Granny Square Chicken Modifications · Free Crochet Pattern Mods

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all my followers for the incredible enthusiasm you've shown for my granny square chicken pattern! It’s truly awesome to see everyone’s unique takes on their chickens, showcasing your creativity and personal flair. Each version is a delightful reminder of how crafting can connect us and inspire one another. 

LINKS

• Original Granny Square Chicken: free written pattern, video tutorial, PDF pattern
• Plush Granny Square Chicken: free written pattern, video tutorial, PDF pattern
• Share your chickens in the official Granny Square Chicken Club Facebook group!

I’m also excited to announce that a talented fellow crocheter, Karen Hiles from California, has made some fantastic modifications to the original pattern, including a peacock, turkey, cardinal, and owl! Karen has given me permission to share her modifications, so that others can be inspired and add even more charm to their chickens!

If you enjoyed making these mods, please consider sending a donation to Karen Hiles for sharing her creative patterns! Use the button below to donate.

Note: All photos in this post belong to Karen Hiles, who has given Sweet Softies written permission to share as part of this post.

Peacock Mod

Tail Feathers

Note: you will make five and sew them together half way. 

Row 1. Mc, 6 sc, sl st to join, tighten tail and FO. 

Row 2. Attach new color and make 2 sc in each st around =12 st, FO 

Row 3. Attach next color, ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, hdc, dc, sc in next st, sc inc in next st, sc, sc inc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, sc in next st, sc inc in next st, sc in next st, sc inc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 st's, sl st in last sc, 

FO. Repeat 5 times. 

Top Notch

Attach yarn to top of head and ch 8, hdc 4 times in 3rd ch from hook, sl st to bottom of last hdc and down the ch to the head and sl st next to the 1st sl st on head. Repeat twice. 

Legs and Feet

Ch 14, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch (foot made), continue sl st in each ch down the leg and FO. Repeat for other leg and foot.

Turkey Mod

Note: Everything is the same as the chicken except no comb on top but attached the wattle.

Wattle 

Red yarn with a sl st above the beak, ch 8, sl st below the beak, ch 6, sl st down 6 st, ch 6, sl st in same sl st under beak. 

Tail

For the tail make a magic circle. 

Row 1 - Ch 3, dc, ch 1, *2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc* repeat from *until you have 12 dc and 5 ch 1 spaces. Tighten circle but do not join. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2 - *2dc, ch 1, 2dc* in each ch 1 space across, you will have 20 dc, cut yarn and tie off.
Row 3 - Attach next color of yarn with sl st in 1st ch 1 space, ch 3, 4 dc in same space 4 more x, *5 dc in each ch 1 space across*, cut yarn and tie off.
Row 4 - Attach next color of yarn with sl st in 1st ch 3 sp, ch + sc in the same st, sc in next 4 st, drop st, *5 sc, drop st* until you reach the end, tie off and sew to the back of the turkey. For the Christmas Turkey on the last row sc + ch 3 between the drop st.

** For the Christmas Turkey tail - on the last row sc + ch 3 between the drop st. I also attached the Christmas Turkey tail higher up on the back and attached the sides of the tail blending it in with the same design on the body. **

For instructions on drop st please refer to Jade's Spring Court Granny Square (free pattern) instructions.

Cardinal Mod

Comb

On top of comb, I just added chain 4, turn and a triple crochet on top of the last double crochet st. 

Black section 

Ch 12.

R1: Chain 1, turn and single crocheted across.

R2: Chain 1 and turned and decreased at the beginning and end of each row.

(continued until only 2 stitches were left, cut yarn and tie off - I crocheted the beak to the center of the black and sewed onto bird ). 

Tail 

Ch 14. Half double crocheted in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain until the end, do not cut yarn just repeat (repeated this 2 more times).

Note: 

 For the black I chained 12, Row 1- chain 1, turn and single crocheted across, 2nd row - chain 1 and turned and decreased at the beginning and end of each row ( continued until only 2 stitches were left, cut yarn and tie off - I crocheted the beak to the center of the black and sewed onto bird ). For the tail I chained 14, half double crocheted in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain until the end, do not cut yarn just repeat (repeated this 2 more times) I hope this helps.

Owl Mod

Note: To make - after you have completed your two granny squares and stuffed your body.

Eyes

For the eyes, make two - 

Row 1: Start with mc, ch 2, 11 hdc, sl st to top of ch 3 = 12 hdc 

Row 2: *ch 2, hdc, ch 3, picot, hdc, sl st all in same st.* 

Place safety eye in center of mc and tighten.

Nose

Row 1: mc, ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, turn. Tighten mc. 

Row 2: dc in each st across, make popcorn st and fasten off leave long tail for sewing onto owl.

Tail

Attach yarn to st on one side of middle and ch 4, triple crochet 3 times all in same st, make 4 triple crochets in st on the other side of middle, fasten off.

Flamingo Mod

To start off, have your chicken body made.

Head & Neck

Row 1: With main color of body make mc, ch 2, dc 7 times = 8dc
Tighten ring and join with sl st to top of ch 3 to join.
Row 2: ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st into top of ch 3 to join.
Row 3: ch 3, dc in each st around, sl st into top of ch 3 to join. Do not fasten off. We will make the neck.
Ch 26, sc in 3nd ch from hook and continue back up to the head. Sl st in next ch next to beginning ch, ch 1 and turn, sc in each st down the neck. FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
Lightly stuff the head and sew the opening closed.
Use two pipe cleaners for the neck, insert the ends of the pipe cleaners slightly inside the bottom of the head next to the neck. Whip stitch down the neck enclosing the pipe cleaners. Cut off excess pipe cleaners.

Beak

Attach white yarn to the 2nd row of the head with the center alignment of the neck, right side facing you, ch 3, 2 dc in the same st, FO. Attach black yarn in the next st, dc, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two 2 ch. FO leaving a long enough tail to weave through the beak, head and the body.

Tail

Attach black yarn to the back lower center of the bird, ch 4, 2 tc, ch 4, sl st all in the same st. FO

Feet & Legs

Ch 19, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch (foot made), sl st in ch on leg and in each ch back up the leg, repeat for the other leg and foot. FO leaving a tail to sew to body.

