Crochet Peace Dove

The crochet peace dove is a beautiful symbol of hope and harmony, crafted with care and creativity. This peaceful bird not only showcases exquisite artistry but also embodies feelings of serenity and unity. Its delicate design, often made with soft, soothing colors, elevates any space with a sense of tranquility and positivity. Whether used as a thoughtful gift or a charming decoration, the crochet peace dove spreads a message of peace and love, reminding us to embrace kindness and compassion in our hearts. Crafting this whimsical bird can be a joyous experience, allowing for a creative outlet that brings joy and relaxation. So, pick up your crochet hook and yarn, and let this symbol of peace inspire you to create beauty and spread goodwill wherever you go.

Materials

• 4-ply/Fingering or DK/light worsted yarn in white, orange, and green [I used Rico Creative Ricorumi DK in Cream (002), and Scheepjes Catona in Sweet Orange (411) and Forest Green (412)]
• 2.5mm crochet hook / Size B-1 or C-2 depending on how tightly you crochet
• Black embroidery floss
• Fiberfill
• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle
• Large-eyed sewing needle
• Sewing pins
• Scissors

Instructions

Crochet the beak, head and body

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring in orange (4)

Rnd 2: [inc, sc]*2 (6) Change to white in the last stitch.

Tie both yarn ends together and cut the orange yarn.

Rnd 3: 6 inc (12)

Rnd 4: Dec, 2 sc, 4 inc, 2 sc, dec (14)

Rnd 5: Dec, 3 sc, inc, 2 sc, inc, 3 sc, dec (14)

Rnd 6: 14 sc (14)

Rnd 7: 2 inc, 4 sc, 2 dec, 4 sc (14)

Rnd 8: 7 sc, 2 dec, 3 sc (12)

Rnd 9: Sc, 2 inc, 3 sc, 2 dec, 2 sc (12)

Fill the head with yarn ends and fiberfill, and continue filling the body as you go.

Rnd 10: [inc, 3 sc]*3 (15)

Rnd 11: 15 sc (15)

Rnd 12: [inc, 4 sc]*3 (18)

Rnd 13 and 14 (2 rnds): 18 sc (18)

Rnd 15: [inc, 5 sc]*3 (21)

Rnd 16 and 17 (2 rnds): 21 sc (21)

Rnd 18: [dec, 5 sc]*3 (18)

Rnd 19: 2 sc, dec, [4 sc, dec]*2, 2 sc (15)

Rnd 20: [3 sc, dec]*3 (12)

Rnd 21: 12 sc (12)

Do NOT fasten off.

Crochet the tail

Make 9 sc or as many sc as you need to get to the left side of the dove’s body if you are right-handed or the right side of the dove’s body if you are left-handed.

8 ch, 7 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), press the last round flat and sl st in the first and last stitch of the round together,

9 ch, 8 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together,

[10 ch, 9 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together]*2,

9 ch, 8 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together,

8 ch, 7 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the last two stitches together.

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

Crochet the wings (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring in white (6)

Rnd 2: 6 inc (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, inc]*6 (18)

Rnd 4: Sc, [inc, 2 sc]*5, inc, sc (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc]*6 (30)

Fold the wing so that the beginning of the round is at the side.

Rnd 6: 8 ch, 7 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the first and last stitch of the round together, 9 ch, 8 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together,

[10 ch, 9 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together]*3,

[9 ch, 8 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together]*2,

[8 ch, 7 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together]*2,

7 ch, 6 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together,

6 ch, 5 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the next and the corresponding stitch on the other side together,

5 ch, 4 sl st (starting in 2nd ch), sl st in the remaining two stitches together.

6 sc in remaining stitches

Rnd 7: 6 sc (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long yarn end for sewing.

Crochet the other wing the same way. For one wing the feathers will have the “wrong” side facing up.

Crochet the olive branch in green

[6 ch, sl st (in 2nd ch), hdc, sl st]*3,

[2 sl st, 4 ch, sl st (in 2nd ch), hdc, sl st]*2,

2 sl st

Fasten off and weave in the yarn ends halfway through the branch. Use the remaining yarn ends to stitch the branch to the dove’s beak.

Embroider the eyes

Cut a 20cm/8” long piece of black embroidery floss and thread it on a large-eyed sewing needle.

Insert the needle in between stitches somewhere on the bottom side of the neck and bring it to one side of the head, 2 rounds behind the beak.

When embroidering the eyes, stitch through the fibers of the yarn rather than in between stitches. This way you have more control over the stitch placement.

Embroider one of the eyes with 3 small, horizontal stitches.

With the third stitch, bring the needle to the other side of the head to embroider the other eye the same way.

With the third stitch of the second eye, bring the needle to the same spot where the other yarn end is.

Tie both ends together, cut them short and hide them inside the body, using your hook.

Assembly

Stitch the olive branch to the tip of the beak, using the half-woven-in yarn end.

Weave in the yarn end and cut it short.

Sew the wings on rounds 12 to 14 of the body with about 4 stitches space in between on the back, using the long yarn ends. Weave in the yarn ends and cut them short.