Hello and welcome to the crochet pattern for Topacio la Reinita! La reinita, la reina mora or the Puerto Rican spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis) is one of, if not my favorite bird from my beautiful Puerto Rico. The males are the ones with these beautifully colored feathers, while the females have browner and significantly muted down colors. I have always called them by reinita and always squealed gleefully whenever I saw one. So much was my adoration for these little birds, that when I was a child, my grandparents gifted me a small wooden carving of these little birds. They purchased it from an artist in El Viejo San Juan. To this day, I still have that sculpture on my desk. It has crossed oceans, flown on planes, been driven over snow, rain, and miles of road. It has been with me for more years than I remember, a small reminder of my Puerto Rico. I designed this little rendition of the reinita with a lot of care and love, and I hope that you enjoy following this pattern to make your own. Thank you so much for your support.

This is a medium intermediate level pattern. There are various color changes, as well as color changes done during decrease stitches that can be more difficult to complete if you are a beginner. However, I have provided various pictures and detailed instructions to help you make this pattern. The pattern also links to my YouTube where you can find video tutorials for some of the more confusing stitches.

Skills and stitches that are necessary for this pattern are listed below:
Basic Stitches: slip knot, slip stitch, chain stitches, single crochet, single crochet increase, single crochet decrease, invisible single crochet decrease, half double crochet, fasting off
Special Crochet Stitches: color change, tie and cut color changing method, surface slip stitches, invisible single crochet decrease with a color change, invisible single crochet three together with a color change
Embroidery Stitches: back stitch, double running stitch
Making a magic ring
Working in the round (spiral)
Making a chain
Working into a foundation chain
Turning and working into turned pieces
Able to keep track of your stitches
Able to keep track of your rows
Counting rows
Able to identify between back and front loops of a stitch
Working into front loops only and back loops only
How to perform a color change
How to secure loose ends from a color change with the tie and cut method
Working color changes into decrease stitches
Using stitch markers to mark and identify stitches
Working into previously marked stitches
Working into stitches of previous rows
Working into different sides of a chain
Working over loose ends
Using a whip stitch to sew pieces onto each other
Weaving in loose ends after sewing pieces together

I have broken down some rows in this pattern to help walk you through certain step by step instructions. These rows will read as 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e and so on. These are all part of row 1 (or whichever number you see in front of the letter), they have just been broken down to allow for detailed step by step pictures of certain stitches or rows that may contain a more complicated step.
Sample row:
R6: (sc, sc-inc)x3, 3sc, (sc, sc-dec)x2, 2sc, sc-inc, (hdc-inc)x2, (sc-inc)x2, 2ss, ch1 [30]
This reads as: Row 6. Complete one single crochet plus one single crochet increase three times. Complete three single crochet. Complete one single crochet plus one single crochet decrease two times. Complete two single crochet. Complete one single crochet increase. Complete two consecutive half double crochet increases. Complete two consecutive single crochet increases. Complete two consecutive slip stitches. Complete a chain one. There are 30 stitches in this row (note how the ch1 does not count towards the final stitch count, but the ss do count towards the final stitch count).
The stitch count at the end of the row indicates the row has ended and there should be that number of stitches in that row.
When directed to fast off, cut the yarn at the specified length and pull the loose end through the last stitch.

Abbreviations:
R: row
Mr: magic ring
Sk: slip knot
Ch: chain
St: stitch
Sts: stitches
Ss: slip stitch
Yo: yarn over
Cm: centimeter
Sc: single crochet
Sc-inc: single crochet increase
Sc-dec: single crochet decrease
Sc3tog: single crochet three together
Hdc: half double crochet
FLO: front loop only
BLO: back loop only

Safety Warnings
I do not recommend the dolls made from this pattern be given to infants, toddlers or young children. This pattern uses doll safety eyes which can pose a choking hazard. This pattern also creates small pieces which may also pose a choking hazard. Always supervise children when playing with dolls made from this pattern.
Though all of the pieces should be securely sewn, always supervise children when playing with this toy as pieces may come loose with enough force and pose a choking hazard.
Use caution when using scissors as they have sharp blades. Keep fingers away from their cutting edges. Use only for their intended purpose and with care.
Sewing pins should be stored in a designated area or pincushion when not in use. Use caution when using pins such as to not prick yourself. Use sewing pins with caution and for their intended purpose.

Terms and Conditions
By Purchasing this pattern, you agree to the following terms and conditions. This is an original TonkiCrafts Pattern. This pattern, and all parts derived from it, are protected by copyright laws. You may not use or claim any of the pictures in this pattern as your own. Copying, filming, altering, redistribution or resale of this pattern (or any of its parts) are not allowed. This pattern is intended for personal use only. You may sell dolls made from this pattern as long as they are made by you and not mass-produced. Mass production of this pattern is not allowed. Dolls must be sold one at time. Using this pattern for "preorder" or "made to order" formats is not allowed. When selling your dolls, please credit me as the creator of the pattern. An appropriate way to do so is: "Pattern by TonkiCrafts". Tagging me or links to my sites are not necessary, but greatly appreciated in your finished products.

Make sure to tag me @TonkiCrafts and use the tags #TonkiCrafts and #TopacioLaReinita to share your finished projects with me.