Free Pattern: Patriotic Eagle Pillow and Bag

It’s always a good time to show off our patriotic spirit, but summer is a must. While creating this little eagle, I couldn’t decide if I wanted her to be a mail tote to hang by my door or a pillow for my bench. She makes me smile and I hope you will enjoy her too.

Red Heart Yarns had sent me some of their new Super Saver Chunky yarn in patriotic colors so I had to make a big sister for her too.

Patriotic Eagle Pattern

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Materials & Details

Small Eagle

• Yarn:  Red Heart Super Saver Royal (100 yards), Soft White (200 yards), Cherry (150 yards), Bright Yellow, White, 
• Crochet Hook: H
• Miscellaneous Supplies: Yarn needle, Sewing needle and thread, 2 small black buttons, Stuffing (optional for pillow version)
• Finished Measurements (flat): 11” long x 10” wide

Large Eagle

• Yarn:  Red Heart Super Saver CHUNKY Blue (2 skeins/350  yards), Soft White (150 yards), Cherry Red (150 yards), Buff (150 yards); Red Heart Super Saver Bright Yellow, White, 
• Crochet Hook: J, K
• Miscellaneous Supplies: Yarn needle, Sewing needle and thread, 2 small black buttons, Stuffing (optional for pillow version)
• Finished Measurements (flat): 16” long x 14” wide

Tips for Both Sizes

• First stitch of each row is worked into the same  stitch as the turning chain.
• Numbers at the beginning of each line may refer to  steps and not indicate number of rows.
• Instructions are written with color changes as shown in sample. Substitute colors as desired.

Small Eagle Directions

Bottom Section of Eagle

The eagle starts with the striped, bottom section. It is worked back and forth in rows to create a rectangle. Do not cut each yarn. Carry the unused yarn up the side. These will be hidden in a later step.

1. Leave a long yarn tail in the beginning for sewing one side seam. With an H hook and red yarn, ch 51, sc in 2nd
       ch from hook and in each ch across. (50sts)
2. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in each st to end of row.

3. Change to cream (soft white) yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in each st to end of row.
4. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in each st to end of row.

5. Change to red yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in each st to end of row.
6. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st and in each st to end of row.

7. Keep repeating steps 3-6 until there are 19 stripes from the beginning edge, ending with red. Finish off both yarns, leaving a long red tail for sewing one side seam.

Fold the rectangle in half with the edges of the rows lining up. This edge will be left unsewn.

Use the beginning yarn tail and a yarn needle to sew the sts of the two layers of one side seam together. Repeat for opposite edge.

Turn this piece right side out. 

Top Section of Eagle

1. With an H hook, attach cream (soft white) yarn to a stitch at the side of the eagle. Ch 1, sc 76 sts evenly around the top edge of the striped piece. Place markers to help with stitch placement if needed. Sl st in beginning st to join. (76sts)

2. Ch 1, *sc 17, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (72sts)

3. Ch 1, turn to work from inside of piece. The following rounds will be worked from the inside to create the texture on the outside of the bag. *sc in next st, hdc in next st*, keep repeating to end. Do not join. Place a marker for working in the round. 

4. *sc in next st, hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round.

5. Repeat step 4 for an additional 8 rounds.

6. Ch 1, turn to work from outside/right side of piece. *sc 10, sc2tog*, repeat to end of round, sl st to join. (66sts)

7. Sl st in each st to end of round. Finish off and weave in ends.

Beak

1. Leave a yarn tail in the beginning for sewing beak in place when complete. With an H hook and yellow yarn, ch
       6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5sts)
2. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog. (3sts)
3. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc. (2sts)
4. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. Finish off yarn, pull through loop on st. Weave in end.

With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail to sew the beginning edge to the center of one side of the eagle. See main photo for placement.

Eyes: Sew two black buttons above the nose with a sewing needle and thread.

Wings (make 2)

1. Leave a yarn tail in the beginning for sewing wing in place when complete. With an H hook and blue yarn, ch
       13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (12sts)
2. Ch 2, turn, hdc in same st and in each st across. 
3. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 8, hdc2tog. (10sts)
4. Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st to end of row. 
5. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 6, hdc2tog. (8sts)
6. Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st to end of row. 
7. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 6. (7sts)
8. Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 5. (6sts)
9. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 4. (5sts)
10. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 3. (4sts)
11. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog. (2sts)
12. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. 
13. This step is worked around the outer edge of the wing. Ch 1, turn, sc in same st, sc evenly across edge of wing, working 3sc in corner. Sc in each st across edge, working 3sc in last st. Sc evenly across edge of wing. Sl st to join. Finish off and weave in end.

With a yarn needle, use the beginning yarn tail to sew the flat edge of each wing to the eagle. See main photo for placement.

Stars (make 2 soft white and 1 yellow)
1. With an H hook and white yarn, create a magic loop of 5 sc sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 5
    sc sts), pull closed and sl st to join. (5sts) 

2. *ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in 3rd ch, sl st in next st on circle*, repeat to end of round.
       (5 points) Finish off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing to wings and bow.

With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail from each star to sew one white star to each wing. The yellow star will be used for the hair bow.

Hair Bow (optional)

Colored Loops: With an H hook and blue yarn, ch 30. Finish off and use yarn tails to tie the ends together. Repeat with red yarn.

Place the yellow star on a flat surface with the right side towards the table.

Fold each colored loop in half with the tied part in the middle. Cross the loops to create an X shape. Use the yellow yarn tail from the star and a yarn needle to sew the middles of the loops to the back of the star. 

Use remaining yellow yarn tail to sew the bow to the bag. See main photo for placement.

Pillow Option

After eagle is complete, stuff as desired. Use a yarn needle and matching yarn (soft white) to sew the edge together.

Bag Option

Handle

1. With an H hook and color of choice, ch 71, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (70sts)

2-5. Ch 1, turn, sc in each st to end of row.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Place one handle end on the inside of the bag at the side, 1-2” down from the top edge. With yarn needle and matching yarn, securely sew the handle to the bag. Repeat for other end of handle.

Large Eagle Directions

The large eagle is created with 2 strands chunky yarn held together. Follow instructions as written for the small eagle with the following changes:

Bottom section of eagle: 2 strands Blue chunky yarn and a K hook

Top section of eagle: 1 strand Soft White + 1 strand Buff yarn and a K hook

Wings: 2 strands Cherry Red chunky yarn and a K hook

Stars (make 3): 1 strand White chunky yarn and a J hook

Beak

1. Leave a yarn tail in the beginning for sewing beak in place when complete. With a J hook and 2 strands worsted weight Bright Yellow yarn, ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea ch across. (7sts)
   2. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog. (5sts)
2. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog. (3sts)
3. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc. (2sts)
4. Ch 1, turn, sc2tog. Finish off yarn, pull through loop on st. Weave in end. 

With a yarn needle, use the yarn tail to sew the beginning edge to the center of one side of the eagle. See main photo for placement.

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