Q'inti the Hummingbird

Bring a touch of wonder into your home with this life-like hummingbird. Designed for the intermediate to advanced maker, this crochet pattern offers a deep dive into different realistic crochet art techniques. If you enjoy the reward of learning new skills, this project is for you. You’ll explore intricate wing construction, wire shaping, and the optional sparkle of bead embroidery. While you’ll use familiar stitches, you will also learn: * Working with three colors in the same round. * Shaping the beak and feet with craft wire for a display-quality finish. * Crocheting feathers directly onto a wing base for a layered, realistic texture. * Learning easy embroidery for the eyes and the optional addition of seed beads for a jeweled plumage look. **Construction & Size** * One-Piece Design: The head, body, and tail are crocheted in one piece to minimize sewing and ensure a sleek, natural silhouette. * Finished Dimensions: Approx. 4.7” (12 cm) long with a 6.3” (16 cm) wingspan (when using Sport or DK weight yarn). * Customizable: Easily scale your hummingbird up or down by simply adjusting your yarn weight and hook size. **What’s Included** A detailed PDF with step-by-step instructions, accompanied bu high-quality photos, and video tutorials for the eye embroidery, crocheting with multiple colors, and seed bead embroidery. Amigurumi Lessons PDF: A bonus resource containing photo tutorials for the magic ring, invisible decreases, color changes, and closing rounds. **Essential Details** Languages: English (US) Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. **Materials Needed:** * 4-ply (Fingering/Sport/size 2) or light worsted (DK/size 3) yarn in green, ruby red, white, beige, and black for the beak [I used Scheepjes Catona in Jade, Ruby, Bridal White, Linen, and Jet black] * 2.5 mm crochet hook (size B-1 or C-2, depending on how tightly you crochet) * White embroidery floss * 5 mm safety eyes (or black embroidery floss) * Fiberfill 1 mm thick craft wire (AWG 18) for the beak and feet * Superglue or fabric glue for the beak * Yarn needle (preferably with bent tip) * Large-eyed sewing needle or darning needle * Stitch marker * Sewing pins * Scissors * Small flat pliers for jewelry making (optional) * Green and red seed beads (optional) * Small-eyed sewing needle for the seed bead embroidery (optional) * Green and red sewing thread (optional) **Note on Safety:** Due to the use of craft wire and optional seed beads, this finished item is intended as a piece of fiber art or a collector's item for display. It is not suitable for young children.