Amigurumi CAL - Northern Cardinal - Free Bird Crochet Pattern

Since last week and my premature postulations of spring, Old Man Winter has had a right old chuckle and sent along Winter Storm Stella. I write to you now under a foot of snow. That’s Wisconsin for you.

In addition to the snow-dusted robins, we had a rare visit this week from some Northern Cardinals during the blizzard-induced feeding frenzy – perfect, then, that this week’s amigurumi birdie is one and the same! Read on for the free crochet pattern to make this realistic cardinal!

Updated 1/3/2025 

MATERIALS

• Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky in (A) Red and (B) Coal
• Furls Streamline Metal Hook size G (4.0mm) or G+ (4.5mm)
• 6mm black safety eyes
• Yarn/tapestry needle
• Stuffing
• Stitch marker (I use a small scrap of yarn)
• Sewing pins (optional) 
• Scissors

ABBREVIATIONS

The head and body of the cardinal are worked in one continuous round with color changes, noted within the lines of the pattern. To make sure you don't lose your place, mark the beginning of each new round with a stitch marker. The tail is also worked in the round but the wings and beak are worked flat.  

Assembly info follows under each component's pattern.

Troubleshooting

Head/body

With color A, ch 2 / magic loop

1.  6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook / loop (6)

2.  2 sc in each sc around (12)

3.  *2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next sc* rep *-* around (18)

4.  sc in 1^st sc, CHANGE to B, sc in 7 next sc, CHANGE to A, sc in last 10 sc (18)

5.  sc in 1^st 2 sc, CHANGE to B, sc in next 5 sc, CHANGE to A, sc in last 11 sc (18)

6.  2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next sc, CHANGE to B, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, CHANGE to A, sc in 2 sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc* rep *-* 2x, sc in last sc (22)

7.  2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next 2 sc, CHANGE to B, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, CHANGE to A, sc in next sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc* rep *-* 2x, sc in last 2 sc (26)

8.  *2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next 3 sc* rep *-* 6x total, sc in last 2 sc (32)

9.  sc in each sc around (32)

If you are using snap-in eyes, put them in now between rounds 4 and 5, spacing them about 7 stitches apart in the front. The eyes should align with the edges of the cardinal face mask (see "troubleshooting" image above).

10.  [2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next 4 sc] 6x total, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc (39)

11.  sc in 1^st 29 sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc* rep *-* 2x, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc (41)

12.  sc in 1^st 30 sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc* rep *-* 2x, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc (44)

13.  sc in each sc around (44)

14.  sc in 1^st 6 sc, [sc dec, sc in next 3 sc] 4x, sc in last 19 (40)

15.  sc in 1^st 5 sc, [sc dec, sc in next 2 sc] 4x, sc in next 6 sc, [sc dec, sc in next 3 sc] 2x, sc dec, sc in last 2 sc (33)

16.  sc in 1^st sc, [sc dec, sc in next 3 sc] 6x, sc dec, sc in last sc (27)

17.  [sc dec, sc in next 2 sc] 6x, sc dec, sc in last sc (20)

STUFF the bird firmly

18.  *sc dec, sc in next 2 sc* rep *-* around (15)

19.  *sc dec, sc in next sc* rep *-* around (10)

20.  sc dec around

FO and close up the remaining hole, weave in (or ‘lose’) the end.

1. sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across, TURN (7)
2. sc dec, sc in next 3 sc, sc dec, TURN (5)
3. sc dec, sc in next sc, sc dec, TURN (3)
4. sc dec, sc in last sc, TURN (2)
5. sc dec

FO and weave in this end only. Use the yarn tail from your beginning chain to whipstitch the crest onto round 3 of the cardinal’s head, centered above the eyes.

 
Beak pieces (make 2)

With color A, ch 2

1. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, TURN (2)
2. 2 sc in each sc across (4)

FO and whipstitch the two beak pieces together. The last row of stitches should be left open (unsewn); this is where it will go on the bird’s face.
Sew the beak over rounds 4-6 of the head, centered between the two eyes. Weave in (or ‘lose’) the ends.
 

Wings

With color A, ch 2
1.  5 sc in 2^nd ch from hook (5)
2.  2 sc in 1st sc, TURN leaving remaining 4 sts unworked, 2 sc in 1st sc, sc in next 3 sc, TURN
3.  2 sc in 1^st sc, sc in next 4 sc, TURN (6)
4.  sc in 1^st sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc, TURN (8)
5.  sc in 1^st sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last sc, TURN (10)
6.  sc in 1^st sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc, slp st in next sc, TURN (6)
7.  sk slp st, sc in next sc, sc dec, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, TURN (5)sk 1
8.  sk 1^st sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc dec, TURN (4)
9.  sc dec, sc in next 2 sc, TURN (3)
10.  sc in 1st sc, sc dec, TURN (2)
11.  sc dec
FO and reattach the red to the opposite end of row 5, with the first wing on the left.

Repeat rows 6-11, FO again. Sew the inside edges of the V to round 8 of the cardinal body. I recommend tacking the wings in place with sewing pins beforehand to make sure they line up with the rest of the cardinal’s features (the centerline of the V should match with the beak and the top of the crest).

With color A, ch 3
1.  2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, 3 sc in last ch, turning your work so you’re working along the bottom of the ch, sc in same ch space as 1^st 2 sc (6)
2.  sc in each sc around (6)
3.  2 sc in each of the 1^st 2 sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in each of the next 2 sc, sc in last sc (10)
4-5.  sc in each sc around (10)
6.  sc in 1^st 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc, leave remaining 2 sc unworked (12)
FO, whipstitch the tail to round 14 of the cardinal body. Make sure it is centered in relation to the wings: the bottom of the V should coincide with the middle of the tail.

If you have any questions, comments or corrections regarding this pattern please feel free to contact me (littleravenfiberarts@gmail.com), I’m here to help.
Make sure to pop in to the Fun With Furls Facebook Group to share your birdie photos and admire everyone else’s crochet handiwork too!  
 
Happy Crocheting! 
Brenna