Crochet Tropical Bird Project: Step-by-Step Instructions

Crocheting a tropical bird is such a delightful and creative project! Imagining the vibrant colors of a tropical paradise coming together in soft yarn just brings a smile to your face. With a hook in hand and a bit of yarn, you can bring to life a charming toucan or a majestic parrot, adding a touch of exotic beauty to your home decor or a fun gift for a loved one.

Project Details

Skill Level: Intermediate

Gauge: Not important

Finished Measurements: 3 3/4” tall x 4 1/2” wide

Yarn Requirements

Colors Needed

• 0.5 oz Peaches & Creme Yellow Cotton Yarn
• 0.6 oz Peaches & Creme Bright Lime Cotton Yarn
• 0.5 oz Peaches & Creme Black Cotton Yarn

Required Materials

• F/5 (3.75 MM) crochet hook
• Yarn or tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Polyester Fiberfill

Special Stitches and Abbreviations

Special Stitches: None

Abbreviations:

• Rnd…Round
• Sc…Single Crochet
• Ch…Chain St(s)..Stitch(es)
• Inc…Increase
• Dec…Decrease
• Rep…Repeat
• Sl St…Slip Stitch

Instructions

Beak Top

Use Yellow yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Sc 6 in magic ring OR Ch 2, Sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook.
2. Rnd 2: Sc 4, Dec 1 (5 sts).
3. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Beak Bottom

Use Yellow yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Sc 3 in magic ring OR Ch 2, Sc 3 in 2nd ch from hook.
2. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Feet

Use Yellow yarn. Make 2.

1. Rnd 1: Sc 4 in magic ring OR Ch 2, Sc 4 in 2nd ch from hook.
2. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Wings

Use Bright Lime yarn. Make 2.

1. Rnd 1: Sc 6 in magic ring OR Ch 2, Sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook.
2. Rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts).
3. Rnd 3: To form the wing feathers: (Ch 4, starting in 2nd ch from hook Sc 3 to move back down the ch-4 sts, Sc 1 in the next Rnd 2-st to anchor the feather to the wing). Rep 3 times.
4. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Tail

Use Bright Lime yarn.

1. Row 1: To form the tail feathers: (Ch 6, starting in 2nd ch from hook Sc 5 to move back down the ch-6 sts) rep 3 times.
2. Row 2: Sc 5 across the rough edge where the feathers are joined to even out the bottom of the tail.
3. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Head/Body

Use Bright Lime yarn.

1. Rnd 1: Sc 6 in magic ring OR Ch 2, Sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook.
2. Rnd 2: Inc 6 (12 sts).
3. Rnd 3: (Inc, Sc 3) rep 3 times (15 sts).
4. Rnd 4: Sc 15 (15 sts).
5. Rnd 5: (Inc, Sc 4) rep 3 times (18 sts).
6. Rnd 6: (Inc, Sc 2) rep 6 times (24 sts).
7. Rnds 7-8: Sc 24 (24 sts).
8. Rnd 9: (Dec, Sc 2) rep 6 times (18 sts).
9. Rnd 10: (Dec, Sc 1) rep 6 times (12 sts).
10. Stuff firmly.
11. Rnd 11: Dec 6 (6 sts).
12. Rnd 12: Inc 6 (12 sts).
13. Rnd 13: (Inc, Sc 3) rep 3 times (15 sts).
14. Rnd 14: Sc 15 (15 sts).
15. Rnd 15: (Inc, Sc 4) rep 3 times (18 sts).
16. Rnd 16: Sc 18 (18 sts).
17. Rnd 17: (Dec, Sc 1) rep 6 times (12 sts).
18. Stuff.
19. Rnd 18: Dec 6 (6 sts).
20. Finish off with a sl st and weave in ends.

Finishing Touches

Sew the Beak Top to the front of the Head, about at about the halfway point and then sew on the Beak Bottom just below it. Thread the needle with Black yarn and knot the end. Draw the knot into the inside of the head and bring the needle back out where you want the first eye. Make a tiny stitch, draw the needle back inside the head and out at the other eye. Make another tiny stitch and draw the needle back through to the first eye location again. Pull tightly to narrow the head between the eyes. Then stitch the eyes with Black French knots. Sew the Wings to either side of the body and the Tail to the back. Finish by sewing the Feet to the bottom of the bird.