Crochet a Spring Branch with Birds - The sun is shining, the buds are blooming, and the chicks are taking flight. That’s right—it’s springtime in full swing! Annemarie designed this spring branch especially to help you hold onto that springtime feeling. The green leaves and cheerfully colored birds really lift our spirits. Read on for the free pattern!
What do you need to crochet the spring branch??
- 1 x Yarn and Colors Super Must-Have Limestone (9)
- 2 x Yarn and Colors Super Must-Have Satay (26)
- 1 x Yarn and Colors Must-have Minis: Pesto (85), Amazon (87), Lettuce (81), Peridot (83), Peony Leaf (86), Pistachio (84), Salmon (39), Papaya (17), Cream (2)
- 1 x Yarn and Colors Must-Have Golden Glow (13)
- 1 x SMC Schachenmayer Brazillia Camel (3)
- A small amount of thin black yarn
- Crochet Hooks: 2, 4, and 6 mm
- Sewing needle with a sharp point
- 1 pair of black safety eyes, 8 mm
- 2 pairs of black 6mm safety eyes
- Insulation tube with a 12 mm diameter (inside) and a 3 cm diameter (outside), 1 meter long (home improvement store)
- Duct tape (home improvement store)
- Round rod, 6 mm in diameter, 1 meter long (home improvement store)
Stitches and abbreviations used:
l = chain stitch
v = single crochets
vv = extended single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, and pull through the stitch; yarn over and pull through 1 loop; yarn over and pull through both loops.
hv = semi-permanent single crochet
st = double crochet
hst = half double crochet
dst = double crochet
Preparation:
Cut the insulation tube diagonally to a length of 75 cm.
Cut the round stick to the same length as well. Insert it into the insulation tube. It will sit loosely inside but will prevent the branch from bending.
Now wrap duct tape around the entire length of the insulation tube so that the tube is nice and smooth and you can easily slide your crochet work around it later.
Before you start working on the branch, crochet a closing round at the end of the branch.
Crochet Pattern: Crocheting a Spring Branch and Birds:
Row 1: Using a 4mm Crochet Hook and Limestone yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Continue crocheting with the Satay color. Crochet 2 double crochets in every 2nd double crochet (18). Fasten off.
Neatly tuck away the threads and set them aside.
Large branch:
Row 1: Using a 4mm Crochet Hook and Limestone yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 4th double crochet (15).
Row 4: Continue crocheting with the Satay color. Crochet 2 double crochets in every 5th double crochet (18).
Row 5: Crochet this row into the back loops so that a few loops form on the outside of your work.
Rows 6 through 140: Crochet 18 single crochets in each row.
Once you’ve crocheted about twenty rows, try fitting your work around the insulation tube. If, for example, you tend to crochet very tightly, your work might not fit. In that case, you could use a 4.5 mm Crochet Hook. The work should fit snugly around the tube, but you should still be able to slide the tube inside it.
Row 141: Crochet 3 single crochets. Crochet 1 double crochet in the 4th stitch, 1 half double crochet in the 5th stitch, 1 single crochet in the 6th, 7th, and 8th stitches. 1 half double crochet in the 9th stitch and 1 double crochet in the 10th stitch. Continue crocheting 1 single crochet in all remaining stitches until the end.
Row 142: Crochet 4 single crochets. Crochet 5 half double crochets. Crochet single crochets to the end of the row.
Row 143: Slide your crochet work over the insulation tube. Trim the tube a little where necessary. Now attach the circle you crocheted earlier to the end of the tube using a slip stitch. Single crochet the circle in place. Fasten off. Neatly weave in the ends.
Side branch:
For the side branch, use the remaining 25 cm of the insulation tube and the round piece of wood.
Wrap duct tape around this section of insulation tubing as well to create a nice, smooth surface.
Row 1: Using a 4mm Crochet Hook and Limestone yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 4th double crochet (15).
Row 4: Continue crocheting with the Satay color. Crochet 2 double crochets in every 5th double crochet (18).
Row 5: Crochet this row into the back loops, so that a few loops form on the outside of your work. Crochet 3 single crochets, 1 double crochet in the 4th stitch, 1 half double crochet in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th stitches. 1 double crochet in the 10th stitch. Crochet single crochets to the end of the round (18).
Row 6: Crochet 4 single crochets. Crochet 5 half double crochets, then crochet 9 single crochets to the end of the row (18).
Rows 7 through 32: Crochet 18 single crochets in each row.
Row 33: Crochet 4 single crochets, then 1 half double crochet in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th stitches. Continue crocheting single crochets to the end of the row.
