Knitted Adorable Bird
The Knitted Adorable Bird is a delightful creation that brings warmth and charm to any space it inhabits. With its intricate details and soft textures, it captivates both children and adults alike. The vibrant colors and endearing design make it a perfect gift for any bird lover or someone in need of a cheerful companion. Whether perched on a shelf, decorating a nursery, or simply snuggled in the palm of your hand, this whimsical knitted bird never fails to bring a smile to your face. Its handmade touch and undeniable cuteness add a touch of coziness to any room and spark joy wherever it goes.
Supplies needed for knitted bird:
- Bulky yarn (I used Wonderfluff yarn) for body
- Worsted yarn for feet and beak (I used some unmarked yarn from my stash, but this yarn looks close to it!)
- Scrap yarn to embroider eyes
- Tapestry needle
- Wool
- Size 3.75mm straight needles
- Scissors
Stitches Used for this knitted bird:
- Knit
- Purl
- KLL (knit left loop)
- KFB (knit front and back)
- SSK (slip slip knit)
- K2TOG (knit two together)
- P2TOG (purl two together)
- K3TOG (knit three together)
Note: Although I used what is technically bulky yarn, I feel that the “bulky” Wonderfluff yarn I used should really be classified more as a worsted weight yarn. In other words — if you use all worsted weight yarn for this project, it should all turn out just fine.
Step 1: Knit the Body
With 3.75 straight needles and bulky yarn, cast on 8 stitches.
Row 1: (K1, P1) to end
Row 2: (K1, P1) to end
Row 3: (K1, P1) to end
Row 4: (K1, P1) to end
Row 5: (K1, P1) to end
Row 6: (K1, P1) to end
Row 7: (K1, P1) to end
Row 8: (K1, P1) to end
Row 9: K1, KLL, Knit to last 2 stitches, KLL, K1 (10 stitches total)
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: K1, KLL, Knit to last 2 stitches, KLL, K1 (12 stitches total)
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: K1, KLL, Knit to last 2 stitches, KLL, K1 (14 stitches total)
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: K 4, KFB, K 5, KFB, K 4 (16 stitches total)
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: K 4, KFB, K 6, KFB, K 4 (18 stitches total)
Row 18: Purl
Row 19: K 4, KFB, K 8, KFB, K 4 (20 stitches total)
Row 20: Purl
Row 21: K 4, KFB, K 10, KFB, K 4 (22 stitches total)
Row 22: Purl
Row 23: K 4, KFB, K 12, KFB, K 4 (24 stitches total)
Row 24: Purl
Row 25: K 4, KFB, K14, KFB, K 4 (26 stitches total)
Row 26: Purl
Row 27: K 4, KFB, K 16, KFB, K4 (28 stitches total)
Row 28: Purl
Row 29: Knit
Row 30: Purl
Row 31: Knit
Row 32: Purl
Row 33: Knit
Row 34: Purl
Row 35: K 4, SSK, K 16, K2TOG, K 4 (26 stitches total)
Row 36: Purl
Row 37: K 4, SSK, K 14, K2TOG, K 4 (24 stitches total)
Row 38: Purl
Row 39: K 4, SSK, K 12, K2TOG, K 4 (22 stitches total)
Row 40: Purl
Row 41: K 4, SSK, K 10, K2TOG, K 4 (20 stitches total)
Row 42: Purl
Row 43: K 4, SSK, K 8, K2TOG, K 4 (18 stitches total)
Row 44: Purl
Row 45: K 4, SSK, K 6, K2TOG, K 4 (16 stitches total)
Row 46: Purl
Row 47: K 4, SSK, K 4, K2TOG, K 4 (14 stitches total)
Row 48: Purl
Row 49: K 4, SSK, K 2, K2TOG, K 4 (12 stitches total)
Row 50: Purl
Row 51: K 4, SSK, K2TOG, K 4 (10 stitches total)
Row 52: Purl
Row 53: K 3, (KFB) four times, K 3 (14 stitches)
Row 54: Purl
Row 55: K 3, (KFB, K 1) four times, K 3 (18 stitches total)
Row 56: Purl
Row 57: K 3, (KFB, K 2) four times, K 3 (22 stitches total)
Row 58: Purl
Row 59: K 3, (KFB, K 3) four times, K 3 (26 stitches total)
Row 60: Purl
Row 61: K 3, (K2TOG, K 3) four times, K 3 (22 stitches total)
Row 62: Purl
Row 63: K 3, (K2TOG, K 2) four times, K 3 (18 stitches total)
Row 64: Purl
Row 65: K 3, (K2TOG, K 1) four times, K 3 (14 stitches total)
Row 66: Purl
Row 67: K 3, (K2TOG) four times, K 3 (10 stitches total)
Row 68: Purl
Row 69: (K2TOG) five times (5 stitches total)
Row 70: K5TOG, break yarn and secure
Step 2: Knit Bird Belly
Next, we will knit the bird’s underbelly.
