This plushie cockatiel pattern started out as a custom order for a fellow bird-loving friend after several years of persistent requests, and turned out to be too cute to make just the one!

It can be easily adapted with just a few tweaks to the colour or styling in order to resemble your own pet or just as desired. You can, for example, make the last round or two of the wings in a different shade to match the markings of a cockatiel you know and love. Or you could adapt the crest to fall lower or higher, longer or shorter, according to your preferred positioning of those feathers.

The pattern is worked in rounds so you will need to use stitch markers to help you keep track of your stitch count.

It also makes use of the ‘x’ or cross stitch instead of the regular single crochet. This is generally the preferred stitch for amigurumi because it results in a more plump and neat looking stitch. However, if you’re not confident using this stitch, feel free to use a regular single, half-double and double crochet in its stead. With only a little practise though, I’m sure you will find it just as natural to make this classic amigurumi stitch without even thinking about what you’re doing!

When complete, your cockatiel should measure about 60cm in height, depending on your chosen yarn, how tightly you crochet and how you’ve styled the crest.

The colours below are just suggestions and match the images in this pattern; you can substitute your preference of colours. You may also wish to include a fifth colour, such as white and grey for the body or wings, if you prefer to give your cockatiel some markings.

• Yarn A: 1 ball pale yellow for the head and crest – approx. 52.5m / 57.6yd (30g)

• Yarn B: 2 balls cream or grey for the body, tail and wings – approx. 132m / 144yd (75g)

• Yarn C: 1 ball orange or pink for the cheeks – approx. 17.5m / 20yd (10g)

• Yarn D: 1 ball pale pink for the beak, feet and eye details approx. 26m / 29yd (15g)