Soaring Swallow

The swallow is a much loved bird in the UK, arriving at the start of spring. This pattern is to make a knitted model swallow to be used as a decorative item such as in a mobile. The bird is not suitable for young chidren to play with if it is made as instructed with wire supports in the wings.

Knitted on straight needles in 11 individual pieces, the seams help to give your bird structure. The work is in stocking stitch or rib, often using two yarns held together. The body and head are made in one piece using intarsia colourwork. The wings are made in rib with a picot hem to create the look of feathers. Thin wire such as florist's wire or pipecleaners are inserted into casings on the wings to give support. The knitting, sewing and embroidery skills required are not extensive but there are knitted increases and decreases in this pattern that make the shaping of the bird that require attention to detail. This means the pattern is unsuitable for beginners unless they are very patient.