Swan Mod

To start off, have your chicken body made.

Head & Neck

Row 1: With main color of body make mc, ch 2, hdc 7 times = 8 hdc
Tighten ring and join with sl st to top of ch 2 to join.
Rows 2 thru 5: ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st into top of ch 2 to join.
Do not fasten off. We will make the neck.
Ch 20, sc in 2nd ch from hook and continue back up to the head. Sl st in next ch next to beginning ch, ch 1 and turn, sc in each st down the neck. FO leaving a long tail for sewing.
Lightly stuff the head and sew the opening closed.
Use two pipe cleaners for the neck, insert the ends of the pipe cleaners slightly inside the bottom of the head next to the neck. Whip stitch down the neck enclosing the pipe cleaners. Cut off excess pipe cleaner(s), bend the end up about an inch and whip stitch together to form the breast, sew the breast to the front of the body after you have made the beak.

Beak

Attach black yarn to the 1st row of hdc on head and sc in each st around, FO. Attach orange yarn to a sc on the black, and sc in each st around, sl st to 1st sc and repeat for 4 more rows, leaving a long enough tail to sew closed and weave through to hide. With black yarn whip stitch two stitches at the end of beak and fasten off leaving enough tail to weave up to the head and make french knot eyes, weave tail through the body to hide.

Tail (x2)

Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, tr, tr, tr, (ch 4, tr, tr, ch 4, sl st in next st), on opposite side tr, tr, tr, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st in last ch. FO Repeat - leaving a long Tail for sewing the two tail pieces together.
On the back of the swan I squeezed the corners together and whipped stitched them together to make them look more like wings but you can leave them farther apart. I sewed the tail slightly underneath and centered on the back of the body.

Legs & Feet (x2)

Ch 14, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 st, ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 st, ch 4 and sl st in next 2 st (foot made), sl st in ch on leg and continue all the way up. Repeat for other leg and foot.

Duck Mod

Make two spring court granny squares omitting the last row of dc. Make your chicken body as directed.

Head

Rows 1 - 4: Are the directions for the sweet softies spring court granny square except instead of making *2 dc + ch1* x 8 (16 dc) in MR you are only making *2 dc + ch 1* x 6 (12 dc).

Rows 5 - 6: *hdc, hdc, dec* around

Rows 7 - 8: *hdc, dec* around, FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Insert safety eyes and stuff the head, sew up the opening.

Beak

Row 1: ch 5, from 2nd ch from hook sc in next 4 ch, continue on other side of ch, sl st to join.

Row 2: sc in each st around, FO leaving long tail for sewing.

Fold beak in half and sew to head. Sew the head to the front/top portion of the body.

Legs & Feet

Row 1: ch 7, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook

Row 2: ch 1 and turn, *dc, ch 2, sl st* in each of the 3 sc. We are going to cross over to the other side - sl st to the space between the foot and leg, sl st to the 1st sc of the beginning and sl st up the leg.

Repeat for the other foot and leg. Sew the legs to the front/bottom portion of the body.

Tail

Wrap your yarn around a 4 inch piece of cardboard or whatever you use to make your pompoms about 5 or more times, tie at the end and remove from the cardboard. Unwind each strand of yarn. Sew the tail to the back/bottom portion of the body. Trim yarn in a V shape to form a fuzzy tail.

Bonnet

Row 1: 8 sc in MR = 8 sc

Row 2: 8 sc inc in each st around = 16 sc

Row 3: *sc, inc* x 8 = 24 sc

Rows 4 - 5: sc in each st around = 24 sc

Rows 6 - 10: *ch 1 and turn, 18 sc across*

Row 11: sc all around

Row 12: starting in 1st sc on front of the bonnet *hdc, dc, hdc in same st, sc in next st* repeat.

To make the tie for the bonnet: when you finish in the last st in the front of the bonnet ch 25, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across, FO. Sl st yarn to the other side and repeat.

For the decoration on the bonnet I made 6 french knots in a purple colored yarn spaced about 3 stitches apart and made a couple of whip stitches on each side with green yarn to simulate leaves.

Cockatiel Mod

Make two granny squares of your choice and assemble the chicken body as directed. (omit beak, comb and tail)

Note: If you want to make the bird’s head yellow - 

On the body in the corner after the 5th sc you will attach the yellow yarn and then make your corner, hdc, dc, dc, tr ch 1 tr, dc, dc, hdc, then drop that color and continue with the body color. 

On the last row, you will switch back to yellow in the corner right above the first yellow hdc and end with the yellow in the last dc above the last yellow hdc, you will drop the yellow and FO, switch back to the body color and continue around as directed. 

Attach your safety eyes and stuff. 

After you sew the back of your bird, you will start in the center and start stitching the two back wings together bringing them in tighter and smaller and you will stitch your tail under this.

Beak

MR, *ch 5 + 4 tr tog* (popcorn st), FO & tighten ring. Attach the beak to the bird.

Cockatiel Crest: 

Note: This crest is not child safe unless you glue the yarn strands where you inserted them inside the stitches.

Cut 3 - 12 inch pieces of yarn, fold in half twice, use your hook to pull all strands of one side halfway through a center stitch on top of the head and in each of the next two stitches, one behind the other. 

Note: After attaching the yarn loops to the head - I stiffened the yarn loops to make them stand up and stay in place by spraying them with hairspray.

Cheeks

MR, 6 sc, sl st to join ring, FO and tighten ring. Sew slightly below and to the side of the eyes.

Tail

Row 1: MR, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, tighten ring, ch 1 and turn.
Row 2 & 3: sl st to ch 1 space - dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, in next ch 1 space - dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn.
Row 4: sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, in next ch 1 space make 5 dc, ch 1 and turn.
Row 5: sc in next 5 stitches, drop stitch down to the 1st row, sc in the last 5 st, FO Sew underneath the bottom back portion of the bird body.

Cockatoo Mod

Make two granny squares of your choice and assemble the chicken body as directed. (omit beak, comb and tail)

After you sew the back of your bird, you will start in the center and start stitching the two back wings together bringing them in tighter and smaller and you will stitch your tail under this.

