Little Bird – Free Crochet Pattern

I designed this little bird free crochet pattern to create Bernard the blackbird, one of my garden friends. I made a white version of him for the video tutorial I recorded, and now I also have a dove. Any ideas what I should call her? Comment your suggestion below!

You can use this pattern any way you like. You could make a male blackbird like I did, or a female one in brown, or use a mix of bright colours and create your very own little bird of paradise!

I would love to see how your little bird looks! Share your creation on Instagram and tag me @stellasyarnuniverse for the monthly chance to win a pdf pattern of your choice from my Etsy shop! Winners are announced on my Instagram page @stellasyarnuniverse every 1st of the month!

You can find the free written pattern in UK/Australian terms below, and the U.S./Canadian version if you scroll further down. I also recorded a 3 part video tutorial that you can find on the bottom of this page. Hope you’ll enjoy it!

All you need to know is how to single crochet (double crochet in British terms), how to slip stitch, make a magic ring, and invisible decreases with single crochet (British double crochet).

If you haven’t done any or all of these techniques before, you can learn them here:

Learn how to single crochet (double crochet)

Learn how to make a magic ring

Learn how to make invisible decreases with sc (dc)

It will also be helpful to know:

How to fasten off closed projects

How to make invisible finishes

Materials and tools for the little bird

DK / light worsted weight cotton yarn, for example Rico Creative Ricorumi in your desired color

2.5mm / C-2 or B-1 crochet hook

4mm / 0.16″ safety eyes

70cm / 27.5″ long piece of fine craft wire (approx. 0.2mm thin)

Toy stuffing

Darning needle / tapestry needle

Stitch marker

Measuring tape

Scissors

Small flat pliers (optional)

UK Terminology

This pattern is written in UK/Autralian terminology. You can find the U.S./Canadian version further down on this page.

Abbreviations

C1 = Colour of head, body and wings

C2 = Colour of beak

Rd = round

R = row

St(s) = stitch(es)

Ch = chain

Sk = skip

Sl st = slip stitch

Dc = double crochet

Inc = increase with dc: double crochet 2 in same st

Inv dec = invisible decrease with dc: Insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through 2 remaining loops

Tension

25 sts x 26 rows of double crochet = 4″x 4″ / 10.16 x 10.16 cm

Instructions for the little bird

Crochet the head

Make a magic ring with C1

Rd 1: Dc 6 in magic ring (6)
Rd 2: Inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [dc 1, inc 1]*6 (18)
Rd 4 to 7: Dc 18 (18)
Rd 8: [dc 2, inc 1]*6 (24)
Rd 9: [dc 3, inc 1]*6 (30)
Rd 10: [dc 4, inc 1]*6 (36)

Secure your st with a stitch marker.

Crochet the beak

Using C2 ch 2, sl st 2 in 2nd ch from hook.

Break yarn, pull through.

Attach the beak

When you are facing the side of the head where you are going to place the bird’s face, the stitch marker should be on the right from your view. This is essential for the pattern to work out.

Attach the beak between rd 5 and 6. Before you tie the ends together, make sure that the beak is placed about 90 degrees left from the stitch marker.

Attach the eyes

Attach the eyes on each side of the beak.

Continue crocheting the body

Rd 11 to 14: Dc 36 (36)
Rd 15: Dc 18, [inv dec 1, dc 1]*6 (30)
Rd 16: Dc 15, [inv dec 1, dc 1]*5 (25)
Rd 17: Dc 7, inc 2, dc 7, [inv dec 1, dc 1]*3 (24)
Rd 18: Dc 18, inv dec 3 (21)
Rd 19: Inv dec 2, dc 6, inc 2, dc 5, inv dec 2 (19)
Rd 20: Inv dec 1, dc 6, inc 1, dc 6, inv dec 2 (17)
Rd 21: Inv dec 2, dc 3, inc 2, dc 2, inv dec 3 (14)

Attach the legs and shape the feet

You can see how I created the legs and feet in part 2 of my video tutorial. You can find it on the bottom of this page.

If you prefer, here are the written instructions:

Fold the 70cm / 27.5″ wire five times at 11.5cm / 4.5″, so you have a 11.5cm / 4.5″ long piece of 6 fine wire strings next to one another. Twist them to shape one thick piece of wire.

Attach the legs between rd 17 and 18. Using a thick tapestry needle stitch through the two spots where you want the legs to go to create gaps for the wire to fit through. Poke through the gaps with the wire. If you’re happy with the placement, go ahead and shape the feet. You can use small flat pliers if you have them, but it can also be done solely with fingers.