Row 34: Crochet 4 single crochets, then crochet 1 double crochet in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th stitches. Continue crocheting single crochets to the end of the row. Fasten off. Leave a long tail attached to your work for securing the branch.
Slide the crocheted piece over your insulation tube.
Attach a new strand of Satay yarn to the outer loops of row 5. Insert your Crochet Hook into the loops from the outside. Chain 18. Fasten off. Weave in the ends neatly.
Now attach the branch to the long branch however you like, and secure it firmly all around with small single crochets.
Litter:
Crochet with two strands of Super Must-Have Limestone and Brazillia. Use a 6mm Crochet Hook.
Row 1: Crochet a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, crochet 6 sc in the first chain, and join with 1 sl st in the first sc so that you have a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 2nd dc (18).
Row 4: Crochet 1 sc, *2 sc in the next sc, 2 sc*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 1 sc (24).
Row 5: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 4th double crochet (30).
Rows 6 through 8: Crochet 30 single crochets in each row (30).
Row 9: Crochet 30 times.
Finish up. Neatly tuck away the ends of the wire. Place the nest on top of the spot where the side branch is attached to the main branch. Secure the nest to both branches; this will also make the side branch more sturdy.
Leaves
Crochet leaves using the green "Mini Must-have" yarn balls. Use a 2mm Crochet Hook.
Crochet 3 leaves from each ball of yarn, so that you have a total of 18 leaves.
Each leaf consists of 3 rounds. You'll see that the leaves will naturally curl up a little.
Crochet a chain of 16 stitches.
You will now crochet around the chain of chain stitches.
Round 1: The numbers indicate every 1l.
1 = 1v
2 = 1hst
3 = 1hst
4 = 1st
5 = 1st
6 = 1st
7 = 1hst
8 = 1hst
9 = 1hst
10 = 1hst
11 = 1v
12 = 1v
13 = 1v
14 = 1v
15 = 3v; continue crocheting on the other side of the chain. Crochet 14 to 1 back from there.
Round 2:
1 = 2v
2 = 1v, 1hst
3 = 1hst
4 = 1 hst, 1 st
5 = 1st
6 = 1st
7 = 1st, 1st half
8 = 1hst
9 = 1 hst, 1 v
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 = 1v
16 = 3 ch, continue crocheting on the other side of the chain. Crochet 15 sts back to 1.
Row 3: Now crochet single stitches around the leaf. In the 23rd stitch, chain 4, then crochet a single stitch in the first chain, and continue crocheting single stitches to the end of the row. Fasten off.
Now, using a different color, crochet 1 round of chain stitches across the center of the leaf.
Now single crochet 6 leaves to the end of the branch.
Single crochet 5 leaves to the end of the side branch. Single crochet 4 leaves around the nest. Single crochet 1 leaf roughly in the middle of the branch. Single crochet 2 leaves to the end of the large branch.
Two little birds
Row 1: Using a 2mm Crochet Hook and the color Salmon, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 2nd dc (18).
Row 4: Crochet 1 sc, *2 sc in the next sc, 2 sc*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 1 sc (24).
Row 5: Crochet 24 single crochets (24)
Row 6: Crochet 2 dc in every 4th dc (30).
Rows 7–9: Crochet 30 single crochets in each row (30).
Row 10: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th st together (24).
Row 11: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th single crochet together (18). Before continuing, secure the safety eyes between rows 7 and 8 with 2 single crochets in between.
Row 12: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12)
Row 13: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (24).
Row 14: Crochet 2 dc in every 4th dc (30).
Rows 15 through 20: Crochet 30 single crochets in each row (30).
Row 21: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th st together (24).
Row 22: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th single crochet together (18). In between, stuff the head firmly with Stuffing.
Row 23: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd single crochet together (12). Now stuff the bodice firmly with stuffing.
Row 24: Make 6 decreases. Crochet the stitches together 2 at a time (6). Fasten off. Pull the end thread through the last six stitches to close the last hole. Leave a long tail on your work so you can use it to secure the bird in the nest.
Using Golden Glow yarn, embroider a little beak across rows 9, 10, and 11. Using a scrap of thin black yarn, embroider small eyebrows above the eyes.
Cut five strands of Salmon yarn and tie a small button in each strand. Thread the strand through the spaces between the stitches on row 1. The button should now be on the inside.
Do this a total of five times. Cut the hair short at the top of the head and fluff it up.
Now crochet the second little bird, making the following adjustments.
Rows 1 through 4: cream.
