Meet Chessie: A Free Chicken Crochet Pattern
When I first started designing amigurumi, I kept my patterns simple because that’s what I knew how to do.
I mostly designed mammals so I could reuse similar body and limb shapes again and again. I never imagined I’d branch out much further.
But as my skills grew, so did my creativity. Now I love experimenting with new shaping and construction techniques, and this free chicken crochet pattern is a perfect example of that growth.
If you’ve been searching for a free chicken crochet pattern to add to your collection of amigurumi farm animals, Chessie is the chicken for you.
Lots of Little Pieces, But It’s Worth It!
This chicken crochet pattern begins with several small pieces: six tiny toes, three comb spikes, and two wattle lobes. It may take a little longer than you expect to crochet all those details, but they’re what give this amigurumi chicken so much personality.
Once you start the Head & Body, it comes together quickly. There’s very little sewing involved, and the only piece you’ll attach at the end is the comb.
The Farm Collection Is Finally Complete
I already have quite the lineup of amigurumi farm animals: cow, horse, pig, donkey, llama, and more. It felt silly not to have a chicken, especially since so many of you have been requesting one.
Getting the proportions right took some thought because a chicken’s body shape is so different from the rest, but I’m thrilled with how she turned out.
Grab the free pattern and start making your own chubby little hen today!
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
- How to add neck feathers (same principle applies): Frosting Drips Tutorial
- How to add tail feathers (same principle applies): Hair Tuft Tutorial
- How to attach beak & wattle (same principle applies): Attach Bottom Lip & Tongue Tutorial
Chessie the Chicken
Height: 9 inches (23cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USThis chick is chubby, chipper, and ready to rule the roost! Her simple shaping and minimal sewing make her an egg-cellent project for a cozy afternoon of crocheting.
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Straight pins
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Fiber fill
- Disappearing ink marker
158 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Beak
- Crochet the Wattle
- Crochet the Wings
- Crochet the Feet
- Crochet the Comb
- Crochet the Head & Body
- Crochet the Neck Feathers
- Sew the Comb to the Head
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- FLO – crochet in the front loop only
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip the next stitch
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
- {x, y} – complete the stitches listed in the curly brackets within the same stitch
Special Stitches
- sh – shell stitch: work five double crochets all in the same stitch.
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- The Head & Body is worked from the top down. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Head & Body and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Beak
With yellow yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 2, inc* 4 times [16]
05 – 06. sc in each st around [16]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the beak. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The beak is now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step (see Figure 1).
Wattle
With red yarn, make Lobe 1:
01. start 4 sc into a Magic Ring [4]
02. *sc, inc* 2 times [6]
03. sc in each st around [6]
04. *sc, dec* 2 times [4]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail.
With red yarn, make Lobe 2:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc, sc* 2 times [8]
03. sc in each st around [8]
04. *sc, dec, sc* 2 times [6]
05. *sc, dec* 2 times [4]
Do not fasten off.
Joining the Lobes: In the next round, join the lobes together (see Figure 2). To view a tutorial, watch my How to Join Pieces video.
06. Lobe 1: (sc in each st around), Lobe 2: (sc in each st around) [8]
07. sc 2, leave remaining 6 sts unworked [2+6]
Using the attached yarn tails between the lobes and a yarn needle, sew the gaps closed. Secure with a knot and hide the remaining yarn tails inside the work.
Press the final round together to flatten the wattle. The last worked stitch should be flush with the edge of the wattle. If it is not flush, add or remove stitches as necessary.
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the wattle.
Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The wattle is now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step (see Figure 3).
Wings (make 2)
With cream yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
In the following rounds, crochet over the tail of the Magic Ring until it is completely hidden within the work.
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Adding the Fringe to the Wings: Create fringe on the wing as you crochet the next round.
06. sc 5, inc, sc 6, complete the following sections over the next 12 sts; sc 6 [31]
Section 01. {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
Section 02. {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 03. {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 04. {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Section 05. {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
Section 06. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 07. {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 08. {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
Section 09. {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Section 10. {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 11. {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 12. {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
07. inc, sc 6, inc, leave remaining 23 sts unworked [10+23]
Fasten off and create an Invisible Finish. Secure with a knot, then weave the remaining yarn tail into the work.