I used white Wonderfluff yarn.
With bulky yarn and 3.75mm knitting needles, cast on 8 stitches.
Row 1: (K1, P1) to end
Row 2: (K1, P1) to end
Row 3: (K1, P1) to end
Row 4: (K1, P1) to end
Row 5: (K1, P1) to end
Row 6: (K1, P1) to end
Row 7: (K1, P1) to end
Row 8: (K1, P1) to end
Row 9: K 1, KLL, Knit to last 2 stitches, KLL, K1 (10 stitches total)
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: K 1, KLL, Knit to last 2 stitches, KLL, K1 (12 stitches total)
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: K 5, KFB, KFB, K 5 (14 stitches total)
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: K 5, (KFB, K 1) twice, K 5 (16 stitches total)
Rows 16 – 34: Work in Straight Stitch (Purl one row, knit the next)
Row 35: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (14 stitches total)
Row 36: Purl
Row 37: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (12 stitches total)
Row 38: Purl
Row 39: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (10 stitches total)
Row 40: Purl
Row 41: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (8 stitches total)
Row 42: Purl
Row 43: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (6 stitches total)
Row 44: Purl
Row 45: K 1, SSK, Knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K 1 (4 stitches total)
Row 46: Purl
Row 47: SSK, K2TOG (2 stitches total)
Row 48: P2TOG, break yarn and tie off
Step 3: Knit the Wings
Next, your little bird needs some wings!
I used brown Wonderfluff yarn to match the body.
With bulky yarn and 3.75mm knitting needles, cast on 8 stitches.
Rows 1 – 8: Work in garter stitch (knit every row)
Row 9: K2TOG, K 4, K2TOG
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: K2TOG, K 2, K2TOG
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: K2TOG, K2TOG
Row 14: Knit
Row 15: K2TOG, Break yarn and tie off
Step 4: Knit Bird’s Legs
Your bird needs some cute little legs/feet!
With worsted weight yarn and 3.75mm knitting needles, cast on 6 stitches.
Rows 1 – 14: Straight stitch (knit one row, purl the next)
Row 15: K 2, Turn. Work on these two stitches only for next 4 rows.
Row 16: P 2
Row 17: K 2
Row 18: P 2
Row 19: K2TOG, break yarn. Reattach to middle 2 stitches
Row 20: K 2, turn. Work on these two stitches only for next 4 rows.
Row 21: P 2
Row 22: K 2
Row 23: P 2
Row 24: K2TOG, Break yarn. Reattach to remaining 2 stitches.
Row 25: K 2, turn. Work on these two stitches only for next 4 rows.
Row 26: P 2
Row 27: K 2
Row 28: P 2
Row 29: K2TOG, break yarn. Weave in all ends and make a seam up the back of the legs.
Step 5: Beak
The last piece of our bird to knit up is the little beak.
Knit the beak as one piece, then fold in half and sew up to create the triangle shape. Do not stuff.
With worsted weight yarn and 3.75 mm stitches, cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, KLL, K1, KLL, K1 (5 stitches)
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Purl
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: K2TOG, K1, K2TOG
Row 10: Purl
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Purl
Row 13: K3TOG, break yarn
Final Step: Assembly
Lastly, it’s time to assemble your sweet little bird!
First, sew the head.
Next, starting at the top end of the underside body, attach the underside of the body to the top body. Leave the tail open to stuff.
Using the hole at the tail, fill the bird with wool (or the fiberfill of your choice). Do not stuff the tail.
Now, sew the tail closed.
Lastly, attach the wings, beak, legs, and embroider little eyes on your knitted bird.