Row 5: Change the color to Papaya and crochet this row into the eighth loops so that a few loops form on the outside of your work.
Rows 6 through 24 as shown in the pattern.
Finishing: Attach a new strand of cream yarn to the outer loops of Row 5. Insert the Crochet Hook into the loops from above. Chain 1, then work 3 sets of 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, chain 2, 1 chain 1 in the first chain, and 1 half double crochet in 1 stitch. Repeat this pattern 3 times throughout the row. Single crochet the dots onto the head. Weave in the ends neatly.
Little Wings
Both little birds have only one wing.
Crochet a chain of 9 stitches.
Crochet the following stitches onto the chain:
1 = 1hv
2 = 1v
3 = 1 hst
4 = 1st
5 = 1st
6 = 1 hst
7 = 1v
8 = 3v; now continue crocheting on the other side of the chain, crocheting back 7 to 1. Single crochet off. Use the end thread to attach the little wing to the side of the bird.
Crochet the same wing for the other little bird.
Sew the little birds side by side in the nest. Also, use a small stitch to secure the birds' heads.
Large bird
Row 1: Using a 2mm Crochet Hook and Golden Glow yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 2nd dc (18).
Row 4: Crochet 1 sc, *2 sc in the next sc, 2 sc*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 1 sc (24).
Row 5: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 4th double crochet (30).
Row 6: Crochet 30 single crochets (30).
Row 7: Crochet 2 sc, *2 sc in the next sc, 4 sc*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but finish with 2 sc (36).
Rows 8 through 12: Crochet 36 single crochets in each row (36).
Row 13: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 2 chains, *crochet the next 2 chains together, crochet 4 chains*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 2 chains (30).
Row 14: Crochet 30 single crochets (30).
Row 15: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th st together (24). Before continuing, first single crochet the safety eyes between rows 10 and 11, with 3 sts in between.
Row 16: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th single crochet together (18). Stuff the head with stuffing.
Row 17: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (36).
Rows 18 and 19: Crochet 36 single crochets in each row (36).
Row 20: Crochet 2 dc in every 6th dc (42).
Rows 21–23: Crochet 42 single crochets in each row (42).
Row 24: Chain 3, *2 single crochets in the next single crochet, 6 single crochets*. Repeat from *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 3 single crochets (48).
Rows 25 and 26: Crochet 48 single crochets in each row (48).
Row 27: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 3, *crochet the next 2 single crochets together, chain 6*. Repeat from *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 3 single crochets (42).
Row 28: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 6th and 7th st together (36).
Row 29: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 2 sc, *crochet the next 2 sc together, 4 sc*. Repeat from * to *, but end with 2 sc (30).
Row 30: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th single crochet together (24). Stuff the head and body firmly with stuffing.
Row 31: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th st together (18).
Row 32: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12). Shape the body a little more.
Row 33: Make 6 decreases. Crochet the stitches together 2 at a time (6). Fasten off. Pull the ending thread through the last six stitches to close the hole completely.
Using Papaya, embroider a little beak across rows 12, 13, and 14.
Wings:
Row 1: Using a 2mm Crochet Hook and Golden Flower yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 2nd single crochet (9).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 3rd dc (12).
Rows 4 and 5: Crochet 12 single crochets in each row (12).
Row 6: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 4th single crochet (15).
Row 7: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 5th single crochet (18).
Row 8: Crochet 18 single crochets (18).
Row 9: Crochet 2 dc in every 6th dc (21).
Row 10: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 7th double crochet (24).
Row 11: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th st together (18).
Row 12: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12).
Do not stuff the wing. Fold your crochet piece flat and close it with a slip stitch.
Crochet another wing just like the first one. Secure the wings firmly on either side of the body on rows 17 and 18 using single crochets.
Tail:
Row 1: Using a 2mm Crochet Hook and Golden Flower yarn, make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: chain 2, work 6 sc in the first chain, and join with a slip stitch in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 2nd single crochet (9).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 3rd dc (12).
Rows 4 and 5: Crochet 12 single crochets in each row (12).
Row 6: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 4th single crochet (15).
Row 7: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 5th single crochet (18).
Do not leave a tail. Fold your crochet work flat and fasten off with a slip stitch.
Single crochet the tail firmly at the back on rows 27 and 28.
Cut five strands of Golden Glow and tie a small button in each strand. Thread the strand through the spaces between the stitches on row 1. The button should now be on the inside.
Do this a total of five times. Cut the hair short at the top of the head and fluff it up.
Using a thin black thread, embroider two eyelashes on each eye.
Using Papaya, embroider two little legs on the front however you like.
