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Free Broccoli Bird Crochet Pattern – The Cutest Amigurumi Keychain You’ll Ever Make

There are crochet birds. There are crochet broccoli. And then, in a masterpiece of amigurumi crossover creativity, there is the broccoli bird — a round, squishy little bird whose head is covered in a gloriously bushy crown of dark green curls that looks exactly like a tiny head of broccoli. It is arguably the most charming and unexpected design in this entire collection, and this free broccoli bird crochet pattern walks you through every single stitch.

The broccoli hair is made by working chains and single crochets into the unworked front loops left at the top of the body — a technique that creates dozens of tiny loops all over the top of the head, giving a wonderfully wild, bushy, broccoli-floret texture. The result is genuinely delightful and looks far more complex than it actually is. This project also features some of the tiniest, most charming little details: a beak made from a single magic ring with chains fanning out, two perfectly round white eye spheres worked in split yarn, and three-toed feet made from chain loops.

If you want to make the crochet project that gets the most comments, the most laughs, and the most “wait, is that a bird wearing broccoli?” reactions — this is it.

About This Broccoli Bird Amigurumi Pattern

Here’s a quick overview before we dive in:

• Skill Level: Beginner to Easy Intermediate (the hair technique and split-yarn pieces are new for some, but easy to learn)
• Crochet Style: Amigurumi (body worked in the round from bottom up); hair attached from body’s front loops; small flat pieces for wings, eyes, feet, and beak
• Finished Size: Tiny keychain size — these birds are genuinely small and precious, especially when worked in split yarn for the fine detail pieces
• Recommended Use: Keychain, bag charm, backpack clip, gift, plant lover’s gift, craft fair item, pair them together for an adorable set!

One important note about this pattern: several pieces are worked with split yarn — meaning you separate your 4-ply yarn into 2 individual strands and use those thinner strands for the eye whites, feet, and beak. This gives those tiny detail pieces a much more delicate, fine-gauge result that’s proportionate to the small body. A smaller hook is needed for the split yarn sections.

Materials Needed

Here’s everything you need:

• Yarn: DK or worsted weight in the following colors: You can check out Catania yarn
  • Green or Yellow (main body color)
  • Dark Green (hair — the broccoli florets!)
  • White (eye whites — used as split yarn)
  • Orange (beak and feet — used as split yarn)
• Crochet Hook: Two sizes — a standard hook for the main body (appropriate for your yarn weight), and a smaller hook for the split yarn detail pieces (eye whites, feet, beak). You can check out Tulip crochet hooks
• Safety Eyes (very small): Or black embroidery thread for the pupils
• Fiberfill Stuffing: For the body
• Tapestry/Yarn Needle: For sewing all pieces in place and weaving in ends
• Keychain Ring or Lobster Clasp: To finish as a wearable charm
• Scissors

What is split yarn? For the eye whites, feet, and beak, the pattern instructs you to split your 4-ply yarn into 2 individual plies/strands. To do this, find the end of your yarn and gently separate it into two thinner strands. Thread one of these thinner strands onto your smaller hook to work these fine detail pieces. This creates a much thinner fabric that suits the tiny scale of these pieces — without it, the eyes and feet would be too thick and bulky for the finished bird’s size.

Hair color tip: The “bushy veggie” hair works in any color — dark green for classic broccoli, light green for a leafy cabbage look, or even purple for a whimsical fantasy vegetable bird. The photos show both a green bird and a purple bird, both with their distinctive wild hair crowns. Make a set!. You can check out Catania yarn

Crochet Abbreviations (US Terms)

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology:

Pattern Notes

Several things to keep in mind before you start:

• The body is worked from the bottom up. R1 is the base of the bird, and the piece grows upward toward the head.
• R14 and R15 are worked in BLO — this deliberately leaves the front loops unworked. These saved front loops are where the broccoli hair will be attached later.
• Begin stuffing at R12–R13 and continue stuffing progressively as you work the closing rounds. Don’t wait until the end.
• The hair is worked directly from the FLO of R14 and R15 by repeating (ch 3, 1 sc in the next st) all around. This creates dozens of little chain loops that stand upward like a wild, bushy crown. Work it with a slightly looser tension for the fullest, most voluminous effect.
• The eye whites, feet, and beak all use split yarn (2 plies only from your 4-ply yarn). Use a smaller hook for these pieces. Take extra care weaving in split yarn ends — thin strands need thorough securing.
• The wings are incredibly simple — just a short chain row — but flattened and sewn on they look perfectly charming.
• The beak is worked from a single magic ring with a sequence of chains, stitches, and slip stitches fanning outward. Read through the sequence once before working it.
• Always use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

