Free Crochet Pattern for Fiona the Flamingo
/***You can find the PDF version of this pattern in my shop by clicking here. Great for easy printing!***
Welcome to the pattern for the oh-so-lovely Fiona the Flamingo!
About a month ago I decided I needed to make a flamingo plushie toy, I envisioned a sassy-looking flamingo named "Frenchie". Ha! But it turns out my flamingo did not turn out looking very sassy at all. She looked rather lovely and dainty instead. So then Fiona was born. She's rather fancy, I'd say.
She's got a darling little flower crown as well as a pretty little wing, and of course the signature flamingo stance! (Which, by the way I formed her legs and body with wire-- and it turned out great!)
This little doll works up rather quick, which is a win in my books. Hope you love her, and make one of your own Fionas!!
(*** Note: Because this doll has wire in it, I wouldn't recommend it for babies.**)
P.S. I've also created another plushie GOOSE named George and you can see him here. Fiona and his build are very similar! He's pretty cute too. ;)
What you'll need:
Size D hook (3.25 mm)
Caron Simply Soft in Light Country Peach (lcp), Black (b) and White (w), also for the flower crown I used I Love This Yarn! in Light Sage and Tropical Pink
Big handful of Poly Fill
Large tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Wire of choice (I used 22 gauge floral wire, because it's what I had on hand. And I'm all about using what junk I've already got!)
Fabric or ribbon to wrap around the wire (I used white felt. Again, just whatever I had around)
Hot glue/gun
sewing pins
Dimensions:
From head to foot- approximately 13 inches, tail to beak- about 6 inches
Abbreviations:
ch=chain, st(s)=stitch(es), sc=single crochet, sl=slip, sp=space, yo=yarn over, sk=skip, sc2tog= single crochet two together, 2sc= work two single crochet in one stitch, 2hdc=work 2 half double crochet in one stitch, sc3tog=single crochet three together
Notes:
Like I said above, because this doll has wire in it, I wouldn't recommend it for babies-- just in case.
ch's at the beginning of the row do not count as stitches
I worked all my decreases (sc2tog) in front loop only- this makes it not as visible
Stitch markers would be helpful for you, especially working the legs, because there are so many continuous little rounds, plus working with black yarn...
I free-handed the little embroidered details on the doll, but embroidery marker might help you if you're not comfortable doing that!
Pattern:
Body (make two):
with lcp, ch 4
1) sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (3)
2) ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc, 2sc (5)
3) ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc in 3 sts, 2sc (7)
4) ch 1, turn, sc across (7)
5) ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in last 5 sts (6)
6) ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts, sc2tog (5)
7) ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in last 3 sts (4)
8-10) ch 1, turn, sc across (4)
11) ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc, sc2tog (4)
12) ch 1, turn, sc across (4)
13-24) alternate between rows 11 and 12 (all odd rows repeat row 11, all even rows repeat row 12)
25) repeat row 10
26) ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc in last 3 sts (5)
27) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc, 2sc, 2sc (9)
28) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in last 7 sts (11)
29) ch 1, turn, sc across (11)
30) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in last 9 sts (13)
31) ch 1, turn, sc across (13)
32) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in last 11 sts (15)
33) ch 1, turn, sc across (15)
34) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in last 13 sts (17)
35) ch 1, turn, sc across (17)
36) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in 13 sts, sc2tog (18)
37) ch 1, turn, sc across (18)
38) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in 14 sts, sc2tog (19)
39) ch 1, turn, sc across (19)
40) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in last 17 sts (21)
41) ch 1, turn, sc in 19 sts, 2sc, 2sc (23)
42) ch 1, turn, 2sc, 2sc, sc in 19 sts, sc2tog (24)
43) ch 1, turn, sc in 20 sts, sc3tog, leave last st unworked (21)
44) turn, do not ch 1, sl st into first 2 sts, sc in 17 sts, sc2tog (20, counting sl sts)
45) turn, do not ch 1, sl st, sc2tog, sc in 13 sts, sc3tog, leave last st unworked (16, counting sl sts)
46) turn, do not ch 1, sl st into first 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in 9 sts, sc2tog, leave last st unworked (13, counting sl sts)
ch 1, and work sc's around the entire perimeter of the body-- on one of the body pieces leave a suuuuper long tail for sewing them together!
Beak (make two)
with b, ch 2
1) sc in 2nd ch from hook (1)
2) ch 1, turn, 2sc (2)
3) change to w- ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc (3)
4) ch 1, turn, sc across (3)
5) ch 1, turn, 2sc, sc2tog (3)
6) ch 1, turn, sc across (3)
7) ch 2, turn, 2hdc, sl st, 2hdc (5, counting sl st)
leave at least one long tail for white and black to use for sewing
Leg (make two)
(note--- I worked all my sc in the back loop only for the legs because it made it wayyyy easier)
with b, ch 6, join to 1st ch (I joined in the back loop only because it made it easier for me for the next step) to form ring
1) sc into the other side of the ch you worked into the back loop only, (place stitch marker) then sc into the 5 remaining ch's (6)
2) sc into the first sc from the previous round (this will start your continuous rounds) and in the remaining 5 sts of the round (6)
3-24) sc around
(legs are approximately 5 inches long)
Assembly of Fiona
After all my pieces were complete I started embroidering the details onto Fiona. Like I mentioned above, I free-stitched (not sure that's a thing?) them, without drawing them, but it could help to draw them on first with an embroidery marker if you don't feel confident! I opted for a closed cute little eye with three eye lashes using the black.
Then, for the headband I first did the flowers. To make those I followed a little photo tutorial of the woven rose that I found here.
Then I just stitched in between the flowers with the green yarn.
For the wing, I used the Tropical Pink yarn and used a split stitch. You can see how to do the split stitch here.
I chose to do the details only on one side, but both sides would be fancy too!!
Next, I prepped my wire. I cut a piece approximately 42 inches long.
I made the legs first, folding 5 inches down, and twisting the wire around itself (see above photo). Then I made another fold at the end of my first 5 inch leg, and then worked my other 5 inch leg, folding at 5 inches, still twisting the wire around itself.
Then I went up to the "torso" part with the wire, and folded it at about 7.25 inches and came back down the torso (still twisting). Then I took the last of my wire and went through the two legs and back up twisting around until I didn't have any left.
Next, I wrapped the fabric around all of my wire, gluing here and there to connect it to the wire.
Then I put my crocheted legs onto the wire legs. Then sewed up the ends so the wire wouldn't come through and then weaved in ends.
Then I connected the two beak pieces with my tails of white and black yarn.
Then I stuck the wire in between the two body pieces (lining them up to match) and pinned them together. Making sure the legs would be on the inside of the body when sewing it up. Then, using a running stitch along the outside sc's I began to sew the body pieces together (see below for beak).
After much deliberation, I decided to sew the beak into the seam of the body (you could always attach it on the outside if you preferred). I just stuck it where it looked good on the head and sewed through both the body and the beak making sure it was secure.
I did the same thing for the legs. Except for with them I decided to sew back through an extra time just for added security.
Side note-- since the legs are adjustable, you could leave them as is, or even sew them together at the spot where it bends.
After you've sewed her all up and woven in your ends, you've got a lovely little Fiona of your own!!!
She is just too precious. If you decide to make her, I'd love to see! Tag me over on Instagram :) :)
That's a wrap! Happy making, and I hope Fiona brightened your day!!! <3
-Meg
