0

Ember the Phoenix Chick: Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

An Introduction from Patricia to Your Ember the Phoenix Chick

Hello there, my wonderful crocheting friend! It's Patricia Poltera, and oh, my heart is all aflutter today as I share the pattern for a creature of pure magic and charm – Ember, the Phoenix Chick! There's something truly special about amigurumi that captures the essence of myth and legend, isn't there? Ember, with that magnificent fiery crest and wide, innocent eyes, is ready to rise from your yarn basket and bring a spark of joy to your world.

Crafting all those little feathers might seem like a grand adventure, and it is! But I'll be right here to guide your hook. I'm so delighted to offer this pattern for Ember completely free. It's your incredible enthusiasm and the warm support you show for my creative endeavors at Patricia Poltera's Amigurumi Pattern Parlour that fuels my passion and allows me to keep designing these little wonders. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you! Now, let's gather our flames—I mean, yarns!—and begin.

Materials You'll Need for Ember the Phoenix Chick

To bring your very own Ember to life, you'll want these supplies at the ready. These are my suggestions, but feel free to use your favourite yarns of a similar weight!

Yarn:

(DK weight yarn is recommended. Using this weight, Ember will be approx. 6-7 inches tall including crest.)

  • Main Body & Head Color (MC): Approx. 50g of Pale Orange or Soft Yellowish-Orange.
  • Feather Color (FC): Approx. 70-80g of Vibrant Darker Orange (for crest, wings, and tail). You'll be making many feathers!
  • Beak & Feet Color (AC): Small amount of Medium Grey (AC for Accent Color).

Hooks & Notions:

  • The Absolute Essentials:
    • Crochet Hook: 2.75mm (C/2) or 3.00mm – choose a size that creates tight, dense stitches with your DK yarn so no stuffing shows through.
    • Safety Eyes: One pair, large black, approx. 10-12mm.
    • Toy Stuffing: Good quality polyester fiberfill.
    • Yarn Needle: Essential for assembling all those lovely feathers and other parts.
    • Stitch Marker: To keep track of your rounds.
    • Sharp Scissors.
  • My 'Game Changer' Recommendations (Optional, but oh-so-helpful!):
    • Straight Pins: You'll thank me later! Indispensable for positioning the many feathers before sewing.
    • Fabric Stiffener (Optional & Use Sparingly): If you want your feathers to have extra hold or a specific curve, a very light application of clear-drying fabric stiffener can be used after they are made and shaped. Test on a spare piece first.
    • Tweezers or a Hemostat: Useful for stuffing the small feet.

Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Ember the Phoenix Chick

Ember, with all those glorious feathers, is a creation that will fill you with pride! I'd say this pattern is best suited for an intermediate crocheter, or a determined advanced beginner ready for a delightful challenge in shaping and assembly.

Key Techniques You'll Use:

  • Working in a spiral (continuous rounds).
  • Magic Ring (MR).
  • Single Crochet (sc).
  • Increase (inc).
  • Invisible Decrease (dec).
  • Slip Stitch (sl st).
  • Chain (ch).
  • Working in Front Loops Only (FLO) and Back Loops Only (BLO) – this will help give our feathers some lovely texture and definition!
  • Creating multiple small, flat, shaped pieces (the feathers).
  • Careful, layered assembly and sewing.

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terminology):

  • MR: magic ring
  • sc: single crochet
  • inc: increase (2 sc in next st)
  • dec: invisible decrease (sc next 2 sts together FLO)
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • ch: chain
  • st(s): stitch(es)
  • rnd(s): round(s)
  • FLO: front loop only
  • BLO: back loop only
  • MC: Main Color (Pale Orange/Yellowish-Orange)
  • FC: Feather Color (Darker Orange)
  • AC: Accent Color (Grey)
  • [...] x times: repeat instructions in brackets x times
  • (...): total number of stitches at the end of the round/row

A Note on Photos & Your Unique Ember the Phoenix Chick

The true beauty of handmade is that each creation is a unique little soul! Your Ember might have a slightly perkier crest or a different flutter to his wings, all depending on your personal touch, yarn, and tension. That's what makes him your Ember. The photos are here to inspire, but your hands will bring his unique spark to life!

↚

The Ember the Phoenix Chick Amigurumi Pattern

Important Notes Before You Start:

  • Crochet very tightly, especially for the head and body, to prevent stuffing from peeking through.
  • Stuff the head and body firmly to give Ember a good, solid shape. The feet are stuffed lightly.
  • The feathers are not stuffed.
  • Use a stitch marker for every round in spirally worked pieces.
  • Pin all pieces, especially the feathers, carefully in place before sewing to ensure symmetry and the desired arrangement.

