Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Queen of Chicken Strikes Again

Hi Knitters,

*added later* 
Suzette at The Wool Cabin will have the Knitted Chickens pattern in her shop next week. Email her at woolcabin@gmail.com and she will be happy to send you the pattern. Thanks, Suzette!

Last summer I was asked by Blue Sky Alpacas if I'd be interested in designing some Chubby Chickens for them. Ummm....yeah! I'm pretty much your go-to-girl when it comes to chubby chickens. I noticed the pattern is up (check out their picture) and available on the Blue Sky site and it is listed on ravelry now. They are calling the pattern Knit Chickens.
They are knit in the Blue Sky Dyed and Organic cotton, which is simply luscious. The Collector was pretty pleased with the chickens. She loved giving them a good squeeze.
The pattern offers three different sizes, 8, 10 and 12 inches long. They are knit on a US size 5 needle. The chickens are worked up in a slick way. You knit a bottom piece back and forth. Then you pick up stitches around the edge of the bottom piece with a circular needle. The rest of the chicken is knit in one piece. Of course you have to add the tail, crest, waddle and beak after the fact. It is a fun little project to knit. If you don't want to add the details, it is cute as a plain one-color chicken, too.
It's so nice to see the green grass. These photos were taken in last August. I miss you, warm summer grass.
This is the 10-inch long chicken with an applique flower.
This is the 12-inch long chicken with embroidered spider-web dots.
This stripey guy is 8 inches long. I love them all and you can mix and match the patterns with the size you'd like to knit. You can check with your local yarn shop to see if they are getting or already have the pattern or you can check the Blue Sky site to see where it is being sold. 

I hope they brought the chickens out to TNNA in San Diego for people to hold. Did anyone see the chickens there?
Sweetheart mania continues. I have been getting some photos of a few Sweetheart Hats and a bunch of Sweetheart Washcloths. I see people are posting on a Sweetheart Washcloth ravelry project page, too. Jody Meese was kind enough to send me a few photos of her completed sweethearts in some different yarns. The above version is knit in Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in #200 Dotty Pink, it's very pretty. I hadn't seen the speckled version of the chenille.
The solid pink version is made out of Bernat Cottontots which is available at Joann's and Michael's. Jody says it is softer than the Sugar-n-Cream.
For these two Sugar-n-Cream Sweethearts Jody used Strawberry and White. She used a size 5 needle and a size G crochet hook. Great work, Jody, and thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks again for the support on the new patterns. I hope you are having fun. I'd love to see some Taiyo Reversible Scarves, too! I'll post some more pics later.

I have one last sweet Valentine project in mind and I'll see if I can find the time to whip it up and write it up for you. If not, I'll save it for next year, but by then I might forget:)

I am working on another yarn company project that I started today. It's kind of fun. I still have some manuscript stuff to finalize this week. The knitting story continues....

Okay, I'm off for now.
best, susie

67 comments:

Unknown said...

oooh I need chickens!

Betz White said...

cute cute chickens! and those hearts keep multiplying!

Anonymous said...

So, how can we get the chicken pattern?

Betz White said...

me again...is the chicken pattern for sale or a download? I can't figure out how to get it.

Susan B. Anderson said...

You guys make me laugh! I can't figure out how to get the pattern either. I thought you'd probably be smarter than me and figure it out.

I will write Sylvia at Blue Sky tomorrow and ask her and I will add it on to the post: )

Thanks for asking.
susan

Sarah said...

I can't even tell you how much I love that blue chicken with the flowers! Precious!! I'm thinking Addie needs one . . .or three :)

Terri Paulson-Sasaki said...

I think someone should cook and clean for you so you can find the time to write the directions for the other valentine project.

Annie said...

Darling, darling, darling!!! And the tail :) just makes me smile.

Anonymous said...

you are so talented! it is so fun to see things like chickens that many would never think to make designed in such a cute way. i know i'll be making these...

Dianne MacDonald said...

Those are the cutest chickens ever! Even though I have real ones out in the barn, I think I have to add some of these to be my "indoor" flock. (Must have been hard to keep these cuties out of the lime-light for so long.)

Dany said...

Very nice chickens!
The blue and the striped are great!!

Elise said...

I have a group of friends and we call ourselves The Hens. Every year another gal and I knit them all a Christmas present. I think these are the 2009 Christmas gift. I think they can substitute as hens!!!

Jodi said...

Those chickens are just too cute! How creative and different. Love 'em.

Maryjane said...

Those chickens are darling! I love them!!

Anonymous said...

The Collector is adorable! Oh, and so are the chickens. :-)

Mary Heather said...

These chickens are so cute! I am not usually a 'chicken lover' but I do LOVE these. You are awesome, all of your patterns are so cute.

Anonymous said...

I need a chicken! And I'll take the Collector too! One of each!

K said...

I have been a fan of the Itty Bitty books for quite a while but just found your blog two months ago. I love it and all your patterns! I'm excited to hear about your new book--in the back of Luxury Yarn One-Skein Wonders, it said your next book is about toys. I can only imagine what wonderful things you have created!

