This section guides you through creating the main head and body of your amigurumi hoopoe, incorporating color changes and the distinctive “spine.”
(Start with yellow yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2: 6 inc [12]
Row 3: (inc, sc) x6 [18]
Row 4: (inc, 2 sc) x6 [24]
Row 5: (inc, 3 sc) x6 [30]
Row 6: (inc, 4 sc) x6 [36]
Row 7: (inc, 5 sc) x6 [42]
Row 8-18: 42 sc [42]
In the next row, you will create the distinctive “spine” of the hoopoe.
Row 19: 13 ch (), in 2nd chain from hook: 12 sc, then continue onto Row 18: 42 sc (
). On the other side of the chain (), 12 sc [66] ()
Mark the last stitch with a stitch marker; this will be the start of your new row.
Row 20: 3 sc, 64 sc, 3 sc [70]
Row 21: sc, inc, 66 sc, inc, sc [72]
Switch to black yarn.
Row 22-24: 72 sc [72]
Switch to white yarn.
Row 25-27: 72 sc [72]
Switch to black yarn.
Row 28-30: 72 sc [72]
Switch to white yarn.
Row 31-33: 72 sc [72]
Insert safety eyes between rows 13 and 14, with a gap of approximately 14 stitches at the front ().
Switch to black yarn.
Row 34: (5 sc, dec, 5 sc) x6 [66]
Row 35: (9 sc, dec) x6 [60]
Row 36: (4 sc, dec, 4 sc) x6 [54]
Switch to white yarn.
Row 37: (7 sc, dec) x6 [48]
Row 38: (3 sc, dec, 3 sc) x6 [42]
Row 39: (5 sc, dec) x6 [36]
Stuff the head and body firmly. Continue to stuff as you crochet the remaining rows.
Row 40: (2 sc, dec, 2 sc) x6 [30]
Row 41: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
Row 42: (sc, dec, sc) x6 [18]
Row 43: (sc, dec) x6 [12]
Row 44: 6 dec [6]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close the opening. Weave in and hide the thread ().
Beak
Create the hoopoe’s distinctive beak with brown yarn.
(In brown yarn)
Row 1: 5 sc in MR [5]
Row 2-3: 5 sc [5]
Row 4: inc, 4 sc [6]
Row 5-6: 6 sc [6]
Row 7: inc, 5 sc [7]
Row 8-9: 7 sc [7]
Row 10: inc, 6 sc [8]
Row 11: 8 sc [8]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. The beak can be lightly stuffed, but stuffing is optional.
Cheeks (Make 2)
Add cute cheeks to your hoopoe in yellow yarn.
(Make 2 in yellow yarn)
Row 1: 5 sc in MR [5]
Row 2: 5 inc [10]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Crafting the Hoopoe’s Feathers
The hoopoe’s crest is made from several individual feathers. Pay attention to color changes and closing techniques.
First Feather
(Start with black yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2: (inc, 2 sc) x 2 [8]
Row 3: 8 sc [8]
Switch to dark yellow yarn.
Row 4-6: 8 sc [8]
Flatten the piece, ensuring the last stitch is on the side. Work the next row through both walls to close the opening ().
Closing Row: 4 sc [4]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing ().
Second Feather
(Start with black yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2: (inc, 2 sc) x 2 [8]
Row 3: 8 sc [8]
Switch to dark yellow yarn.
Row 4-7: 8 sc [8]
Flatten the piece, with the last stitch on the side. Work the next row through both walls to close the opening.
Closing Row: 4 sc [4]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Third and Fifth Feather (Make 2)
(Make 2, start with black yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2: (inc, 2 sc) x 2 [8]
Row 3: (inc, 3 sc) x 2 [10]
Switch to dark yellow yarn.
Row 4-9: 10 sc [10]
Row 10: 4 sc, dec, 4 sc [9]
Row 11: 7 sc, dec [8]
Flatten the piece, with the last stitch on the side. Work the next row through both walls to close the opening.
Closing Row: 4 sc [4]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Fourth Feather
(Start with black yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2: (inc, 2 sc) x 2 [8]
Row 3: (inc, 3 sc) x 2 [10]
Switch to dark yellow yarn.
Row 4-10: 10 sc [10]
Row 11: 4 sc, dec, 4 sc [9]
Row 12: 7 sc, dec [8]
Flatten the piece, with the last stitch on the side. Work the next row through both walls to close the opening.
Closing Row: 4 sc [4]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing ().
Hoopoe Tail Instructions
Create the tail for your hoopoe, incorporating a simple color change.
(Start with black yarn)
Start with 7 ch.
Row 1: In 2nd ch from hook: 5 sc, 3 sc in 1 st. On the other side of the chain: 4 sc, 2 sc [14] ()
Row 2: (6 sc, inc) x 2 [16]
Row 3-5: 16 sc [16]
Switch to white yarn.
Row 6: 16 sc [16]
Row 7: (dec, 6 sc) x 2 [14]
Switch to black yarn.