Head

(With MC - Pale Orange/Yellowish-Orange yarn)

  • Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
  • Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18)
  • Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24)
  • Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30)
  • Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] x 6. (36)
  • Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] x 6. (42)
  • Rnd 8-14: Sc in each st around (7 rounds). (42)
  • Insert Safety Eyes: Place safety eyes between Rnds 10 and 11, about 7-8 stitches apart. Ensure they are securely fastened.
  • Rnd 15: [Sc 5, dec] x 6. (36)
  • Rnd 16: [Sc 4, dec] x 6. (30)
  • Rnd 17: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24)
  • Begin stuffing the head firmly. Continue stuffing as you go.
  • Rnd 18: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18)
  • Rnd 19: [Sc 1, dec] x 6. (12)
  • Rnd 20: Dec x 6. (6)
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Hide the yarn end.

Beak

(With AC - Grey yarn)

  • Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4)
  • Rnd 2: [Sc 1, inc] x 2. (6)
  • Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (6)
  • Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 2. (8)
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Body

(With MC - Pale Orange/Yellowish-Orange yarn)

  • Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
  • Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] x 6. (18)
  • Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] x 6. (24)
  • Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] x 6. (30)
  • Rnd 6-10: Sc in each st around (5 rounds). (30)
  • Rnd 11: [Sc 3, dec] x 6. (24)
  • Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (24)
  • Rnd 13: [Sc 2, dec] x 6. (18)
  • Stuff body firmly.
  • Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing the body to the head.

Feet (Make 2)

(With AC - Grey yarn or you can leave them in Pale Orange/Yellowish-Orange yarn)

  • Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
  • Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
  • Rnd 3-4: Sc in each st around (2 rounds). (12)
  • Rnd 5: [Sc 2, dec] x 3. (9)
  • Stuff lightly.
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Feathers (General Instructions)

(With FC - Darker Orange yarn) The feathers for the crest, wings, and tail are all made similarly, as flat pieces with some shaping and texture. We'll make a few sizes. The texture comes from working some rows in BLO to create a slight ridge, and the shaping creates the points and curves.

Small Feather (Make approx. 8-10 for crest filler, wing edges)

  • Ch 7.
  • Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 6. Ch 1, turn. (6)
  • Row 2: Sc in BLO across. Ch 1, turn. (6)
  • Row 3: Sc 1, hdc 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 1. Ch 1, turn. (6) (This row adds a bit of width/curve)
  • Row 4: Sc in BLO: sc 2, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (5)
  • Row 5: Sc 1, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (4)
  • Row 6: Dec x 2. Ch 1, turn. (2)
  • Row 7: Dec. (1)
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Medium Feather (Make approx. 10-12 for main crest, wings, tail)

  • Ch 9.
  • Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 8. Ch 1, turn. (8)
  • Row 2: Sc in BLO across. Ch 1, turn. (8)
  • Row 3: Sc 2, hdc 1, dc 2, hdc 1, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (8)
  • Row 4: Sc in BLO: sc 3, dec, sc 3. Ch 1, turn. (7)
  • Row 5: Sc 2, dec, sc 3. Ch 1, turn. (6)
  • Row 6: Sc in BLO: sc 2, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (5)
  • Row 7: Sc 1, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (4)
  • Row 8: Dec x 2. Ch 1, turn. (2)
  • Row 9: Dec. (1)
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Large Feather (Make approx. 5-7 for central crest, central tail)

  • Ch 11.
  • Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 10. Ch 1, turn. (10)
  • Row 2: Sc in BLO across. Ch 1, turn. (10)
  • Row 3: Sc 2, hdc 2, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (10)
  • Row 4: Sc in BLO: sc 4, dec, sc 4. Ch 1, turn. (9)
  • Row 5: Sc 3, dec, sc 4. Ch 1, turn. (8)
  • Row 6: Sc in BLO: sc 3, dec, sc 3. Ch 1, turn. (7)
  • Row 7: Sc 2, dec, sc 3. Ch 1, turn. (6)
  • Row 8: Sc in BLO: sc 2, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (5)
  • Row 9: Sc 1, dec, sc 2. Ch 1, turn. (4)
  • Row 10: Dec x 2. Ch 1, turn. (2)
  • Row 11: Dec. (1)
  • Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Patricia's Pro Tip for Feathers: As you make your feathers, you can gently curve or shape them with your fingers. The BLO rows will give a natural tendency for them to have a "front" and "back." Arrange them with the ridged side (the side showing the unworked front loops) facing outwards for the most texture.

Assembly Instructions for Your Ember the Phoenix Chick

This is where your little phoenix truly takes flight! Take your time, pin generously, and step back often to check symmetry.

