SPRING BIRDS
We’re all a’twitter over Irene Strange’s birds
■ DMC Natura Just Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Giroflée (N85), Yarn B Geranium (N52), Yarn C Sishuan (N99), Yarn D Gris Argent (N09),
Yarn E Ivory (N02)
■ A 3mm (USC/2 or D/3) hook
■ 4 black safety eyes, 8mm
■ Toy stuffing
For yarn stockists contact DMC 01924 231669 www.dmc.com TENSION
Tension is not critical for this project
MEASUREMENTS
Bird measures approx 8.5cm (3 in) tall
ABBREVIATIONS
3-tr cl *Yrh, insert hook into st specified, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and pull through 2 loops on hook; rep from * twice more, yrh and pull though all loops on hook
For a full list, see page 94
NOTES
Birds are worked in the amigurumi method, working in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a ss. You may find it useful to mark the first st of the round, moving it up as you work.
The Wings are worked in rows with RS facing throughout.
All parts are made separately and joined together at the end.
Instructions for the pink Bird are written first with the second colourway written in brackets.
BIRD
BODY AND HEAD
Using Yarn C (Yarn A), make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 dc]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 dc]
Round 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. [18 dc]
Round 4 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. [24 dc]
Rounds 5-8 Increase evenly by 6 sts each round in same fashion. [48 dc]
Rounds 9-10 Dc in each st around. Change to Yarn B (Yarn C).
Rounds 11-16 Dc in each st around.
Round 17 36dc, ch6, skip next 12 sts. [36 dc]
Round 18 Skip next 12 sts, 24dc, 6dc into ch-6 sp. [30 dc]
Rounds 19-21 Dc in each st around.
Round 22 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 23 (2dc, dc2tog) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 24 Dc in each st around.
Round 25 (Dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. [12 sts]
Round 26 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Fasten off.
Weave ends through the front loops of sts on final round and pull tight to close.
Add safety eyes over Round 20, approximately 11 sts apart.
CLOSE BACK
Join Yarn B (Yarn C) to any unworked st from Round 17.
Round 1 (RS) (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times working around sts from Round 17 and the opposite side of the ch-6 sp. [24 dc]
Round 2 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. [18 dc] Add toy stuffing.
Round 3 (Dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. [12 dc]
Round 4 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 dc]
Fasten off.
Weave ends through the front loops of sts on final round and pull tight to close.
TAIL FEATHERS (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn C (Yarn B), make a magic loop.
Rounds 1-2 (RS) As Rounds 1-2 of Body. [12 dc]
Rounds 3-4 Dc in each st around.
Rounds 5-7 As Rounds 3-4 using Yarn E (Yarn E).
Round 8 As Round 3 using Yarn A (Yarn A).
Rounds 9-14 Dc in each st around with Yarn B (Yarn C).
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail.
BEAK
Using Yarn A (Yarn B), make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 4dc into loop. [4 dc]
Round 2 2dc in next st, 3dc. [5 dc]
Round 3 Dc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail.
WINGS (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn C (Yarn B), make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 5dc into loop. [5 dc]
Fasten off and join Yarn A (Yarn E) into first st.
Round 2 (RS) Ch2 (does not count as a st), 3-tr cl in each st across. [5 3-tr cl]
Fasten off and join Yarn E (Yarn A) into first st.
Round 3 Ch2 (counts as a htr), 3-tr cl in space between first and second 3-tr cl, htr in second cluster, (3-tr cl in sp before next cl, htr in next cl) 3 times. [5 htr, 4 3-tr cl]
Fasten off and join Yarn B (Yarn C) into first st. Round 4 Ch2 (counts as a htr), 3-tr cl between each st across, htr in final st. [2 htr, 8 3-tr cl] Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail.
FEET (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn D (Yarn D), make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 5dc into loop. [5 dc]
Round 2 Ss in next st, (ch3, ss in each ch across, ss in next st) 3 times.
Fasten off, leaving a 20cm tail.
TO MAKE UP
Use the images for guidance when assembling. Sew the Beak to the front of the Head between the eyes.
Weave in the yarn tails on the Wings and sew to either side of the Body.
Sew the Tail Feathers side by side to the back of the Body.
Sew the Feet to the base of the Body.
GYM BUNNY
Get motivated with Mike and Jordon!
■ DMC Natura Just Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Ivory (02), Yarn B Sishuan (99), Yarn C Gris Argent (09), Yarn D of Geranium (52), Yarn E of Giroflee (85)
■ A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook
■ Stitch markers
■ 2 safety eyes, 10mm
■ Toy stuffing
For yarn see Spring Birds TENSION
Tension is not critical for this project
MEASUREMENTS
Bunny measures approx 23cm (9in) tall
NOTES
See Notes in Spring Birds about amigurumi method. Make the Arms, Legwarmers and one Leg first. You will join the first Leg to the second Leg as you work it. The Body and Head are worked up from the Legs, joining the Arms as you go.
BUNNY
ARMS MAKE 2
Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 (2dc in next st, dc in next st) 3 times. [9 sts]
Rounds 3-4 Dc in each st around.
Round 5 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 3 times. [12 sts]
Rounds 6-14 Dc in each st around.
Fasten off leaving a 20cm tail.
LEG WARMERS (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn B, ch12, ss to first ch (being careful not to twist ch) to form a loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), htr in each ch around, ss to top of beg htr to join. [12 sts]
Round 2 Ch1, htr in each st around, ss to top of beg htr, turn.
