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Inspired by the simplicity of nordic Christmas, I am bringing you my crochet bird free pattern – Nordic Dove Christmas ornament. Super quick and easy make!
Christmas is now literally just around the corner. However, I am still making decorations for home and Christmas tree! I simply love how quick they work up.
You can literally start and finish a Christmas tree decoration in the same hour!
For this crochet bird free pattern I have been inspired by the simplicity of Nordic winter and Christmas. I love the combination of the colours too.
You can either make the crochet bird in red and use white yarn to embroider the details using the free pattern.
Secondly, you can actually reverse the colours and make the crochet dove in white and embroider red details.
Although I feel the red and white combination is quite typical of Nordic style, you can certainly come up with your own colour combinations. The possibilities are endless.
Crochet Bird Free Pattern Design Process
As I mentioned above, this is a really quick make that can be finished in less than half hour. You start with creating a simple crochet circle which is folded in half.
This creates the main body. The head and tail feathers are then worked straight onto the main body.
To finish this crochet bird using the free pattern, I embroidered some details onto the body and feathers.
Now, I must admit embroidery is not my strong point.
Hence why I have not included a tutorial on how to do this or how exactly I added the details. However you can just have fun with it.
If you prefer to be guided by a skilled crafter rather than venturing out of your comfort zone, I have found some great websites.
They have step by step tutorials for beginners teaching the basic stitches. I have included the link in the finishing instructions.
Get the ad free PDF version of this pattern which also contains a step by step photo tutorial from my shops below.
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MATERIALS FOR CROCHET BIRD PATTERN (affiliate links)
- WeCrochet Swish Worsted (110y, 50g, 100% wool) or other light worsted yarn in two colors in red and white
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
FINISHED SIZE
9.5 cm long x 6 cm high
TENSION
not essential for the project
STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (US CROCHET TERMS)
ch- chain stitch
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
MC – magic circle
CROCHET BIRD FREE PATTERN NOTES
- the dove is worked all in one piece including head and beak with tail feathers worked onto the main body
- the main body consists of a circle folded in half
- the head is worked onto the main circle in round with beak worked into the head as you go along
- the dove is finished off with embroidered details on main body and tail
SIZE ADJUSTMENTS
- to make the dove larger you can go up with yarn weight and hook size
MAIN CROCHET BIRD FREE PATTERN
CIRCLE FOR MAIN BODY
Using red yarn start with creating a magic circle.
Rnd 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st here and throughout the pattern), 6 sc into MC, sl st to 1st sc [6 sc]
Rnd 2: 1 ch, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to 1st sc [12 sc]
Rnd 3: 1 ch, (1 sc, 2 sc in next st) 6 times, sl st to 1st sc [18 sc]
Rnd 4: 1 ch, (2 sc, 2 sc in next st) 6 times, sl st to 1st sc [24 sc]
Rnd 5: 1 ch, (3 sc, 2 sc in next st) 6 times, sl st to 1st sc [30 sc]
Rnd 6: 1 ch, (4 sc, 2 sc in next st) 6 times, sl st to 1st sc [36 sc]
Next step: 1 ch, loosely sl st diagonally from one edge to the other across the middle of the circle using surface slip stitch creating 12 sl sts.
Next step: fold the circle in half with the surface slip stitches on the top edge, line up the stitches of the last round of the circle and sc around the half moon shape to turn the circle into half circle. This will bring you back to the first surface sl st you made.
CROCHET BIRD HEAD
The head is worked across 6 surface sl st across the straight edge of the half circle shape.
Rnd 1: working through the front loop only of the surface sl sts, work 1 sc in each of the next 6 sts, turn over and work through the back loop only of the same surface sl sts back towards the first st, work 1 sc in each of the 6 surface sl sts, sl st to 1st sc. [12 sc]
Rnd 2 : 1 ch, 1 sc in each st around, sl st to 1st sc. [12 sc]
Rnd 3: 1 ch, 12 sc, 4 ch to create a beak, sl st to 1st sc. [12 sc]
Rnd 4 – 5: 1 ch, 1 sc in each st around omitting the 4 ch sts from prev rnd, sl st to 1st sc. [12 sc]
Rnd 6: 1 ch, 1 sc2tog around, sl st to 1st sc. [6sc]
Fasten off leaving a longer tail end. Using a yarn needle, sew up the top of the head.
TAIL FEATHERS
Join yarn in last sc (used to sew up the half circle shape) on the opposite side to the head.
Row 1: (6 ch, starting in 2nd ch from hook 1 sc in each st of the chain just made, sl st to same sc on main body) 3 times, fasten off.
FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
Sew in all ends securely. Add a loop to the top of the body. Using white yarn embroider eyes onto the head.
You can make up your own embroidered design for the main body and tail feathers. I did not use any special embroidery techniques, I just went with it. Hence why I do not have an exact tutorial.
However, there are some great websites that teach you basics in embroidery. You can also watch THIS YouTube video.
I hope you enjoyed this crochet bird free pattern and will make it for your home this holiday season.
I also have more festive patterns round up of 10 beautiful patterns to decorate your home this festive season.
For beginners, I have designed an easy crochet snowflake I made into a wall hanging. If you enjoy making sweaters, why not make this mini version for your Christmas tree?
Other posts you might like:
- 10 Cute Free Crochet Appliqués For Christmas
- Free Crochet Christmas Appliqués Patterns
- Corner To Corner Crochet Square – FREE Sunflower Pattern
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