#101 borbs

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #2: Budgerigar

The final budgie! This little guy helped me iron out the final details of standardizing my base pattern, and after him I was free to experiment with new species.

For this budgie, I designed a tail made in the round to use going forward! It helps a lot with the borb's stability, hides yarn ends better, has space for different colors above/below, and I just generally enjoy the look of it. I also tested out adding feet (crocheted onto the work after finishing) to see if they'd add to stability. They do, but I like orb look of the pattern without feet more - so most birds going forward don't have feet added.

Nobody would notice this except me but I did have to adjust the wing pattern here too. Borb #1's double-stranded wings used less stitches since the yarn was thicker, and I don't intend to make wings like that very often.

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #6: Tapajós Hermit

Random generator pick! This little guy is a hummingbird species from Brazil! I was a bit intimidated by this design at first, but I think I simplified the colors quite well.

I did use one new technique here: the smooth top edge of the white markings was made by doing the top loops of the previous round in white. It makes the stitches a lot fussier to work with, but I do find it useful for very precise markings around the eyes like this.

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #5: American Robin

Bird 5!! I ditched the random generators for this one in favor of picking something I knew personally. I took some creative liberties with their color placement and I really love how especially round this one came out.

I wanted to try something different for a beak to see if I could make something different than the parrots' and built into the rounds rather than sewn on. Unfortunately, my trial turned out kind of messy and required I move the eyes closer together than usual, and I don't plan to reuse it. Luckily, the white eye rims I added by accident are so cute that you can overlook the beak!

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #7: Black-faced Ibis

Another random generator pick! I didn't have quite the right brown colors for this one, but luckily there seems to be a lot of individual variance in shade in the species. I really love how the neck stripe turned out!

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Bird #4: Gray-legged Tinamou

Random bird generator struck again with this one - a species known for being elusive and poorly recorded. I had about two photo references to work with but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

Given the name, I just had to add the gray legs. I also shortened the tail for them as a parrot-length tail just didn't feel right for something so naturally orbicular.

This was my first time trying a yarn-wrapped wire beak! I actually had them sitting on my desk waiting for a beak for a week or two before I finally tracked down pipe cleaners to improvise with. Shoutout to a tutorial from Planet June for helping immensely with that technique!

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #9: Blue-and-gold Macaw

Another borb! A friend picked this species and I love how they turned out - it's an excellent color combination. Looking forward to making more parrots and macaws in the future!

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #1: Budgerigar

This girl was my first trial of my own borb pattern! She is sitting very politely.

Don't worry, the borbs won't all be budgies! It was just easiest to stick with the same simple thing while figuring out the shape I want.

She was definitely still in the experimental stages, but it was good to try new things and get the initial pattern drafted. She's got a rounder head shape than the trial borb (though I don't think the photos show it), and there was a lot of figuring out eye placement and decreases going on here too. I also designed new wings that I feel fill the space better and look about the same on the right vs left.

Since I want my birds to sit up on their own, I tried out a flat tail for this one. I decided I wasn't a fan of it for the standard pattern, but I do enjoy that it's poseable - it gives her more character! I also got to experiment with crocheting with two strands of yarn together for the wings to get that mottled pattern. I've yet to reuse that method, but it was neat to try out!

[threebeescrochet]

Bird #0: Budgerigar

No time estimate for completion, but I'm planning to make a series of at least 100 small bird orbs - and this little guy is the first! Or, rather, the zeroth.

This bird's pattern is by Sweet Softies and available for free on YouTube. I wanted to follow a pattern for a trial borb to get my bearings and decide what exactly I wanted from a bird shape, so while this borb is living his best life on my desk now, I consider him a tester who doesn't quite count. Or.. stand up.