Cheeky Blue Tit
This inquisitive bluebird is an adorable delight!
From Pom Pom Birds by Susanne Pypke
Class Description
In this course, students will make a 4 1/2’’ bird made from yarn pom-poms. The project is suitable for beginners and intermediate makers, even without prior experience making poms-poms. Its fuzzy countenance, bright colors, and playful expression make it an attractive project for home decor, or the perfect gift for a bird-lover. The bird can be completed in 1.5-2.5 hours.
The instructor should practice the basic pom-pom technique before beginning to make the bird. The instructor should also become familiar with the winding patterns used in the book.
Suggested Class Size:
This class would be suitable for 4-6 makers, with a maximum class size of 10.
Suggested Class Length:
This project can be made in one session, though you may want to host a series of classes making various birds from the book.
You may want to first have each student make a basic 1-color pom-pom at the beginning of the course. This is likely to take 15-20 minutes.
Then, making and completing the bird will take 1-2 hours.
Supply List
The materials for this project (and all projects in the book) are simple:
- DK Weight Acrylic Yarn: Deep Blue, Cobalt Blue, Black, White, Yellow
Each student needs only a fraction of a skein for each color. We suggest kitting the yarn and including it in the course price, as you can break down a couple of skeins of each color and distribute them across all students. Each student needs only a fraction of a skein for each color. We suggest kitting the yarn and including it in the course price, as you can break down a couple of skeins of each color and distribute them across all students. - Tear Proof Nylon Thread: Many varieties of strong, transparent nylon thread will work. Again, each student needs only a bit of this material, so kitting it would be beneficial.
- Bird Eyes, Beaks, and Feet: This is the final material that would benefit from being kitted. For the eyes, each student needs two 6mm black glass beads. These are usually sold in large packs. Black, bendable jewelry or floral wire is shaped to make the feet (2 per student), or you can buy premade feet. Blackbird beaks can be bought in large quantities in various materials (plastic, wood, clay, stone, and more) from sites like Etsy or general craft stores. If you prefer to incorporate it into the class, students can make beaks from clay or cardboard.
- Craft Glue: All the projects in the book use UHU craft glue, but any general craft glue that dries transparently and quickly will work.
- Cardboard: All the templates in the book are made from firm cardboard. Below, I suggest that each student make their own templates before coming to the class. Cardboard that works for this includes cereal boxes, matboard, and paperboard. Avoid corrugated cardboard. Each student will need a compass or other circle drawing tool to make these templates.
- Scissors: Each student should bring their own sharp pair of scissors. Fabric scissors work great for pom-poms, though a pair with small blades is best for these small projects.
- General Tools: These tools can be shared among students (1 per pair of students).
- Large-eye yarn needles
- Pencil or Pen
- Ruler
- Tweezers
Classroom Preparation
Class Agenda
Optional: Have each student make a 1-color practice pom-pom, referring to the winding technique on page 6.
- Prepare the beaks and feet. If you did not pre-buy these elements, refer to page 5, page 8, and the image on page 11. These elements should be black.
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Wind the pom-pom for the head. (Page 10). Refer to page 6 for general instructions on winding. Select the listed template. Follow the instructions and winding pattern to wrap all five layers of the head.
- Wind the pom-pom for the body and tail. (Page 12). Select the listed templates. Follow the instructions and winding pattern to wrap all seven layers and the tail.
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Trim the pom-poms. (Page 7)
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Connect the pom-poms. (Page 7)
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Attach the eyes, beak, and feet to the bird. (Page 12)
