Winter Robin

When I was pondering over what sort of creature would be nestling at the bottom of my Winter wreath, my very first idea was to make it a robin. Here in the UK, this little bird (the European Robin) is a common sight in gardens, parks and hedgerows and although we have them here all year round they do seem to be especially noticeable in winter.

These charming little birds are often seen on Christmas cards too, a tradition dating back to the Victorian era. When early Christmas cards were produced in the mid-18th Century, they were delivered by postmen wearing bright red coats. These postmen became known as 'robins' or 'redbreasts', and so the bird on the Christmas card was representing the postman who delivered it. So basically, robins are strongly associated with Winter time here and it seemed perfectly right to include one on my winter wreath. Plus, I'm thinking that a bright flash of orangey red might look pretty stunning in amongst the swathes of cool blues and greens (!)

Once I'd set my heart on making a robin, I began to toss about a few vague ideas for  designing my own crochet version. I thought about it for approximately 1.3 minutes before giving up and diving straight into the world-wide-web to see if someone else had already done all the hard work for me. It didn't take me long to find exactly what I was looking for. I chose to bypass the overly round, cutesy, cartoony type robins and opted instead for this very lovely, modest little chap. Isn't he wonderful? This very, very clever pattern is designed by Clare Trowbridge who sells her patterns via her online shop named Little Conkers.

It's not often I purchase crochet patterns, but I have to say I was very impressed with the ease of it all. I bobbed along to Little Conkers on Etsy, paid with paypal and the pattern miraculously appeared as a fantastic, detailed PDF that I could either save to my computer or print out. I am very impressed by the marvels of technology and the world-wide-web, these things seem like a bit of magic to me.

Now about the pattern.....it is beautifully written but it's not what I would describe as Easy. It takes concentration, counting, determination. And a stitch marker. You work in  amigurumi spiral rounds, incorporating the "tapestry technique" to switch colours as you go. Clare explains this technique very well, but it is still quite a tricksy thing to get right. You really do have to concentrate and count like fury, not only the pattern stitches (dc increases and decreases) but also the number of white/red stitches you are required to make in each round. I think I made more than a few mistakes as my colour change is very wobbly, but considering this was my first attempt at anything like this I don't think I did too badly.

Aside from the clever colour changing, the genius of this design is in the construction...oh it is soooooo clever! You see, you make the robin in two neat sections, cleverly grafting him together with a nifty invisible seam. The bottom section is his very round tummy and red breast, and the top section starts with the head, then goes on to incorporate the back, wings and tail. A weeny beak is crocheted and stitched on, and then beady eyes added (Clare stitched her eyes, but I used 6mm Safety Eyes which I always like to use for this sort of critter-making).

Once all the crochet is complete and the eyes and beak have been attached, it's just a case of adding a little stuffing and neatly stitching the two robin halves together.

You end up with a very sweet and plump little bird nestling in the palm of your hand. I used DK weight yarns with a 3,5mm hook to make the crochet nice and dense, and my robin measures about 9cm from the tip of his beak to the tip of his tail.

My robin also has much character as you can see, with a slightly off-centre beak and a determined upward right wing. He likes to wave to passers by, and no matter what I do his wing refuses to come down.

Clare describes her robin as "tubby" and "plump", whereas my little chap is very portly indeed, verging on the obese. I think he ate way too many worms.

But oh, I do love him! He is currently attempting to nest-build in the daffodils as his forever home amongst the fern leaves isn't quite ready yet. I have (of course) already perched his ample backside in amongst the aforementioned fern leaves just to check the anticipated colour flash  of his red/orange tummy, and I can confirm that he looks very scrummy.

I can also tell you that my Winter Wreath is nearing completion - I've got some snowy pine cones to show you (they turned out really well), and the most darling purple hellebore flowers that I designed this afternoon as the snowflakes came flurrying down here in the Attic. Lots to share - I can feel the itchy tingly excitement of a Ta-dah moment not too far away....ooooooooooooooooh!