Free Broccoli Bird Crochet Pattern Instructions

1. Main Body (Worked From Bottom Up)

(Use main body color yarn — Green, Yellow, or your choice)

• R1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• R2: 6 inc [12]
• R3: (sc, inc) x6 [18]
• R4: (sc, inc, sc) x6 [24]
• R5: (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
• R6–R8: 30 sc [30]
• R9: (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
• R10: 24 sc [24]
• R11: (sc, dec, sc) x6 [18]
• R12–R13: 18 sc [18]

Start stuffing the body firmly at R12–R13, and continue stuffing as you go.

• R14: BLO (sc, dec) x6 [12]
• R15: BLO 6 dec [6]

Fasten off. Weave the yarn tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close the hole.

Critical reminder: Working R14 and R15 in BLO means the front loops of these rounds are left free on the surface of the fabric. These loops will be used for the hair in the next step — so don’t accidentally work into them during any subsequent handling!

2. Hair (Broccoli Topping!)

(Use Dark Green yarn)

Attach yarn to the unworked Front Loops (FLO) of R14 and R15 of the main body.

Work the following sequence repeatedly all around the front loops:

(ch 3, 1 sc in the next st)

Continue all the way around both R14 and R15, working into every available front loop.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Hair texture tip: This sequence creates small chain loops standing upward all over the top of the head — exactly like the clustered texture of a broccoli floret! For maximum bushiness, work at a slightly looser tension than usual and don’t pull your chains too tight. The more relaxed and voluminous the loops, the more spectacularly broccoli-like the finished hair will be.

3. Wings (Make 2)

(Use main body color yarn)

Ch 3. Starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 hdc, 1 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing to the body.

Flatten each wing gently and sew one to each side of the body.

4. Eye Whites (Make 2)

⚠️ Note: Split your yarn into 2 plies/strands only. Use a smaller hook for this piece.

• R1: 5 sc in MR [5]
• R2: 5 inc [10]
• R3: 5 dec [5]

Fasten off, leaving a tail. The increase then decrease sequence creates a small, slightly puffy circle or sphere shape. Flatten or lightly shape each piece, attach black pupils (tiny safety eyes or embroidered dots), then sew onto the face.

5. Feet (Make 2)

⚠️ Note: Split your yarn into 2 plies/strands only. Use a smaller hook for this piece.

Step 1 — First toe and base: Ch 6. Starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 2 sl st. (This forms the first toe and the base of the foot.)

Step 2 — Second and third toes: (Ch 2, sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook) x2. (These are the 2nd and 3rd toes.)

Step 3 — Join and form the leg stem: Sl st back into the very first base stitch where all the toes meet. Then work 3 sl st along the remaining main chain to form the leg stem.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing to the bottom of the body.

6. Beak

⚠️ Note: Split your yarn into 2 plies/strands only. Use a smaller hook for this piece.

In a MR, work the following sequence in order:

ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 1, sl st, ch 1, 1 sc, ch 1, sl st.

Pull the magic ring tight to close. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing to the face.

Beak tip: The sequence of chains and different stitch heights (hdc, sc, sl st) creates a small, slightly pointed shape that fans outward from the center of the magic ring — like a tiny open beak viewed from the front. When sewn to the face, the taller hdc end points upward (upper beak) and the sl st end points slightly downward (lower beak). Position it centered on the face between the eyes.

Assembly Instructions

Here’s the order to put your broccoli bird together:

Step 1: Attach the eye whites. Position the two white eye circle pieces on the front-upper area of the body, evenly spaced and roughly centered. They should sit on what will become the “face” area. Sew firmly all the way around each one, then add black pupils (tiny safety eyes through the center, or embroidered dots with black thread).

Step 2: Attach the beak. Position the beak centered between and just below the eyes on the face. The taller end (hdc) should point slightly upward. Sew in place using the yarn tail.

Step 3: Attach the wings. Sew one small wing to each side of the body, at approximately R7–R9. Flatten each wing gently before sewing so it lies naturally against the body.

Step 4: Attach the feet. Sew one foot to each side of the bottom of the body, with the toes pointing forward. Space them evenly so the bird can sit balanced.

Step 5: Add keychain hardware. Thread a keychain ring or lobster clasp through a small yarn loop at the very top of the head — through the hair area works perfectly. Your broccoli bird is ready for her adventures!