Beak

Holding bird upside down, 1 row below the eyes and centered between them, attach yarn and draw up a loop on your hook and pull through, make a 5 dc cluster with picot in middle = dc, dc, dc + ch 3 and sl st in 3rd ch from hook, dc, dc, pulling yarn through all loops on hook, sl st 1 row below in center, FO.

Cockatoo Crest: (Make 4)

Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st + picot, sl st in same st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, FO Sew to top center of head.

Cheeks: (Make 2)

MR, 6 sc, sl st to join ring, FO and tighten ring. Sew slightly back and below the eyes.

Tail:

Row 1: MR, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, tighten ring, ch 1 and turn.
Row 2 & 3: sl st to ch 1 space - dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, in next ch 1 space - dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn.
Row 4: sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, in next ch 1 space make 5 dc, ch 1 and turn.
Row 5: sc in next 5 stitches, drop stitch down to the 1st row, sc in the last 5 st, FO. Sew to the back bottom section of the bird body.

Whimsical Parrot Mod

Make two granny squares and complete the chicken body as directed by Sweet Softies but omit the beak, tail and comb.

Insert the safety eyes in between the 2 dc next to the tc, ch 1, tc in the corner top of the granny square chicken body.

Top notch:

On top of the head in the center, 2 stitches back from the eyes, attach yarn and ch 10, sl st in same st x 3.

Beak:

Top of beak:

With the bird body upside down attach yarn in the center of the birds face 1 st below the eyes, make a 5 dc cluster with a picot in the middle all in the same st, FO leaving a tail for sewing/weaving.

Bottom of beak:

Attach yarn 1 st below the top beak and 1 st to the side, 2 dc tog, 2 dc tog, FO leaving a tail for sewing/weaving.

Sew the yarn tail from the bottom beak into the body and bury it inside. With the yarn tail from the top beak, thread it through the tip of the beak and down into the bottom beak, whip st a couple of times and bury the yarn into the body.

Tail: 

(Note - you can make the tail longer by adding an extra round after round 3 or make a shorter tail by omitting round 3)

Rnd 1: MR, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn

Rnd 2 & 3: Repeat Rnd 1

Rnd 4: Sl st to ch 1 sp *Ch 3, 4 dc all in ch 1 sp*, drop st, 5dc in next ch 1 sp, FO leaving long tail for sewing. Sew to the back of the bird's body.

Blue Jay Mod

Complete two granny squares (colors of Blue Jay) and chicken body as directed, omit comb and tail.

White around eyes:

MR, 10 sc, slightly tighten ring, sl st to join and FO. Insert 12 mm safety eyes in the center of the ring. Sew on the upper side of the body in the upper corner above the beak.

Crest:

Front of crest - Ch 9, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st ch 1 sl st in last ch, working around on the other side repeat what you just did. FO, weave in tails.

Back of crest - ch 7, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, working on the other side dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, FO, weave in tails. 

Sew the front and back crests together and sew to the top of head starting between the eyes and sew halfway back on the head.

Tail:

Rnd 1. MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn.
Rnd 2. Sl st to ch 1 sp, *2 dc ch 1 2dc in same space*, repeat in next ch 1 space, ch 1 and turn.
Rnd 3. Sl st to ch 1 space, *5 dc in same space*, repeat in next ch 1 space, FO, weaving in tail. Sew to the center bottom in the back of the body.

Rowdy Rooster Mod

Complete two granny squares and chicken body as directed @ sweetsofties.com

Note: After stuffing and sewing the body together I squeezed the two sides in the back together and whip stitched them but this is optional.

INSTRUCTIONS

Note: I used a 2.5 mm crochet hook for the granny squares and a 4.0 mm crochet hook for the rest.

Head:

Rnd 1: MR, 20 dc, tighten ring, sl st to join
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc, inc, *dc, dc, inc* around, sl st to join
Rnd 3, 4: Ch 3, dc around, sl st to join
Rnd 5: *Ch 3, sl st in next* around, FO leaving a long tail for sewing
Insert 12mm safety eyes and stuff the head and sew to the top front of the body.

Wattle: Make 2

MR, popcorn st, tighten ring, FO. Attach to the face under the beak.

Comb:

Starting on the center top of the head in rnd 1 at the back attach yarn, *in same space sc, 2 dc, 2 tr, 2 dc, sc*, repeat in next st, repeat in next st, FO
Beak: Make the beak in the center of the face, in the round below the eyes.
In same space sc, dc, 2 tr, dc, sc, sl st, FO

Wings: Make 2

With hook size 4.0mm/G-6, ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, sc, ch 1 and turn working on other side, sc, sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold wing in half and whip stitch together, FO. Attach yarn at the end of the wing with a *sl st, ch 3 picot* repeat along the outer curve of the wing to the end, FO
The wings will be sewn onto the middle side of the body down two rows from the head section with one end facing toward the front. Or you can place them as you choose, very versatile.

Tail feathers: Make 3 in different lengths

Long tail feather -

Ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, working on other side sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Mid tail feather -

Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, working on other side sc, sc, sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Short tail feather -

Ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, working on other side sc, hdc, dc, 4 tr in same st, dc, hdc, sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

After you complete each tail section you will fold it in half and whip stitch it together. Stitch each tail feather together just before it curves with the longest first and ending with the shortest. Sew the tail to the back of the body.

Feet: Make 2

MR, *popcorn st, ch 2* x 3, tighten ring, FO
Sew the feet to the bottom of the body.

Miss Henny Mod

Note: Tiny eggs are pompoms from DT

Make two granny squares and the chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com

Head:

Row 1: MR, 10 sc, sl st to join, tighten ring = 10 sc
Row 2: Ch 3, inc, *sc, inc* around, sl st to join = 20 sc
Row 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Sc around = 20 sc
Row 8: *Ch 3, sl st* around, FO leaving a long tail for sewing.

Comb:

On the center of the head in the sc behind the middle attach yarn, *sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc in same st*, repeat in center/middle and in the stitch in front, FO weave in tail.
Attach a 12 mm safety eye in the row below and centered on each side of the comb.

Beak:

Attach yarn in the center of the face 1 st below the eyes, in the same space sc, dc, ch 2, dc, sc, sl st, FO weave in tails.
Stuff and sew the head to the top front corner of the body.

