1.22.2009

Blue Bird, Blue Bird and a New Word

A few months back I noticed a lack of music and movement in Aidan's kindergarten class. It seems they are now making up for lost time with three days of square dancing each week. I sneaked in the multi-purpose room one day last week to see forty kindergartners (from two classes) dancing in large circles to the sweetest song.

Blue bird, blue bird, through my window.
Blue bird, blue bird, through my window.
Blue bird, blue bird, through my window.
Oh Johnny I am tired.

Find a friend and tap them on the shoulder.
Find a friend and tap them on the shoulder.
Find a friend and tap them on the shoulder.
Oh Johnny I am tired.

I don't really understand the point of the lyrics, but I can't stop singing the song. Especially the tired part, though I usually exchange the name Johnny for one of the kids' names.

The song and dance inspired me to make a little crocheted birdie using this pattern, with just a few tweaks.

blue bird, blue bird
blue bird, blue bird

After making this little sweetie, I searched for more crocheted animal patterns and discovered a new word: amigurumi, "the Japanese art of crocheting small animals or toys". Squidoo has a great page with tons of links to free patterns.

Aidan would love me to make these:



I'm wondering if I could tempt him to trade in ten miscellaneous toys from his room for one Star Wars doll at a time. Hmmmm. Be prepared to see more amigurumi around here.

Edited: Finally tracked down the Star Wars Hero patterns for anyone interested. Check out Geek Central Station for more, including Lord of the Rings amigurumi.

23 comments:

  1. That is lovely! A mom in our homeschool coop is offering a class in amigurami this semester -- NOW I understand what that is! (I was thinking, like, Pokemon.;-))

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  2. you make the best birds!

    and that chewie and yoda are too cute. i'd trade some of henry's toys for those in a heartbeat!

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  3. : )

    I know that song and now it will be stuck in my head, too!

    AND, the flood of memories came rushing in -- square dancing at school! GAHHH! Kindergarten sounds fine but I remember spending all of fifth grade do-si-do-ing every afternoon and although the dancing was fun it was brutal, I tell you, to make fifth graders all hold hands and dance together!!

    I'm going to go remember that time now... while singing the cute little song...

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  4. Those are delightful! I have a whole book here dedicated to amirugami (or whatever it's called), but have yet to delve into it.

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  5. Oh my! I do love that sweet little blue bird. The star wars ones are so AWESOME! my husband would probably wet himself with excitement if I made him such a thing (and he is in his thirties!) I might have to try it. Maybe if I start now I could have some decent looking ones by Christmas! Thanks for the message by the way, I am in Placerville, nice to know I am not the only one in the foothills that finds the politics "interesting" :)
    We just moved here two years ago from Portland, OR, so it has taken some adjusting to say the least!

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  6. Your little blue bird is very sweet! Thanks for all the amigurami links.

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  7. Birdalicious. And, I should say,I love the visual of kindergarteners square dancing...
    precious.

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  8. Your bluebird is so sweet!

    We were forced to square dance in 8th grade, I think because the gym teachers just wanted to torture us. I (one of the tallest girls) was paired with the shortest boy in 8th grade. Gaw, the humiliation!

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  9. PLEASE make those Star Wars figures... they just make me smile....

    Love the little birdie, too.

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  10. So, so sweet!

    I think that "tired" was a substitution word from the teacher whilst trying to teach 40 kindergarten children how to square-dance. HA!

    (Isn't it "Oh, Johnny what a day."?

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  11. Oh my gosh! The blue bird is simply beautiful. I am still in the knitting phase... haven't moved on to crocheting yet. These make me wanna learn though!

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  12. So cute. I remember doing square dancing when I was a little one in school. I also remember thinking it was lame. hm. Well, I was young.

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  13. That blue bird was seriously one of the cutest things you've made yet. Let me know how the trading for toys thing goes - I like that idea!!

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  14. what a sweet little bird. and the star wars guys... gasp! my hubby and keegan would love those as well.

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  15. LOOOVE those! That bird is awesome! I tried to make a cupcake the other day, but something went terribly wrong. Thanks for the great links.
    ~Karen

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  16. I really want the pattern for those star wars dolls. I NEED it, but can't seem to find it. Help! johnnal74@yahoo.com

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  17. they are so cute, my son loves star wars. these are just adorable and the little blue bird as well!
    thanks so much for visiting me!! Loved it! I've been visiting your blog for quite sometime!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  18. So cute, thanks for the links.

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  19. I want to HEAR this song! I used to teach K-1 music, and gained an appreciation for folk songs....and now I teach dance as a guest artist in schools, so I LOVE the image of those circling kids!

    Cute amigurami!

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  20. You are so awesome!!

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  21. my husband is flipping over those star wars figures. Whereas, I think the birdie is the "tweetest" thing...

    (goes off to hide in embarrassment at her lame pun)

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  22. We made a frog and bunny from a free pattern on LionBrand's Website. We have to hide the frog or the cat carries it down the hallway and rabbit punches it into submission. She is a yarn junkie.

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  23. Back when I was in school this was part of a game we played, we'd join hands in a circle on the playground at recess and sing this song while moving in a circle one way, then the other and our verse was "Oh Johnny, won't you try it?" It was a game of sorts, somewhere between Duck, Duck, Goose! and Red Rover...

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