Kai the Little Kiwi Crochet Pattern


Crochet kiwi in a Christmas wreath.

Meet Kai the Little Kiwi! This crochet pattern was so fun to whip up and it wouldn’t be a kiwi Christmas without a kiwi right?

If you’re not familiar with kiwis, they are a flightless bird native to New Zealand. They have loose hair-like feathers, strong legs, no tail and are approximately the size of a domestic chicken.

For this little kiwi I decided to change things up a bit and embroider his eyes. Sewing of any kind is not my strong suit but it always amazes me how such a small detail can give a completely different personality and look to an item. You can of course use safety eyes or small beads if you’d prefer but I encourage you to at least give sewing them a try.

The pattern is quick and easy and is the perfect keychain size. It would also make a cute Christmas ornament or small gift.

*You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF on Etsy HERE. The PDF includes step-by-step photos as well as a separate text/printer friendly version*


MATERIALS

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  • DK Weight Yarn in brown and yellow (I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK in Coffee Bean and Mustard Yellow)
  • 2.5mm crochet hook
  • Polyester Fiberfill
  • Black and white embroidery floss
  • Stitch marker, yarn needle, scissors
  • Optional: keychain or contrasting yarn/thread if you want to turn it into a hanging ornament

STITCHES/ABBREVIATIONS

  • ch – chain
  • sc – single crochet
  • inc – increase
  • invdec – invisible decrease
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • st/s – stitch/es
  • (…) – indicates stitch count at end of round
  • […] – repeat the instructions in brackets

NOTES

The pattern is written using US terminology and measures approximately 2.5″ x 2″ (6.5cm x 5cm) when using the materials listed.

Pieces are worked in a continuous spiral starting with a magic ring unless otherwise specified. Mark the first stitch of each round with a removable stitch marker.

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Use a hook size to match your chosen yarn. Make sure that your stitches are tight enough to prevent stuffing showing through and adjust hook size if necessary.

The beak and feet will require you to work into the back bump of chain stitches.

IDENTIFYING THE BACK BUMP

If you look at the front of your starting chain you will see the front loop and back loop of your chain stitches. Flip your chain over so you’re looking at the back. You will see a line of stitches running down the center, these are the back bumps of each chain.

Starting chain: front view
Starting chain: front view
Starting chain: back view
Starting chain: back view

PATTERN

BODY (brown)

R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
R2: [Inc] x6 (12)
R3: [Sc, inc] x6 (18)
R4: Sc, inc, [2 sc, inc] x5, sc (24)
R5-9: [Sc] x24 (24)
R10: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30)
R11: 2 sc, inc, [4 sc, inc] x5, 2 sc (36)
R12-16: [Sc] x36 (36)
R17: 2 sc, invdec, [4 sc, invdec] x5, 2 sc (30)
R18: [3 sc, invdec] x6 (24)
R19: Sc, invdec, [2 sc, invdec] x5, sc (18)

Start stuffing and continue to stuff as you go.

R20: [Sc, invdec] x6 (12)
R21: [Invdec] x6 (6)

Fasten off and weave in end.

BEAK (yellow)

Ch 8, working into the back bump of the ch, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 chs. Sc in next ch, hdc in last (7)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

FEET (make 2 – yellow)

R1: Ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn (3)
R2: Work into the back bump of the ch – [Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next ch. Sl st into next sc] x2. Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next ch. Sl st in last sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLY

  • Using black embroidery floss doubled, embroider eyes over R6, 2 stitches apart. With white floss doubled, add a line to the outer edge of each eye. I stitched over the same spot 5 times with black and twice with white.
  • Sew the beak one row below and centered between the eyes.
  • Sew feet to the bottom of the body so that they just peek out.
  • Optional: attach a keychain or sew a hanging loop to the top of the head if desired.

If you enjoyed this pattern, you can find more amigurumi patterns HERE.


PIN IT FOR LATER!

Interested in the pattern and want to save it for later? Simply click the image below.

Crochet kiwi pinterest pin.

I love seeing your creations! Feel free to send me a photo or tag me on Instagram @stitchbyfay and use the hashtag #stitchbyfaypatterns.

Happy Crocheting x

This pattern is for personal use only and may not be copied, reproduced, altered, published or distributed in any way. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You can sell finished products made from this pattern by crediting Stitch by Fay as the pattern designer and providing a link back to this post.

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