Stitchfinder: Knit Nature Motif: Blue Tit (Bird)
BLUE TIT (Bird)
Materials:
- (A) white yarn
- (B) blue yarn
- (C) black yarn
- (D) olive yarn
- (E) yellow yarn
- 4 double-pointed needles
- batting (fiber-fill)
- 2 black beads
- soft jewelry-making wire
- small pliers (optional)
Note
- Each time a turn is made mid-row the wrap-and-turn technique should be used to prevent a hole: before turning, take the yarn to the opposite side of the work, slip the next st purlwise from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle, return the yarn to the original side of the work, slip the st back on to left-hand needle, turn, tension the yarn ready to make the first st.
- s2kpo = slip two stitches as if to knit two together, knit one, pass the slipped stitches over
HEAD
Using 2 needles and A, cast on 2 sts.
1st row (RS) K1, m1, k1. 3 sts.
2nd row P.
3rd row K1, [m1, k1] twice. 5 sts. Break off A, change to B.
4th and WS rows P.
5th row K1, [m1, k1] 4 times. 9 sts.
7th row K1, m1, k7, m1, k1. 11 sts.
9th row K9, turn, p7, turn, k6, turn, p5, turn, k to end.
11th row K1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k1. 9 sts.
13th row K1, k2tog, s2kpo, ssk, k1. 5 sts.
14th row P. Break off B.
15th row RS facing and starting at cast-on edge, using first double-pointed needle and A, pick up and k3 sts from A row ends and 9 sts from B row ends, with 2nd double-pointed needle work (k2tog, k1, ssk) across 5 sts, with 3rd double-pointed needle pick up and k9 sts from B row ends and 3 sts from A row ends. 27 sts. Now turn and work in rows with 4 double-pointed needles:
1st row (WS) P. Break off A.
2nd row Using C, k. Break off C.
3rd row Slip first 2 sts of row on to spare yarn. Using separate lengths of yarn, join A and p next 9 sts, using C p next 5 sts, using A p next 9 sts, slip last 2 sts on to spare yarn. Turn and continue with 23 sts on needles. Cross yarns at each color change on next 6 rows.
4th row K9A, (k1, m1, k3, m1, k1)B, k9A. 25 sts.
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 off A and C, continue with D.
BACK
10th row K8, m1, [k3, m1] 3 times, k8. 29 sts.
11th and WS rows P.
12th row K.
14th row [K2tog] twice, k7, [m1, k7] twice, [ssk] twice. 27 sts.
16th row [K2tog] twice, k6, m1, k7, m1, k6, [ssk] twice. 25 sts.
18th row [K2tog] twice, k5, m1, k7, m1, k5, [ssk] twice. 23 sts. Continue to decrease and increase in this way on RS rows, working one st less beside each double decrease, until 26th row has been completed and 15 sts remain.
28th row [K2tog] twice, m1, k7, m1, [ssk] twice. 13 sts.
30th row [K2tog] twice, k5, [ssk] twice. 9 sts.
32nd row K2tog, k5, ssk. 7 sts. Break off D and continue with B.
Tail
** P1 row.
1st rib row (RS) K2, [p1, k1] twice, k1.
2nd rib row K1, [p1, k1] 3 times. Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more, then work 1st rib row again. Bind off knitwise.
Front
RS facing, slip 4 remaining sts of head on to needle and rejoin C to work bib.
1st row [K2tog] twice. 2 sts.
2nd and WS rows P.
3rd row K1, m1, k1. 3 sts.
5th row K1, [m1, k1] twice. 5 sts.
7th row K1, m1, k3, m1, k1. 7 sts. Break off C and continue with E. Beginning with a p row, work 3 rows st-st.
11th row K1, [m1, k1] 6 times. 13 sts.
13th row K1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 15 sts.
15th row As 13th row. 17 sts.
17th row K to last 2 sts, turn, p to last 2 sts, turn, k to last 3 sts, turn, p to last 3 sts, turn, k to end.
19th row As 13th row. 19 sts.
21st row As 17th row.
23rd row As 13th row. 21 sts.
25th row As 17th row.
27th row Ssk, k3, ssk, k7, k2tog, k3, k2tog. 17 sts.
29th row Ssk, k2, ssk, k5, k2tog, k2, k2tog. 13 sts.
31st row Ssk, k1, ssk, s2kpo, k2tog, k1, k2tog. 7 sts. Break off E and continue with B.
TAIL
As tail of back from **.
WING TIPS
RS facing and using D, starting at first decrease along edge of left back, pick up and k19 sts. Change to B. P 1 row.
2nd row (RS) K2, [p1, k1] 7 times, turn, rib 13, turn, rib 11, turn, rib 9, turn, rib to end. Bind off knitwise. Work 2nd wing tip to match.
BEAK
Using C, cast on 5 sts.
Single row (RS) K1, s2kpo, k1. Draw yarn through remaining 3 sts and pull tight.
FINISHING
Head: turn to WS to carefully fasten off ends. On RS, join edges of C rows of bib to A row ends and neaten A sts around cast-on group above. Stuff head then, joining cast-on edge into a ring, sew beak to top of bib. Neaten ends of wing tips and, starting at head, join back and front, stuffing as you stitch. Close body at tail end and on RS join both tail pieces by back stitching through both layers just inside the edge sts. Sew on beads for eyes. Cut a length of wire- approximately 18in (45cm)-and using fingers or pliers, leave an end to form an upright in the bird's body and then bend the wire to form 4 toes (see Diagram 1).
Take the wire along the leg, making a 90° bend where the top of the leg is to be. Insert the long remaining length of wire through the body to exit where the 2nd leg is to be and, at the same time, bury the first upright in the body above the first leg. Bend the long end into a leg to match the first and trim the excess to make a 2nd upright to go inside the body (Diagram 2).
Using C, bind the legs and feet, without covering the claws. At the top of the legs, bind further with E.
Note This bird should not be used as a toy, but it could be made without legs and with French knots for eyes to make it safe for young children.
Directions reproduced with permission from 75 Birds, Butterflies & Little Beasts to Knit and Crochet, St. Martin's Press, 2011
| ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES | |
|---|---|
| k= knit | k2tog = knit two together |
| M1 = make 1 | p = purl |
| RS = right side | ssk = slip, slip, knit |
| st(s) = stitch(es) | WS = wrong side |