vegyogini — January 19, 2009 #
OMG they are just too cute and perfect! I hope to one day be as careful and clever with my crafing skills as you, Hannah! =D o= (* Maybe in a million years! Where do you find the time? Are you in collage?)
Comment by laci — January 19, 2009 #
These are adorable. You are keeping me inspired as I’ve been making some little projects. The cuteness keeps me wanting to make more. :)
Comment by teeni — January 19, 2009 #
These are so cute! Now if only I spoke the language the pattern is written in! One day…
Comment by shellyfish — January 19, 2009 #
How cute !!!!!! you re amazing I m not good at these.
Comment by snooky doodle — January 19, 2009 #
Oh my, they’re adorable!
Comment by melisser — January 19, 2009 #
Since I cannot even begin to decipher the instructions… I will email this post to my Mom and maybe she can make me some. I’ll watch March of the Penguins in the meantime ;)
Comment by eatingconsciously — January 19, 2009 #
Aw, how cute! Marching penguins.
Comment by mihl — January 19, 2009 #
HAHA!! Adorable :-)
Comment by VeggieGirl — January 19, 2009 #
adorable..as usual, Hannah. Is that why they were called duck pins? I don’t think I can really roll a bowling ball to knock out this cute penguins!
Comment by veron — January 19, 2009 #
holy freaking adorable. note to self – must knit beyond bags and scarfs. these are tres cute!
Comment by miss v — January 19, 2009 #
Oh no, so cute, so adorable, i like it !
Oh waouw very very very cute :)
Comment by vgpower — January 19, 2009 #
Those little guys are adorable! Reminds me of March of the Penguins… and using them for bowling is hilarious. Thanks for sharing the pattern! If my crochet skills ever improve past chaining I may give them a shot!
Comment by Vegan_Noodle — January 19, 2009 #
I NEED to learn how to knit just to make these little guys!
Comment by Shelby — January 19, 2009 #
I really wish I could knit, the penguins look so adorable. I’ll have to get my grandma to make me some.
Comment by Hayley — January 19, 2009 #
Bowling penguins! So cute, and a perfect gift for a toddler!
Comment by Jes — January 19, 2009 #
I never knew that about penguins… and now to think of the poor little guys around the perimeter of their penguin colonies. I love how your crochet art-work always come with stories :) beautiful work!
Comment by Tony — January 19, 2009 #
Ah! I love the photo of them just about to tip over!!!! Too cute. Penguins are a favorite of mine and your photos made my morning!
Comment by tahinitoo — January 19, 2009 #
penguins are my favorite animal! oh, how i wish i could crochet!
Comment by allularpunk — January 19, 2009 #
Just fabulous, I love your penguins!
P.S. I still have your little crocheted cake that you sent in exchange for my felt strawberry, it sits on my dresser along with another crocheted cake and various pieces of felt fruit!
Comment by Clare — January 19, 2009 #
Hannah, these are ADORABLE! What a fun gift to make for someone.
Comment by Vivacious Vegan — January 19, 2009 #
Absolutely Adorable!! Great photos too :) xx
Comment by Lucy — January 19, 2009 #
I love the story!
Thanks
Miss Muffin
Comment by Ulli — January 19, 2009 #
Love them! So cute! You’re got so much patience! Sometimes I wonder how many of these little cuties you have in your room (or maybe all over the house!)??
Comment by Lovliebutterfly — January 19, 2009 #
holy tofu those are sooooooooooo cute…
*faints
Comment by denny — January 19, 2009 #
adorable is definitely the word to define them!
Comment by Nana — January 19, 2009 #
Penguins!!! I love penguins, these are too adorable!!
Comment by Gina — January 19, 2009 #
Those are adorable! I love your creations!!!
Comment by foodfashionfun — January 19, 2009 #
Awww – I love them! Bowling too – what a nice pastime!
Comment by DJ — January 19, 2009 #
love them
Comment by Kath Findlay — January 19, 2009 #
These are adorable, Hannah!
Comment by Diann — January 19, 2009 #
Hannah you crack me up! These are SO cute–I’m dying to make a set for my daughter, she would LOVE them.
