Birdie Decoration

 

This is my pattern/tutorial for a hanging Birdie Decoration. A completely useless object of course, but very cute all the same. It's an easy project to make, great for using up odds and ends of yarn and can be used in all sorts of ways to bring a little good cheer.

This little birdie is made in four pieces :: a round flat circle for the body, a small triangle for the beak and 2 leafy shapes for the wings. There is also a hanging chain to make which you can decorate with flowers if you like, and the option of adding some dangly legs too.

 First a little summary of the basic crochet stitches ::

sl st :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.

dc :: insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US sc stitch)

htr :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook (note :: this is equivalent to the US hdc stitch)

tr :: yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on hook (two loops left on hook), yarn over and pull through remaining two loops (note :: this is equivalent to the US dc stitch)

dc2tog (a 2-stitch decrease) :: insert hook, yarn over, pull loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook). Insert hook through next stitch, yarn over, pull loop back through the stitch (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all three loops on hook.

To start out you will need to make the CIRCULAR BODY. I've worked mine up in htr (half treble) stitch as I find this forms a lovely, neat, compact texture that doesn't show the stuffing when the birdie is made up.

I've worked 7 rounds using a DK weight cotton on a 4mm hook, and the finished size is approx 13cm diameter. For a smaller birdie, simply work less rounds.

I've written out the tutorial for making this Flat Circle as a separate page...it's listed in my side bar with all my other patterns, or you can click HERE.

Now you need to make a TRIANGLE BEAK.

Chain 5 to begin.

Row 1 :: starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 dc stitch into each chain (4 stitches in total, pictured above). Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 :: work dc2tog (a 2-stitch decrease, as described above) into the first two stitches. Work another dc2tog into the last two stitches.

After working Row 2, you will have effectively halved your number of stitches, going from 4 to 2, as pictured above.

Chain 1 and turn.

Row 3 :: work dc2tog (a 2-stitch decrease, as described above) into the remaining two stitches. Finish off, leaving a longish tail end which you can use for sewing up.

Fold the triangle beak in half length ways and sew the edges together by over stitching, starting at the pointy end and working your way down.

You should end up with a small, beaky type shape, as above. Don't fasten off the end just yet as you can use this to attach the beak to the body....

Fold your circle in half (wrong sides together) to make the birdie body, and position your beak right up near the folded top, as above.

 

Now attach the beak making small stitches through the body, making sure you don't stitch right through to the other side.

Now for the WINGS.

Chain 9 to begin.

Row 1 :: starting in the second chain from the hook, work the following stitches...

dc, htr, htr, tr, tr, htr, htr, dc (as pictured above)

Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 :: starting in the second chain from the hook, work the following stitches...

dc, htr, htr, tr, tr, htr, htr, dc (as pictured above)

Chain 1, but don't turn the work.

 

To complete the shape, turn it upside down so that the foundation chain is at the top. Work your way along, crocheting dc stitches into the outer loops of the foundation chain (pictured above).

When  you get near to the end of the foundation chain, continue working a few stitches around the end until it looks neat and you meet the beginning of the previous row (pictured above)

Now fasten off, leaving a longish tail end that you can use for stitching the wing to the body.

Position your wing onto the body, with the tail end of the wing facing towards the tail end of the body, as pictured above. Secure in place by over sewing with small neat stitches, working your way all around the outside of wing.

Make another identical wing and stitch it in place on the opposite side of the birdie body, as pictured above.

Choose some buttons for the eyes and stitch in place, checking their positioning carefully.

The hanging loop is simply a crocheted chain, made as long as you like (I think mine was about 38 chains?). When you form your initial slipknot to begin the chain, make sure you leave a longish tail end, as you'll use this to attach the hanging loop. Similarly when you end the chain, leave another longish tail end for the same reason. You can then knot these two tail ends together as close to the first and last stitch as you can, and thread them down through the central hole in the circular body, as pictured above. Turn the body over to the wrong side and stitch the ends in securely.

Now I chose to add two teeny tiny flowers to my hanging loop, you can find the flower pattern in my sidebar, or click here.

Stitch them in place by working stabbing stitches around the central flower middle, working through both flowers and trapping the hanging loop in between as you work.

Dangly legs and beady feet are optional, but fun additions.

The legs are made as one long chain, as long or short as you like (think mine were 28 chains ish?), with beads or buttons attached to each end. Find the central point of the chain and stitch to the bird body, making sure you position them centrally (pictured above)

On the final stretch now...a handful of toy stuffing inside the body (not too much, you don't want a birdie that's too fat to dangle nicely), and sew the body together with neat over stitches, as picture above.

Take care as you work around the dangly legs, making sure you stab through each one to secure it.

 

And do you know what???? I think THATS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oooooo I feel a Ta-Dah moment coming on................