Place a stitch marker in the second stitch of the first increase of the final round. Then place a second stitch marker in the first stitch of the second increase.
This will show you where to start and stop attaching the wing as you crochet the head at a later step (see Figure 4).
Feet (make 2)
With yellow yarn, make three toes:
01. start 4 sc into a Magic Ring [4]
02 – 03. sc in each st around [4]
Toes 1 & 2:
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail.
Toe 3:
Do not fasten off.
Joining the Toes: In the next round, join the toes together (see Figure 5). To view a tutorial, watch my How to Join Pieces video.
04. Toe 1: (sc in first 2 sts), Toe 2: (sc in each st around), Toe 1: (sc in last 2 sts), Toe 3: (sc in each st around) [12]
05. sc in each st around [12]
Using the attached yarn tails between the toes and a yarn needle, sew the gaps closed. Secure with a knot and hide the remaining yarn tails inside the work.
06. sc 2, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 2 [10]
07. sc 4, leave remaining 6 sts unworked [4+6]
Press the final round together to flatten the foot. The last worked stitch should be flush with the edge of the foot. If it is not flush, add or remove stitches as necessary.
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the foot.
Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The feet are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step (see Figure 6).
Comb
With red yarn, make three spikes:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc, sc* 2 times [8]
03. sc in each st around [8]
04. *sc, dec, sc* 2 times [6]
Spikes 1 & 2:
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail.
Spike 3:
Do not fasten off.
Joining the Spikes: In the next round, join the spikes together (see Figure 7). To view a tutorial, watch my How to Join Pieces video.
05. Spike 1: (sc in first 3 sts), Spike 2: (sc in each st around), Spike 1: (sc in last 3 sts), Spike 3: (sc in each st around) [18]
06. sc 6, leave remaining 12 sts unworked [6+12]
Using the attached yarn tails between the spikes and a yarn needle, sew the gaps closed. Secure with a knot and hide the remaining yarn tails inside the work.
Press the final round together to flatten the comb. The last worked stitch should be flush with the edge of the comb. If it is not flush, add or remove stitches as necessary.
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the comb.
Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, leaving the remaining yarn tail intact.
The comb is now ready to sew to the head at a later step (see Figure 8).
Head & Body
With brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09 – 13. sc in each st around [48]
14. *sc 15, inc* 3 times [51]
15 – 16. sc in each st around [51]
Attaching the Beak & Wattle: Attach the beak & wattle as you crochet the next round (see Figure 9). To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Bottom Lip & Tongue video.
This video is for a different pattern using an alternate stitch count, but the same principle applies: it shows how to attach two pieces stacked on top of each other while crocheting a round.
17. sc 22, start attaching the beak: (sc 2), attach beak + wattle: (sc 4), finish attaching the beak: (sc 2), sc 21 (see Figure 10) [51]
18. sc 8, inc, *sc 16, inc* 2 times, sc 8 [54]
19. *sc 17, inc* 3 times [57]
20. sc in each st around [57]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Create an Invisible Finish, then secure with a knot on the inside of the work.
Body:
With cream yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail, create a slip knot on your hook. Begin round 21 with a Standing Start in the false stitch of the Invisible Finish:
21. with cream yarn, BLO: *sc 8, inc, sc 9, inc* 3 times [63]
Attaching the Wings: Attach the wings as you crochet the next round (see Figure 11).
22. sc 12, attach the first wing: (sc 8), sc 24, attach the second wing: (sc 8), sc 11 [63]
At the end of the round, the beak should appear centered between the wings. If your wings are not positioned correctly, redo the round and adjust the placement as necessary.
23. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 8 times, sc 3 [72]
24. sc in each st around [72]
25. *sc 23, inc* 3 times [75]
Remove your hook and insert a stitch marker into the working loop to keep it from coming undone.
Adding the Neck Feathers: Crochet into the exposed front loops from round 21, starting in the false stitch of the Invisible Finish. To ensure the features face right-side-out, insert your hook under each loop pointed away from the head (see Figure 12).