Wings: Make 2

Ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, in same space 4 tr, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, ch 1, working on the other side sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 4 tr in same space, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold the wing in half and stitch it together. Attach yarn at one end, *ch 3, sl st* along the outer curve, FO weave in tail.

Tail feathers: 

Make 2 one with 5 tail feathers and one with 3 tail feathers
Ch 6, sl st in 3nd ch from hook and sc across, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, bring up loop in each st keeping all loops on hook, *pull through 2 loops, repeat until you reach the end, ch 1 and turn, working on the other side, sc in each st, sl st to beg row*, repeat 4 more times, FO.
Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, bring up loop in each st keeping all loops on hook, pull through 2 loops, repeat until you reach the end, ch 1 and turn, working on the other side, sc in each st, sl st to beg row*, repeat 2 more times, FO. Attach the tail feathers together and sew to the back bottom section of the body.

Feet: Make 2

MR, *dc, dc, ch 3, sl st*, repeat twice more, FO, tighten the ring. Sew to the front bottom section of the body.

Bonnet: 

Ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, in same space 4 tr, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, ch 1, working on the other side sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, 4 tr in same space, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, sl st to 1st sc. For the ties ch 30, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across, sl st to bonnet and sc across to the other side, sl to last sc and ch 30, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across, sl st to bonnet, *ch 3, sl st in next st* across, sl st in last st, FO, weave in tails.

Tiny purse or basket

(Depending on yarn color)

Row 1: MR, 8 sc, tighten ring, sl st to join, ch 1 = 8 sc
Row 2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join = 16 sc
Row 3, 4: sc in each st around, sl st to join = 16 sc
Row 5: For purse only - *sc, dec* around, do not FO = 8 sc
Row 5: For basket only - sc around, do not FO = 16 sc
To make handle - ch 15, sl st on other side of purse across centered, FO weave in tail.

*Wire glasses are optional.

American Robin Mod

Using yarn colors for the American Robin complete the two granny squares and chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com.

Eye Whites:

For the white around the 12 mm safety eyes make a MR, 10 sc, sl st to join, FO. Insert a safety eye in the ring and tighten the ring, sew the eye to the body, repeat for the other eye.

Beak: 

Attach yarn, in same space sc, dc, ch 3, sl st, FO and weave in tail.

Tail:

Row 1: MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 2: sl st to ch 1 sp, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, in next sh 1 space 2 dc,
ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3: sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, in center space make 1 dc, in next ch 1 space, 5 dc, FO and weave in tail. Sew to the back of the body.

American Goldfinch Mod

Using yarn colors for the American Goldfinch (black head, tail, and wings, yellow body, white on wings & tail) complete the two granny squares and chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com.

Beak: 

Attach black yarn, in same space sl st, ch 3, sl st, FO and weave in tail.

Tail:

Row 1: With yellow yarn MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 2: sl st to ch 1 sp, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, in next sh 1 space 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3: With black yarn sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, in center space make 1 dc, in next ch 1 space, 5 dc 

Row 4: With white yarn sc in next 5 st, 2 drop st in center, sc in the last 5 st. 

FO and weave in tail. Sew to the back of the body.

Bluebird Mod

Using yarn colors for the Bluebird (Light blue head, back & wings with darker blue outline and beak or beak could be black, blue two-toned tail, rust colored breast and white belly) complete the two granny squares and chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com. Refer to the picture for color placement.
12 mm safety eyes

Beak: 

Attach dark blue or black yarn, in same space sl st, ch 3, sl st, FO and weave in tail.

Tail:

Row 1: With light blue yarn MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 2: sl st to ch 1 sp, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, in next sh 1 space 2 dc,
ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3: With dark blue yarn sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, in center space make 1 drop st, 5 dc in next ch 1 space, FO weave in tail, sew the tail to the back of the lower body.

Lovebird Mod

Using yarn colors for the Lovebird (Reddish orange head, Dark green back & tail, Dark & light green on wings, Light green colored breast and belly) complete the two granny squares and chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com. Refer to the pictures for color placement. 

Note: For anyone who doesn't know, when using 3 or more color changes in the two last rounds of your granny square you will have to reverse the direction on the second one or they will not match up when you sew them together. Refer to the picture.
12 mm safety eyes - After you attach the eyes to the body outline them with white yarn.

Beak: 

For upper beak attach yarn, in same space sc, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc, sc, sl st, FO leaving a long tail for sewing. For lower beak attach yarn and make 2 dc in same space. FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew upper beak over lower beak Weave in tails.

Tail:

Row 1: With dark green yarn MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 2: sl st to ch 1 sp, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, in next sh 1 space 2 dc,
ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3: sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, 3 tr in center space, 5 dc in next ch 1 space, FO weave in tail, sew the tail to the back of the lower body.

Oriole Mod

Using yarn colors for the Oriole (Black head, back, wings & tail, orange colored breast and belly) complete the two granny squares and chicken body as directed on sweetsofties.com. Refer to the pictures for color placement.
12 mm safety eyes

Beak: 

Attach yarn, in same space sl st, dc, ch 2, dc, sl st, FO and weave in tail.

Tail:

Row 1: With dark green yarn MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 2: sl st to ch 1 sp, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, in next sh 1 space 2 dc,
ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3: sl st to ch 1 space, 5 dc, 3 tr in center space, 5 dc in next ch 1 space, FO weave in tail, sew the tail to the back of the lower body.

Macaw Mod

Make two granny squares and complete the chicken body as directed by Sweet Softies but omit the beak, tail and comb.
Insert the safety eyes in between the 2 dc next to the tc, ch 1, tc in the corner top of the granny square chicken body.

Beak:

Top of beak:

With the bird body upside down attach yarn in the center of the bird's face 1 st below the eyes, make a 5 dc cluster with a picot in the middle all in the same st, FO leaving a tail for sewing/weaving.

Bottom of beak:

Attach yarn 1 st below the top beak and 1 st to the side, 2 dc tog, 2 dc tog, FO leaving a tail for sewing/weaving.
Sew the yarn tail from the bottom beak into the body and bury it inside. With the yarn tail from the top beak, thread it through the tip of the beak and down into the bottom beak, whip st a couple of times and bury the yarn into the body.

