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EASY-TO-KNIT<br />
CHICKEN<br />
DOORSTOP
MATERIALS FOR<br />
ONE CHICKEN<br />
• 100g Aran yarn for the main body<br />
• 50g Aran yarn for contrasting base<br />
• Small amount of DK yarn in red<br />
and golden brown for the comb<br />
and beak<br />
• 5½mm (UK 5) and 4mm (UK 8)<br />
knitting needles<br />
• Tapestry needle<br />
• Toy stuffing<br />
• Gravel in small bag to weigh<br />
doorstop<br />
A FARMYARD<br />
HELPMATE<br />
With its cheerful, eye-catching comb and beak,<br />
this sturdy knitted hen is perfect for propping<br />
open doors to let the fresh air in as days warm up<br />
THE PATTERN<br />
Pattern notes<br />
The chickens can be knitted in any<br />
Aran weight yarn. These were both<br />
made with West Yorkshire Spinners<br />
100 per cent Shetland/British wool:<br />
Red chicken: The Croft – Wild<br />
Shetland, in Fired Earth.<br />
Grey chicken: The Croft – Shetland<br />
Colours, in Lunna.<br />
Base: The base of both chickens<br />
was knitted in Jacob Fleece, in<br />
Medium Grey.<br />
Tension: Tension is not crucial in<br />
this project.<br />
Abbreviations<br />
DK – double knit<br />
k – knit<br />
rs – right side<br />
ws – wrong side<br />
m1 – pick up the horizontal bar (between<br />
the stitch on the left needle and the stitch<br />
on the right needle) with the left needle,<br />
and knit into the back of the stitch. It is<br />
important to make the new stitch twisted,<br />
to avoid creating a hole (increase)<br />
st(s) – stitch(es)<br />
rpt – repeat<br />
k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)<br />
rem – remaining<br />
Chicken (side 1)<br />
*Using 5½mm needles and Aran yarn,<br />
cast on 34sts (starting at base).<br />
Row 1: k (RS)<br />
Row 2: k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1<br />
Rows 3-14: rpt row 1 and 2, 6 times<br />
(48sts)<br />
Rows 15-22: k<br />
Change to contrast Aran yarn.<br />
Rows 23-60: k**<br />
Shape tail (RS facing).<br />
Next row: k12, k2tog, turn, work on these<br />
13sts only, leave rem sts on needle<br />
Next row: k2tog, k to end<br />
Next row: k to last 2sts, k2tog<br />
Rpt last 2 rows until 4sts rem.<br />
Cast off.<br />
With RS facing, rejoin yarn and cast off.<br />
15sts, k to end (19sts).<br />
K12 rows.<br />
Next row: k2tog, k to end<br />
Rpt last row, 9 times (9sts).<br />
Cast off.<br />
Chicken (side 2)<br />
Work from * to **<br />
K1 row.<br />
Continue as side 1 to shape tail (WS).<br />
Note: When rejoining yarn to cast off 15sts,<br />
WS will be facing.<br />
Make up body<br />
Sew 2 sides together, matching head and<br />
tail. Stuff until firm and insert bag of gravel<br />
into the base to create weight. Refer to<br />
photo as a guide. ❯<br />
The comb and beak are attached<br />
along the seam where the front and<br />
back of the body are joined.<br />
The base of the chicken is knitted in a<br />
contrasting yarn. Choosing one that is<br />
less likely to show any dirt is advisable.<br />
101
Comb (make 2)<br />
Using 4mm needles and DK yarn, cast on 10sts.<br />
Rows 1-4: k<br />
Row 5: cast off 7sts, k to end (3sts)<br />
Row 6: k<br />
Row 7: cast on 7sts, k to end (10sts)<br />
Rows 8-10: k<br />
Rpt rows 5-10, twice.<br />
Cast off.<br />
Make up comb<br />
Sew 2 sides together. Stuff lightly and sew to top<br />
of head. Refer to photo as a guide.<br />
Beak (make 2)<br />
Using 4mm needles and DK yarn, cast on 10sts.<br />
Rows 1-2: k<br />
Row 3: k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1 (8sts)<br />
Row 4: k<br />
Row 5: k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1 (6sts)<br />
Row 6: k<br />
Row 7: k1, k2tog, k2tog, k1 (4sts)<br />
Row 8: k<br />
Row 9: k2tog, k2tog (2sts)<br />
Row 10: k2tog (1st)<br />
Fasten off.<br />
Make up beak<br />
Sew 2 sides together. Stuff lightly and sew to<br />
front of head. Refer to photo as a guide.<br />
• Pattern: Marisa Bailey • Photography: Richard Faulks<br />
102
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Photography: House of Food; Richard Faulks; Shutterstock