Angus the Pheasant is the ideal countryside companion. He has stunning tweedy plumage, a cheeky expression, and he’s just the right size to sit in your hand for a comforting squeeze. I often see these beautiful birds strutting about the farmers’ fields where I live in Caithness, so I just had to knit one.

Is Angus easy to knit?

Yes he is, although he does have a little more colour changing mid-row than some of the other knitted birds! Like all of the knitted birds, Angus the Pheasant is knitted flat on a pair of 4mm (UK 8/ US 6) knitting needles, making him a great project for a beginner who knows the basics of knitting: no need to knit in the round. He’s knitted using DK yarns - you’ll need 8 shades, and yarn suggestions are given with the pattern (Stylecraft Special DK, Stylecraft Highland Heathers and King Cole Big Value Tweed). Angus is 17cm tall. His eyes are made from oddments of red and yellow felt, with 6mm black beads.

Basic skills that you need to know: casting on, casting off, stocking stitch, increasing by knitting into the front and back of a stitch (inc 1), decreasing by knitting 2 stitches together (k2tog), changing colour midway through a row. The knitting pattern includes detailed making up instructions and colour photos to help you on your way.

Check out my website for knitting tutorials for each technique that’s included in the pattern: https://www.knittedbirds.com/pages/how-to-knit

Angus the Pheasant is 17cm tall.