Introduction to By: Karen Vaughn HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC CIRCLE Written steps to make a Magic Circle Step 1: Lay across (non-dominant) hand as shown with yarn end closer to you and working yarn on the other side. Step 2: Wrap yarn once around two fingers (make sure it crosses over as shown and working yarn is on the left. Step 3: Turn your hand inward as shown so you can see the tops of your fingers. With the hook, go under and then grab the other loop. Step 4: Bring up a loop. Step 5: Carefully slide your fingers out of the ring. Step 6: Chain 1 (grab yarn over and pull through loop on hoop) Step 7: To work the first single crochet into the center of the ring, insert the hook into the center (be sure both ring and yarn tail are incorporated) and bring up a loop. Step 8: Wrap yarn around hook and bring it through both loops on your hook. Step 9: Repeat steps 7 and 8 until you have as many single as you need. Step 10: Gently pull the yarn tail to closeup the ring. Step 11: After pulling the ring closed, it should look like the #11 photo below. Now you're ready to close the round. Step 12: Insert hook into next and stitch to close round.(ADD STITCH MARKER)

Now you're ready to move onto round two! Work stitches as you normally would or per instructions . HOW TO SINGLE CROCHET (SC)

Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw a loop through (one sc worked up to the last step): 2 loops on hook.

Yarn over and draw a loop through both loops on hook. HOW TO SLIP STITCH

Pull the loop on the hook. yarn all the way through

Finish your last stitch, and yarn over.

You’ll be left with a knot in the yarn. Now that you have a fastened off piece, you can either weave in the yarn tail (in rows or in rounds), or use it to sew the piece onto another amigurumi piece. HOW TO INCREASE (INC)

Work another single crochet stitch inserting your hook in same stitch. You’ve made one complete single crochet stitch increase.

Repeat the preceding steps at the place of increase.( in the same stitch) HOW TO DECREASE (DEC)

Yarn over and draw a Insert hook into next Insert hook into next stitch. stitch, yarn over and loop through (another draw a loop through sc worked up to last (one sc worked up to step): 3 loops on hook. the last step): 2 loops on hook.

Yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook. decrease completed Making a bird in a nest • What you will need : • 3.5 mm Abbreviations crocket used in pattern: hook • 6 mm SC = Single Crochet safety eyes and nose INC = Increase • Polyfil stuffing DEC = Decrease • Yarn needle

• yarn Bird Body *********Add stitch marker on the first stitch of each row ****************

1. Magic Ring with 6 sc 2. Two sc in every stitch 3. One sc in first stich, two in next stitch, repeat until end 4. One sc in first 2 stitches, two in 3rd stitch, repeat until end 5. One stitch in first 3 stitches, two in the 4th stitch, repeat until end 6. Sc around 7. Sc around 8. Sc around 9. Sc around 10. Sc in first 9 stitches, dec 6 times, sc next 9 stitches 11. Sc around 12. Sc first 6 stitches, dec 6 times, sc next 6 stitches 13. Sc around 14. Sc first 3 stitches, dec 6 times, sc next 3 stitches 15. Sc around – stuff 16. Dec once, fasten off with clip stitch and leave tail for . Sew opening closed with a whip stitch. Weave in the excess yarn Bird Head

1. Magic ring with 6 sc 2. Two stitches in every stitch 3. Sc in first stitch, two stitches in next, repeat around 4. Sc in first two stitches, two stitches in next, repeat around 5. Sc around 6. Sc around 7. Sc around 8. Sc around 9. Sc in first two stitches, dec, repeat around 10. Sc first stitch, dec, repeat around –fasten off with slip stitch - add safety eyes and safety nose(beak) - fill head with stuffing sew head to body. Weave in excess yarn into project. Wings (make two) You can use any color for wings you would like 1. Magic circle with 6 sc 2. Two sc in every stitch 3. Sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next stitch, repeat around 4. Fold wing in half 5. Sc both sides together(through both side stitches) 6. Fasten off with slip stitch and leave tail for sewing to body

NEST (use same color as bird body) 1. Magic ring with 6 sc 2. Two sc in every stitch 3. One sc in first stitch, two stitches in next, repeat until end 4. One sc in first 2 stitches, two stitches in next, repeat until end 5. One sc in first 3 stitches, two stitches in next, repeat until end 6. One sc in first 4 stitches, two stitches in next, repeat until end 7. One sc in first 5 stitches, two stitches in next, repeat until end 8. One sc in first 6 stitches, two stitches in next, repeat until end 9. Sc around 10. Sc around 11. Sc around end with a slip stitch 12. Fasten off and sew nest together in any fashion – I did this one in a cluster.