As there are a lot of bird spotters among my friends and family, I’ve had quite some appeals for knitted birds. So I’ve taken up the venture of cloning different species in a knitted collection. Nowadays, the kids in my family actually collect these birds and I’m always delighted when they can actually spot and identify a species without even leaving the house!

With spring around the corner you might be looking for those splashes of color emerging in the foliage around you. When considering brightly-colored birds, your imagination probably floats off to faraway forests and exotic islands. But many bright, brilliant birds call Europe and the UK their happy home. So, enliven your Easter with the happy hues of these brilliant, bright birds!

There are six brilliant birds included in this pattern: the European green woodpecker, European goldfinch, barn swallow, yellowhammer, Bohemian waxwing and the red crossbill.

Each bird is a small, easy project, that can be finished in an evening or so and is a great project to use up any scraps you have lying around.
These 8 to 11 cm bright birds were knitted flat on 2.25 mm double pointed needles (UK 13, US 1) with some some intarsia color work and loop stitches (described in the pattern). The tiny beaks were knitted on 1 mm dpn, in lace gauge yarn (or can be made in felt). It all can be done in a heavier yarn on thicker needles and will turn out somewhat larger.

These birds make fun hanging ornaments for your Easter branches!

Have a finch-tastic knit! Viv