There is something wonderfully cheerful about a woodpecker, with that flash of scarlet, the crisp black-and-white feathers and the busy little tap-tap-tap on the tree outside the window, and it is no wonder so many of us want one in yarn. The honest truth, though, is that true crochet woodpecker ideas are rare birds themselves: only a handful of designers have published a genuine woodpecker pattern for free, so this collection pairs those real woodpecker treasures with a flock of little woodland birds that take beautifully to a woodpecker palette. Work any of the cousins below in scarlet, black and white, add a pointed beak and a touch of spotted wing detail, and it reads instantly as a woodpecker friend for your shelf, your keys or your kitchen.
So here are twenty designs I have gathered for you, every one genuinely free and every one checked by hand: two true woodpecker amigurumi, a cartoon favourite, and seventeen little birds — pigeons, chickadees, a cardinal, parakeets and more — that I have framed in woodpecker colours wherever the original wears another coat. You will find pocket-sized keychains, a washcloth, coasters, appliques for blankets and cards, and plenty of squishy shelf-sitters, in sizes from three inches to seventeen inches tall. Pick your favourite, raid the red, black and white yarns from your stash, and let us bring a little woodland drumming indoors.
1. The Classic Woodpecker Amigurumi
We are starting with the real thing, and it is a delight: the Friendly Red Fox woodpecker is a proper amigurumi woodpecker with a scarlet crest, a black-and-white body and a sturdy little beak, worked in soft worsted yarn with a 3.5 mm hook to about eight inches tall. The full pattern is free on the designer's blog, written in clear rounds with helpful photos, so even a confident beginner can follow the shaping of the head, wings and tail without getting lost. I love how the black eye stripe and white cheek patches give it that unmistakable woodpecker face, and the finished bird sits beautifully on a shelf or a stack of books. Make one in the classic colours for a woodland display, or try a pileated-style version with an extra-tall crest for a bolder statement piece.
Pattern: Woodpecker Amigurumi by The Friendly Red Fox — Get the free pattern
2. A Second Woodpecker, Full of Personality
Crochami's amigurumi woodpecker is the second genuine woodpecker in this collection, and it has a character all its own, with a plump little body, a bright red cap and a cheerful expression that makes it look ready to tap out a morning greeting. The pattern is published in full on the designer's own site, in her own friendly voice, with the kind of step-by-step guidance that makes amigurumi feel approachable rather than fiddly. Because the bird is worked in simple single crochet rounds with only a little colour changing, it is a satisfying weekend project that uses up small amounts of red, black and white yarn. I picture a pair of them perched on a branch together, one slightly larger than the other, like a woodpecker family on a nature walk.
Pattern: Amigurumi Woodpecker by Crochami — Get the free pattern
3. A Flat Little Bird Applique for Blankets and Cards
If you would rather stitch flat than stuff a toy, Amy's bird applique is the perfect place to begin, because it is a sweet little bird shape worked in just a few rounds and finished with a tiny beak and eye. The full pattern is free on Amy's own blog, where she walks through the body, wing and tail in plain language, and the finished applique is small enough to sew onto a blanket square, a greeting card, a tote bag or a child's sweater. Worked in scarlet, black and white it becomes a woodpecker motif in miniature, and worked in softer colours it is simply a pretty garden bird for spring projects. This is also the fastest make in the whole collection, so it is ideal for using up those last little balls of yarn that are too good to throw away.
Pattern: Bird Applique by Amy’s DIY Frugal Life — Get the free pattern
4. Bubbles the Bird, a Round Little Charmer
Bubbles the Bird is exactly what the name promises: a round, plump, cheerfully simple little bird by Emily Martin, shared in full with her credit, with a soft body that fits in the palm of your hand. The pattern is written for beginners, with minimal sewing and a friendly round shape that forgives slightly uneven tension, which makes it a lovely first amigurumi for anyone who has only ever made scarves and blankets. In woodpecker colours — a scarlet cap, a white belly and black wing tips — Bubbles turns into a pocket woodpecker, and in pastel shades it is a sweet nursery companion. I like making a whole flock of them in different colourways, because they work up so quickly that one is never quite enough.
