For the MINI-MOTHER HEN INFORMATION go directly to page 16 of the pattern for instructions!

For many years now, maybe even a couple of decades if I’m being honest, I have had a love for designing a knit chicken or two. In fact, I think I snuck some sort of knit chicken in five out of my six books, and I’ve even more individual patterns with chickens. I’m carrying on the chicken-knitting tradition today and I must say this Mother Hen is my absolute favorite to date. My main critic and beloved daughter told me that this may be the cutest toy I’ve ever designed. I’ll take it! The stripey, ear flapped hat and the cardigan with egg and chick-filled pockets make this entire ensemble beyond fun. And, it’s just as cute without the accessories.

The adorable Mother Hen is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. The crown is knit on in continuation of the head. The beak uses an afterthought technique. The wattle, wings, legs, and tail are picked up and knit onto the body and head. The hat is worked in the round and the cardigan is worked both back and forth and in the round.

Finished measurements
Mother Hen: 11” 28 cm tall when seated, including antlers
Cardigan: 4” 10 cm long, 12” 30.5 cm body circumference

Yarn
Home Worsted Weight by Barrett Wool Co. (100% American Wool; 100 g /230 yds 210 m)
Mother Hen:
1 skein in Bear (brown) or Picket Fence (MC)
1 skein in Poppy (red) (CC1)
1 skein in Humble Gold (gold) (CC2)
Cardigan and Hat:
1 skein in March Wind (dark grey - on the white chicken in photos) or Stationery (light grey - on the brown chicken in photos)
Small amount of the Poppy (red) for the edging

Yarn used in grams:
Mother Hen MC used a little over 50 grams.
Humble Gold for beak, feet, chick and hat stripes used about 20 grams.
Poppy for wattle, crown, hat stripes and cardigan edging used about 15 grams.
Cardigan MC and hat - either March Wind or Stationery used about 30 grams.
Egg used about 3 yards.

Needles
Mother Hen, Hat, Egg and Chick
One set dpns in sizes US 6 and 7 4 and 4.5 mm
Cardigan
One 24” 40 cm circ in US size 7 4.5 mm
One 24” 40 cm circ in US size 6 4 mm
One set of dpns in US size 6 and 7
Or size to obtain gauge

Gauge
Mother Hen, Hat, Egg and Chick: 22 sts and 30 rows = 4” 10 cm in St st with smaller needles.
Sweater: 20 sts and 28 rows = 4” 10 cm in St st with larger needles.

Notions
Locking stitch markers
Waste yarn
Tapestry needle
Fiberfill
Poly pellets (optional and note that poly pellets are considered a choking hazard for young children)
6mm safety eyes (note that safety eyes are considered a choking hazard for young children)
Black embroidery floss
Three 3/4-inch buttons
Sewing thread and needle to attach buttons
Optional 3/4-inch pom-pom maker (I used the smallest Clover pom-maker).