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ps do go and check out Little Conkers designs on Etsy and Ravelry, Clare has lots of patterns for cutesome things x

x

 

Comments

[kerri]

Hi,
My friend and I have been working on a wreath, using your patterns, they are very clear and the pictures easy to follow, we understand the Robin isn’t your pattern, but thought we’d say that it’s almost impossible to follow, My friend has won awards for her crochet, and even she couldn’t make heads or tails of it, we would love to make birds like this, but not if we loose the will to live in the process😊 lol,
Maybe you could come up with something similar, in your style of pattern, sure would make things easier.
Thanks, love your work,
Kerri

[Margaret (Meg) Robinson]

Lucy, I've just got to sew everything on my winter wreath (or should I say your winter wreath). I was wondering what type of hanger did you use for the wreath? I had to order the wreath from Australia as the Styrofoam wreaths in the US didn't seem dense enough. Thanks for any info on hanging it. Love how cute it is!!

[Estella]

Hello Lucy! What a lovely story and what a cutie of a crochet bird! I did purchase the pattern from Etsy but haven't gotten around to try it yet. After seeing your post I definetly have to give it a try just hope I can manage the pattern. Currently working on the coastal blanket which is hard to put down! Also have been making the snowflakes for the garland as seen on your blog. Love it! Well, I can hardly wait to see your wreath. Have a lovely weekend!

[Beitske]

Love the Robin

[Schindocat]

Dear Lucy, as always, I'm charmed by your creations ... I immediately felt like crochetting my own cute little robin and bought the pattern from little conkers. I've been crochetting for a while now and I find that your patterns are soooo much fun and well explained that they are quite easy to follow. But this one, the little robin, is a nightmare ! I've been trying five times already and the red and white never come as it should ! How did you manage to do it !!!
xxx Cathy

[Gena Resende]

"You gave me", correction of my previous comment,
I don´t know the north of England. Who knows....

Lots of success fot you dear Lucy!!

[Gena Resende]

I love your bird, the winter Robin.
You have such magic hands.
And you make poetry with your fabulous photos.
I was never in up England and you game me wish to go.

Gena Resende

[Rose]

Love your robin. Are you going to design one that is knitted.

[Kokopelli]

Isn't he the cutest? We were followed by a Robin yesterday on our walk. He expected some food I think.

[Astrid Jansen]

Hope you are okay , after silence for a week.

[Juliet]

To all those worried souls. Check out the attic24 facebook page and you will see updates on there. Last one posted 04/2/15.

[Kath]

Echoing others-keep checking and no updates. Hope you're just busy/resting and nothing untoward keeping you from blogland. We all miss you and are looking forward to the next reveal. Love and hugs, Kath x

[Sarah]

I adore robins. And yours is lovely - way beyond my capabilities though! I make do with a little ceramic one with a glued-on tail...

[Hiart]

Greetings from the Basque Country! I love your blog. Your little robin is so sweet! Here, are called "Txantxangorri" I can't wait to make one!:)
Thanks for sharing!

[Morag]

Hi Lucy, keep checking in to see what you've been up to and no updates has me a little concerned. Please don't think I'm pressurising you in any way, just letting you know that we are missing you here in blogland and hoping you and loved ones are well and safe.

[Camcas]

Hoping all is OK with you Lucy
Thank you for being a bright spot in my day!

[Jenny]

Hi Lucy hoping this finds you not snowed under in any way. Whilst looking on your site have happily visited your past posts and really enjoyed them, recipes visits photo's projects wool etc take care love Jenny x

[Phyl]

Hoping that all is well with you Lucy xx

[Claire]

Hi Lucy
Hope you are okay, keep checking in and no updates.

[Danielle]

Hope you and your loved ones are all okay, i've been looking forward to another blogpost from you for almost a week now...

[framboise60]

It's so cute! I do love robins too!

[Miriam]

He's a cutie! Can imagine you having lots of cheerful chats with him!!

[Jen]

I have learnt something new today-I didn't realise robins symbolised postmen! How very cute! I'd always thought it a bit odd that they appear on Christmas cards when we see them all year round but now I understand why! Thank you!

Your robin is all the cuter for his quirks-I was compelled to wave back at him! I'm looking forward to seeing this wreath when it is completed!

[Ali Whale]

I laughed out loud when I saw your waving Robin, he's lovely. I actually waved back - well why wouldn't you!

[Carys]

What a cutie! Also, I nominated you for the infinity dreams award, if you're interested!

Carys x
http://thenimblemouse.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-infinity-dreams-award.html