If you’re a fan of amigurumi and searching for your next adorable creation, why not try your hand at crafting a sweet little crochet bird? These cute and colorful birds make wonderful handmade gifts, charming home decor, or even whimsical additions to a nature-themed collection.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll walk you through everything you need to make your very own crochet bird. With just a few materials and a bit of creativity, you’ll have a delightful companion that’s sure to make people smile.
One of the best things about amigurumi birds is how customizable they are. You can play with bright color combinations, experiment with beak and wing shapes, and even add your own details like tiny tails or accessories. It’s also a great way to use up leftover yarn from previous projects—bonus!
Materials You’ll Need:
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White yarn (A)
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Blue yarn (B)
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Black yarn (C)
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Olive yarn (D)
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Yellow yarn (E)
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4 double-pointed needles
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Fiberfill stuffing
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2 small black beads (for eyes)
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Jewelry wire (flexible)
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Small pliers (optional—for shaping the wire)
Beautiful Amigurumi Bird
Note:
Whenever a turn is made in the middle of a row, use the wrap-and-turn technique to avoid holes: before turning, place the yarn on the opposite side of the work, slip the next stitch purlwise to the left needle, move the yarn back to its original position, slip the stitch back to the left needle, turn, tighten the yarn, and prepare to work the first stitch.
s2kpo= slip two stitches as if to knit together, knit one, pass the slipped stitches over.
HEAD
Using 2 needles and yarn A, cast on 2 stitches.
1st row (RS): K1, M1, K1. (3 stitches)
2nd row: Purl.
3rd row: K1, [M1, K1] twice. (5 stitches) Break A, switch to B.
4th and WS rows: Purl.
5th row: K1, [M1, K1] 4 times. (9 stitches)
7th row: K1, M1, K7, M1, K1. (11 stitches)
9th row: K9, turn, P7, turn, K6, turn, P5, turn, knit to the end.
11th row: K1, K2tog, K5, SSK, K1. (9 stitches)
13th row: K1, K2tog, S2kpo, SSK, K1. (5 stitches)
14th row: Purl. Break B.
15th row: Turn and start from the fold, using the first double-pointed needle and A, pick up and knit 3 stitches at the end of row A and 9 stitches at the end of row B. Using the second double-pointed needle: (K2tog, K1, SSK) over 5 stitches. Using the third double-pointed needle: pick up and knit 9 stitches at the end of row B and 3 stitches at the end of row A. (27 stitches)
Now, turn and work in rows with 4 double-pointed needles:
1st row (WS): Purl. Break A.
2nd row: Using C, knit. Break C.
3rd row: Slip the first 2 stitches of the row. Using separate strands of yarn, join A and purl the next 9 stitches, using C purl the next 5 stitches, using A purl the next 9 stitches, slip the last 2 stitches to separate the yarn. Turn and continue with 23 stitches on the needles. Carry the yarns across at each color change for the next 6 rows.
4th row: K9A, (K1, M1, K3, M1, K1) B, K9A. (25 stitches)
5th row: P9A, 7C, 9A.
6th row: K9A, 7C, 9A.
7th row: P8A, 9C, 8A.
8th row: K7A, 11C, 7A.
9th row: P6A, 13C, 6A. Break A and C, continue with D.
BACK
10th row: K8, M1, [K3, M1] 3 times, K8. (29 stitches)
11th and WS rows: Purl.
12th row: Knit.
14th row: [K2tog] twice, K7, [M1, K7] twice, [SSK] twice. (27 stitches)
16th row: [K2tog] twice, K6, M1, K7, M1, K6, [SSK] twice. (25 stitches)
18th row: [K2tog] twice, K5, M1, K7, M1, K5, [SSK] twice. (23 stitches)
Continue decreasing and increasing in this way on RS rows, working one stitch less next to each decrease, until row 26 is completed and 15 stitches remain.
28th row: [K2tog] twice, M1, K7, M1, [SSK] twice. (13 stitches)
30th row: [K2tog] twice, K5, [SSK] twice. (9 stitches)
32nd row: K2tog, K5, SSK. (7 stitches) Break D and continue with B.
TAIL
Purl 1 row.
1st ribbing row (RS): K2, [P1, K1] twice, K1.
2nd ribbing row: K1, [P1, K1] 3 times.
Repeat these 2 rows 3 more times, then work the 1st ribbing row again. Bind off in knit.
Place the remaining 4 stitches from the head onto the needle and bind off C on the front bib.
FRONT
1st row: [K2tog] twice. (2 stitches)
2nd and WS rows: Purl.
3rd row: K1, M1, K1. (3 stitches)
5th row: K1, [M1, K1] twice. (5 stitches)
7th row: K1, M1, K3, M1, K1. (7 stitches) Break C and continue with E.
11th row: K1, [M1, K1] 6 times. (13 stitches)
13th row: K1, M1, K to last stitch, M1, K1. (15 stitches)
15th row: Repeat row 13. (17 stitches)
17th row: Work to last 2 stitches, turn, P to last 2 stitches, turn, K to last 3 stitches, turn, P to last 3 stitches, turn, K to end.
19th row: Repeat row 13. (19 stitches)
21st row: Same as row 17.
23rd row: Repeat row 13. (21 stitches)
25th row: Repeat row 17.
27th row: SSK, K3, SSK, K7, K2tog, K3, K2tog. (17 stitches)
29th row: SSK, K2, SSK, K5, K2tog, K2, K2tog. (13 stitches)
31st row: SSK, K1, SSK, S2kpo, K2tog, K1, K2tog. (7 stitches) Break E and continue with B.
TAIL
Same as the back tail.
WINGS
Using D, starting from the first decrease, along the back left edge, pick up and knit 19 stitches. Switch to B.
Purl 1 row.
2nd row (RS): K2, [P1, K1] 7 times, turn, rib 13, turn, rib 11, turn, rib 9, turn, rib 7. Bind off in knit. Work the second wing to match.
BEAK
Using C, cast on 5 stitches.
1st row (RS): K1, S2kpo, K1. Pull through the remaining 3 stitches and tighten.
FINISHING
Turn WS to neatly secure ends. On the RS, join the edge of the stitches from piece C at the end of row A and arrange the stitches around the gathered section above. Then, assemble the head, joining the cast-on edge in a ring, sew the beak onto the bib. Secure the wing ends, and starting from the head, join the front and back sides while stuffing as you go. Close the body at the tail end and, on the RS, join the two tail pieces by sewing through both layers. Sew beads for eyes.
Cut a piece of wire (about 45 cm) and using fingers or pliers, insert one end into the bird’s body, then bend the wire to form 4 toes.