Tail:

Rnd 1:
MR, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn
Rnd 2 & 3:
Repeat rnd 1
Rnd 4:
Sl st to ch 1 sp *Ch 3, 4 dc all in ch 1 sp*, drop st, 5dc in next ch 1 sp, FO leaving long tail for sewing. Sew to the back of the bird's body.

Bat Mod

Make two granny squares and complete the chicken body as directed by Sweet Softies but omit the beak, tail and comb. Note: I left off the last row of dc on my granny squares for this bat.

Insert the safety eyes in between the 2 dc next to the tc, ch 1, tc in the corner top of the granny square chicken body.

Wings: Make 2

Rnd 1. Ch 15, turn, in 2nd ch from hook sc across
Rnd 2. & 3. Ch 1 and turn 14 sc
Rnd 4. (Do not ch 1) Turn, skip the 1st st, sl st, sl st, sc 11
Rnd 5. 6. & 7. Ch 1, turn sc 11
Rnd 8. (Do not ch 1) turn, skip the 1st st, sl st, sl st, sc 8
Rnd 9. 10. Ch 1 and turn, sc 8
Rnd 11. Ch 1, turn, sc 8
At the corner of the wing, *sc, picot, sc across to the next corner, picot*, continue until you end with the 4th picot, FO and weave in tail.

Ears: Make 2

MR, sc, dc, 3 tr, dc, sc, tighten ring and FO leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew above the eye.

Nose & teeth:

Rnd 1. MR, 6 sc, tighten ring, sl st to join = 6 sc
Rnd 2. & 3. 6 sc around, FO = 6 sc
Attach nose to face and with white yarn make 3 whip stitches on each side of the front of the nose to make a tooth, FO and weave in tail.

Tail:

Attach yarn to back and in same st 2dc, ch 3, sl st, FO and weave in tail.

Bat Mod (googly-eyed version)

Made similar to the 1st Bat but on the last row of the granny square I hdc around instead of dc around.

Instead of safety eyes I used a googly eye finger puppet but I stitched them on the inside so they can't be removed.

On the wings I chained 16 instead of 15 and I used hdc instead of sc. This changed Rnd 1, 2, 3 & 4 = 15 hdc. Rnd 5, 6, 7 & 8 = 12 hdc and Rnd 9, 10, & 11 = 9 hdc

Cedar Waxwing Bird Mod 

Edit: Click here for the free rosebud coaster pattern.

Using the colors of the Cedar Waxwing Bird complete two granny squares (remember to reverse colors on the second granny square) to match. Add beak and safety eyes as directed on the chicken pattern but omit comb and tail.

Crest:

Front of crest - Ch 9, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st ch 1 sl st in last ch, working around on the other side repeat what you just did. FO weave in tails.
I used black, gray, white, red, taupe, tan and yellow yarns

Back of crest - ch 7, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, working on the other side dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, FO weave in tails. Sew the front and back crests together and sew to the top of head starting between the eyes and sew halfway back on the head.

Tail:

Rnd 1: With gray yarn MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, turn
Rnd 2: sl st, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, in next ch 1 space 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, turn
Rnd 3: In same st - sl st, ch 3, 4 dc, in ch 1 space drop st in 1st row, in next ch 1 space 5 dc. FO
Rnd 4: Attach black yarn and sc in each st across, FO
Rnd 5: Attach yellow yarn and sc in each st across, FO weave in tail
Sew to the back of the body.

Blue Parakeet Mod 

Using the colors of the Blue Parakeet (refer to the picture for color placement) complete two granny squares (remember to reverse colors on the second granny square) to match. Add safety eyes ( I used 10mm) as directed on the chicken pattern but omit beak, comb and tail.

Beak:

With yellow yarn make a MR, 5 tr cluster, tighten ring and FO leaving a long tail for sewing, sew between the eyes in the center of face and slightly stuff. For the white rim above the beak ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 spaces, FO leaving a long tail and sew above the beak.

Tail:

Rnd 1. With blue yarn MR, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Rnd 2. Sl st to ch 1 space, ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc repeat in next ch 1 space, FO
Rnd 3. Attach black and white yarn together in ch 1 space, 5 dc in the same space, dc in next space, 5 dc in next ch 1 space. FO sew to the back of the body.

Bird Nest Coaster Pattern 

Edited and revised instructions:
I prefer the fuller look of this coaster so I have revised the instructions to add a nest, egg and leaves to each ch 4 spaces around the outer edge.

................................................................................................................ Birdnest Coaster free crochet pattern

Stitches/Terms Used:

• FO = fasten off
• Ch = chain
• Sl st = slip stitch
• Sc = single crochet
• Dc = double crochet
• Picot ( in this pattern a picot is a ch 1, sl st )
• Inc = increase
• Dec = decrease

Materials:

• Medium weight yarn in desired colors - I used buff for the coaster body and nests, light green for the leaves, white and speckled for the eggs
• 2.50mm crochet hook - Eggs, leaves and attaching nests
• 4.0mm crochet hook - Nests
• 5.0mm crochet hook - Body of coaster and chains for attaching nests and leaves
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Crochet Instructions:

Body of coaster - Use a 5.0mm crochet hook

Rnd 1. MR, 12 dc around, tighten ring and sl st to join = 12 dc
Rnd 2. 2 dc in each stitch around, sl st to join = 24 dc
Rnd 3. *dc, inc* around, sl st to join = 36 dc
Rnd 4. *dc, dc, inc* around, sl st to join = 48 dc
Rnd 5. *sc, ch 4, skip 3 stitches and sc in the 4th stitch* around, sl st in 1st sc, FO

Leaves - Use a 2.5mm crochet hook.

Attach green yarn to a ch 4 space on coaster, ch 5 and in the 3rd ch from the hook make 2 dc, ch 1 picot, dc, ch 3, sl st in the same st. Sl st in the next ch space and ch 3, in the 3rd ch from the hook make 2 dc, ch 1 picot, dc, ch 3, sl st in the same st, FO and tie the tails together and weave them in. Repeat this on each ch 4 space around the coaster on each side of the nest & egg.

