Something free for bird lovers and crocheters
Simply Cute Blue Bird
crochet pattern by Teri L. Crews Designs
Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn
Sample Made with: 1 oz. Red Heart Light Periwinkle #347, 1/4 oz. Red Heart Pale Yellow #322 & a tiny bit of black
10mm black (available at most Micheal's, Joann's and Hobby Lobby Stores. If you are unable to find them there, 6060.etsy.com has a large selection)
Size G and F crochet hooks, fiberfill and a sharp tapestry or doll needle
Optional Materials:
powder blush for a little color and a small piece of white felt for under eyes
Finished measurements: approx 4 and 1/2" long front of body to end of tail and 5" tall
Abbreviations and Stitches Used:
ch=chain fo=fasten off rnds= rounds sc=single crochet
sl st = slip stitch tog = sc 2 stitches together beg=beginning
*= repeat between *'s to end of round [ ] = repeat between brackets number of times indicated
Notes & Tips:
Helpful to read before starting
~Do not join rounds unless indicated
~Try not to over stuff of stitches will spread and fiberfill will show through
~To help your eyes stand out, cut two small circles from white felt (I trace around a tiny button, slightly bigger then my eyes to help me get a nice circle). Cut a tiny slit in the center of the felt and insert stem of eye. Stuff head, decide where you like your eyes, hold in place or mark with a pen or pin. Remove stuffing, secure backing on safety eye and re-stuff.
~Most pieces are closed with a long ending tail (unless otherwise indicated). To close with ending yarn tail; thread tapestry needle, weave through remaining stitches and pull tight to close.
~Eyelids/lashes and a little needle sculpting. Once your eyes and beak are secured and sewn on. Split a long piece of black yarn into 2 plies. Thread tapestry needle and insert under beak (where stitches will not be seen). Bring needle up through head, in a stitch (as close as possible) to the corner inside of your bird's eye. Insert needle about 1-2 stitches from the outside of the eye, about 1 stitch down from top of eye. Bring needle back out under beak, pull just a little to tighten stitch and indent eye just a little. Bring needle back up to beginning stitch at the inside of the eye, insert needle just over the beginning stitch you made to help hold in place. Bring needle back out under beak and repeat process for the other eye.
~To give your bird hair, Cut about five piece of periwinkle yarn 4" long. Split pieces into 2 plies. Use your F crochet hook to grab a piece of yarn, tie in the middle and separate the two plies. Repeat until your bird's hair is as thick as you like, then cut to desired length.
Head and Body
with periwinkle & G hook
1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
2: 2 sc in each sc (12)
3: *sc in next sc, sc 2 in next sc* (18)
4: *sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc 2 in next st* (24)
5-8: sc in each sc (24)
9: *sc in each of the next 3 sc, sc 2 in next sc* (30)
10-11: sc in each sc (30)
12: *sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc 2 in next st * (36)
13-15: sc in each sc (36)
16: *sc in each of the next 4 sc, sc2tog* (30)
17: *sc in each of the next 3 sc, sc2tog* (24)
18: *sc2tog* (12), FO, leave tail for sewing. Position eyes, stuff and close
Beak
with pale yellow & F hook
1: ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
2: sc in each sc (5)
3: 2 sc in each sc (10)
4: sc in each sc (10), FO, weave in ends. Stuff lightly and sew about 4 or 5 rnds down from top of head
Wing (make 2)
with periwinkle and G hook
working back and forth, not in the round
1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn
2: ch 1 (do not count as st), sc in each, turn
3-4: ch 1 (do not count as st), sc in each sc, turn
5: *ch 3, sc in next sc*, repeat to end, do not turn
6: sc in ea st, FO, leave a long tail for sewing. Fold wing in half, whip stitch straight edge together. Sew top of wing onto bird's side (refer to pictures for help with placement)
Tail
with periwinkle and F hook
working back and forth, not in the round
1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn
2-3: ch 1 (do not count), sc in each sc (6) turn
4: *ch 3, sc in next sc*, repeat to end. FO, weave in ends. Sew in place.
Add hair and a little blush
I hope you enjoy making your blue bird as much as I enjoyed creating her.
Teri