Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Chicken Knitting Patterns

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I visit Ravelry pretty often to see what new knitting patterns are being released, and a few times when I’ve visited recently it has shown me Annette Corsino‘s Emotional Support Chicken knitting pattern.

It’s a cute pattern worked in garter stitch with short rows to give it shape, and it uses worsted weight yarn in a few colors to add all the details. The project has been made more than 1,000 times, with people giving theirs fun names like Henriett, Iris Henfel and Henny Styles (the original was named Lindsay LoHEN). The pattern is a modification of one designed by Bev Galaskas and I think everyone probably needs one.

The pattern got me thinking about knit chickens, for emotional support or otherwise. If you want to start a fibery flock, check out these fun chicken knitting patterns.

Which Came First? is a delightful free Ravelry pattern from Dee Frey, which features an egg-shaped chicken that would be adorable as a springtime decoration. It can be worked in any gauge with any weight of yarn, so grab your odd balls and make a bunch of different sizes (note: cute Easter egg filler!).

If you’re looking for something a bit more realistic, Dot Pebbles Knits has a cute chicken knitting pattern that includes wings/frills. The project is worked flat and joined as you go for easy knitting and assembly.

If you have a circular knitting machine and a little bit of crochet skill, this pattern from Knetta’s Knits on Etsy is easy and cute. It includes a little knit nest, too.

Henrietta the little brown hen is another cute chicken knitting pattern you’ll find on Etsy from Knit for Victory. You probably have all the yarn you need for this little girl already (it calls for DK weight yarn but you can use what you have to make a different sized hen if you like) or you can buy a kit from the designer that includes everything you need to make your own Henrietta.

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Michaels Acquires Joann Intellectual Property; Joann Website Now Forwards to Michaels

Craft retailer Michaels has acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of now-defunct retailer Joann, according to a media release, and the Joann website now forwards to Michaels. 

The releases states that Michaels will be developing the “beloved Big Twist® brands as part of the Michaels portfolio.” It also notes plans to expand its offerings in the fabric, sewing and yarn categories, with more than 600 new products being added. 

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to welcome JOANN customers into our creative community and are committed to delivering the selection, value, and inspiration they are looking for at Michaels,” David Boone, CEO of Michaels, said in the release. 

Specific to yarn, the company notes it has plans to expand its yarn selection by 25 percent this year, including releasing more than 60 new private-label Loops & Threads products beginning this month, expanding offerings of Lion Brand and the Yarnspirations family of brands, and welcoming Big Twist yarns. 

The release specifically mentions Big Twist Value Plus, Big Twist Twinkle, Big Twist Posh and Big Twist Baby Bear, and notes that the offerings are “now being developed as part of Michaels portfolio of brands and will be available in-stores and online later this year.”

No word on what this means for Herrschners, which previously announced it would carry Big Twist. Its page announcing the news still says “at this time we are not able to release details on specific Big Twist varieties or colors, or the exact date the yarn will be available to order” and encourages signing up for email updates.

This news comes just days after the final closing of the last Joann locations and the appearance of a message on their website talking about “stitching up something new.” The Joann website now forwards to a landing page for craft retailer Michaels. 

“Welcome Joann customers,” it says at the top. “We’ve got your go-to essentials and so much more.” The page also notes “everyone is welcome at our craft table” and says the website is a source for “fabrics, yarn, notions & more.”

Further down the page it says “With JOANN stores closing, Michaels is excited to welcome new makers, crafters, and sewing enthusiasts into our community” and has a string of links to product categories these shoppers might be looking for. It says Michaels carries “many of the favorites that Joann customers love” including patterned fabric, yarn, ribbons and notions. 

The release calls this a “dedicated landing page” with a “curated assortment of products” they think are relevant to the Joann shopper. 

If you go directly to Micheaels.com, you see their regular website but there is a link at the top of the page for Joann customers that leads to the same page linked above. 

The release doesn’t mention opening any new stores in towns left without a craft store thanks to the Joann closure. It does note they have 1,300 stores in 49 states and in Canada, and they have both US and Canada-facing websites. 

What do you think of this news? It’s not the exciting future I’d hoped for with Joanns cryptic announcement, but I know legions of knitters and crocheters will be happy to know Big Twist will live on, and other crafters will probably be happy about expanded selection at Michaels.