1. Bend both sides of the wire downwards, right from where they come out of the body.
2. At approx. 1.5cm / 0.6″ bend the wire forward
3. At approx. 1 cm / 0.4″ bend the wire back towards the “heel”
4. Bend it back forward
5. At approx. 1 cm / 0.4″ Bend the wire backwards again towards the “heel”

Fill the little bird with stuffing

Shape small balls with the stuffing and push them in with the back of your crochet hook. Make sure the head is fully filled, before adding more stuffing to fill the body.

Continue with the rest of the tail

Rd 22: Inv dec 2, dc 2, inc 2, dc 2, inv dec 2 (12)
Rd 23: Inv dec 2, dc 4, inv dec 2 (8)
Rd 24: Dc 8 (8)

Fasten off and sew in the end.

Crochet the wings

Left wing

Leaving an approx. 20cm/8″ long tail, ch 2

R 1: Inc 1 (2)
R 2: ch 1, turn, inc 2 (4)
R 3: ch 1, turn, dc 4 (4)
R 4: ch 1, turn, [dc 1, inc 1]*2 (6)
R 5: ch 1, turn, dc 6 (6)
R 6: ch 1, turn, dc 6 (6)
R 7: ch 1, turn, dc 1, sk 1, dc 4 (5)
R 8: ch 1, turn, dc 3, sk 1, dc 1 (4)
R 9: ch 1, turn, dc 1, sk 1, dc 2 (3)
R 10: ch 1, turn, dc 3 (3)
R 11: ch 1, turn, sk 1, dc 2 (2)
R 12: ch 1, turn, sk 1, dc 1 (1)

Dc all around the wing from where you are: Dc 12 up towards the top of the wing, dc 1 in the ch at the top of the wing, dc 12 back down towards the tip of the wing.
Break yarn, pull through, make an invisible finish. Sew in the working end.

Right wing

Leaving an approx. 20cm/8″ long tail, ch 2

R 1: Inc 1 (2)
R 2: ch 1, turn, inc 2 (4)
R 3: ch 1, turn, dc 4 (4)
R 4: ch 1, turn, [inc 1, dc 1]*2 (6)
R 5: ch 1, turn, dc 6 (6)
R 6: ch 1, turn, dc 6 (6)
R 7: ch 1, turn, dc 4, sk 1, dc 1 (5)
R 8: ch 1, turn, dc 1, sk 1, dc 3 (4)
R 9: ch 1, turn, dc 2, sk 1, dc 1 (3)
R 10: ch 1, turn, dc 3 (3)
R 11: ch 1, turn, sk 1, dc 2 (2)
R 12: ch 1, turn, sk 1, dc 1 (1)

Dc all around the wing from where you are: Dc 12 up towards the top of the wing, dc 1 in the ch at the top of the wing, dc 12 back down towards the tip of the wing.
Break yarn, pull through, make an invisible finish. Sew in the working end.

Thank you so much for visiting and using my pattern! If you’re looking for the videos scroll to the bottom of the page.

Don’t have the time now? You can pin this pattern for later!

U.S. Terminology

This pattern is written in U.S./Canadian terminology. You can find the UK/Australian version further up on this page.

Abbreviations

C1 = Color of head, body and wings

C2 = Color of beak

Rd = round

R = row

St(s) = stitch(es)

Ch = chain

Sk = skip

Sl st = slip stitch

Sc = single crochet

Inc = increase with sc: single crochet 2 in same st

Inv dec = invisible decrease with sc: Insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both front loops, yarn over, pull through 2 remaining loops

Gauge

25 sts x 26 rows of single crochet = 4″x 4″

Instructions for the little bird

Crochet the head

Make a magic ring with C1

Rd 1: Sc 6 in magic ring (6)
Rd 2: Inc 6 (12)
Rd 3: [sc 1, inc 1]*6 (18)
Rd 4 to 7: Sc 18 (18)
Rd 8: [sc 2, inc 1]*6 (24)
Rd 9: [sc 3, inc 1]*6 (30)
Rd 10: [sc 4, inc 1]*6 (36)

Secure your st with a stitch marker.

Crochet the beak

Using C2 ch 2, sl st 2 in 2nd ch from hook.

Break yarn, pull through.

Attach the beak

When you are facing the side of the head where you are going to place the bird’s face, the stitch marker should be on the right from your view. This is essential for the pattern to work out.

Attach the beak between rd 5 and 6. Before you tie the ends together, make sure that the beak is placed about 90 degrees left from the stitch marker.

Attach the eyes

Attach the eyes on each side of the beak.

