This Week’s Make: Poppy the Pukeko

A project like Poppy the Pukeko always feels like coming home, and this week she took centre stage on my hook once again. As a native bird of Aotearoa New Zealand, the pukeko has always held a special place in my heart — bright, curious, a little cheeky, and full of personality. Creating Poppy lets me stitch a tiny piece of home into every feather, and that never stops feeling meaningful.

I first designed her back in 2019, and since then I’ve made her seven times, each one with her own little quirks and charm. Over the years I’ve even developed a full crochet pattern for her, so makers around the world can bring their own Poppy to life. She’s wonderfully simple to make — just a handful of colours, some expressive shaping, and that unmistakable pukeko silhouette — but she carries so much heart.

This week’s Poppy is preparing for her big adventure to Columbus, Ohio, where she’ll be the new bird on the block. I love imagining her settling into her new surroundings, perched proudly on a shelf or nestled into a cosy corner, slowly getting to know her new home and making “bird friends” along the way. There’s something magical about knowing a little handmade Kiwi companion is travelling across the world to bring joy to someone new.

In my Etsy listing, I describe her as soft, expressive, and full of character — a nostalgic reminder of home for some, and a colourful new friend for others. At around 23 cm seated, made with 100% cotton yarn and filled with soft fibrefill, she’s the perfect size for cuddles, display, or gifting. Whether she ends up in a nursery, a living room, or a collector’s shelf, she brings a warm, heartfelt presence with her.

Poppy may be simple in her construction, but she’s rich in story — a tiny piece of Aotearoa stitched with love, ready to brighten her new life in Ohio.