Body: magic ring, 6 sc. [6]. Increase to 12, then to 18, then to 24, then to 30. [5 rounds]. Rounds 6 to 10: sc around. [30]. Insert safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7, about 6 stitches apart. Decrease to 24, then to 18 (stuffing as you go), then to 12, then to 6. Pull shut, fasten off.

Head: magic ring, 6 sc. [6]. Increase to 12, then to 18. [3 rounds]. Rounds 4 to 6: sc around. [18]. Decrease to 12, stuff, decrease to 6, pull shut. Sew the head to the top of the body, slightly forward so the raven appears to be looking ahead rather than straight up.

Wings (make 2): chain 10. Row 1: sc across. [9]. Rows 2 to 5: decrease at one end only, so the wing tapers to a point. [5 stitches at row 5]. Fasten off with a long tail. The wing is a long narrow teardrop. Sew one flush to each side of the body.

Beak: with yellow yarn, chain 5. Sl st back across 3 chains, leaving the tip pointed. Roll into a small cone and sew to the front of the head, below and between the eyes.

Tail feathers: cut 6 lengths of black yarn, each about 10 cm. Loop each through the base of the body at the back, knotting to secure, and trim to graduated lengths so the longest feather is at the centre. Brush the ends lightly with a fine-tooth comb to separate the fibres if the yarn allows.