 

......Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!! One dangly Hanging Birdie Decoration!!!


 

If you'd like to make the robin, it's exactly the same process, only without the wings. Instead, you'll need to crochet a smaller red circle for his breast (about 3 rounds should do it). You attach it to the body by sewing it with over stitches in exactly the same way you did for the wings, only do it at the end, after the birdie has been stuffed and stitched together.

Colours and finishing touches are endless with this little project.

 Embellish with beads and buttons, stuff with dried lavender or perhpas cinamon and cloves for Christmas.

Make  a whole flock and hang them in a line like bunting, or make a mobile.

Give them as gifts, or keep them all to yourselves.

But most importantly :: Have lots of BIRDIE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All my tutorials are created for you to use and enjoy for free. However, if you would like to make a donation you can do so using the button below (all donations are gratefully received and will be used to fund future projects).

 

xx Thank you xx

Comments

[Michelle]

Sooo cute, I love the little birdie! I know what I'm going to do today!! Thanks much Lucy!xo

[Katrien]

I discovered this blog about 4 months ago, and it really made me crochet!!!
Still busy wtih the bag, but meanwhile I made flowers, hearts and jar-jackets. So now there's a new "little project", to alternate my "Wip" with.

[Keri]

Perhaps I will make a cushion for the bed! Very cute!

[jenny b harris]

You are amazing! Thank you SO MUCH for this tutorial!!!

[SewLindaAnn]

Thanks so much for all the effort in this tute. You did a fabulous job, it is clear and the pictures are so helpful. You're so very nice.

[Jenny M.]

Thank You for sharing!
I like your site very much.
Bye Jenny

[Kimbles]

Absolutely lovely Lucy!!!!! Thank you for sharing!! x

[LizzieAnn]

Thankyou for being sooo quick with a tutorial. I made my own by copying as best I could but I think I can now make a good few improvements. I love them, and everyone who has seen my first attempt thinks so too! In fact I have such a list of requests for pressies that I am concerned I may not be left with any for me ;-) Wonderful as ever. Thankyou x

[Lynne]

Wonderfully clear tutorial and I can't wait to have a go. Can I also ask if you have done a tutorial for making the crochet hearts? Many thanks for all of the inspiration and sunshine that you bring to life!

[Elisabeth Arruda]

Olá, Lucy!
Admiro muito o seu blog e sou visitante constante.
Eu fiz um"bird" através de seu tutorial e gostaria de mostrar-lhe o resultado.
Postei a foto do "bird" em meu blog: elisabetharruda.blogspot.com
Adoraria saber se
"a mestra" (LUCY)acha que eu aprendi direitinho.
Beijos, Elisabeth Arruda

[Leanna]

oh my goodness... cutest birdies ever!! I am supremely in love with them- thank you so much for taking the time to share the pattern! xo

[Sarah west midlands]

Dear Lucy thank you so much for the birdie pattern. Have just come upstairs for bedtime when I thought that I would just
check your wonderful blog before heading for the land of nod. Great because I'm off to town in morning to buy yarn. One of my
grown up sons will be home from the Navy this weekend(and it is his birthday). Should I make him one for hanging above his bunk at sea?
Have a lovely weekend with you family.
Love Sarah west midlands.

[Ali Tong]

Yes! Thank you!!!

[Linea]

Thank you soo much Lucy! I will definitly make one of my own.Have a nice weekend.
Regards from Sweden.

[newintown]

thanks so much! I love them!

Regards from a new reader ;)

[Barbara]

Fantastic! I like these little birds so much. I'll try to do them. Thanks for tutorial!
Barbara

[Nat]

Dearest Lucy,
Thank you once more for the lovely ideas and the absolute generosity. Your blog makes me smile and fills me with such pleasure. You are a pure gem!
Take care.
Nat (Australia)

[Linda]

Thank you for taking the time and care to create these great tutorials in order to share with others!

[Missie]

This is so adorable! My grandmother has been really sick lately. I think one of these cute birdies will be perfect to make her smile. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial.

[fiza]

very nice tutorial..easy to understand too..i already link with your page...keep in touch!..;)

[Linea]

Yippie! Now I got my own little robbin, love him. Thank you for this pattern. Ofcourse I linked from my blog to yours.
:-)
Hope you have a nice Sunday evening.
Kind regards from Sweden

[Enikő]

Such a great tutorial, neat and clear. Thanks a lot!

[Emma]

They are beautiful, thank you for sharing. I came across your blog the other day while searching for crochet patterns, and I love it - your use of colour is very inspiring - definitely one of my favourite blogs now!

[Paulah]

so adorable! thank you for sharing this cute tutorial

[Zsuzsanna]

Thank you for tutorial!
I like your color site!!!!!