There is something undeniably cheerful about adding a splash of bright red to your home decor or a child’s playroom. This adorable crochet cardinal amigurumi pattern is the perfect project for anyone looking to create a charming handmade gift, a festive holiday ornament, or a delightful addition to a craft fair table. With its squishy texture and quick construction time, this little bird is sure to bring a smile to anyone who receives it. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or a beginner eager to try amigurumi, this project offers a satisfying blend of creativity and technique.
Our Touch: Gift and Use Ideas
While the cardinal is a beautiful symbol of hope and resilience, its primary appeal in the world of amigurumi lies in its versatility as a decorative object. The super bulky yarn used in this pattern gives the bird a substantial, plush feel that is perfect for cuddling or for standing upright on a shelf. Because the pattern utilizes a chenille-style yarn, the finished piece has a soft, velvety texture that is visually striking and tactilely pleasing. This makes it an excellent choice for a “just because” gift for a nature lover, a welcome-home present for a new baby (with embroidered eyes for safety), or a seasonal decoration to brighten up a winter windowsill. The bright red feathers contrast beautifully against neutral backgrounds, making it a statement piece that requires very little effort to maintain its charm.
Project Overview
This pattern creates “Carl,” a charming crochet cardinal worked in one continuous piece from the top of the head down to the body. The design features intentional stitch placement to create a pudgy tummy and distinct facial features. The project utilizes super bulky weight yarn worked with a smaller-than-normal hook to achieve a firm, stiff fabric that holds its shape well. This technique allows for small, detailed components like the beak, feet, and feathers without losing definition.
Materials
- Yarn: Super Bulky Weight #6 yarn.
- Red: 45 yards (Sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in Cardinal).
- Gold: 3.5 yards (Sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in Mustard).
- Black: 1/2 yard (Sample used Premier Parfait Chunky in Black).
- Crochet Hook: US H8/5.00 mm crochet hook.
- Safety Eyes: 10 mm safety eyes.
- Note: If making for a baby or young child, embroider eyes instead.
- Notions: Stitch markers, fiberfill, tapestry needle, and scissors.
Gauge and Finished Size
The finished cardinal is approximately 6” tall x 4.5” wide. The designer’s gauge is 6 sc to 2 inches; however, gauge is not critical for this pattern. You may use other weights of yarn, adjusting the hook size to fit your needs.
Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
Pattern Notes
This pattern is designed to be quick and fun. The head and body are worked in one piece, with the tummy receiving extra stitches to create an adorable, pudgy silhouette. Because bulky yarn is used, the beak, feet, and feathers consist of very few stitches but require intentional placement to ensure they look correct. The use of a smaller hook with bulky yarn provides the necessary stiffness for the amigurumi to stand up and hold its shape.
Pattern Instructions
Cardinal Head and Body
Using red yarn, make a magic ring.
- R1: 6 sc into ring (6 sts). Work in rounds.
- R2: 2 sc in ea st (12 st).
- R3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (18 st).
- R4: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (24 st).
- R5-8: sc around. (24 st).
- R9: *sc in next 2 st, sc next 2 st together. Repeat from * around (18 st).
- R10: *sc in next st, sc next 2 st together. Repeat from * around (12 st).
- Insert safety eyes between rows 6 & 7, leaving 4 stitches in between them. Stuff head and continue to stuff body as you work.
- R11: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (18 st).
- R12: *sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (24 st).
- R13: sc around (24 st).
- R14: *sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (28 st).
- R15-18: sc around. (28 st).
- R19: *sc in next 5 st, sc next 2 st together. Repeat from * around (24 st).
- R20: *sc in next st, sc next 2 st together. Repeat from * around (16 st). Firmly stuff body the rest of the way.
- R21: *sc next 2 st together. Repeat from * around (8 st). Fasten off, weave end through last stitches and pull tight.
Beak
With Gold yarn, make a magic ring.