Pattern: Bubbles the Bird by Emily Martin — Get the free pattern
5. Percy the Pigeon, Dressed as a Woodpecker
Percy the Pigeon comes from Ashley Parker of The Loopy Lamb, published in full on the Clover blog, and he is one of those patterns that is simply too cute to leave in pigeon grey. The original is a soft, chubby pigeon with a gentle expression, but swap the grey for scarlet, black and white and the same shaping gives you a splendid woodpecker cousin with a proud little crest. The pattern is written clearly with photos at each stage, and the finished bird is a satisfying desk-sized companion that sits neatly without rolling away. This is the pick for anyone who loves the pigeon shape but wants the woodpecker story, and it is a wonderful stash-buster because the whole bird takes only small amounts of each colour.
Pattern: Percy the Pigeon by Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb — Get the free pattern
6. A Chickadee in Perfect Woodpecker Colours
StringyDingDing's chickadee is a gift to this collection, because the chickadee already wears black, white and grey, so it needs almost no recolouring at all to join the woodpecker family. The pattern is free in full on the designer's site, with her usual crisp instructions and a neat little body that works up quickly in worsted yarn. The black cap, white cheeks and soft grey wings are pure woodland charm, and a single scarlet stitch or two on the crown turns it unmistakably woodpecker. I love this one as a Christmas ornament too, because the black-and-white palette looks so elegant against a green tree, and the small size means you can make a whole flock for gifts in one cosy weekend.
Pattern: Chickadee Bird Amigurumi by StringyDingDing — Get the free pattern
7. A Chickadee Coaster for Your Morning Coffee
InkyPica's black-capped chickadee coaster is one of my favourite practical ideas here, because it takes a beloved woodland bird and turns it into something you will actually use every single day. The full pattern is free on her blog, worked flat in simple stitches with the chickadee's black cap, white face and soft grey body forming a pretty round coaster that protects your table in style. In woodpecker colours the same coaster reads as a woodpecker portrait for your coffee table, and a set of four makes a thoughtful housewarming gift for a bird-loving friend. Cotton yarn is the smart choice for this one, since it absorbs drips and survives the washing machine, and the small size means each coaster is a satisfying evening make.
Pattern: Black-Capped Chickadee Coaster by InkyPica — Get the free pattern
8. A Tiny Bird in a Cage Keychain
Penguin Hobbies' bird cage keychain is pure whimsy: a tiny bird tucked inside a miniature crocheted cage, small enough to hang from your keys or a bag zipper and sturdy enough to survive daily life. The full pattern is free on their site, with the cage worked as an open little frame and the bird as a simple round body with a beak and eyes, so the whole project is quick and portable. Dress the little bird in scarlet and black and the keychain becomes a pocket woodpecker you can carry everywhere, and in other colours it is simply a cheerful birdcage charm. This is the make I reach for when I want a gift in an evening, because it uses only scraps, it photographs beautifully, and everyone who sees it wants one of their own.
Pattern: Bird Cage Keychain by Penguin Hobbies — Get the free pattern
9. A Tree Swallow Coaster for Summer Drinks
InkyPica's tree swallow coaster is the second practical treasure in this collection, and it comes from the same Alberta bird series as the chickadee coaster above, this time in the shape of a sleek little swallow. The full pattern is free on her blog, worked flat in worsted yarn with a 5 mm hook in black, soft white and a deep green that you can swap for scarlet to give the swallow full woodpecker colours, and the finished coaster is a sturdy round that protects your table in style. A paid PDF ebook of her whole bird set exists for anyone who wants a printable bundle, but the complete pattern is free right there on the page. Swallows are summer birds through and through, so a set of these in scarlet, black and white makes a lovely seasonal gift for a bird-loving friend, and cotton yarn is the smart choice if you want them to survive the washing machine.
Pattern: Tree Swallow Coaster by InkyPica — Get the free pattern
10. A Farmyard Rooster in Woodpecker Red
Maria's Blue Crayon rooster applique is the boldest splash of red in this collection, because the pattern as written already dresses its bird in scarlet and clay red with a yellow beak. The full written pattern is free on her blog, with a video tutorial alongside it, worked with a 3.75 mm hook as part of her Farm Granny Square Blanket series, so the finished applique is made to be sewn onto a granny square, a cushion cover or a tote bag. Swap the yellow beak details for black and white and this farmyard cousin reads beautifully as a woodpecker portrait in miniature, and in its original colours it is simply a cheerful rooster for a farmhouse kitchen. Appliques are wonderfully forgiving makes, since they lie flat, use only scraps and finish in an evening, which makes this one perfect for using up the last of your red yarn.