Helpful Tips for Your Broccoli Bird Keychain

• Prepare your split yarn before you start. Unwind a generous length of your Orange and White yarn, split each into 2-ply sections, and wind these onto small bobbins or butterflies before you begin the main body. Having everything prepared and ready means the small detail pieces go quickly without interrupting your flow.
• Use a very small hook for the split yarn pieces. The exact hook size depends on your specific yarn — a 1.0mm–1.5mm hook often works well for 2-ply split DK yarn. Swatch a small magic ring first to check that the tension is right and the fabric isn’t too loose.
• Work the hair with confidence. The (ch 3, sc) repeat around R14 and R15 goes quickly once you’re in the rhythm. Don’t worry too much about perfect spacing — the slightly irregular natural chaos of the chain loops is what makes the broccoli texture look so authentic!
• Weave in split yarn ends extra thoroughly. Thin 2-ply strands are much easier to pull loose than full yarn. Weave in each end at least three passes, changing direction each time, before trimming. A tiny dot of fabric glue on the trimmed end adds extra security.
• The eye white shape is intentionally sphere-like. R2 increases to 10 stitches then R3 decreases back to 5 — rather than just closing flat, this creates a small puffy 3D shape. You can leave it slightly dimensional (like a little eyeball sphere) or flatten it to a circle — both look wonderful.
• Make a pair! The photos show a green and a purple broccoli bird side by side, and they are truly the best things in the world together. Once you’ve made one, make a second in a different color and give them as a set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is split yarn and why is it used in this pattern?

Split yarn means taking your regular multi-ply yarn (most standard yarn is 4-ply) and separating it into fewer individual strands. In this pattern, you use just 2 of the 4 plies for the eye whites, feet, and beak — creating a much thinner, finer yarn that’s better suited to the tiny scale of these detail pieces. Without splitting the yarn, those details would be too thick and bulky to look right on such a small bird.

What hook size should I use for the split yarn pieces?

It depends on your specific yarn, but a general starting point for 2-ply split DK yarn is a 1.0mm–1.5mm hook. The goal is a firm, tight fabric without gaps. Try working a small magic ring with your split yarn and chosen hook — if the stitches look loose and loopy, go down a hook size. If it’s very difficult to work into, go up slightly.

Is this pattern suitable for beginners?

Yes, with a couple of caveats. The main body is completely beginner-friendly — just standard amigurumi rounds of sc, inc, and dec. The broccoli hair technique is new but very simple once you understand the concept. The split yarn pieces (eyes, feet, beak) are the most challenging because of the fine yarn and small scale. If you’re a complete beginner, practice splitting your yarn and working with the thinner strands on scrap yarn first before tackling the detail pieces.

Can I make the eyes without split yarn?

Yes! If you don’t want to work with split yarn, you can simply skip the crocheted eye whites entirely and use small round safety eyes directly on the body (6mm or 8mm). Alternatively, embroider white circles with a backstitch using regular yarn, then add a black pupil in the center. Either substitution works perfectly.

What colors can I use for the body and hair?

The pattern is completely flexible with color! Classic choices are green or yellow bodies with dark green hair (very vegetable-bird). But the pattern also looks fantastic with a purple body and dark green hair, a lavender body with darker purple hair, or a teal body with black hair for a more dramatic look. Basically any round bird body color + a darker, curlier hair color = a delightful broccoli bird.

How do I make sure the hair stays fluffy and full?

Work the (ch 3, sc) hair sequence with a deliberately relaxed tension — looser than you’d normally crochet. This gives the chains more length to stand upward rather than pulling flat against the head. After finishing, you can very gently fluff and arrange the chain loops with your fingers to distribute them evenly and create maximum volume. Resist the urge to tighten anything!

Final Thoughts

The broccoli bird is, without question, one of the most joyfully absurd and completely irresistible amigurumi concepts ever committed to yarn. She is tiny. She is round. She has wild chain-loop broccoli hair that stands up all over her head. She has a beak made from a single magic ring and little three-toed feet made from chain loops, and she is dangling from a keychain looking like she owns the place.

This free broccoli bird crochet pattern packs an enormous amount of personality into a very small project — and the split yarn detail technique, once you try it, opens up a whole new world of miniature amigurumi possibilities. Make one. Make two in different colors. Make a whole vegetable garden of birds.

However many you make, I hope every chain loop of that broccoli hair brings you a little bit of joy.

Happy crocheting — and happy bird-broccoli-ing! 🥦🐦🧶

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