As a nature nut who loves birds, and a knitting nut who loves exploring how to design my own things, I designed the knitted magpie below because I was inspired by a pair of magpies I actually befriended in the park. To see them up close in their beautiful black, white and deep blue plumage, and to spend time with them, made me want to see if I could create a lifelike knitted version, just for myself.
Having previously created simpler birds, such as pigeons and plain white doves, it was a little trickier to figure out what I needed to do to achieve the shapes and colors of the more elaborate magpie. But once I did, I showed photos to someone who shared them on her social media -- and a friend of hers who loves hand crafted decor instantly wanted one! Thus, my magpie became the first of my bird designs that I sold!
In selling my other birds locally too, I decided to open my Etsy shop.
As unusual and elegant home decor accents that become a conversation piece, my birds, including the friendly fellow here, have now been bought by lovely customers in several States across the US, from California to New York! No-one is more surprised than I am, considering I started making them just for myself, inspired by individual wild birds I saw regularly enough to make friends with. Can't take them home, but I could knit one of my very own!
And here is the real-life pair upon whom mine is based, lounging on their bellies, relaxed as you please, like my knitted version:
Many people dislike magpies, but I have discovered how delightful they can be. Magnus and Maggie here are cheeky, funny, bold, friendly, and Magnus even eats out of my hand. They get bullied by their larger corvid cousins, the crows (whom I also love and find delightful), but they hold their own, stay out of their way, and sneak back over to hang out with me and get some tasty treats in the form of suet pellets.
If you would like your own Magnus for an unusual touch of handmade nature right on your shelf, you can find out more about the very one in this and the top photo here at my Etsy shop:
See more or buy, Magpie - Etsy.com
