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.

Most of us associate flamboyant birds with tropical, far away locations. And, although two-thirds of all bird species are indeed found in tropical rain forests, there are still heaps of hues to be discovered in your own backyard, if you’re really looking! The beaming birds in this pattern definitely deserve more than a fleeting glimpse. And, even if you don’t manage to spot any of these birds IRL, here’s to looking at them – from the comfort of your lazy chair!

These birds make great, colorful hanging ornaments. So, set about making these birds to spruce up your Christmas tree!
There are six birds included in this pattern: the varied thrush, elegant trogon, painted bunting, Steller’s jay, green jay and the hooded oriole.
Each bird is a fun, fast and 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 flashy birds were knitted on 2.25 mm double pointed needles (UK 13, US 1) in super-fine gauged yarn and measure between 7 and 8.5 cm. The tiny beaks were knitted on 1 mm double pointed needles, in yarn of a lace gauge (but can also be made from a scrap of felt). The birds can be done in heavier yarn, on thicker needles and will turn out somewhat larger.
Knitting these birds asks for some intarsia color work and loop stitches (described in the pattern).

Have an eggs-iting knit! Viv