Work next 2 rows over 6 sts only.
Rows 3-4 Ch1, htr in next 6 sts, turn. [6 sts]
Round 5 (WS) Dc evenly around sts from Row 4 and unworked sts from Round 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
LEGS (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 3 (2dc in next 3 sts, 3dc) twice. [18 sts]
Rounds 4-7 Dc in each st around.
Round 8 (Dc2tog) 3 times, 12dc. [15 sts]
Round 9 (Dc2tog) twice, 5dc, (dc2tog), 4dc. [12 sts]
Change to Yarn C.
Rounds 10-14 Dc in each st around.
Fasten off first Leg only and pm in 11th st of final round.
Place Legwarmers onto each Leg so the final round is facing down and continue working second Leg.
Round 15 Dc in next 8 sts.
Do not fasten off.
JOIN LEGS
Change to Yarn D.
Round 16 Ch3 (space between legs), dc in marked st on first Leg, dc in each st around, dc in next 3 ch, dc in each st around second Leg, 3dc into opposite side of ch-3 sp between Legs. [30 sts]
BODY
Round 17 (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 18 (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. [42 sts]
Rounds 19-30 Dc in each st around.
Round 31 (Dc2tog, 5dc) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 32 Dc in each st around.
Round 33 (Dc2tog, 4dc) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 34 Dc in each st around.
Round 35 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 36 Dc in each st around.
Stuff Legs and Body, continuing to stuff as you work.
JOIN ARMS
Remove live loop from hook and secure with a marker to pick up later.
Mark out 4 sts either side of the Body and sew to 4 sts of each Arm using the tails from the Arms. Make sure you have 8 sts on the Body between each Arm.
Place live loop back onto your hook.
Round 37 Dc in each st of Body to first Arm, dc in next 8 sts of Arm, dc in next 8 sts of Body, dc in next 8 sts of second Arm, dc in each st to end. [32 sts]
NECK AND HEAD
Continue with Yarn D.
Round 38 10dc, (dc2tog), 14dc, (dc2tog), 4dc. [30 sts]
Change to Yarn A.
Round 39 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 40 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. [18 sts] Stuff Arms and Body.
Rounds 41-42 Dc in each st around.
Round 43 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 44 (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 45-49 Increase evenly by 6 sts each round in same fashion. [60 sts]
Rounds 50-62 Dc in each st around.
Round 63 (Dc2tog, 8dc) 6 times. [54 sts]
Round 64 (Dc2tog, 7dc) 6 times. [48 sts]
Round 65 Dc in each st around.
Round 66 (Dc2tog, 6dc) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 67 (Dc2tog, 5dc) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 68 Dc in each st around.
Stuff Head.
Round 69 (Dc2tog, 4dc) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 70 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 71 Dc in each st around.
Round 72 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. [18 sts] Position safety eyes over Rounds 55-56, approx 9 sts apart.
Over the next round you will create 2 spaces for the Ears.
Round 73 6dc, ch3, skip 9 sts, 3dc. [9 dc]
Do not fasten off.
FIRST EAR
Each Ear is worked over 9 sts and the ch-3 sp of the final round of Head.
Continue with Yarn A.
Round 1 6dc, dc in next 3 ch, 3dc. [12 sts]
Round 2 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rounds 3-8 Dc in each st around.
Round 9 (Dc2tog, 4dc) 3 times. [15 sts]
Rounds 10-11 Dc in each st around.
Round 12 (Dc2tog, 3dc) 3 times. [12 sts]
Rounds 13-14 Dc in each st around.
Round 15 (Dc2tog, 2dc) 3 times. [9 sts]
Round 16 (Dc2tog, dc in next st) 3 times. [6 sts]
Fasten off leaving Ear unstuffed.
Weave tail through final 6 sts of Ear, pulling tight to close hole.
SECOND EAR
Join Yarn A into any unworked st from final Round of Head.
Round 1 Dc in each st and ch around working into opposite side of ch-3 sp. [12 sts]
Rounds 2-16 As Rounds 2-16 of First Ear.
Fasten off as for First Ear.
SWEAT BANDS (MAKE 2) Using Yarn B, ch42.
Row 1 Htr in third ch from hook and each ch across. [40 sts]
Fasten off.
Using the tails sew a Sweat Band around the Head and stomach of the Bunny.
CHEEKS (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn E, make a magic loop.
Rounds 1-3 As Rounds 1-3 of Legs. [18 sts]
Fasten off and use the tail to sew onto Head.
EAR PATCHES (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn D, ch7.
Round 1 Dc in second ch from hook and next 4 ch, 2dc in next ch, turn to work into opposite side of foundation ch, dc in next 5 ch. [12 sts]
Round 2 (Tr, ch3, ss into second ch from hook, tr) into next st, ss in next st.
Fasten off and use the tail to sew onto the Ear.
TAIL
Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 Ch1, 6dc into loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Rounds 3-4 Dc in each st around.
Stuff lightly.
Round 5 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 sts]
Fasten off and use the tail to sew to the back of the Body over Rounds 22-24.
TO FINISH
Use the images as a guide when finishing. Using Yarn D, sew a small triangular nose between the eyes over Rounds 52-54. Using Yarn C, sew small straight sts over the feet, sew eyebrows above each eye and sew a mouth below the nose.