To view a tutorial, watch my Frosting Drips video. This video is for a different pattern using alternate stitches, but the same principle applies: it shows how to crochet into the exposed front loops of a previous BLO round, and how to orient your project and hook.
With brown yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail, create a slip knot on your hook:
01. with brown yarn: *sc, sk, sh, sk* 14 times, sc [85]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Create an Invisible Finish. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining yarn tails inside the work.
Optional: With a 24-inch (61cm) strand of brown yarn and a yarn needle, tack down the tallest point of each feather to round 24 with a running stitch.
Remove the stitch marker from the working loop at the end of round 25, insert your hook, then continue with cream yarn:
26. with cream yarn: sc 12, inc, *sc 24, inc* 2 times, sc 12 [78]
27. *sc 25, inc* 3 times [81]
28. sc 13, inc, *sc 26, inc* 2 times, sc 13 [84]
29 – 33. sc in each st around [84]
Adding the Tail Feathers: Create the tail feathers as you crochet the next two rounds. To view a tutorial, watch my Hair Tuft video. This video is for a different pattern using alternate stitches, but the same principle applies: it shows how to crochet into the FLO, and how to work into the exposed back loops in the next round.
Right-handed crocheters: 34. sc 80, complete the following sections over the next 4 sts [84]
Section 01. FLO: {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
Section 02. FLO: {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 03. FLO: {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 04. FLO: {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Left-handed crocheters: 34. complete the following sections over the next 4 sts, sc 80[84]
Section 01. FLO: {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Section 02. FLO: {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 03. FLO: {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 04. FLO: {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
Right-handed crocheters: 35. complete the following sections over the next 8 sts; both loops: sc 72, in the exposed back loops of the first 4 tail feathers: sc 4 [84]
Section 01. FLO: {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
Section 02. FLO: {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 03. FLO: {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 04. FLO: {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
Section 05. FLO: {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Section 06. FLO: {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 07. FLO: {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 08. FLO: {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
Left-handed crocheters: 35. in the exposed back loops of the first 4 tail feathers: sc 4, both loops: sc 72, complete the following sections over the next 8 sts [84]
Section 01. FLO: {sl st, ch 3, sl st} in next st
Section 02. FLO: {sl st, ch 4, sl st} in next st
Section 03. FLO: {sl st, ch 5, sl st} in next st
Section 04. FLO: {sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st
Section 05. FLO: {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
Section 06. FLO: {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 07. FLO: {sl st, ch 8, sl st} in next st
Section 08. FLO: {sl st, ch 7, sl st} in next st
At the end of the round, the tail feathers should appear centered on the back of the body. If your tail feathers appear off center, redo the last two rounds and adjust the placement of the feathers as necessary (see Figure 13).
Right-handed crocheters: 36. in the exposed back loops of the last 8 tail feathers: sc 6, dec, both loops: *sc 12, dec* 5 times, sc 6 [78]
Left-handed crocheters: 36. both loops: sc 6, *dec, sc 12* 5 times, in the exposed back loops of the last 8 tail feathers: dec, sc 6 [78]
37. *sc 11, dec* 6 times [72]
38. sc 5, dec, *sc 10, dec* 5 times, sc 5 [66]
39. *sc 9, dec* 6 times [60]
40. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
41. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
42. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
Attaching the Feet: Attach the feet as you crochet the next round (see Figure 14).
43. sc 15, attach the first foot: (sc 5), sc 8, attach the second foot: (sc 5), sc 9 [42]
At the end of the round, the feet should appear centered below the beak on the front side of the body. If your feet appear off center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the feet as necessary.
44. *sc, dec, sc 2, dec* 6 times [30]
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 15 stitches apart between rounds 14 & 15, centered above the beak (see Figure 15).
Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings (see Figure 16).
Stuff the head and body.
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of brown yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them (see Figure 17).
To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
45. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
46. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
47. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
48. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Sewing the Comb to the Head: Using a disappearing ink marker, draw a guide across rounds 01 – 03 of the Body & Head, centered vertically above the beak (see Figure 18).
Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew the comb to the head front-to-back over the marked stitches. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.