We had one of our customary spring snowfalls this past week in Colorado. It melted quickly, leaving behind greener grass, which the robins enjoy plucking through in their search for worms. I love to watch them hop about. There’s something very comforting about seeing the robins return. Perhaps it means that the snows have finally passed and we can look forward to warmer weather.

I want to share a favorite poem of mine with you, written by Louisa May Alcott when she was just 8 years old. Its welcoming of spring and the robin is so dear. I hope you enjoy it too.

To the First Robin

Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Fear no harm, and fear no danger;
We are glad to see you here,
For you sing “Sweet Spring is near.”

Now the white snow melts away;
Now the flowers blossom gay:
Come dear bird and build your nest,
For we love our robin best.

Celebrate spring with a robin of your own. Roly-Poly Rosa Robin is a dear little one with her charming expression and a plump belly (full of worms, I imagine). This easy crochet fatimal pattern will whip up quickly and delight the bird lover in your life.

Roly-Poly Rosa Robin Crochet Pattern

Finished size: 7″ tall and 13″ around at the widest point

Materials

(A) 50 yds worsted-weight yarn in dark gray (Caron Simply Soft in Charcoal Heather, 6 oz [170 g] / 315 yds [288 m])
(B) 50 yds worsted-weight yarn in light gray (Caron Simply Soft in Gray Heather, 6 oz [170 g] / 315 yds [288 m])
(C) 32 yds worsted-weight yarn in rose (Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Coral, 7 oz [198 g] / 364 yds [333 m])
(D) small amount of worsted-weight yarn in yellow (Caron Simply Soft in Sunshine, 6 oz [170 g] / 315 yds [288 m])
G-6 (4.00 mm) crochet hook
1 set of size 12 mm safety eyes (if you are making this for a child, please embroider eyes)
Light gray felt
Polyester Fiberfill
Tapestry needle

Gauge

5 sts = 1″
5 rows = 1″

Instructions

Eyes

Cut two 1” squares out of light gray felt. Fold in half and snip a small hole in the center. Insert post of each safety eye into each hole. Cut the square into a circle about 1/4” larger than the eye, using the eye as a guide. Set eyes aside for now.

Body

With A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)

Rnd 3: * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)

Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (24)

Rnd 5: * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (30)

Rnd 6: * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (36)

Rnds 7-15: Sc in ea sc around.

Switch to B.

Rnd 16: * 5 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (42)

Rnd 17: Sc in ea sc around.

Rnd 18: * 6 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (48)

Rnd 19: Sc in ea sc around.

Rnd 20: * 7 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (54)

Rnds 21-30: Sc in ea sc around.

Rnd 31: * 7 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (48)

Rnd 32: * 6 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (42)

Rnd 33: * 5 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (36)

Rnd 34: * 4 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (30)

Rnd 35: * 3 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (24)

Insert safety eyes between stitches in Rnds 9 and 10 and pop on the backs to secure.

Stuff robin firmly.

Rnd 36: * 2 sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (18)

Rnd 37: * Sc, dec, rep from * 5 more times. (12)

Rnd 38: * Sk, sc, rep from * 5 more times. (6)

Join with slst. FO, leaving a tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull to close. Weave in end.

Belly

With C, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. Slst in 1^st sc to join. (12)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (18)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (24)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (30)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (36)

FO, leaving long tail for sewing.

Sew to the middle of robin’s belly.

Wings (Make 2)

With B, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc into 2nd ch from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (8)

Rnds 3-5: Sc in ea sc around.

Tuck in ends and press flat, lining up 3 sets of sts in the middle.

Row 6: Sc this closed with 3 scs (skipping the sts on either end where it is folded). Turn. (3)

Row 7: Ch 2, 2 dc in each of next 2 sc, (2 dc, ch 2, slst) in last sc.

FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Sew these to the sides of the robin so that the wings reach out just in front of her belly.

Feet (Make 2)

With A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc into 2nd ch from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (8)

Rnds 3-5: Sc in ea sc around.

Tuck in ends and press flat, lining up 3 sets of sts in the middle.

Row 6: Sc this closed with 3 scs (skipping the sts on either end where it is folded). Turn. (3)

Row 7: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, hdc in next 2 chs, slst in sc at base of ch-5. (Slst in next sc, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, hdc in next 2 chs, slst) 2 times.

Sew these to the bottom of the robin so that the toes stick out from under her belly.

Beak

With D, ch 9.

Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, slst in end ch. FO, leaving a long tail. Weave in short end. Fold beak in half and use long tail to sew to head along the fold.