Kate

MichelleB said...

I love the chickens! Everyone needs a bright blue chicken!

Wool Cabin Yarn said...

We saw the chickens at TNNA, very cute! I had no idea they were your pattern. The Blue Sky display was the best one there all because of your chickens. They were giving out chicken timers to customers who placed an oder. We both got ours! I think you can buy the pattern at your LYS if they sell Blue Sky.

Susan B. Anderson said...

Yay!! I am so glad they brought the chickens. That makes for a fun display!

I want one of those chicken timers!! What a cute idea. Blue Sky is an incredible company to work with, they are really cool. Their incredible yarn needs no marketing it speaks for itself.

Thanks for letting me know, Suzette. I thought your LYS would have the patterns if they carry the Blue Sky yarns. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Those chickens are adorable! I must make one or two or three!

Knittin Kudzu said...

Oh, those chickies are too much! I must have a flock of my own!!!

Anonymous said...

Gah! Me wanty chickens! I'm going to have to make some eggs and a nest too - I know that the little hands will want to play barnyard :)

I love how your daughters outfit goes with the chickens too!

Wool Cabin Yarn said...

I should have the chicken pattern and the yarn in my store next week. I would be glad to send it to anyone that is interested.

Suzette
woolcabin@gmail.com

Mim said...

Susan, No one has the pattern yet! What are we to do? I've looked all over, I've emailed BSA, they said check your LYS, and gave me some links to shops that might have them already...BUT THEY DON'T. I can't possibly wait to cast on for one of these chickens but I guess I will have to.

knittingknirvana said...

Oh, those chickens are very cute! I can just picture them sitting on a shelf in a nursery waiting for the baby to be old enough to play with them. Love it!! And the heart cloths are sweet in all the different color combinations!

Kristal said...

Is that the Salt Lake Wool Cabin, Suzette?

Susan B. Anderson said...

Kristal,
Yes!
The Wool Cabin in Salt Lake with owners Suzette and Alison. They are wonderful
susan

Kristal said...

Thanks, Susan. I've called them and reserved a copy. Can't wait!

Alice Regan said...

Ohhhhh ...I'm so excited! I just saw that Suzette is going to get the Chicken patterns in the shop! Can't wait ...I'll pick up my copy as soon as they arrive.

PS I purchased the little beanie and 'hearts' hat ...it's just so darn cute!

Jessica said...

I have to laugh at the term idiot cord, LOL. Why you might ask, well, I felt like an idiot when I was trying to knit one. I was doing something wrong or misunderstanding the process or something. Then it occured to me to leave my pattern's explanation and open up your book to see if you had a better explanation...WHA-LA! So easy, even an idiot can do it LOL. Thanks for making things simple to understand.

Now to finish my slippers.

By the way, adorable chickens!

Jessica

Kathleen said...

Your knitted chickens remind me so much of these: http://www.casanovajewelry.com/store/nohat/

This is a store in my hometown of Annapolis, MD. Maybe we could pair them up...ohhh cross-breeding!

Susan B. Anderson said...

Kathleen,
I want all of those ceramic chickens!!!!
They are fantastic, especially the speckled hens with the red crest. Ooooh la la!

Thanks for sharing.
susan

Cricket said...

Your chickens make my heart beat faster! I don't often 'need' something, but I'm pretty sure I need a chicken. Or three.

kim said...

Hi Susan,
Love the chickens!!
I am working on the sweetheart hat....stumped on the pooling yarn!
Any hints as how to "get rid of it"? I purchased a new skein (at $1 - no problem). Still pooling after 5 repeat cast-ons. I am making the size 12-24 month.
THANK YOU for your help!
kim

Susan B. Anderson said...

Kim,
Ugh. Can't stand pooling. I would alternate the 2 skeins every 2-3 rounds. Or wind the ball into 2 balls and alternate those. The point is to break up the variegation sequence.

Hope that helps.
susan

kim said...

I will try that.
Thank you!
Kim

Anonymous said...

I love your chickens - they make me smile! I have loved everything you've done since meeting you at Knitty City last year! Thank you for your inspiration. -Martha

Margaret Owens said...

ooooh, they are great and love one...

Unknown said...

If I were to make these I would felt them. Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Love the happy chickens! Love your blog!Thanks for the bits of local color from the cold north:)

Nancy
aka nanknitsdog

linda said...

I also NEED chickens. They are so much cleaner than the ones in my yard! Thanks for another inspirational project.

allison saunders said...

I see chickens in my future! Would love your pattern.

Pauline said...

I need these chickens and I did write Blue Sky and got an answer back from her but I am going to try and win these patterns for Chickens. My 5 grand children in Kentucky would love them and since they home school most of them they can have them outside playing on the grass, remember Green Grass in Kentucky is God's green grass. The horses love green grass and my daughter lives in Lexington, KY.
Plus I remember chickens when I first got married in 1954 and my in-laws farm had chickens in the back yard, I was only 21 when I moved to Ky from CA, will never forget the Chickens, I collected the eggs for breakfast. These chickens sure bring back memories to me now. The colors are beautiful.
Pauline

anna said...

