Assembling Pip
You've made all the pieces, well done!
Now comes the most satisfying part: bringing Pip to life. You'll sew each piece onto the Body in this order: Nose first, then Wings, then Feet, and finally the Bow.
Take your time with each one, getting the placement right is what gives Pip her personality. Before you start, lay all your pieces out in front of you.
Unsure about a stitch? The video tutorial for it is linked right where you need it, just look for the play button or an underlined word.
Attaching the Nose
Fold the Nose:
Fold the small circle in half so it lies flat, forming an oval shape.
Position the Nose:
Place the Nose centered between the two Eyes and level with them, where Round 7 meets Round 8. Pin it with a stitch marker to check the position before sewing.
Thread your needle:
Thread the yarn tail from the Nose onto your yarn needle.
Sew the Nose:
Insert the needle through one stitch on the Body, then through one stitch on the Nose. Continue until the Nose feels securely attached.
Finish neatly:
Push the needle through the Body and bring it out a few stitches away, then trim the yarn close to the surface.
Tip: Don't worry if the Nose shifts slightly while sewing, you can gently reposition it as you go. Check that the Nose looks centered before fully tightening your stitches.
Attaching the Wings
Position the Wings:
Place the first Wing between Round 8 and Round 9 of the Body, about 2 stitches away from the white Tummy section. Then position the second Wing on the opposite side, making sure both look even. Pin them with stitch markers first.
Thread your needle:
Thread the yarn tail from the Wing onto your yarn needle.
Attach the Wing:
Insert the needle through one stitch on the Body, then through one slip stitch (sl st) on the Wing. Continue one stitch at a time until secure.
Finish neatly:
Weave the yarn tail through the Body and trim close to the surface. Repeat for the second Wing.
Tip: Before fully tightening your stitches, check that both Wings look even when viewed from the front.
Attaching the Feet
Position the Feet:
Place the first Foot underneath the Body, leaving about 2 stitches between the Feet so they look balanced. The Feet should be clearly visible from the front.
Tip: You can also line each Foot up underneath each eye for a balanced look. The Feet should sit near the front of the Body rather than directly underneath. Pin them with stitch markers first so you can check the position.
Thread your needle:
Thread the yarn tail from the Foot onto your yarn needle.
Attach the Foot:
Insert the needle through one stitch on the Foot, then one on the Body. Continue until secure.
Finish neatly:
Weave the yarn tail through the Body and trim close to the surface. Repeat for the second Foot.
Tip: Before fully tightening your stitches, check that both Feet look even when viewed from the front.
Attaching the Bow
Position the Bow:
Place the Bow between Round 3 and Round 4 of the Body, near the top, above the Eyes. Pin with stitch markers.
Attach the Bow:
Insert the needle through the center of the Bow and into the Body. Secure with a few small stitches.
Finish neatly:
Once the Bow feels secure, weave the yarn tail through the Body and bring it out a little way away, then trim the end close so it disappears inside.
Important: Only sew the center of the Bow onto the Body. Do not sew down the outer edges, so the Bow keeps its soft, puffy shape.
You've finished Pip the Penguin, and that is genuinely something to be proud of. Think about what you've just learned: the magic ring, working in the round, color changing, shaping with increases and decreases, and sewing pieces together. Five brand-new skills, one finished handmade penguin.
Show off your finished Pip! Tag @knothaven.store on Instagram, and we'd love a review on Amazon or a note at hello@knothavenstore.com.