Pattern: Rooster Applique by Maria’s Blue Crayon — Get the free pattern
11. A Northern Cardinal from a Crochet-Along
Furls Fiber Arts' northern cardinal comes from a community crochet-along, and it carries that lovely CAL spirit: a well-tested pattern, generous photos and a bird with real presence, from its crest to its tail. The full pattern is free on the Furls blog as part two of their March amigurumi series, worked in smooth yarn with a neat round body and a proud little crest that gives the bird its confident silhouette. In scarlet with black accents it is a striking woodpecker cousin for a shelf display, and the slightly larger size makes it a satisfying project for a weekend of relaxed stitching. If you enjoy making birds in a series, this one pairs beautifully with the mini cardinal above, giving you a big-and-little cardinal family in matching colours.
Pattern: Northern Cardinal by Furls Fiber Arts — Get the free pattern
12. A Parakeet with a Video Helping Hand
Maria Elena's parakeet, shared in full with her credit, is a bright little bird with a long tail and a sweet face, and it earns its place here because its cheerful shape takes so happily to a woodpecker palette. The written pattern is complete on the page, and a video tutorial is also available for the finishing steps if you like a visual guide for attaching the wings and tail. Worked in scarlet, black and white with a pointed beak, the parakeet becomes a long-tailed woodpecker cousin with real personality, and in its original greens and yellows it is a lovely tropical accent for a sunny room. This is a wonderful pattern for crocheters who are building confidence with amigurumi, because the pieces are simple, the assembly is forgiving, and the result looks far more complex than it is.
Pattern: Parakeet by Maria Elena / Maria’s Lovely Hobby — Get the free pattern
13. Woody Woodpecker Himself
Now for the famous one: Gretel Crespo's Woody Woodpecker is a free downloadable pattern on Ravelry, a generous twenty-two-page PDF that walks you through a full seventeen-inch tall Woody, complete with his tall scarlet crest, big beak and cheeky grin. Because this is the cartoon character himself rather than a generic woodpecker, the shaping is more detailed and the project suits a crocheter who enjoys a longer make with plenty of personality in the finishing. You will need a free Ravelry account to download the PDF, and a 2 to 3 mm hook with fine yarn to hit the stated size, though a thicker yarn and bigger hook would give you an even grander Woody for a child's room. He is the showpiece of this collection, the bird that makes visitors stop and smile, and honestly the closest thing to a real woodpecker fan club in yarn form.
Pattern: Woody Woodpecker by Gretel Crespo — Get the free pattern
14. A No-Sew Blob Budgie for Instant Gratification
Crochet by Madi's no-sew blob budgie is the pattern I recommend to every friend who says amigurumi looks too fiddly, because the whole bird is worked in one piece with no sewing at all. The pattern is a free interactive ePattern on Ribblr, which means the rows tick off as you go and the stitch counts stay visible on screen, and you will need a free Ribblr account to use it. The blob shape is irresistibly squishy, a round little body with a tiny beak and tail, and in scarlet, black and white it becomes the plumpest pocket woodpecker imaginable. Because there is no assembly, this is genuinely a one-evening make, and it is perfect for charity stalls, party favours or a last-minute gift that still looks completely handmade.
Pattern: No-sew Blob Budgie Bird by Crochet by Madi — Get the free pattern
15. A Lovebird Washcloth for the Kitchen
Just B Crafty's lovebird washcloth is the practical star of this collection, because it turns a pair of little birds into a chart-based intarsia washcloth you can actually use. The full pattern is free on her blog, with the chart and the written guidance for working the colour changes, and the finished cloth is a generous kitchen or bath size in soft cotton. Work the lovebirds in scarlet and black against a white background and the washcloth becomes a woodpecker pair for your kitchen, charming enough to hang on display and sturdy enough for daily use. Cotton is essential here for absorbency and washability, and the intarsia technique is a gentle introduction to colourwork because the chart is small, the shapes are simple and the result looks impressively professional.
