Sweet Nothings Crochet: BIRD FEEDER

BIRD FEEDER

I’ve been thinking of making a bird feeder, but somehow I never seemed to find the time.. and now I have a lot of it in hand so here goes – one more project into the DONE list.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some cotton twine with a 4.5 mm crochet hook and a plate.

If you need beads etc check here or here or here

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any cotton yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

Difficulty level : Easy

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet

dc : Double crochet sp : Space

sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain

st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook

yo : Yarn Over sk : Skip

Stitches used : Using US terminology

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Instruction information

Please note that I start all rows with a ch 1 turning chain for ease.

Please also check the top of this blog for neat video tutorials of all stitches used in today’s pattern sheet.

Please go through the full instruction sheet before you start, so you get an idea of what we’re doing. There is an option for the ending which you may miss out on if you do not read through. Cheers.

Today’s creation instructions will be slightly general as I would like that you can adapt it for use of any sized plate.

.. basically all you need for his project is on this plate ;)

We will work the pattern as a triangle that will fit the plate that you are going to use for your feeder. We will then work three long strips from each of the three corner apices of your creation. In our final round we can then attach these three strips together before we hang it out onto the tree or garden post for the birds with the plate sitting snugly inside.

Now size : Basically you need to work the pattern till you have covered your plate and it sits snugly inside this triangle base. So the number of rounds you work will depend on the size of the plate as well as the thickness of your yarn.

As this is going to be out in the garden, in the sun, I’d suggest a thicker cotton yarn.

Remember that the birds may decide to go for a swing on the plate or the hanging straps – so I do not think acrylic will work.

Right then, onto the project.

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and work 1 dc in the magic circle ;

(ch 1, 1 dc in the same magic circle) ;

rep (to) 4 times ;

ch 1 and join to the 1^st st with a sl-st.

(6 dc ; 6 ch-sps)

From this round, we will work a “V”-st which is (dc ; ch 2, dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-sp ;

“V-st” in the same 1^st ch-sp ;

*ch 2, sk next dc ; “V”-st in the next ch-sp* ;

rep *to* all around ;

ch 2 and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

From this round, we will work a Shell-st which is (2 dc ; ch 2, 2 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

Round 3 : sl-st in 1^st ch-sp ;

Shell st in the same 1^st ch-sp ;

(ch 2, “V-st” in the next ch-sp ;

ch 2, Shell st in the next ch-sp) ;

rep (to) all around ;

ch 2 and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 4 : sl-st in 1^st ch-sp ;

Shell st in the same 1^st ch-sp ;

*(ch 2, dc in the next ch-sp) ;

ch 2, “V-st” in the next ch-sp ;

rep (to) once ;

ch 2, Shell st in the next ch-sp* ;

rep *to* all around ;

ch 2 and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

And this is basically our pattern. So before we go off for our repeats, let me re-simplify he pattern.

We started with 6 points, and have made three of those “Shell sts” which will be our three corner apices. We will finally work the holding straps off these Shell stitch corners.

We also have 3 sets of “V”-sts going around. We will keep adding a dc in the ch-sps between the “V”-st and the Shell st to grow our pattern round.

I’m sure this makes it all clear, but lets’ work one round together, shall we?

Round 5 : sl-st in 1^st ch-sp ;

Shell st in the same 1^st ch-sp ;

*(ch 2, dc in the next ch-sp) ;

rep (to) once ;

ch 2, “V-st” in the next ch-sp ;

rep (to) 2 times ;

ch 2, Shell st in the next ch-sp* ;

rep *to* all around ;

ch 2 and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Rep Round 5, adding one rep (to) each round, till you get the circumference you need for your plate… or till your plate fits neatly on top of this triangular base.

At this point, you are basically done with the feeder – you can opt to just add ties to the centre ch-sp of the three “Shell stitches” , fit your plate in and go out to your garden with your bird seed right now.

Else come on along and lets work on the three straps.

Now we will work the straps along the three apices that have the Shell st.

We will use the dc before the Shell st, the Shell st and the dc after the Shell st for our strap.

Strap Row 1 : dc in the 1^st dc (just before the corner Shell st) ;

ch 2, Shell st in the next Shell st ;

ch 2, dc in the last dc. Turn.

Rep Strap Row 1 till you have the length you need for your feeder.

If you have a windy garden, firstly choose a space that will not just attract the birds but is not too windy as our hammock-like bird feeder shouldn’t rock too much.. for that matter no bird feeder should rock too much if you want to attract the birds.

Then see the length is high enough off the ground to be within flying sight of the birds, but also low enough for you to refill it easily.

OK, so once you have that done and your length achieved, fasten off and weave in ends.

Re-attach your yarn at the dc just before the next Shell st and repeat all this all over again.

You will do this three times in total, for three straps – all of the same length.

To finish : You could just pass a thread through the centre of the Shell st and then tie this onto the place you want to hang your feeder.
OR you could join it a little neatly – as I have done.

Last round : sc in the 1^st dc ;

(sc in the ch-sp ; sc in the next 4 dc ; sc in the next dc) ;

rep (to) till you reach the 1^st st ;

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

I have then passed three bits of thread (even lengths) through the three corners of my last round and tied this onto the branch of the tree.

Now here’s hoping I will have photos of birds happily swinging and merrily eating the sprouted birdseed I have put out for them.

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