Cardinal Pillow Crochet Pattern
**Disclaimer **
This post contains amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Materials
Size H or 5.0 mm Crochet Hook
Medium worsted weight yarn in three colors.
Color A (red) for body
https://amzn.to/4f4GJIm (amazon)
,Color B (black) for face accent
https://amzn.to/4dlOubx (amazon)
Color C (yellow) for beak and foot
https://amzn.to/3SbRS0d (amazon)
One safety eye in desired size or black yarn for crocheted eye
https://amzn.to/3Y6kMm9 (amazon)
White embroidery thread or paint if crocheting eyes for eye accent
https://amzn.to/4cZNZU8 (amazon)
Tapestry needle for adding accent
https://amzn.to/4bFwZBy (amazon)
Poly-fil stuffing
https://amzn.to/4cUBtWc (amazon)
Size
Finished product is 17 in from top of crest to bottom of tail and 7 in across.
Can be made bigger or smaller by adjusting hook size and yarn weight.
Abbreviations
Ch- Chain
Sc- Single Crochet
Hdc- Half double crochet
Inc- Single Crochet Increase
Dec- Single Crochet Decrease
Sl st- Slip Stitch
MR- Magic Ring
Fo- Fasten off
**Note
This pattern is worked in rows. Unless otherwise stated, Ch 1 at the end of each row and turn work.
Stitch count is indicated at the end of each row in parentheses.
Cardinal Body (Make 2) – Color A
Row 1 – Ch 13
Row 2 – Sc in second chain from hook, Hdc in next 10 ch, Sc (12)
Row 3 – Inc, sc 10, inc (14)
Row 4 – Sc 14 (14)
Row 5 – Inc, sc 12, inc (16)
Row 6 – Sc 16 (16)
Row 7 – Inc, sc 14, inc (18)
Row 8 – Inc, sc16, inc (20)
Rows 9-13 – Sc 20 (20)
Row 14 – Inc, sc 18, inc (22)
Rows 15- 17 – Sc 22 (22)
Row 18 – Dec, 18, dec (20)
Rows 19-20 – Sc 20 (20)
Row 21 – Dec, sc16, dec (18)
Row 22 – Sc 18 (18)
Row 23 – Dec, sc 14, dec (16)
Row 24 – Sc 16 (16)
Row 25 – Dec, sc 13, inc (16)
Row 26 – Inc, sc 14, inc (18)
Row 27 – Sc 17, inc (19)
Row 28 – Inc, sc 17, inc (21)
Row 29 – Sc 20, inc (22)
Row 30 – Inc, sc 20, inc (24)
Row 31 – Sc 24 (24)
Row 32 – Inc, sc 22, inc (26)
Rows 33- 36 – Sc 26 (26)
Row 37 – Sc 25, inc (27)
Rows 38-39 – Sc 27 (27)
Row 40 – Inc, sc 26 (28)
Row 41 – Sc 28 (28)
Row 42 – Inc, sc 25, dec (28)
Rows 43-44 – Sc 28 (28)
Row 45 – Dec, sc 25, inc (28)
Row 46 – Sc 28 (28)
Row 47 – Dec, sc 25, inc (28)
Row 48 – Sc 28 (28)
Row 49 – Dec, sc 25, inc (28)
Row 50 – Sc 28
Row 51 – Dec, sc 25, inc (28)
Row 52 – Sc 28 (28)
Row 53 – Dec, sc 25, inc (28)
Row 54 – Inc, sc 25, dec (28)
Row 55 – Sc 4, hdc 14, sc 10 (28)
Row 56 – Sc 10 leaving remaining 18 st unworked (10)
Row 57 – Dec, sc 7, inc (10)
Row 58 – Sc 10 (10)
Row 59 – Dec, sc 7, inc (10)
Row 60 – Sc 10 (10)
Row 61 – Dec, sc 7, inc (10)
Row 62 – Sc 10 (10)
Row 63 – Dec, sc 8 (9)
Row 64 – Sc 7, dec (8)
Row 65 – Dec, sc 6 (7)
Row 66 – Sc 5, dec (6)
Row 67 – Dec, sc4 (5)
FO, Weave in ends
Crest (Make 2) Color A
Row 1- With front of work facing you (so that the tail is on the right-hand side) sc 7 into starting chain beginning in right-hand corner (7)
Row 2 – Dec, sc 4, inc (7)
Row 3 – Sc 7 (7)
Row 4 – Dec, sc 4, inc (7)
Row 5 – Inc, sc 4, dec (7)
Row 6 – Dec, sc 5 (6)
FO, Weave in ends
Row 1- With front of work facing you sc into left side of row 14. Sc 4 more stitches going down (5)
Row 2 – Sc 5 (5)
Row 3 – Dec, sc, dec (3)
Row 4 – Sc 3 (3)
Row 5 – Sc, dec (2)
Row 6- Dec (1)
FO, Weave in ends
Wing – Color A
Row 1- Ch 6
Row 2 – Inc, sc 3, inc (7)
Row 3 – Inc, sc 5, inc (9)
Rows 4-5 – Sc 9 (9)
Row 6 – Inc, sc 7, inc (11)
Rows 7-9 – Sc 11 (11)
Row 10 – Dec, sc 7, dec (9)
Rows 11-12 – Sc 9 (9)
Row 13 – Dec, sc 5, dec (7)
Row 14 – Sc 7 (7)
Row 15 – Dec, sc 3, dec (5)
Row 16 – Sc 5 (5)
Row 17 – Dec, sc, dec (3)
Row 18 – Sc 3 (3)
Row 19 – Dec, sc (2)
Row 20 – Dec (1)
Ch 1 and crochet around for clean edge
FO, leaving several inch tail for sewing
Face Accent (Make 1) – Color B
Row 1- Ch 13
Row 2 – Sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 11 ch (12)
Row 3 – Sc 5, dec, sc 5 (11)
Row 4 – Sc 5, dec, sc 4 (10)
Row 5 – Sc 5 leaving remaing 5 st unworked (5)
Row 6 – Sc 5 (5)
Row 7 – Dec, sc, dec (3)
Row 8 – Dec, sc (2)
Sc around for clean edge
FO, leaving several inch tail for sewing
Foot (Make 1) – Color C
Row 1- Ch 4
Row 2 – Sc in second ch from hook and in remaining 2 ch (3)
Row 3 – (ch 3, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sl st into next stitch) x 3
FO, leaving several inch tail for sewing
Alternative Eye (Make 1)
Round 1 – With black yarn, sc 6 in magic ring Fasten off leaving tail to attach to cardinal body
Use white yarn or embroidery thread to create glow in eye
Sew or glue into desired location
OR if using safety eye, attach in desired location.
Assembly
Be sure to attach safety eye in desired location before attaching front and back pieces of cardinal.
Align cardinal pieces so that edges match. With front facing you, single crochet through both pieces in a counter-clockwise direction to attach front to back. Remember to switch colors if you want the edge colors to match. Leave opening to stuff (do not overstuff), finish closing, fasten off and weave in ends. Sew face accent, foot, and wing into desired locations.