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
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!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps do go and check out Little Conkers designs on Etsy and Ravelry, Clare has lots of patterns for cutesome things x
x
Yes, perfect little bird. We've seen our version of the robin flocking here in the USA (Pacific Northwest). They come through here in January and are back to nest in March.Thanks for sharing. I got introduced to the Yorkshire Dales through "All Creatures Great and Small" and am so glad to be back. Your canal is an interesting one and I spent a good few hours tracing it online a few months ago. They built (dug) that in a very short amount of time BEFORE modern equipment.....BEFORE even semi-modern equipment. Would love to hear you talk about it. Thanks again. Come over to Prairie Cottage Corner and have a virtual scone and cup of tea with us when you can!
Posted by: Kathie (Prairie Stitcher) | February 04, 2015 at 05:40 PM
So cute and chubby! I love the way his beady eyes catch the light - makes him look really cheeky xx
Posted by: One-oh-four | February 03, 2015 at 11:25 PM
Beautiful xx
Posted by: Phyl | February 03, 2015 at 10:08 PM
Aww what a cutie he is, looking forward to seeing the wreath
Clare x
Posted by: Clare | February 03, 2015 at 08:27 PM
Did you see the picture of Flora's robin friend on Adaliza's blog? Just like your little friend, so cute!
Posted by: Laura from beautiful West Michigan | February 03, 2015 at 05:47 PM
Absolutely love your Robin. The more you make and show of this wreath, makes me think maybe I could do that! I particularly love the fern leaves as I live in New Zealand and they remind me of our very famous silver fern. Can't wait for your TaDah :)
Posted by: Wendy Rance | February 02, 2015 at 08:14 PM
Love the robin! Looking forward to the winter wreath reveal . . .
Posted by: Karen | February 01, 2015 at 10:54 PM
Love your robin! Here in central IL, USA the winter (and summer)bird we enjoy is the cardinal http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/northern_cardinal/id. Most of our robins fly south except this year I have several who decided to hang around. It's been so fun watching them eating the berries on several trees in our yard.
Looking forward to your winter wreath reveal. I just recently posted http://mykeeponkeepingon.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-winter-wreathfinally-finished.html about my winter wreath too which I imagine is very different than yours will be!
Love everything you crochet!
Posted by: Linda | February 01, 2015 at 07:32 PM
So sweet - both the crocheted birdy and your description of the entire process!
Posted by: Ladka | February 01, 2015 at 02:12 PM
Lovely blog, Lucy. It's so interesting to see your wreath progressing.
Posted by: Jacqueline Ford | February 01, 2015 at 01:48 PM
Very cool little robin! Can't wait to see the whole wreath done. I have a little ornamental paper box from a friend in England ... guess what there is a picture of on it?!?!
Posted by: Angela | February 01, 2015 at 02:08 AM
The robin is very cute and I'm sure it will like its new home on your winter wreath!!
Have a nice weekend,
Tina xxxxx
Posted by: TINA | January 31, 2015 at 07:17 PM
Your robin is very cute indeed. Here in Australia we only see the Robin Red Breast in the winter, in the chillier climates.
Posted by: One Earlybird | January 31, 2015 at 07:06 PM
Sweet!
Posted by: Erendis | January 31, 2015 at 06:35 PM
He's lovely. Just finished my ripple blanket in cottage colours with petrol blue edging. My next project is a wreath but not sure what it will be like yet. Love your blog and designs. Xx
Posted by: Lesley Melling | January 31, 2015 at 06:20 PM
I made all my friends robins or doves for Christmas last year using your bower bird pattern and winging it (no pun meant)to look more like a robin and stuffing tummy well. Now I'm going to have to try this one... he is gorgeous. Thanks
Posted by: rachel | January 31, 2015 at 02:41 PM
Oh, oh, oh, I can't wait! I loved this pattern when I saw it on Etsy and would so love to make one... can't wait to see his flash of red on your wreath! (and how DO you have the time and patience to keep making the fiddly stuff?) And do you really read every comment? Or do you get tired of all the happy words and desperate for a bit of sarcastic but still friendly banter?
Sorry, just joking ;o)
I love reading your blog but I don't very often comment, because when every post gets, like, a ZILLION comments, I sometimes wonder whether you'd even notice an extra one, or how you can build bloggy friendships with people (I know you have friendships, because you're human, but how do you start a new friendship when you just have so many followers?)
Anyhow, I just had to comment for the first time in forever just because you have chosen one of my favourite crochet patterns like ever, ever, ever. Looking forward to the finished article.
Posted by: Angel Jem | January 31, 2015 at 11:49 AM
How cute! :-) The robin is often seen in my garden here in Norway :-)
Posted by: StrikkeSiri | January 31, 2015 at 10:42 AM
You Brits have the sweetest robins! Ours in the States are pretty, too, but big. Here, the Winter Holidays bird of choice is the Cardinal. A beautiful flash of red amidst the bare, snow-laden branches. I love your robin, but I'm a bit lazy. So when it comes to following complicated patterns, I usually opt out.
Posted by: Libby Parker | January 31, 2015 at 02:46 AM
Aww, he's adorable! Thank you for sharing the pattern. Looking forward to seeing your finished wreath! Have a lovely weekend. Marie
Posted by: Marie | January 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM
Gorgeous Lucy, he is just oh so cute. Clever girl getting it right first time. Looking forward to seeing this wreath. Take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | January 30, 2015 at 08:44 PM
I can see I need to consider crocheting a robin if they turn out as well as yours. Looking forward to seeing your wreath :)
Posted by: alison willcocks | January 30, 2015 at 08:08 PM
I love your little Robin,he looks like it was him who ate all the leftover Christmas cake from my bird table.x Una x.
Posted by: Una Brearley | January 30, 2015 at 06:35 PM
Hi Lucy! I must say, that is the most perfect crocheted robin, or woodland creature even, that I've ever seen! It's just perfect from the beak to the tail feathers! :) It looks as if you could place him on a tree branch in the park and people would think it just another bird of the flock! :)
Have the very best day, Lucy!
Posted by: Vanessa Grant | January 30, 2015 at 06:19 PM
I love the little robin. I think it's fun with patterns like this to make several and they all turn out different!
Cindy Bee
Posted by: CIndy | January 30, 2015 at 05:56 PM