Tanagers

Tanagers area bird family with 240 species in a vibrant variety of shapes, sizes and costumes in all colors of the rainbow. For this pattern book, I’ve chosen some of the most flamboyant tanagers to bring some color in your knit and home, especially now a real life bird watching vacation might not be an option.

There are six birds included in this pattern: the paradise tanager, green-headed tanager, Western tanager, scarlet tanager, seven-colored tanager and the speckled tanager. Each bird is a small, easy and fun project, that can be finished in an evening or so and a great way to use up any scraps you have lying around.

The birds are knitted flat - in this case on 2.25 mm double pointed needles (UK 13, US 1) - and some intarsia color work is required. The tiny beaks were knitted on 1 mm double pointed needles, in yarn of a lace gauge, but can also be done in a heavier yarn or made out of a scrap of felt. Soft toy filling was used to stuff the tanagers.

Have a splendid knit! Viv