Row 8-9: 14 sc [14]
Row 10: (dec, 5 sc) x 2 [12]
Row 11: 12 sc [12]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing . The tail does not need to be stuffed.
Amigurumi Wing Creation
The wings are made identically until the final closing and feather row. Pay close attention to the instructions for each wing.
Right Wing (Make 2)
(Start with black yarn)
Start with 8 ch.
Row 1: In 2nd ch from hook: 6 sc, 3 sc in 1 st. On the other side of the chain: 6 sc [15]
Row 2: 6 sc, 3 inc, 6 sc [18]
Row 3: 6 sc, (sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [21]
Switch to white yarn.
Row 4: 6 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [24]
Row 5: 6 sc, (3 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [27]
Row 6: 6 sc, (4 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [30]
Switch to black yarn.
Row 7: 6 sc, (5 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [33]
Row 8: 6 sc, (6 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [36]
Row 9: 6 sc, (7 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [39]
Switch to white yarn (
Row 10: 6 sc, (8 sc, inc) x 3, 6 sc [42]
Fasten off the right wing and weave in the end. Do not fasten off the left wing; continue crocheting according to the instructions below. The wing does not need to be stuffed.
Left Wing
Sc, then flatten the wing with the last stitch on the side. Work the next row through both walls to close the opening ().
Fasten off and weave in the end ().
Make a loop with black yarn in the 13th stitch of the closing row (Pic 15 – *image not provided*).
Feather Row: 2 ch + 3 dc in 1 st, skip st, (sl st + 3 ch + 3 sc in 1 st, skip 2 st) x2, sl st [3 feathers] (Pic 16 – *image not provided*)
Fasten off and weave in the end.
Right Wing
Flatten the wing, folding it in half, then pull up a loop with white yarn on the side with the curve on the right (Pic 17 – *image not provided*). Work the next row through both walls to close the opening.
Closing Row: 21 sc [21]
Fasten off and weave in the end. Pull up a loop with black yarn in the first stitch of the closing row (Pic 18 – *image not provided*).
Feather Row: 3 ch + 3 sc in 1 st, skip 2 st, sl st + 3 ch + 3 sc in 1 st, skip 2 st, sl st + 2 ch + 3 dc in 1 st, skip st, sl st [3 feathers] (Pic 19 – *image not provided*)
Fasten off and weave in the end (Pic 20 – *image not provided*).
Legs and Feet for Your Hoopoe
The legs and feet are created separately and then assembled. Note that the feet are composed of individual toes joined together.
Leg (Make 2)
(In brown yarn)
Leave a long starting yarn tail.
Row 1: 8 sc in MR [8]
Move the yarn tail to the outside of the work; it will later be used to sew the leg to the body.
Row 2-8: 8 sc [8]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the leg.
Foot (Make 2)
Start by crocheting 3 toes for each foot; you will later join them together to form the foot.
Middle Toe (Make 1 for each foot, 2 total)
(In brown yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2-5: 6 sc [6]
Fasten off and weave in the yarn end. Toes do not need to be stuffed.
Side Toe (Make 2 for each foot, 4 total)
(In brown yarn)
Row 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
Row 2-4: 6 sc [6]
Fasten off the first side toe and weave in the end. Do not fasten off the second side toe. Toes do not need to be stuffed. In the next row, you will join the toes together.
Joining the Toes
(In brown yarn)
Row 1: 4 sc on the second side toe, 2 sc on the middle toe, 5 sc on the first side toe, skip the last st, skip 1 st of the middle toe, 2 sc on the middle toe, skip the last st of the middle toe, skip the next st, 2 sc [14] (Pic 21 – *image not provided*)
Note: There may be small gaps between the toes, but since the toes remain free and flat, they are not noticeable.
Row 2: (dec, 5 sc) x 2 [12]
Row 3: 6 dec [6]
Row 4: 6 sc [6]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail. The foot does not need to be stuffed. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn tail through the front loops and pull tight to close. Weave in the end.
Assembly and Finishing Your Urban Hoopoe
Careful assembly will bring your amigurumi hoopoe to life!
Tip for Beginners: Pinning Parts
Always use sewing pins to position all parts correctly before sewing them into place. This allows you to adjust and ensure a symmetrical and pleasing final look!
Sew the beak to the head, between rows 13 and 14, centered between the eyes.
Sew the cheeks below the eyes.
Pin the feathers to the top of the head, with the first feather starting on row 8 and aligning with the beak (Pics 22-23 – *images not provided*). The feathers are sewn every 2 rows.
Pin the wings to the body, starting at row 22, aligning the stripes on the wings and body. Only sew the straight vertical side to the body, leaving the rest of the wing unsewn (Pic 24 – *image not provided*).
Sew the tail to rows 21 and 22 at the back of the body.
Sew the legs to the feet. Then sew the top of the legs to the lower part of the body, above rows 40 and 41, about 6 stitches apart at the front (Pic 25 – *image not provided*). Make sure the position of the legs allows the hoopoe to sit and that the toes are pointing upwards.
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