A lovely Cardinal basket adds a touch of country kitsch to your décor or cubicle at work. Fill the container with flowers, candy or stuff it for a cute Cardinal softie. The main body is knit is short rows with the top of the head knit onto the body, then joined with 3 needle bind off. The tail and the beak are picked up and knit directly on the head.  The eye area is knit and sewn in place. Wings are knit separately and sew in place. The head is stuffed with a ball of yarn held in place by the button eyes thread going though the ball. 

Model size – 6 1/2” head to bottom, 12” beak to tail

Gauge – 3 ¾ stitches, 4 garter stitch ridges per inch

MATERIALS
6 oz Red worsted weight yarn
Small quantities of black and orange worsted weight yarn for trim
Yarn scraps for stuffing or the stuffing material of your choice
worsted weight waste yarn for crochet chain cast on
Size 8 needles (for body, use 16” or longer circ needles, working head is easier with 4 DPN)
Size H crochet hook
Buttons or other doll eyes (model used black shank style buttons)
Jelly jar or similar container for flower or candy container