Remy The Red-Breasted Nuthatch
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There’s something about a crochet Red-Breasted Nuthatch that’s just so darn cute. Maybe it’s that gorgeous rusty orange belly. Maybe it’s those soft blue-gray wings. Or maybe it’s that sweet little face with its tiny tuft of feathers on top. Whatever it is, this little bird has completely stolen my heart!
Meet Remy the Red-Breasted Nuthatch! He’s soft, squishy, and full of charm. Made with super bulky plush yarn, this adorable crochet bird works up surprisingly fast and brings all those beautiful colors together in one perfectly plump little package.
I found out the most interesting thing when researching Nuthatch birds. It turns out, these fascinating little birds have a rather unusual talent. They can climb headfirst DOWN a tree trunk! While other birds are busy hopping around or flying from branch to branch, a nuthatch is just as happy scooting down the side of a tree like it’s no big deal.
And I think that makes them pretty special. And also.. look how CUTE he is!
When I started dreaming up my little collection of Pacific Northwest Crochet Birds, I knew a Red-Breasted Nuthatch would be a perfect addition. There’s something so fun about taking a beautiful bird from nature and turning it into a soft, cuddly little friend. Be sure to check out the other little Pacific Northwest bird collection: Stan the Steller’s Jay and Wesley the Western Tanager.
And oh my goodness. Just LOOK at Remy!
I especially love his round little body, that warm rust-colored belly, and those adorable blue-gray wings. And that little tuft of feathers on his head? I think it might just be my favorite part!
He’s got all the charm of the real thing, just in a much softer, squishier version. And I have to say, I think he’s pretty darn adorable!
For this project, I’m using Premier Parfait Chunky yarn which is a chenille style #6 super bulky weight yarn. Pop over to Herrschner’s for the best pricing or Amazon. If you can’t locate a color, this Etsy shop seems to stock them all and has pretty fast shipping.
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The head and body is worked in 1 piece, starting with cream color yarn at the top of the head and then changing colors for the body. The tummy has a few extra stitches for the perfect amount of squish.
Like my other bird patterns, the details make all the difference when working with a bulky weight yarn. You’ll find the beak, feet, feathers have very few stitches, but very intentional placement. It’s so fun and quick to crochet these little elements.
Let’s crochet!
Crochet Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Materials
- Premier Parfait Chunky, size 6 super bulky weight, 100% polyester, 131 yds/120m per 3.5 oz skein (try Herrschners, Amazon or Etsy)
- Honey: 25 yards
- Charcoal (dark gray): 13 yards
- Cream: 14 yards
- US H8/5.00 mm crochet hook these are my absolute favorite hooks I recommend to everyone!)
- 10 mm safety eyes. NOTE: if making for a baby or young child, embroider eyes instead
- Stitch markers to keep track of rows
- Fiberfill
- Tapestry needle and scissors
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart. Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.
Gauge:
My gauge is 6 sc to 2 inches. However, gauge is not important in this pattern. You may use other weights of yarn. Adjust hook size to fit your needs.
Resources and crochet tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart. Find links to stitches and basic crochet skills on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches such as the slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet stitch and chain stitch used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.
Crochet Abbreviations:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch(es)
Finished Crochet Red-Breasted Nuthatch Size
The crochet bird is approximately 6” tall x 4.5” wide.
How to Crochet a Red-Breasted Nuthatch
The head and body of the crochet Nuthatch are worked in one piece, starting at the top of the head, decreasing at the neck and increasing to work the body, changing color along the way. Then we crochet the beak, wings, feet and top and tail feathers.
Bird Head and Body
Using cream yarn, make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring. Place stitch marker and work in continuous rounds. (6 st)
R2: 2 sc in ea st. (12 st)
R3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (18 st)
R4: *Sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (24 st)
R5-8: Sc around. (24 st)
R9: *Sc in next 2 st, sc2tog. Repeat from * around (18 st)
R10: *Sc in next st, sc2tog. Repeat from * around, changing to honey color in last stitch. (12 st)
Insert safety eyes between rows 6 & 7, leaving 4 stitches in between them. Stuff head and continue to stuff body as you work.
R11: With honey, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (18 st)
R12: *Sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (24 st)
R13: Sc around (24 st)
R14: *Sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next. Repeat from * around. (28 st)
R15-18: Sc around. (28 st)
R19: *Sc in next 5 st, sc2tog. Repeat from * around. (24 st)
R20: *Sc in next st, sc2tog. Repeat from * around (16 st) Firmly stuff body the rest of the way.
R21: *Sc2tog. Repeat from * around. (8 st) Fasten off, weave end through last stitches and pull tight.
Crochet Red-Breasted Nuthatch Beak
With dark gray yarn, make a magic ring.
R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds
R2: (Sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice (6 st). Fasten off, using an invisible join if you prefer.
Sew beak between and below eyes. Beak covers all of row 8 and parts of rows 7 & 9 (or as desired).
Top Feathers (Hair)
With dark gray yarn, *ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 3 st, repeat from * 2 more times. Fasten off and sew to top of head.
Wings (Make 2)
With dark gray yarn, make a magic ring.
R1: 4 sc into ring (4 sts). Work in rounds.
R2: (Sc in next st, 2sc in next st) twice. (6 st).
R3: (Sc in next 2 st, 2sc in next st) twice. (8 st)
R4: Sc around. (8 st)
R5: Fold piece in half, then carefully sc across the double thickness. (4 st)
R6: Ch 1, (sc2tog) twice. (2 st) Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Sew a wing on either side of the body near neck.
Tail Feathers
With honey yarn, *ch 7, sl st in next 7th ch from hook to form a loop, repeat from * 2 more times (3 loops). Fasten off and sew to the lower back of bird.
Feet
With dark gray yarn, ch 3
R1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook (1st toe made), *ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Repeat from * once (3 toes made). Then, sl st to very 1st chain in round to connect the toes back to the start. Fasten off leaving a long strand for joining.
Sew feet between rows 19 and 20 of body, or as desired.
Weave in any loose ends.
Final Thoughts on Remy The Red-Breasted Nuthatch
I had so much fun designing Remy! I love how that warm, rusty orange belly looks against his soft blue-gray wings. And that adorable little tuft of feathers on top of his head? Oh my goodness. It’s the little details that make me smile! And best of all? He’s a quick make too!
From his chubby little body to his sweet little face and tiny feet, Remy has all the things I love most in an amigurumi project: simple stitches, easy construction, and a finished piece that makes you smile.
There’s something so fun about bringing these beautiful birds to life with yarn. I love taking the colors and special little features that make each bird unique and turning them into something soft, squishy, and completely adorable.
Whether you’re crocheting Remy for a bird lover, making him as a sweet little gift, or simply adding another feathered friend to your amigurumi bird collection, I hope you love every minute spent making him.
And don’t be surprised if Remy inspires you to crochet a whole flock of birds. There’s just something about these chubby little feathered friends that makes it awfully hard to stop at just one!
Be sure to check out my other Pacific Northwest birds: Stan, the Steller’s Jay and Wesley the Western Tanager.
I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making this Crochet Nuthatch Bird pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo. If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
