Chunky Cardinal

Overview

Create your own Chunky Cardinal to add a cute pop of color to your space, gift it to someone who loves birds, or make it to sell at markets.

Pin it to find it later!

Note

This free pattern includes written instructions with some pictures and will eventually also include ads.

For step-by-step photos, helpful tips, and a printable, beautifully formatted version, you can purchase the PDF pattern on Etsy.

Abbreviations

R = round
MR = magic ring
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
inc = increase
dec = decrease
dc-cl = double crochet cluster stitch
- Link to video tutorial
sk = skip
( ) x __ = repeat the steps in the parentheses the number of times indicated after the x
[ ] = all the steps in brackets are completed into the same stitch

Materials

Chenille yarn, size 5
- Red
- Black
- Yellow
6.0 mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch marker
10 mm safety eyes

Important Note

This pattern uses US terms and continuous rounds.

Pattern Use Guidelines

This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not share, reproduce, or sell the pattern itself. You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, but please make sure to give me credit for the pattern by tagging me on Instagram or Facebook: @RayfulCreations and/or linking my website rayfulcreations.com.

Instructions

Tail

Using red yarn:
R1: MR, sc 8
R2: (sc, inc) x 4 (12)
R3: sc 12
R4: (sc, dec) x 4 (8)
R5: sc 8
R6: (sc 2, dec) x 2 (6)
R7-8: sc 6 (2 rounds)
R9: Hold the opening flat and close it with 3 sc through both sides. FO.

Repeat all the above steps 2 more times, so you have a total of 3 tail feathers. Set aside to crochet into the body later.

Head/Body

Start with red yarn:
R1: MR, sc 8 (8)
R2: inc 8 (16)
R3: sc 16 (16)

During the next steps (R4-7), you will alternate between red and black yarn to create a triangle on the front center of the face.

R4:

sc 6
change to black yarn: sc 5
change to red yarn: sc 5 (16)

R5:

inc 3, sc 3
change to black yarn: sc 5
change to red yarn: sc 4, inc (20)

R6:

(sc, inc) x 3, sc 4
change to black yarn: sc 3
change to red yarn: sc 6, inc (24)

R7:

sc, inc, (sc 2, inc) x 2, sc 6
change to black yarn: sc 2
change to red yarn: sc 6, inc, sc (28)

Tip: After R7, cut the black yarn and leave a long tail. Tie the tail to the black yarn tail from where you joined the black yarn during R4.

Insert safety eyes between R5 on both edges of the black section of the head.

R8: (sc 3, inc) x 3, sc 15, inc (32)
R9: sc 2, inc, (sc 4, inc) x 2, sc 16, inc, sc 2 (36)
R10: (sc 5, inc) x 3, sc 17, inc (40)
R11: sc 40
R12: sc 6, join one tail feather with 3 sc, sc 31 (40)

R13: sc 5, join one tail feather with 3 sc, join the other tail feather with 3 sc, sc 29 (40)

R14: sc 3, dec, (sc 6, dec) x 4, sc 3 (35)

Start stuffing and continue stuffing as you go.

R15: (sc 5, dec) x 5 (30)
R16: sc 2, dec, (sc 4, dec) x 4, sc 2 (25)
R17: (sc 3, dec) x 5 (20)
R18: sc, dec, (sc 2, dec) x 4, sc (15)
R19: (sc, dec) x 5 (10)

Finish stuffing. Don’t overstuff the bottom so that it can remain flat.
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Insert this yarn tail through the front loops of R19. Pull tight to close. Weave in any loose ends.

To make the tail a little less floppy, cut a long piece of red yarn and use it to sew the 3 feathers together. Only sew on the part of each feather that is closest to the body.

Beak

Insert crochet yellow yarn into the front center stitch of the black portion of R6.
[chain 1, dc-cl], slst two stitches up into the center of R4.
3.Tie the two ends of the yarn together and weave in loose ends.

Hair

For the hair, reference the first picture below to identify stitch numbers. You will be crocheting the hair between R1-2, starting with stitch 1 and ending with stitch 4.