This pattern is to make a lifelike model of a goldfinch, a common and distinctive bird here in the UK. Goldfinches flock together, particularly in autumn when they often feed on the seeds of plants such as thistles or cornflowers. If disturbed, the whole flock, known as a charm, will rise up from the thistles and fly off in a mass of yellow.

This pattern makes a decorative bird. It uses oddments of yarn in common colours in either double knit or 4 ply, so is a good stash buster. The colours on the head and wings are added using embroidery cottons.

The finished bird is approximately 12 cm long and 19 cm wide when knitted on 2.75 mm needles.

The wool I have used is listed below but any combo of left over yarn would work if 4 ply yarns are held double and single strands of dk yarn used.

Oddment of golden brown 4 ply wool, eg Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk in Blossom (K012)
Oddment of off-white 4 ply wool, eg Drops Flora in Off-White (01)
Oddment of black 4 ply wool eg Drops Flora in Black (06)
Oddment of pale pink 4 ply yarn, eg Drops Alpaca in Dusty pink (3112) - optional for making the feet
Oddment Habu 1/20 silk Stainless Steel in black (02) - optional for making the feet and in the wings

2.75 mm straight needles

wool or polyester toy stuffing

eyes, either 6mm black safety eyes or black embroidery thread
embroidery thread in yellow, black, red and white , eg DMC stranded cotton in 307 (yellow), 310 (black), 3865 (white) and 498 (red).
tapestry needles of a suitable size for the yarns/thread used

Note the feet are not strong enough to support the bird in standing. They are added for completeness but the bird is intended as an hanging ornament so the feet are entirely optional.