Welcome to the most rustic and charming project of the year! “The Birdhouse Workshop” is a nature-themed caravan that doubles as a mobile carpentry studio for woodland creatures. The exterior features a rich oak-wood texture with hand-embroidered grain and a roof layered with individual wooden-style shingles. Inside, it is a maximalist dream for ornithologists, with walls covered in dozens of tiny, distinct birdhouses. The scene is brought to life by a busy squirrel carpenter hammering nails, and a bare winter tree filled with colorful wool birds.

This project is designed for the patient crafter who loves details. To ensure the workshop looks like a solid wooden structure, we utilize the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique guarantees perfectly straight walls and a professional finish that hides all structural elements.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Sport or DK weight cotton yarn.

  – Oak Brown: Main exterior walls, tree trunk.

  – Beige/Light Wood: Interior walls, sawdust, wood chips.

  – Dark Brown: Roof shingles, wood grain embroidery.

  – Rust/Fox Orange: Squirrel.

  – Grey/Silver: Tools (hammer head, saw blade, nails).

  – Scrap Colors (Blue, Red, Yellow, Green): Tiny birdhouses, birds, feathers.

• Hooks:

  – 2.5mm (C/2): For the main caravan structure, floor, roof, squirrel, and tree.

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny birdhouses, miniature tools, feathers, and tiny birds.

• Structure: 5-6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, hot glue gun, florist wire (for the tree branches), 6mm safety eyes.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• Ch: Chain
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 sc in one st)
• Dec: Decrease (invisible decrease)
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Picot: Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook.

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Part 1: The Workshop Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Oak Brown.

1. Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
2. Row 2-40: Sc across. (Aim for a rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″).
3. Fasten off the first piece. Keep yarn attached to the second.

Assembly: Cut a rectangle of plastic canvas slightly smaller than your crochet piece. Sandwich it between the two panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Walls (U-Shaped Wrap)

This single long panel creates the Left Wall, Back Wall, and Right Wall. The front remains open for the workshop display.

Panel A: Exterior (Oak Brown)

• Row 1: Ch 91 (Enough to wrap around 3 sides of the floor). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-30: Sc across. Fasten off.
• Wood Grain Detail: Before assembling, use Dark Brown yarn to embroider vertical lines and “knots” (swirls) onto this panel to mimic wood planks.

Panel B: Interior (Beige/Light Wood)

• Row 1: Ch 91. Sc across.
• Row 2-30: Sc across. Fasten off.

Assembly:

• Cut a long strip of plastic canvas. Score it lightly where the corners will be.
• Sandwich the canvas between the Exterior and Interior panels.
• Join: Sc around the entire perimeter through both layers using Oak Brown yarn.
• Fold: Bend the panel into a “U” shape. Sew the bottom edges firmly to the Floor Base.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Part 2: The Shingled Roof

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. Roof Base (Sandwich)

• Make 2 rectangles using Dark Brown (Outer) and Beige (Inner) that are slightly wider and longer than the workshop top to allow for overhang.
• Sandwich plastic canvas between them and Sc around the edges.
• Do NOT attach to the walls yet.

2. The Wood Scales (Shingles)

Use Dark Brown or a slightly lighter Variegated Brown.

• Shingle Strip: Ch long enough to span the roof width.

  Row 1: *Sk 1, 5 Dc in next (Shell), sk 1, sl st in next* repeat across.

• Make enough strips to cover the roof from bottom to top, overlapping them like fish scales.
• Sew or glue these strips onto the Roof Base (Outer side).
• Assembly: Glue or sew the finished roof onto the top of the U-shaped walls.

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Part 3: The Birdhouse Wall (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook and lightweight yarn/embroidery floss.

We need dozens of these to cover the interior walls. Make them in various colors (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Wood).

Type A: The Classic Pointed Roof

• Body: Ch 4, join to loop. Sc around for 4 rounds. (Tiny cylinder).
• Roof: Contrast color. MR 4 sc, Inc to 8. Sc 1 round. Glue on top.
• Hole: Embroider a black dot on the front.

Type B: The Round Gourd

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Top: Ch 3 (stem). Fasten off.
• Hole: Embroider a black dot.

Type C: The Flat-Roof Box

• Body: Ch 5, Sc 4 rows. Fold and stitch into a cube.
• Roof: Ch 6, Sc 2 rows. Glue flat on top with overhang.

Assembly: Glue these tiny houses densely all over the beige interior walls. Leave no big gaps!

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Part 4: Workshop Tools & Details

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm

1. The Bag of Sunflower Seeds

• Sack: Beige/Burlap color. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 5 rounds. Stuff lightly.
• Seeds: Use Black and Dark Brown thread to embroider french knots inside the open mouth of the bag.
• Decoration: Paint or embroider a tiny yellow sunflower on the front of the sack.

2. The Hammer

• Handle: Brown. Ch 6, sl st back. Stiffen with glue.
• Head: Grey. Ch 3, Sc back. Make a tiny “T” shape with the handle.

3. The Wood Saw

• Blade: Silver/Grey. Ch 8. Sc back. (Optional: Use thread to stitch tiny serrated teeth).
• Handle: Orange/Brown. Ch 4, loop it at one end of the blade.

4. Scattered Feathers

• Use Bright Blue, Yellow, Red.
• Pattern: Ch 4. Sl st in 2nd ch, Sc in next, Sl st in last. (Tiny teardrop shape).
• Scatter and glue these on the floor of the workshop.

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Part 5: The Exterior Scene

1. The Carpenter Squirrel

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Rust Orange yarn.

• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Tail (Bushy): Ch 10. *Loop Stitch* (hold a loop of yarn down with your thumb while making a sc) back down the chain. Repeat on other side of chain. Brush out with a pet brush to make it fluffy.
• Ears: Ch 2, Sc in 2nd ch. Sew to head.
• Assembly: Sew head to body. Sew tail to back. Sew arms (Ch 4) so they are holding the Hammer (from Part 4).
• Action: Place a tiny “nail” (grey wire or yarn knot) on a piece of wood (crochet a small brown cylinder) and position the squirrel hammering it.

2. The Dry Wool Tree

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Oak Brown yarn.

• Trunk: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc around for 15-20 rounds. Insert sturdy wire.
• Branches: Ch 10-15. Sc back. Make 5-6 branches of varying lengths. Insert wire into them.
• Assembly: Sew branches to the trunk. Twist the wires together inside for stability. Bend branches artistically.

3. Tiny Wool Birds

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm. Make 10+.

• Body: MR 4 sc. Inc to 8. Sc 1 round. Dec to 4. Close.
• Beak: Yellow thread stitch.
• Tail: 2 strands of yarn tied to the rear.
• Placement: Glue these birds all over the branches of the Dry Tree.

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Final Assembly

1. Main Structure: Ensure the U-shaped walls are firmly attached to the floor and roof. The “Sandwich” construction should keep the workshop boxy and open.
2. Ramp (Optional): You can crochet a flat rectangular panel (Sandwich method) and attach it to the front floor edge as a fold-down ramp/door.
3. Interior Styling: Glue the saw and bag of seeds in the corner. Scatter the feathers.
4. The Scene: Position the Squirrel carpenter in front of the workshop. Stand the Tree next to the vehicle (you may need to glue the tree base to a small cardboard/crochet plate for stability).

Congratulations! You have built “The Birdhouse Workshop.” This rustic, detailed scene celebrates the beauty of nature and craftsmanship. Enjoy your woodland creation!