In all cultures of the world, in almost every kind of environment, people keep chickens. They are easy to look after, provide nutritious eggs daily and are very friendly and cooperative. The knitted cockerel in this little family of chickens would probably find himself high up the pecking order with his magnificent tail of green and red, made out of chainstitched yarn - perfect for showing off to rivals.

To make the texture on each piece, you’ll need to work in moss stitch. The chickens are very quick to make, and the chicks even quicker, so you may soon find yourself with a whole flock. If you’re making this toy for a small child, sew eyes from black thread, and don’t make pipe-cleaner feet. Instead, leave out the feet completely, so the chicken looks like it’s roosting.

The pattern for the chicks and chickens is from the book Kath Dalmeny’s World of Knitted Toys, and the full list of over 50 projects is shown below.

Materials
For the cockerel or chicken: The pattern requires for a small amount (less than 10g) DK in chestnut brown, and scraps of DK in mid brown and red, with a little additional green for the cockerel’s tail.

For the chick: A small amount (less than 10g) DK in yellow, scraps of DK in mid brown and black. One 4-inch yellow pipe-cleaner (optional).

Additional materials:
Two small black beads for eyes, but black stitches would also be appropriate. One 7-inch yellow pipe-cleaner (optional), sewing needle, black thread, washable polyester toy stuffing.

KATH DALMENY’S WORLD OF KNITTED TOYS patterns list

The book contains over 50 patterns for making adorable knitted toys – people and animals from all over the world. Each chapter covers a different habitat, the animals that make their homes there, and one of the people who live there, with accessories to represent their lives or work. The knitting patterns are listed under three categories – Easy; Straightforward; and Challenging, to help knitters choose the project that is right for you. The projects are as follows:

BASIC PERSON PATTERN
(which is then adapted for the people patterns below)

IN THE JUNGLE

• South American Indian
• Spider monkey – mother and baby
• Snake
• Tiger cub
• Gorilla
• Orang utan
• Parrot
• Banana

AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

• Australian sheep farmer (complete with corks hanging from his hat!)
• Merino sheep
• Koala bear
• Duck-billed platypus
• Wombat
• Kangaroo and Joey

DOWN ON THE FARM

• Farmer
• Highland bull
• Pigs and piglets
• Cat
• Mallard duck
• Chicken, cockerel and chicks

THE DEEP BLUE SEA

• Pearl fisherman
• Dolphin
• Shark
• Killer whale
• Turtle
• Octopus
• Clownfish

FOREST FRIENDS

• Canadian Mountie
• Horse
• Grizzly bear
• Beaver
• Raccoon
• Chipmunk
• Moose

ON SAFARI

• African Park Ranger
• Zebra
• Lion family – lion, lioness and lion cub
• Rhinoceros
• Elephant
• Warthog

THE SNOWY REGIONS

• Eskimo
• Husky dog
• Fish
• Penguins – Emperor penguins and Adelie penguins – parents and chicks
• Seal
• Walrus
• Polar bear

PATTERN VARIATIONS

• Sea lion
• Panda bear