Continue crocheting the body

Rd 11 to 14: Sc 36 (36)
Rd 15: Sc 18, [inv dec 1, sc 1]*6 (30)
Rd 16: Sc 15, [inv dec 1, sc 1]*5 (25)
Rd 17: Sc 7, inc 2, sc 7, [inv dec 1, sc 1]*3 (24)
Rd 18: Sc 18, inv dec 3 (21)
Rd 19: Inv dec 2, sc 6, inc 2, sc 5, inv dec 2 (19)
Rd 20: Inv dec 1, sc 6, inc 1, sc 6, inv dec 2 (17)
Rd 21: Inv dec 2, sc 3, inc 2, sc 2, inv dec 3 (14)

Attach the legs and shape the feet

You can see how I created the legs and feet in part 2 of my video tutorial. You can find it further down on this page.

If you prefer, here are the written instructions:

Fold the 27.5″ wire five times at 4.5″, so you have a 4.5″ long piece of 6 fine wire strings next to one another. Twist them to shape one thick piece of wire.

Attach the legs between rd 17 and 18. Using a thick darning needle stitch through the two spots where you want the legs to go to create gaps for the wire to fit through. Poke through the gaps with the wire. If you’re happy with the placement, go ahead and shape the feet. You can use small flat pliers if you have them, but it can also be done solely with fingers.

1. Bend both sides of the wire downwards, right from where they come out of the body.
2. At approx. 0.6″ bend the wire forward
3. At approx. 0.4″ bend the wire back towards the “heel”
4. Bend it back forward
5. At approx. 0.4″ bend the wire backwards again towards the “heel”

Fill the little bird with stuffing

Shape small balls with the stuffing and push them in with the back of your crochet hook. Make sure the head is fully filled, before adding more stuffing to fill the body.

Continue with the rest of the tail

Rd 22: Inv dec 2, sc 2, inc 2, sc 2, inv dec 2 (12)
Rd 23: Inv dec 2, sc 4, inv dec 2 (8)
Rd 24: Sc 8 (8)

Fasten off and sew in the end.

Crochet the wings

Left wing

Leaving an approx. 8″ long tail, ch 2

R 1: Inc 1 (2)
R 2: ch 1, turn, inc 2 (4)
R 3: ch 1, turn, sc 4 (4)
R 4: ch 1, turn, [sc 1, inc 1]*2 (6)
R 5: ch 1, turn, sc 6 (6)
R 6: ch 1, turn, sc 6 (6)
R 7: ch 1, turn, sc 1, sk 1, sc 4 (5)
R 8: ch 1, turn, sc 3, sk 1, sc 1 (4)
R 9: ch 1, turn, sc 1, sk 1, sc 2 (3)
R 10: ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3)
R 11: ch 1, turn, sk 1, sc 2 (2)
R 12: ch 1, turn, sk 1, sc 1 (1)

Sc all around the wing from where you are: Sc 12 up towards the top of the wing, sc 1 in the ch at the top of the wing, sc 12 back down towards the tip of the wing.
Break yarn, pull through, make an invisible finish. Sew in the working end.

Right wing

Leaving an approx. 8″ long tail, ch 2

R 1: Inc 1 (2)
R 2: ch 1, turn, inc 2 (4)
R 3: ch 1, turn, sc 4 (4)
R 4: ch 1, turn, [inc 1, sc 1]*2 (6)
R 5: ch 1, turn, sc 6 (6)
R 6: ch 1, turn, sc 6 (6)
R 7: ch 1, turn, sc 4, sk 1, sc 1 (5)
R 8: ch 1, turn, sc 1, sk 1, sc 3 (4)
R 9: ch 1, turn, sc 2, sk 1, sc 1 (3)
R 10: ch 1, turn, sc 3 (3)
R 11: ch 1, turn, sk 1, sc 2 (2)
R 12: ch 1, turn, sk 1, sc 1 (1)

Sc all around the wing from where you are: Sc 12 up towards the top of the wing, sc 1 in the ch at the top of the wing, sc 12 back down towards the tip of the wing.
Break yarn, pull through, make an invisible finish. Sew in the working end.

Little Bird Video Tutorial

You can find my 3 part video tutorial here:

Thank you so much for your visit! And thank you for using my pattern! I hope you enjoyed it!

You can pin this little bird pattern here for later.

I would love to see how your little bird looks! Share your creation on Instagram and tag me @stellasyarnuniverse for the monthly chance to win a pdf pattern of your choice from my Etsy shop! Winners are announced on my Instagram page @stellasyarnuniverse every 1st of the month!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive some compensation if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. It doesn’t cost you anything if you click and purchase through those links, however it helps me to maintain this site and allows me to keep creating free patterns for you. Thank you for your support!

You are welcome to create products to sell using this pattern. If you wish to do so, please refer back to my blog stellasyarnuniverse.com for the pattern.

Happy creating!