Pattern: Lovebird Washcloth by Just B Crafty — Get the free pattern
16. Bob and Betty, a Chubby Little Pair
Bob and Betty Bird, another lovely design from Ashley Parker of The Loopy Lamb, is a pair of chubby little birds standing just three inches tall, and they are impossible not to smile at. The full pattern is free on her blog, with the two birds worked in the same simple shaping and finished with tiny beaks, wings and feet, so you can make the whole pair in a single relaxed afternoon. Dress Bob in scarlet and black and Betty in white and black and you have a woodpecker couple for a wedding gift or an anniversary shelf, and in softer colours they are simply the sweetest little lovebirds. Their small size makes them perfect for tucking into a gift box, perching on a windowsill or hiding in a child's Easter basket as a surprise.
Pattern: Bob and Betty Bird by Ashley Parker / The Loopy Lamb — Get the free pattern
17. A Velvet Bird Keychain
Amigurumi Today's bird keychain is a tiny treasure worked in soft chenille velvet yarn, which gives the little bird a plush, almost velvety feel that is lovely to hold. The pattern is free with a free account on the site, and the finished bird measures just six to seven centimetres, worked with a 3.5 mm hook in a quick round body with a beak, wings and a keychain loop. In scarlet, black and white velvet it becomes a pocket woodpecker with real squish factor, and the chenille hides small tension wobbles beautifully, which makes it forgiving for newer amigurumi makers. Attach it to a bag, a set of keys or a zipper pull, and you carry a little woodland friend everywhere you go.
Pattern: Bird Keychain by Amigurumi Today — Get the free pattern
18. Pinky Bird, a Beginner's Delight
Elisa's Crochet Pinky Bird is a beginner-friendly little bird with a soft round body, a sweet face and a cheerful mix of pink, yellow and black, and it is one of the easiest amigurumi birds in this collection. The full pattern is free on her blog, written in plain language with no tricky shaping, so it is a wonderful second or third amigurumi project after a simple ball or heart. Swap the pink for scarlet and keep the black accents, and Pinky becomes a bright little woodpecker cousin, while the original pink version is a perfect gift for a friend who loves all things rosy. Because the bird is small and quick, it is ideal for making in batches for a craft fair table, where a row of colourful little birds always draws a crowd.
Pattern: Pinky Bird by Elisa’s Crochet — Get the free pattern
19. A Little Birdie for a Mobile
Elisa's Crochet Little Birdie is an intermediate little bird designed to hang from a ring mobile, with a graceful shape and a gentle expression that suits a nursery or a sunny window. The full pattern is free on her blog, with a little more shaping than Pinky Bird above, which makes it a satisfying next step for crocheters who are growing their amigurumi skills. Worked in scarlet, black and white, the birdie becomes a woodpecker mobile charm that dances in the breeze, and a set of three on a wooden ring makes a beautiful handmade gift for a new baby's room. I also love this one as a single hanging ornament for a porch or a garden room, where the movement shows off the bird's pretty silhouette.
Pattern: Little Birdie by Elisa’s Crochet — Get the free pattern
20. A Cute Little Bird to Close the Collection
We are finishing with a little bird that proves you do not need a famous name to steal the show: Olga Roskoshnaya's cute bird is a plump little amigurumi worked in YarnArt Jeans with a 1.75 mm hook, and the complete pattern is free on the page, from the round body right through to the wings, beak and a few little leaves. The eyes and cheeks are embroidered rather than safety eyes, which makes it a lovely choice for a child's shelf or a gift for a little one. She is a generic little bird rather than a named woodpecker, so work her in scarlet, black and white with a pointed beak and she becomes a woodpecker friend in miniature, ready to perch on a bookshelf or a stack of novels. The pattern is written in simple rounds with only a little shaping, so it is a gentle weekend make even if you are still building your amigurumi confidence. Make one for yourself first, then a whole flock — these little birds have a way of multiplying once friends see them.
Pattern: Cute Bird Amigurumi by Olga Roskoshnaya — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty woodpecker ideas, my friend — two true woodpecker amigurumi, a cartoon legend, and a whole flock of little birds that take so happily to scarlet, black and white. If you are new to amigurumi, start with the no-sew blob budgie, Bubbles or Pinky Bird; if you want a showpiece, Woody and the Friendly Red Fox woodpecker are calling your name; and if you prefer practical makes, the chickadee coaster, the lovebird washcloth and the velvet keychain will earn their keep every day. Whichever you choose, keep your reds bright, your blacks crisp and your whites clean, because that bold trio is what turns any little bird into a woodpecker at a glance.
Now tell me — are you team true woodpecker or team recoloured cousin, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your woodpecker makes!
