Knitted Mama Hen
The knitted mama hen can serve as a unique gift for a loved one, symbolizing warmth, care, and nurturing. The knitted mama hen is a delightful piece of art that brings a touch of handmade charm to any space. Its fluffy appearance and lifelike design make it a conversation starter and a focal point in a room. The attention to detail in the knitting process ensures that each mama hen is a one-of-a-kind creation, showcasing the talent and creativity of the maker. Whether displayed on a shelf, mantel, or table, the knitted mama hen adds a whimsical and heartwarming element to the decor.
Materials
Set of 3.25mm needles (UK size 10, US size 3)
Yarn needle
Toy Stuffing
Scissors
6mm Toy safety eyes
Yarn colours
White
Blue
Yellow
Red
Scraps of yellow embroidery thread or yarn for beak
Scraps of black yarn/thread if embroidering the eyes
Yarn weight: Double knitting (DK)
Gauge: not important but make it tight so stuffing doesn’t show through
Finished measurements: approx 3” tall and 2.5” wide
Click here for my abbreviation list
TOY SAFETY
Remember never use toy safety eyes on a toy intended for a child under 3 years old, they are a potential choking hazard, please embroider on any features so they cannot be easily removed by little fingers or gnashers!
Hen Main Body
CO 30 in white
1-19. st-st 19 rows (begin with a purl row)
20. *k2tog, k1* along (20sts)
21. purl
22. *k2tog* along (10sts)
23. purl
24. *k2tog, k3* along (8sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw tail through remaining stitches and pull tightly and secure. At this stage you may want to add the safety eyes and embroider a nose. Use tail to mattress stitch row ends closed until you reach the cast on stitches, leaving a circular gap to attach the bottom piece.
Hen Body Bottom
CO 30 in white
1. purl
2. *k2tog, k3* along (24sts)
3. *p2tog, p2* along (18sts)
4. *k2tog, k1* along (12sts)
5. *p2tog* along (6sts)
6. knit
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw tail through remaining stitches and pull tightly and secure. Use tail to mattress stitch row ends closed until you reach the cast on stitches and you have a flat circular piece.
Comb
CO4 in red
BO all stitches
Leave a long yarn tail to draw through the last stitch. Tie together the cast on tail with the bind off tail and use to attach comb to the head.
Apron
CO 12 in blue
1-8. garter sitch 8 rows
9. BO
Leave a long yarn tail to attach the apron to the body.
Wings (make 2)
CO 2 in white (leave a long cast on tail)
1. purl
2. *kfb* along (4sts)
3. purl
4. kfb, k2, kfb (6sts)
5-9. st-st 5 rows (start with purl)
10. BO
Leave a long yarn tail for attaching to body.
Chick
CO 6
1. purl
2. *kfb* along (12sts)
3-7. st-st 5 rows (start with purl)
8. BO
Leave a long yarn tail to whipstitch together the bind off edges and the mattress stich together the row end until you read the cast on stitches. Gather the thread as a running stitch, pull titch and secure to form a rounded end. Weave in any loose yarn ends.
Finishing
- Attach comb to the head by whip stitching the row ends of cast on stitches along the head length-wise.
- Sew the apron to the front of the body attaching the bottom and side, leaving the top open to form a pocket.
- Use the BO yarn tail from the wing to attach the wing to the body and then to yarn tail from the cast on stitchs to secure to tip onto the side of the apron.
- Weave in any loose yarn ends