Nests - Use a 4.0mm crochet hook.

Make 12 nests leaving a long tail for attaching to the coaster and weaving in.
Rnd 1. MR, 12 dc around, tighten ring, sl st to join = 12 dc
Rnd 2. 1 dc in each st around, sl st to join = 12 dc
Rnd 3. Attach the nest to one of the ch 4 spaces on the body of the coaster and insert hook under the chain and into the stitch on the nest next to the last sl st. pull up a loop and draw it over the top of the ch 4 and make a sc and repeat this for another sc.

Eggs - Use a 2.5mm crochet hook.

Make 12 eggs leaving a tail to tie to the inside of the nest. I made 6 white and 6 speckled.
Rnd 1. MR, 4 sc, tighten ring and sl st to join = 4 sc
Rnd 2. 2 sc in each stitch around, sl st to join = 8 sc
Rnd 3. & 4. Sc in each st around, sl st to join = 8 sc
Rnd 5. Slightly stuff the egg with fiberfill or yarn and dec around, FO leaving a tail to tie inside the nest.

Note: I didn’t cut the excess tails, I left them and used them for stuffing the eggs and nests.

Mystery Bird Mod 

With orange, yellow, white, light and dark blue yarns - make two granny squares and the chicken body as directed on sweet softies. Omit the beak, tail and comb instructions for the chicken. On the granny squares, head and tail, make french knots (using dark blue and black yarn) and stitches (light blue and yellow) as seen in the picture for the Mystery Bird.
https://www.sweetsofties.com/2023/10/spring-court-granny-square.html
https://www.sweetsofties.com/2023/10/granny-square-chicken.html

Head: White yarn

Row 1: MR, 10 sc, sl st to join, tighten ring, ch 1 = 10 sc
Row 2: 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join, = 20 sc
Row 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: Sc around = 20 sc
Row 8: sc around, sl st to join, FO leaving a long tail for sewing. With black yarn make french knots on the head evenly spaced in a few places. With light blue and yellow yarn make small stitches evenly spaced between the french knots. For the crown, bring the yellow yarn down from the top of the head and back up from the inside of the head and out the top, clip it about an inch tall. Repeat a couple of times on each side and with orange yarn do this in the front of the yellow cutting it a little shorter.
Attach a 10 or 12 mm safety eye on the head see picture for idea. Stitch outline with orange yarn around each eye, change to light blue yarn and stitch around the eye making a mask, stitch around the mask with dark blue yarn.

Beak: Yellow yarn

MR, 5 tc cluster, sl, st to close, tighten ring and FO. Sew the beak to the face between the eyes.

Tail: Light blue yarn

Ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 1 and turn, sc across, ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 1 and turn, sc in next 6 st, with orange yarn sc around and make picots (ch 2, sl st) at each of the corners at the end of the tail. With dark blue yarn outline stitch around the light blue and in between the orange on the tail. Make a few french knots with black yarn down the center of the tail outlined with yellow yarn. Stitch the tail to the back of the body.

Raven Mod 

Make two granny squares and the chicken body as per the instructions on sweet softies omit the beak, comb and tail.
I used Red Heart black metallic yarn for the body and tail and a variegated gray tone yarn from Hobby Lobby for the beak.

The Raven Pattern Instructions -

Beak:

1. ch 2, 3 sc in 1st ch (3)
2. [sc] around (3)
3. [sc, inc] around (4)
4. [2 sc, inc] around (5)
5. Turn, 5 sc (5)
6. Turn, 5 sc, sc down to round 5, sc around and back up to the beginning of round 6 (10)
7 – 8. [sc] around (10)
F/O, leave long tail for sewing

Tail:

Rnd 1. MR, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1 and turn
Rnd 2. Ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn
Rnd 3. Ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc, dc, ch1, dc, dc, ch 1 and turn
Rnd 4. Sl st, sl st, ch 3 and dc in next dc, dc, ch 3, sl st in next dc, sl st, sl st, FO weave in tails. Sew tail to back of Raven.

Feet: Make 2

MR, *sc, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next two ch’s, sl st in 1st sc, sc in ring* repeat twice more, FO and tighten ring leaving a long tail, sl st to back of ring and ch 3 using both strands of yarn tails, FO. Sew to the front bottom of Raven

Adding a Squeeze Ball to your Chicken

Free instructions for adding a squeeze ball to your chicken
How to turn your granny square chicken into an egg laying chicken.
I used a squeeze ball from DT.

Rnd 1. MR, 12 dc, tighten ring, sl st to join = 12 dc
Rnd 2. 2 dc in each st around, sl st to join = 24 dc
Rnd 3 - 8. Dc around, sl st to join, insert squeeze ball = 24 dc
Rnd 9. Sc dec in each st around, sl st to join, FO = 12 sc

Stuff your chicken body lightly and insert your encased squeeze ball into the back opening of your granny square chicken and stuff any places that need it but don’t over stuff. Stitch the center top and bottom of the chicken body to the center top and bottom of the squeeze ball, there will be 6 sc on each side. Stitch each side of the chicken body leaving 3 stitches on the top and bottom on each side to stitch to the casing around the squeeze ball, FO and weave in tails.

Christmas Flower Granny Square Chicken

Stitches/Terms Used:

FO = fasten off
Ch = chain
Sl st = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Tr = treble (triple) crochet
Fptr = front post treble crochet

• How to Crochet – Front Post Treble Crochet (fptr): Yo 2 times, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull thru 2 loops on your hook) 3 times

Standing Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial:

• Step 1: Wrap the yarn around the hook twice
• Step 2: Insert the hook into the indicated stitch
• Step 3: Yarn over and draw up a loop, there should be 3 loops on the hook.
• Step 4: Yarn over pull through 2 loops, yarn over pull through 2 loops… dc made

Picot: ch 3 sl st in 1st ch

Materials:

• Red Heart super saver Metallic yarn in red, green, white, gold
• 2.75mm crochet hook
• 12mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Crochet Instructions:

I start with a standing dc at the beginning of each round but you can also start with a ch 3 instead
Rnd 1. With green yarn MR, * 2dc, ch 1, x8* repeat around, tighten ring, join with sl st, FO = 8 (2 dc+ch 1) spaces
Rnd 2. With white yarn * 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in back loop of ch 1 sp, fptr, fptr * repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 3. With red yarn * 5 dc in ch 1 sp, fptr, fptr in each of the previous fptr * repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 4. With green yarn * sc in each of 5 sc spaces, drop st in between the two fptr * repeat around, sl st to join, FO
Rnd 5. With white yarn starting in the st after the drop st, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc, * tr ch 1 tr in same st (corner made), dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc * x3 = 4 corners total, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, join with slip st
Rnd 6. Continuing with white yarn hdc around, sl st to join, FO

Making The Chicken Body by sweetsofties.com

1: Joining The Squares

Join the two squares together with the wrong sides on the inside. Use a yarn needle and and long piece of yarn to sew three sides together, leaving the fourth side open.

