Crochet swan- free pattern

Check out my Youtube video tutorial for this pattern here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgYm4tlQXzE

When I designed this swan I didn't use any wire for the neck because I found that it keeps its shape very well just from the increases and decreases, however if you'd like the head to be tucked in more or if you want to hang it up using string on the head then I'd recommend using wire for the neck and head. Once you've made the long part of the neck, push the wire inside and then push stuffing down the sides with the end of your hook or a needle, then bend the wire as you continue crocheting the head. You'll need approx 10cm of wire.

Materials needed:

• DK yarn in white, black and orange

• 3mm crochet hook

• Stitch marker

• Scissors

• Stuffing

• Yarn needle (appropriate size for the yarn)

• 2mm aluminium armature wire for the neck, or a pipe cleaner (optional)

• Pliers with wire cutter if using wire

• Pins to help with sewing

Abbreviations (US crochet terms):

• st- stitch

• ch- chain

• mr- magic ring

• sc- single crochet

• inc- increase

• invdec- invisible decrease

• sc2tog- single crochet 2 together

• hdc- half double crochet

• dc- double crochet

• tr- treble crochet

• ()- repeat instructions in brackets the number of times stated

Body:

In white:

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mr (6)

Rnd 2: inc in every st (12)

Rnd 3: (sc in nxt st, inc) x6 (18)

Rnd 4: (sc in nxt 2 st, inc) x6 (24)

Rnd 5: (sc in nxt 3 st, inc) x6 (30)

Put marker in last st you did as normal.

sc in nxt 9 st, work in rows now:

Row 1: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in nxt 6 st, take out marker, sc2tog (8)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in nxt 4 st, sc2tog (6)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in nxt 2 st, sc2tog (4)

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in nxt st, sc2tog, sc in nxt st (3)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in nxt st (2)

Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc in nxt 2 st (2)

Place marker in last st you did.

sc in nxt 7 spaces between the ends of the rows down the side (starting in the same space you did the last sc), sc in nxt 21 st, sc in nxt 7 spaces between the ends of the rows up the other side, sc in last 2 st (37) Put marker in last st you did and continue working in rounds.

Rnds 1- 5 (5 rnds): sc in every st (37)

Rnd 6: (sc in nxt 4 st, invdec) x6, sc in last st (31)

Fasten off leaving long tail. Count back 11 stitches starting from the last sc you did, place st marker in the 11th st. On the other side count 11 stitches ahead starting in the st after where you finished the round, place marker in 11th st. Now there are 9 stitches left for the neck. Stuff. Use tail to sew 22 stitches together in a straight line (including the ones with stitch markers in). Fasten off and weave in tail.

Neck:

Pull up loop of white in st next to where the sewing ends (with the neck end on the left hand side).

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in nxt 2 st, invdec, sc in nxt 4 st (8) place marker in last st you did.

Rnd 2: sc in nxt 3 st, invdec, sc in nxt 3 st (7)

Stuff firmly as you go, using end of scissors or crochet hook to push it down.

Rnds 3- 12 (10 rnds): sc in every st (7)

Rnd 13: sc in nxt 2 st, invdec, sc in nxt 2 st, inc (7)

Rnd 14: sc in nxt 2 st, invdec, sc in nxt 2 st, inc (7)

Rnd 15: (inc) x5, sc in nxt 2 st (12)

Rnds 16- 18 (3 rnds): sc in every st (12)

Rnd 19: (sc in nxt 2 st, invdec) x3 (9) Change to black as you finish that last invdec.

Rnd 20: (sc in nxt st, invdec) x3 (6) Change to orange as you finish that last invdec.

Trim ends and push inside.

Rnd 21: (invdec) x3 (3)

Rnds 22- 23 (2 rnds): sc in every st (3)

Fasten off leaving a tail, thread onto needle, come up through the front loops of each of the 3 stitches, pull tight to gather stitches together and close the hole. Find a loop nearby and fasten off by going through it but not all the way- leave a loop and go through the loop from behind, pull tight to make a knot. Weave in tail, trim ends close to edge of work and push inside.

Eyes:

Cut a length of black yarn about 20cm long and tie a double knot near the end, thread onto needle and weave through the neck until it stops on the inside and the end is pulled through, weave through the head and come out on the side, make a short black line starting on the white stitches and going into the black stitches. Weave through the head to the other side and repeat. Find a loop on the black stitches, go through it but not all the way, leave a loop and go through the loop from behind, pull tight to make a knot. This fastens off. Weave in end and cut yarn close to edge of work, push end inside with the end of your needle to hide it.

Wings:

Make 2, in white:

Row 1: ch 7, starting in 2nd st from hook: sc in nxt 6 st, ch 3, starting in 2nd st from hook: sc in nxt 2 st

Row 2: Turn, sc in nxt 6 st

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in nxt 5 st, inc, ch 4, starting in 2nd st from hook: sc in nxt 3 st

Row 4: Turn, sc in nxt 7 st

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in nxt 6 st, inc, ch 5, starting in 2nd st from hook: sc in nxt 4 st

Row 6: Turn, sc in nxt 8 st

Row 7: ch 1, turn, sc in nxt 7 st, inc, ch 6, starting in 2nd st from hook: sc in nxt 5 st

Row 8: Turn, sc in nxt 9 st

sc in same st, hdc in same st, work the following stitches down the side in the spaces between the ends of the rows (grab single loops from the edge instead of going through big spaces this time): dc, tr, tr, dc, dc, sl st. Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.

Thread the short tail onto your needle and weave through the back of the stitches on the first row (make sure it's on the underside for each wing), trim excess. Flip one wing so it's a mirror image of the other one (the wrong side of the stitches will be facing outwards on one wing), pin the wings in place and sew only the curved front part to the body and up to the half way point on the straight part, pick up loops from the surface of the stitches on the body and go through both loops on the wing stitches. Fasten off in the same way as before and weave end through body, trim excess.

The swan is finished! I'd love to see a photo of yours, you can share it with me by tagging me on instagram @laura_wilson01

Check out my Etsy shop for more patterns: https://laurawilsondesigns.etsy.com

This pattern was designed by Laura Wilson of Laura Wilson Designs. This pattern is strictly for personal, non-commercial use. Copy, distribution or commercial use of this pattern or any of its parts is not allowed. Please give credit if posting photos or selling finished item. © Laura Wilson 2025- All rights reserved.