  1. Attach Beak to Head: Pin the beak to the center of the face, just below the safety eyes (around Rnds 11-13 of the head). Sew securely using the tail.
  2. Attach Head to Body: Use the long tail from the body to sew the head centrally onto the body opening. Ensure it's straight and very secure. Add more stuffing to the neck area as you sew if needed.
  3. Attach Feet to Body: Pin the feet to the underside front of the body, angled slightly outwards, so Ember can sit stably. Sew securely.
  4. Assemble and Attach Crest:
    • This is the most creative part! Start by arranging the Large Feathers to form the central, tallest part of the crest on the top and upper back of the head. Pin them in place. The base of the feathers should overlap.
    • Add Medium Feathers around and slightly below the large ones, continuing to build the voluminous, flame-like shape.
    • Use Small Feathers to fill in any gaps and add to the lower edges of the crest, blending it into the head.
    • Ensure the feathers curl slightly upwards and backwards. Sew each feather securely at its base, catching a few stitches of the head. You may want to tack the feathers to each other slightly where they overlap for more stability.
  5. Assemble and Attach Wings (Make 2 sets of wing feathers, then attach):
    • For each wing, take 2-3 Medium Feathers and 1-2 Small Feathers.
    • Layer them with the small ones slightly overlapping the medium ones to create a fanned, wing shape. The pointed tips should face outwards/backwards.
    • Sew the bases of these layered feathers together tightly to form a single wing unit.
    • Pin the completed wing units to the sides of the body, angled slightly upwards or backwards as you prefer. Sew securely.
  6. Assemble and Attach Tail:
    • Take 2-3 Medium Feathers and 1-2 Large Feathers for the tail.
    • Arrange them in a fanned shape, similar to the crest but smaller, with the points curling upwards.
    • Sew their bases together tightly, then sew the entire tail unit to the lower back of the body.

Tips & Tricks for Your Ember the Phoenix Chick

A few sparks of wisdom for your fiery friend!

Troubleshooting Common Crochet Challenges:

  • Feathers Not Holding Shape: Ensure your stitches are tight. The BLO rows help provide structure. If they are still too floppy for your liking, consider the optional fabric stiffener (test first!) or crochet them with a slightly smaller hook.
  • Symmetry is Tricky: For the crest, wings, and tail, assemble one side/element, then use it as a direct mirror or guide for the other. Pinning and counting stitches/rows for placement is your best friend here.
  • Lots of Ends to Weave In: Yes, there will be! For the feathers, try to weave the starting tail into the first few rows as you go. The sewing tail can be used and then hidden securely within the head or body.

Customization Corner:

  • Color Palette: Imagine Ember as an ice phoenix with blues and silvers! Or a mystical forest bird with greens and browns. The feather color is your playground.
  • Feather Size & Number: Feel free to make more or fewer feathers, or even slightly alter the feather patterns (longer starting chains for longer feathers, more rows for wider ones) to customize Ember's plumage.
  • Sparkle Yarn: A strand of metallic or sparkle yarn carried along with your Feather Color yarn could add a magical glint!

Gifting Your Handmade Masterpiece:

  • Ember makes a truly magical gift. For younger recipients, ensure all parts, especially the safety eyes, are extremely secure. As there are many small sewn parts (feathers), this pattern is generally better for older children or as a decorative piece.
  • A little adoption certificate saying "Ember the Phoenix Chick, Hatched on [Date]" would be a lovely touch.

Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Ember the Phoenix Chick

  • Q: How do I get the feathers to look so layered and full like in the picture?
    • A: The key is overlapping the bases of the feathers significantly when you sew them on. Don't just sew them edge-to-edge. For the crest, imagine you're building it up from the head like shingles on a roof, but pointing upwards! Pinning a whole section before sewing is vital. You might also slightly curve or bend the feathers before attaching them to encourage the shape.
  • Q: My BLO rows don't look very ridged. What am I doing wrong?
    • A: Ensure you are definitely inserting your hook only under the back loop of the stitch from the previous row. Consistent tension also helps the ridges pop. Sometimes, the effect is more subtle with certain yarns, but it should give a defined line.
  • Q: Can I use a different method for the feathers, like loop stitches?
    • A: For the look in the reference image, shaped flat pieces are best. Loop stitches would create a very different, fluffier texture, which could be lovely for a different style of bird but wouldn't match this particular design's sleek, flame-like plumes.
  • Q: How many feathers exactly do I need?
    • A: The numbers given (8-10 small, 10-12 medium, 5-7 large) are approximate. The final number will depend on how densely you want to pack them and the exact size/shape of your doll's head. It's better to make a few extra of each size. You can always use fewer if you achieve the look you want.

A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Ember the Phoenix Chick

And there you have it – your very own Ember, a testament to your skill and patience! Creating all those feathers is a labor of love, and I hope you've enjoyed watching this mythical chick take shape under your hook. Each plume you crafted and attached has brought him closer to soaring off your crafting table (figuratively, of course!).

Seeing these little characters come to life through your hands is the greatest reward. Remember, your continued engagement and support—whether it's by sharing your finished Ember online (I'd be thrilled to see your fiery creations!), telling a fellow crafter about my patterns, or perhaps a visit to my Pattern Parlour—make it possible for me to keep these detailed patterns freely available for all to enjoy. Happy stitching, and may your days be bright and full of creativity!

Warmly, Patricia

You may like these posts

Comments