Sooo cute, my mother took care of the family's chickens in Italy. She would just love a chicken. Thank you. Whenever, she speaks of her life as a young girl from the small Italian town near Rome, she tells me how she had to get up at 5:00 am to walk a mile to get to their small plot of land where they had chickens. I hope I win.
Anna

Anonymous said...

I tried to find a place to purchase this super cute pattern but so far available only by mail, if I could win one so much the better! My granddaughter would love them... WendyE

BunnieC said...

I just have to say that your blog is always delightful! These chickens are absolutely wonderful! Hooray for the Queen of Chicken!! I always get a smile from reading your blog, keep the inpirations coming!!

Anonymous said...

I love chickens. For Christmas I purchase chicken card from a farm tour artist here in Maryland. Also have my moms, chickens from her kitchen wall(1960 look. Looooovvvvve chickens.

Anonymous said...

Sharon Imler skfrodier@aol.com just wrote about the 1960 chickens on the wall. Forgot to include my email and name.

Anonymous said...

I love those chickens!! They remind me of mine - except I have three real chickens that so lovingly adorn me with eggs. Only problem is, they think they are ducks. Our duck Frankie has raised them. Guess I need a duck pattern too!
Cindy
smithcng@wildblue.net

amy said...

count me in - would love to make a few chickens.

Anonymous said...

love the chickens-and who doesn't need some chicken love!!!!j

laurie said...

Cluck-cluck--count me in for some chickens

womanwithstixs said...

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I would love to
knit a chicken
or two...:D

Anonymous said...

chick chick chick chick chicken,
lay a little egg for me,
chick chick chick chick chicken
I want one for my tea.
I haven't had one since breakfast
and now its half past three
So, chick chick chick chick chicken,
Lay a little egg for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Those chickens are so cute!!!

Gayle said...

We just bought chickens last year and my grandaughters love them. Emma named hers Snow White and Nora named hers Elizabeth with the Golden Chest. Unfortunately, Snow White passed away this winter. We don't know how we are going to explain that one. Anyway, we love chickens and my little ones would love these! Gayle

Anonymous said...

I'm picturing these chickens with a brick inside and used as a door stop. I live in Costa Rica and we live with windows and doors open all the time so we do get some wind blowing through the house and do need door stops!

steeny said...

Hi there!
I am wondering if anyone out there can assist me in my quest! During the 1970's my nanna knitted me a penguin-ish toy. I say 'ish' because he was sort of-duck-goose shape but the colours were penguin so she may have just used her spare wool! Anyway, when I left for uni my mum chucked him out (at 37yrs old I still havn't forgiven her!) I now have a 6yr old and want to knit it for her but despite mths of searching I cannot find a pattern, can anyone suggest where I can find my pengy? email me at htoddi@yahoo.co.uk -any help will be welcome!! Thanksxx Steeny

steeny said...

Hi there!
I am wondering if anyone out there can assist me in my quest! During the 1970's my nanna knitted me a penguin-ish toy. I say 'ish' because he was sort of-duck-goose shape but the colours were penguin so she may have just used her spare wool! Anyway, when I left for uni my mum chucked him out (at 37yrs old I still havn't forgiven her!) I now have a 6yr old and want to knit it for her but despite mths of searching I cannot find a pattern, can anyone suggest where I can find my pengy? email me at htoddi@yahoo.co.uk -any help will be welcome!! Thanksxx Steeny

Karen said...

I absolutely love this - and the two fish also! Do you know if there is a place that the pattern is available online for purchase? I live in Denmark and there are no retailers of the Blue Sky Alpaca company - well only one webshop, but they don´t have these patterns :( And my son is jumping up and down when we look online on these cute cute patterns!
Thanks in advance!

Susan B. Anderson said...

The patterns are available as single sheet patterns and can be mailed anywhere!

http://yarn.com

http://purlsoho.com

good luck!
susan

Anonymous said...

Holy crow, I am in LOVE with these Knit Chickens!!! I simply MUST make some--I need some in my own home (of course!), and I can think of dozens of my friends who would love them too. Maybe I should host a Chicken Knit-A-Long! Thank you for sharing your wonderful, FUN patterns!

Chantal French said...

Absolutely adorable chickens. How can I get a pattern?

Anita said...

I love your chickens !!! Well done !! Where do we go to get the pattern?
Thanks,
Anita

DJ said...

Hi Susan, I am in Barnes & Noble in a comfy chair knitting Spud. Chloe is waiting, characteristically patient, for him. I congratulate you on your Sock Monkey feet design, they are a thing of beauty. I finished "Jomo" yesterday even tho it was 90 degrees in Silicon Valley yesterday. These are all for my Tatertot grandbaby due in November whom my kind daughter consented to grow for me. We all (Chloe, Spud, Jomo, Angelene, Tatertot, and I) would like the chicken to join the family. I'll send you my banana hat pattern in return!?!?! thx $1M, DJ