2: Chicken Crown

Have the opening of the squares facing to the right. Starting from the upper-left corner, count eight stitches to the right attach red yarn with a sl st (you will be working from right to left) sc+3 dc in same st, sc+dc+tr in next st, tr+dc in next st, sc+3dc in next st, sc+sl st in next st, FO and weave in the ends.

3: Chicken Beak

Attach gold yarn with sl st one st after the crown, sc in same st, dc+ch 3 picot+dc in same st, FO and weave in the ends.

4: Finishing The Body

Attach 12mm (I used 15mm because I ran out of the smaller ones) safety eyes near the corner where the crown and beak are.
Stuff the chicken with fiberfill stuffing.
Squeeze the opening of the body flat so that the top and bottom corners touch forming a pyramid/triangular shape. Use a yarn needle with yarn and sew across this edge. FO and weave in the ends.

5: Chicken Tail Feathers

Attach green yarn near the center bottom in the back of the chicken with a sl st, *ch 4+tr+ch 4+sl st in same st* x 3, FO and weave in the ends.

Christmas Mistletoebird

Stitches/Terms Used:

• FO = fasten off
• Ch = chain
• Sl st = slip stitch
• Sc = single crochet
• Hdc = half double crochet
• Dc = double crochet
• Tr = treble (triple) crochet
• Picot: ch 3 sl st in 1st ch

Materials:

• Any Metallic Yarn (I used Red Heart super saver Metallic) yarn in black, gray, white, red, green
• 2.75mm crochet hook
• 12mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Crochet Instructions:

Rnd 1. With white yarn MR, * 2dc, ch 1 x8* repeat around until you have , tighten ring, join with sl st
Rnd 2. With gray yarn *2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in ch 1 sp* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 3. With black yarn *5 dc in ch 1 sp* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 4. With red yarn *sc in each of the 5 sc spaces, drop st between the 4 dc in previous row* repeat around, sl st to join, FO
Rnd 5. With black yarn starting in the st after any drop st, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc, tr ch 1 tr in same st (corner made), dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc * x3 = 4 corners total, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, join with slip st
Rnd 6. With black yarn hdc around and dc+ch 2+dc in the corner except in one of the corners of the 1st granny square starting after the hdc in the previous round attach red yarn and hdc in next 3 st, attach white yarn and hdc in next 3 st, attach red yarn and hdc in next 3 st, switch back to black yarn and continue hdc around, sl st to join, FO
On the 2nd granny square you will reverse the colors in one of the corners starting after the last tr in the previous corner attach red yarn and hdc in next 3 st, attach white yarn and hdc in next 3 st, attach red yarn and hdc in next 3 st, attach black yarn and continue hdc around, sl st to join, FO

Making The Body by sweetsofties.com

1: Joining The Squares

Join the two squares together with the wrong sides on the inside matching colors on both. Use a yarn needle and and long piece of yarn to sew three sides together, leaving the fourth side open. When you get to the white yarn use black to sew this because the bird has a black stripe between the white on its belly.

2: Beak

Attach black yarn with sl st one st after the crown, sc in same st, dc+ch 3 picot+dc in same st, FO and weave in the ends.

3: Finishing The Body

Attach 12mm safety eyes near the corner where the crown and beak are.
Stuff the chicken with fiberfill stuffing.
Squeeze the opening of the body flat so that the top and bottom corners touch forming a pyramid/triangular shape. Use a yarn needle with yarn and sew across this edge. FO and weave in the ends.

5: Tail Feathers

Attach black yarn near the center bottom in the back of the chicken with a sl st, *ch 5+tr+ch 5+sl st in same st* x 3, FO and
weave in the ends.

6: Santa Hat

Rnd 1. With red yarn MR, 4 sc, tighten ring and sl st to join
Rnd 2. 4 sc
Rnd 3. Sc, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sl st to join
Rnd 4.,5.,6. *Sc, inc* repeat around, sl st to join, FO
With white yarn hdc around, sl st to join, FO

7. Mistletoe For Hat

Leaves- With green yarn ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 st, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 st, FO and attach to the santa hat.
For the berries - With white yarn make 3 french knots on the santa hat in the center of the leaves, with red yarn make 3 french knots on santa hat between the leaves and white berries. Attach the hat to the bird's head.

Christmas Cardinal

Stitches/Terms Used:

• FO = fasten off
• Ch = chain
• Sl st = slip stitch
• Sc = single crochet
• Hdc = half double crochet
• Dc = double crochet
• Tr = treble (triple) crochet

Materials:

• Metallic yarn in black, red, and multicolored for the scarf
• 2.75mm crochet hook
• 12mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Granny Square Crochet Instructions: Make 2

Rnd 1. MR, * 2dc, ch 1 x8* repeat around until you have , tighten ring, join with sl st
Rnd 2. *2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in ch 1 sp* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 3. *5 dc in ch 1 sp* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 4. *sc in each of the 5 sc spaces, drop st between the 4 dc in previous row* repeat around, sl st to join, FO
Rnd 5. Starting in the st after any drop st, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc, tr ch 1 tr in same st (corner made), dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc * x3 = 4 corners total, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, join with slip st
Rnd 6. Hdc around, hdc+ch 2+hdc in corners, repeat around, sl st to join, FO

For the black Face:

Row 1: ch 12, ch 1, turn and sc across
Row 2: ch 1, turn, dec at the beg and end of each row ( continue until only 2 stitches are left, cut yarn and FO

No sew version for the black face:

Rnd 5. Continuing with red yarn hdc around except the corners that are for the face in black, you will switch to black yarn and hdc in the spaces above the black stitches and switch back to red over the red stitches, sl st to join, FO, weave in endsCrest: sc in 8th st from the front top corner on the top of the body, hdc, dc, hdc in same st, sc in next st, 3 dc on next st, ch 4, turn, tr on top of last dc.

