Updated! Lewis the Dodo | Free Crochet Pattern

Lewis the Dodo Bird is a fun amigurumi crochet pattern for an intermediate artist. He is a fun, fast project, with that wonderful bit of whimsy familiar to the dodo.

Originally published in January of 2020, it was about time for this adorable amigurumi dodo to get his 2.0 Premium Pattern!

Dodos were curious, confident birds with a very distinct shape and unique face. Lewis the Dodo is no exception. What a proud example of the dodo!

Did you know the dodo isn’t just a fantasy? Though Lewis gets his name from the popular dodo in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the dodo was a real bird at one time. They were native to an island called Mauritius, off the coast of Madagascar.

The dodo became extinct in 1681, after humans arrived on their island. They are now one of the sad reminders that our presence can effect or destroy other creatures when we are not careful to protect them.

Construction

Lewis’ pattern is made in several pieces with very little shaping. His classic birdy shape is created by angling the body and attaching the neck on top of the tilted body and the legs on the opposite end of the “football” that is Lewis the Dodo’s body.

The feathers are a unique structure and the feet are built in one piece, so this pattern is a few steps up from a beginner pattern.

Need more help with attachments? Want more pictures to help with assembly? A Premium Pattern 2.0 upgrade is the way to go!

This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!

Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.

Lewis the Dodo | Free Crochet Pattern

All patterns are written in English, in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviation.

You Need to Know

Chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!

For a quick refresher of these basic skills, go here.

Supplies

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g, Grey Heather (HEA), 1 ball; Grey (GRY), < 1 ball; Carrot (CAR), < 1 ball.
• Furls G (4.00 mm) hook 
• Two 15mm colored round-pupil safety eyes
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins

Measurements

11” tall x 8” wide

Gauge

8 sts x 8 rows in sc = 2” x 2”

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment end at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.

Instructions 

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Body

With HEA, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 6: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 7: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 8: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 9: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 10: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 11: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 12: [6 sc, inc] 6 times. (48)

Rnd 13-23: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 24: [6 sc, dec] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 25: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 26: [5 sc, dec] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 27: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 28: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 29: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 30: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 31: Sc evenly around.

Stuff.

Rnd 32: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 33: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 34: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends. Set aside.

Head

With HEA, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7-13: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 14: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 15: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 16: Sc 9, dec, dec, sc 9, inc, inc. (24)

Rnds 17-22: Repeat Rnd 16.

Rnd 23-24: Sc evenly around. (24)

Stuff. Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.  Attach neck to body between Rounds 2 and 12 on body, with the neck increases facing the tip of the body (chest). Head will bend back over the body, NOT away from it. Body will be at an angle upward toward head. Add extra stuffing to neck before attachment is complete.

Face

With GRY, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 8: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 9: [4 sc, dec] 3 times. (15)

Rnds 10-11: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 12: [4 sc, inc] 3 times. (18)

Rnd 13: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 14: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 15: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Stuff only to Round 10 (round part of beak).

Insert safety eyes between Rounds 14 and 15, 10 sts apart.

Attach face to head with eyes on top half of head, with the unstuffed section of the face pressed flush against head. The bottom of the face should touch Round 16 of the head/neck. Align face with the center of the chest, where neck and body meet.

Beak

With CAR, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Sc 4 in second ch from hook (4)

Rnd 2: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 3: Inc in each st around. (8)

Rnd 4: [Sc, inc] 4 times. (12)

Rnd 5: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 6: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 7: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 8: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnds 9-10: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 11: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 12: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 13: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 14: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 15: Dec 6 times. (6)

Do not stuff.

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Press flat. Beak will curve into a bowl shape when flattened.

Attach to face over the round end, beak tip pointed down, top of beak at Round 6.

Wings

(Make 2)

With HEA, ch 13.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, hdc, 7 dc, hdc, 2 sc, turn. (12)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc, leave remaining 2 sts unworked, turn. (10)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, 2 sc, turn. (10)

Row 4: Ch 1, 2 sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc, leave remaining 2 sts unworked, turn. (8)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, 2 sc. (8)

Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Attach wings to body along only the short end of the wing, at a slight angle. The longest side of the wing (starting chain) will be on the bottom, pointing the wing down. When sewing, be sure that wings are evenly spaced on either side of neck and at the same height, mirroring each other on the body.

Tail Feathers

With GRY, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 7 sc in second ch from hook. (7)

Rnd 2: Sc, *ch 8, [sc in second ch from hook, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc] down ch, sc in next st, repeat from * 6 times, sl st in 1^st st to join.  (7 feathers)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing. Fold in half, with 3 feathers on one side and 4 on the other.

Tail feathers giving you fits? You might want to purchase the Premium Pattern for the extra guide photos and assembly help.

Sewing through both layers of the center sts, attach to body at Round 31, 3-feather side facing out.

Feet

Note: For each foot, you will make 2 loose toes and bind off. Use continuous yarn from 3^rd toe to attach all three toes and finish foot.

Loose Toes

(Make 4)

With CAR, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 7 sc in second ch from hook. (7)

Rnds 2-6: Sc evenly around.

Bind off.

First Toe and Foot

(Make 2)

With CAR, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 7 sc in second ch from hook. (7)

Rnd 2-6: Sc evenly around.

Do not break yarn. You will now be working around the last round of this toe and two loose toes.

Rnd 7: 4 sc on 1^st loose toe, 7 sc on 2^nd loose toe, 3 sc on other side of 1^st loose toe, 7 sc on starting toe. (21)

Stuff toes.

Rnd 8: Sc evenly around. (21)

Rnd 9: [sc, dec] 7 times. (14)

Rnd 10: Dec 7 times. (7)

Rnds 11-15: Sc evenly around.

Finish stuffing firmly.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing. Thread yarn through front loops of remaining 7 sts. Pull tight to close. Thread tail through to center of foot to use when attaching legs.

Legs

(Make 2)

With CAR, ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnds 3-6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: Change to HEA, [sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Stuff.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Using previously repositioned yarn tail from feet, attach legs to top of feet around Round 2 of legs, so the widest point rests on the feet for maximum stability.

Attach legs to bottom of body between Rounds 25 and 30 on the body, last round of legs touching in the middle. Be sure toes are turned slightly outward for maximum stability. They will seem too far back, but this will center the legs under the dodo’s head as it is tilted back.

Add extra stuffing to legs before attachment is complete.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Hooked by Kati Crochet Community Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

HYGGE OWL

OPHELIA THE OSTRICH

HUE THE MANATEE

MURDOCK THE KELPIE

Yarn on, 

Kati