Little Raven Crochet Pattern (No sew!)
I’ve been saving this bird for spooky season and now that it’s finally here: here’s how to crochet a little no-sew raven!
Shout out to @queen.street.crochet for suggesting “a raven” back in June and for inspiring this entire bird series.
While ravens fit well into the spooky Halloween season (I mean, hello, Edgar Allen Poe!), you definitely don’t need any excuse or a particular time of year to crochet one. This raven pattern can even double as a crochet crow pattern, or you can switch up the colors to make another type of bird!
I did design the tail to be longer in the middle to look more like the wedge-shape tail of a raven. I’ve learned that this is one of the differences between a raven and a crow, along with their size and the sounds they make. But it definitely can be either!
This raven is the third bird pattern in my no-sew crochet mini bird series. Check out the free no-sew eagle pattern here and the no-sew phoenix pattern here!
Since the raven doesn’t have the neck ruffles, it’s a little shorter than the eagle and phoenix. I thought it looked cuter with a rounder look!
Plus, for the next pattern, I’ll be making spooky accessories (like a witch hat) to add to the raven, and that should make up some of the height difference, right?
Like the eagle and phoenix, you can crochet this raven as an ornament, a keychain, a pocket buddy, a desk buddy, a quick make for markets/shops, gifts, or just a no-sew mini project for yourself.
Make it smaller by using a smaller hook, tighter tension, or thinner yarn. Or you can also make it bigger by doing the opposite.
So let’s get into the pattern!
A PDF version of this pattern is also available on Patreon.
Unless otherwise indicated, this pattern is designed to be crocheted in continuous rounds (or spirals).
Terms of Use:
This crochet pattern is designed by me (The Mary Jay). Do not copy, sell, duplicate (to distribute) the contents of this crochet pattern in any format without permission.
If you’d like to share this pattern, please only do so by linking to this blog post or sharing where to find its original source. Do not claim the pattern as your own or copy any part of the pattern to post, share, or publish anywhere else without written permission.
You’re absolutely welcome to sell the plushies you make using this pattern provided that you give pattern credit to The Mary Jay (and/or @themaryjay). I’d also super appreciate if you’re able to include where to find this pattern (www.themaryjay.com) when possible.
Respecting these terms helps me to continue creating and offering free patterns like this to you, and I truly appreciate your support!
p.s. If you post your plushie, tag me @themaryjay on Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube etc. I’d love to see it and hype you up!
Skills and Abbreviations (In U.S. terms)
MR= Magic Ring (Magic Circle)
SC= Single Crochet
SL ST= Slip Stitch
HDC= Half Double Crochet
DC= Double Crochet
INC= Increase (2 SC in the same stitch)
DEC= Decrease
FLO= Front Loop Only
BLO= Back Loop Only
CH= Chain
FO= Fasten off
R= Round/Row
Slip Knot
Bonus Skills Explained:
Turn= Flip your work to crochet the row in the opposite direction.
Standing Single Crochet= Start by making a slip knot and placing it on your hook. Then insert your hook into the indicated stitch/placement and make a SC as usual (pull the yarn through the stitch, yarn over and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.)
Pull up a loop= Insert your hook into the indicated stitch/placement. Place the working yarn on your hook and pull it through, creating a loop on your hook.
Note: You can also choose to make a slip knot to pull through instead of just the working yarn. The slip knot can help with stability although it can sometimes create a bumpier finish. If you’re struggling to keep the yarn in place while making the subsequent chains, the slip knot can help anchor it better.
Materials:
(Based on what I used to make the raven in the sample photos)
Super Bulky Weight Yarn (#6) in Black and Gray
I used around 20 yards of Black and scrap yarn for the Gray
Two 12 mm Safety Eyes (Warning: Safety eyes can be choking hazards and are generally not recommended when crocheting plushies for young children/pets. You can replace the “safety eyes” with an alternative.)
5.5 mm Crochet Hook (using my brand new Clover Amour Hook!)
Stuffing
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Pins & Stitch Markers (Optional)
You can find most of these materials on my Amazon storefront. Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use them to make a purchase. This is an additional way that helps support my work and lets me continue to make free content for you.
p.s. If you’ve been following my little bird series, you might notice the listed hook size is 0.5 mm larger than what I used for the eagle! I recently switched hook brands and the 5.5mm works up to be around the same size (if not, sometimes smaller) than my old 5mm hook. If you’re making a set, I definitely recommend using the same hook size for both birds (unlike me!)
Base (Head & Body):
Using Black
R1: 6 SC in a MR (6)
R2: [INC] x 6 (12)
R3: [SC, INC] x 6 (18)
R4-6: 18 SC (18) 3 Rounds
R7: 4 SC. Tip: Place a stitch marker into the back loop of the next stitch to make it easier to find later. Then in the FLO of that next stitch, make [SL ST, HDC, DC, CH 1, DC, HDC, SL ST] all in that one stitch. 8 SC. Tip: Place a stitch marker into the back loop of the next stitch to make it easier to find later. Then in the FLO of that next stitch, make [SL ST, HDC, DC, CH 1, DC, HDC, SL ST] all in that one stitch. 4 SC (30)
In the previous round (R7), the stitches worked in the FLO (aka the stitches written in brackets [ ]) form the wings of the bird. In this next round, do not crochet in these stitches that form the wings. Instead, when you reach each wing, crochet in the back loop that was left unworked in the previous round (where we placed the stitch marker).
R8: 2 INC, 2 SC, [1 SC in the BLO of R6 under the wing and where we placed the stitch marker], 8 SC, [1 SC in the BLO of R6 under the wing and where we placed the stitch marker], 2 SC, 2 INC (22)
Attach the eyes between R4 and 5 about 4 stitches apart. Add stuffing and continue stuffing as you go.
R9-10: 22 SC (22) 2 Rounds
For the rest of the body, [SC, DEC] and repeat until you only have 8 stitches left.
FO leaving a tail for sewing. Finish stuffing. Use the yarn tail to sew the plushie closed.
Tail:
Using Black
The tail is crocheted directly onto the back of the body. To do this, start with a slip knot on your hook.
R1: Between R9 and 10, insert your hook into the back of the bird and make 4 SC that are centered on the back of the bird (4).
R2: CH 1 and Turn, SL ST, 2 INC, SL ST (6)
R3: CH 1 and Turn, HDC, SL ST, DC, CH 1, DC, SL ST, HDC, CH 1 and then SL ST into the same last stitch. (9)
Beak:
Using Gray
The beak is crocheted directly onto the face between R4 and 5 between the eyes. You can find a photo reference on these next three steps of the beak in the eagle pattern!
Find the center point between the eyes and move one stitch to the side. Pull up a loop.
CH 2 and then in the second chain from the hook, make a SC.
Insert your hook into the next stitch between R4 and 5 (this should be the stitch on the other side of the center point) and make a SL ST.
FO and weave in ends.
Feet:
Using Gray, embroider the feet onto R10 and R11 about 2 stitches apart from one another.
To embroider each foot, start by sewing a horizontal line between R9 and 10 that’s around two stitches wide and roughly lined up to one of the eyes.
From inside of the plushie, bring the yarn down to exit two rounds below the center of the line. Loop the yarn around that first horizontal line and pull it down to create a “v-shape.”
Then loop the yarn around one more time to create a line down the middle of the “v-shape.”
p.s. If making the “v-shape” is confusing, you can also just sew three lines that all meet at the same point at the bottom.
Congratulations! You did it!
Thank you for following along with my pattern and taking the time to crochet a raven!
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