Beak: 

sc, dc tog, dc, sc tog onto the center of the black and then sew onto bird.

Tail: 

ch 14, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch until the end, do not cut yarn, repeat this 2 more times.

Scarf: 

Ch 76, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across, add fringe to ends

1: Joining The Squares

Join the two squares together with the wrong sides on the inside.
Use a yarn needle and and long piece of yarn to sew three sides together, leaving the fourth side open.

3: Finishing The Body

Attach 12mm safety eyes near the corner where the crown and beak are.
Stuff the chicken with fiberfill stuffing.
Squeeze the opening of the body flat so that the top and bottom corners touch forming a pyramid/triangular shape. Use a yarn needle with yarn and sew across this edge. FO and weave in the ends.

Christmas Peace Dove

Everything is the same as the chicken except omit the comb on top and the tail.
Note: Picot is (ch 3, sl st)

Beak

Attach yarn with sl st, sc+dc+picot in same st, dc+sc in same st, FO and weave in the ends.

Tail

Ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch and across, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, FO and sew to the back of the bird body and weave in ends.

Wings Make 2

Ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 7 st, 3 sc in last st, working on other side sc across, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sk next ch, sc in next 8 st, sc inc in next 3 st, sc in next 6 st, ch 1 and turn, sc in next 8 st, sc inc in next 3 st, sc in next 9 st, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook sk next st, sc in next 10 st, sc inc in next 4 st, sc in next 8 st, FO and weave in ends.

Holly leaves and berries

With green yarn ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, sl st, FO
With red yarn make 3 french knots in the center of leaves, sew under the bird's beak, FO and weave in ends.

Christmas Cardinal (No Sew)

Includes 3 variations for the crest!

Stitches/Terms Used:

FO = fasten off
Ch = chain
Sl st = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Tr = treble (triple) crochet
Fptr = front post treble crochet
Blo = back loop only

• How to Crochet – Front Post Treble Crochet (fptr): Yo 2 times, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull thru 2 loops on your hook) 3 times

Standing Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial:

• Step 1: Wrap the yarn around the hook twice
• Step 2: Insert the hook into the indicated stitch
• Step 3: Yarn over and draw up a loop, there should be 3 loops on the hook.
• Step 4: Yarn over pull through 2 loops, yarn over pull through 2 loops… dc made

Picot: ch 3, sl st

Materials:

• Metallic yarn in red for the body and beak, I used metallic sage for the face (you can use metallic black) and metallic Christmas variegated yarn for the scarf
• 2.75mm crochet hook
• 12mm plastic safety eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Scissors

Granny Square Pattern Instructions - Make 2 as directed

Rnd 1. MR, * 2dc, ch 1 x8* repeat around , tighten ring, join with sl st
Rnd 2. *2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in back loop of ch 1 sp, fptr, fptr* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 3. *5 dc in ch 1 sp, fptr, fptr* repeat around, join with sl st, FO
Rnd 4 Note: Choose one corner for the face on the 1st square - (with black yarn tr+ch 1+tr in same st, dc, dc, hdc) - Choose one corner for the face on the 2nd square - (with black yarn starting with hdc, dc, dc, tr+ch 1+tr in same st)
With red yarn starting in the st after any fptr, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc, * tr ch 1 tr in same st (corner made), dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, hdc, dc, dc * x3 = 4 corners total, dc, dc, hdc, sc, sc, sc, join with slip st
Rnd 5. Continuing with red yarn hdc around and hdc+ch2+hdc in the corners, change to black yarn and hdc over the black stitches in the previous round then switch back to red, sl st to join, FO, weave in ends. Remember to switch colors when stitching your squares together.
With both granny squares together right sides facing out, use you crochet hook starting on the right side of the square and working to the left, sl st in the back loops of the sc on three sides, leaving the right side open for insert the eyes and stuffing. After you have finished putting in the eyes and stuffing, mash the granny square together in the back so that it forms a triangular shape. Sl st across to close the opening. FO and weave in ends.

Crest: Option 1

Starting in the 5th st from the front top corner of the body attach yarn with a sl st, sc, hdc in same st, dc, tr in next st, tr, dc in next st, sc, hdc in next st, dc, tr in next st, 3 turn 2 tr in same st, insert yarn through the middle of the 2 tr and ch 3 and pull up a loop, turn and sl st to the sc, FO, weave in ends

Crest: Option 2

sc in 8th st from the front top corner on the top of the body, hdc, dc, hdc in the same st, sc in next st, 3 dc on next st, ch 4, turn, tr on top of last dc.

Crest: Option 3

Front of crest - Ch 9, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, sl st ch 1 sl st in last ch, working around on the other side repeat what you just did. FO weave in tails.
Back of crest - ch 7, in 2nd ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, working on the other side dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc, FO weave in tails. Sew the front and back crests together and sew to the top of head starting between the eyes and sew halfway back on the head.Beak:
Sc, dc, ch 3 picot in same st, dc, sc in next st, FO, weave in ends

Tail:

Starting on the back of the body in a st on one side of the center mid section *ch 14, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across*, repeat this in the next two st, FO, weave in ends.

Optional Scarf:

Ch 76, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and continue across, FO, add fringe to both ends.

Pete & Polly Penguins

Free PDF pattern available in our Facebook Group here!

Aren't these mods so creative? A big thank you to Karen Hiles for so generously sharing her unique spin on the Granny Square Chicken pattern! 

If you've made a chicken (or one of the Granny Square Chicken mods), please share your creation in the official Granny Square Chicken Club Facebook group.  

Please also consider sending Karen Hiles a donation as a "thank you" for her patterns! 

Keep those beautiful birds coming, and happy crocheting!

Best wishes,