Comment by Fuji Mama — January 19, 2009 #
I have just started knitting and have made a few scarves. But these are cute!
Comment by Maya — January 20, 2009 #
Eeep! I’m an absolute pin-head for these little sweeties!
Comment by Cakespy — January 20, 2009 #
How fun!!! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Carol-Knitted Kitty — January 20, 2009 #
Oh, those are nifty looking little penguins!
I wish my yarn-work skillage stretched further than crocheting blankets. Haha.
Comment by Abbie — January 20, 2009 #
Your blog is amamzing… I have recently suffered blogging brain freeze and my site has gone “pooey’.
you inspire me. Thank you!
Comment by patti — January 21, 2009 #
too fun! and another great use for yogurt lids!
Comment by heidi — January 22, 2009 #
sounds like a gift in the making…….
Comment by val — January 22, 2009 #
these are indeed very cute but surely you know penguins only live in the ANTartic – that is, the south pole.
Comment by jenni — January 22, 2009 #
They are so cute make great pressies too!
Comment by Blackpool — January 23, 2009 #
Those are absolutely adorable!
Cora
Comment by Cora Shaw — January 23, 2009 #
Wonderful story and photos, cute and clever design! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by mimi — January 24, 2009 #
Too cute — my brother will get these next Christmas.
Comment by ramhist — January 28, 2009 #
Ha! These are so cute and you’re picture are lovely, too!
Comment by justine — February 5, 2009 #
That is soooooooo cute! :o)
Comment by Hana — March 18, 2009 #
I wish I knew how to crocet, then I would make these!!
Comment by Colette — April 10, 2009 #
Hello,
How lovely your amigurumis are. I would be happy if I may have your permission to translate your patterns and publish them on my blog. Many patterns are in English and many Swedes finds it difficult to crochet English patterns. Of cause I link back to your blog as I have done with the other patterns I’ve translated. You are very welcome to visit my blog before you make your decision.
Comment by Cissi — May 11, 2009 #
Clever, funny and such an amazing photo!!
Comment by Cheri — June 20, 2009 #
absolutely adorable! i would love to make a set… probably won’t have time, but i’m going to save the link anyway!
Comment by Eva Cooper — September 6, 2009 #
Hello.
I stumbled across your pattern the other night, and I instantly fell in LOVE with the penguins. I have made almost one complete penguin, I can’t complete it because I ran out of stuffing….but I moved on to the bowling ball, and I believe I found a problem with your pattern. I tried to follow the directions for the bowling ball to the T, and by the time I got to the end of the ball, my stitches were so stretched out that I could see the neon green underneath my yarn. You say “Sc around for 4 rounds”, after you complete these 4 rounds, if you insert the tennis ball at that point, you will notice that you are exactly in the middle of the ball. If you start decreasing at that point, it doesn’t work.
I am currnetly working on altering the pattern, so its not complete, but I believe that it should read “Sc around for 8 rounds”. 4 rounds simply gets you to the middle of the ball. But if you think about it, that’s only half…you have to do exactly the same thing, only backwards to complete the other half.
Like I said, I am working on altering the pattern myself (I unraveled the ball 4 times and changed yarn because the one I was using was getting all frayed from the continual un-doing). I believe changing the 4 to an 8 will be sufficient in allowing someone to finish the ball without the stitches stretching out and looking all janky.
Please feel free to double check my correction. I love the pattern to death, and I am so excited to get it done. My 15 month old daughter just loves to play with the one semi-complete penguin that I have now, I can’t wait to see how she reacts to the whole set! If I am incorrect, I apologize for the super-crazy long comment, but I don’t think I am.
Thank you for posting the pattern for free.
I can’t wait to go check out more of your work, you are very creative!
Thanks again!
Anna
beginning level crocheter since 08/13/09
Comment by Anna — September 7, 2009 #
I love these penguins I made them and I can’t stop looking at them
Comment by Emliy — September 27, 2009 #
These will be great for my preschool Christmas party! Thanks!!!
Comment by Julie — November 4, 2009 #