- R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds.
- R2: (sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice (6 st). Fasten off, using an invisible join if you prefer.
Black Accent Stripe Around Beak
The black stripe is created by looping a single strand of yarn around the base of the beak.
- Thread a yarn needle with a long strand of black yarn.
- Tie a knot at the end of the yarn.
- Use the needle to come up through the body and stuffing, pushing the needle out through the middle of the underside of the beak where it meets the body.
- Tug on the yarn so that the knot pops into the stuffing and hides the end.
- Carefully take the strand of yarn and wrap it around the outside of the beak to form a circle around the bottom edge of the beak where it meets the face.
- When you come back to the bottom, insert the needle back into the same spot, so that the yarn makes a complete circle around the beak.
- Pull the needle out the back of the body of the cardinal and pull tight, making sure that the black stripe is lying neatly around the beak.
- To secure the yarn, knot it, then bury the knotted end inside of the stuffing on the body.
- Cut the yarn close to the work.
Top Feathers (Hair)
With red yarn, *ch 3, sl st in next 2 st, repeat from * 2 more times. Fasten off and sew to top of head.
Wings (Make 2)
With red yarn, make a magic ring.
- R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds.
- R2: (sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice (6 st).
- R3: (sc in next 2 st, 2sc in next st) twice (8 st).
- R4: sc around (8 st).
- R5: Fold piece in half, then carefully sc across the double thickness (4 st).
- R6: ch 1, (sc next 2 st together) twice. (2 st) Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Tail Feathers
With red yarn, *ch 7, sl st in next 1 st, repeat from * 2 more times (3 loops). Fasten off and sew to the lower back of bird.
Feet (Make 2)
With gold yarn, ch 3.
- R1: sl st in 2 nd ch from hook (1 st toe made), *ch 2, sl st in 2 nd ch from hook. Repeat from * once (3 toes made). Then, sl st to very 1 st chain in round to connect the toes back to the start. Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Assembly
- Sew Beak: Sew beak between and below eyes. The beak covers all of row 8 and parts of rows 7 & 9 (or as desired).
- Add Black Stripe: Follow the instructions in the pattern section above to loop the black yarn around the beak.
- Attach Top Feathers: Sew the red feather cluster to the top of the head.
- Attach Wings: Sew a wing on either side of the body near the neck.
- Attach Feet: Sew feet between rows 19 and 20 of body, or as desired.
- Finish: Weave in any loose ends.
Tips
- Safety vs. Embroidery: If you are making this cardinal for a baby or a young child, please embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes for safety.
- Yarn Choice: The pattern works best with chenille-style yarn like Premier Parfait Chunky, which provides a nice texture and stiffness when worked with a smaller hook.
- Stitch Count: Keep track of your rounds with stitch markers to ensure your increases and decreases are even.
FAQs
What type of yarn is best for this pattern?
The pattern is designed for Super Bulky Weight #6 yarn. Chenille-style yarns, such as Premier Parfait Chunky, are recommended because they provide a soft texture and the necessary stiffness when crocheted with a smaller hook.
Can I use a different hook size?
Yes. While the pattern recommends a US H8/5.00 mm hook, you can adjust the hook size to fit your tension or the specific yarn weight you are using. The goal is to create a fabric that is not too loose, as this helps the amigurumi hold its shape.
How do I attach the black stripe around the beak?
The black stripe is not a separate piece of fabric but is created by looping a single strand of black yarn around the base of the beak. You thread a needle through the stuffing under the beak, wrap the yarn around the outside edge, and pull it tight to create a defined line.
Is this pattern suitable for beginners?
This pattern is suitable for beginners who are comfortable with basic amigurumi techniques such as magic rings, single crochet increases/decreases, and sewing pieces together. The instructions are straightforward, and the bulky yarn makes stitches easy to see.
How big is the finished cardinal?
The finished cardinal is approximately 6 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide.
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