purlJam

<pattern>
# Amigurumi Hen and Rooster Pattern

**Perfect for toddlers! These adorable farmyard friends are made with simple shapes and toddler-safe features.**

## Pattern Information

**Difficulty Level:** Easy  
**Finished Size:** Approximately 5-6 inches tall  
**Construction:** Worked in continuous rounds (spiral), pieces sewn together

---

## Materials

### Yarn
- **Weight:** Worsted (4)
- **Yardage:** 
  - Main color (body): 100 yards per bird
  - Red: 20 yards (comb, wattle)
  - Orange or yellow: 10 yards (beak, feet)
  - Accent colors for tail: 15 yards
- **Recommended Brands:** Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Caron Simply Soft

**Color Suggestions:**
- **Hen:** White, cream, or brown body; red comb/wattle; orange beak/feet
- **Rooster:** Multi-colored (brown, gold, rust) or white body; red comb/wattle; orange beak/feet; darker tail feathers

### Other Materials
- **Hook:** US E-4 (3.5mm) - important to use smaller hook than yarn label suggests for tight stitches
- **Stuffing:** Polyester fiberfill, approximately 2 oz per bird
- **Yarn needle:** For sewing and embroidery
- **Stitch marker:** To track rounds
- **Embroidery floss or black yarn:** For eyes and details
- **Scissors**

---

## Gauge

**Gauge:** 5 sc = 1 inch; 5 rounds = 1 inch  
*Gauge is not critical, but tighter is better for amigurumi to prevent stuffing from showing through.*

---

## Abbreviations

- **ch** = chain
- **sc** = single crochet
- **inc** = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec** = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through all loops)
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** = round(s)
- **[ ]** = total stitch count at end of round
- **( )** = repeat instructions within parentheses

---

## Special Techniques

### Magic Ring
1. Wrap yarn around fingers to form a loop
2. Insert hook through loop, pull up a loop
3. Chain 1, work stitches into ring
4. Pull tail to close ring

### Invisible Decrease
Insert hook in front loop only of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. Creates smoother decrease than standard dec.

### Continuous Rounds (Spiral)
Do not join rounds with slip stitch. Use stitch marker to track beginning of round, moving it up as you work.

---

## Pattern Notes

- Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified
- Do not join or turn unless instructed
- Use stitch marker to track beginning of round
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go - it's difficult to add more later
- All pieces are sewn together after completion
- **Toddler Safety:** All features are embroidered or sewn on very securely. No buttons, beads, or safety eyes used.

---

## BODY (Make 1 per bird)

Start with main body color.

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]  
*Check: 12 stitches total*

**Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math: (1+1) × 6 repeats = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math: (2+1) × 6 repeats = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math: (3+1) × 6 repeats = 30 ✓*

**Rnds 6-12:** sc in each st around [30]  
*7 rounds of even stitching*

**Begin decreasing:**

**Rnd 13:** (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Math: (3+1) × 6 repeats = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 14:** (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math: (2+1) × 6 repeats = 18 ✓*

**Stuff body firmly with fiberfill. Pack stuffing well to create a solid, rounded shape.**

**Rnd 15:** (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math: (1+1) × 6 repeats = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 16:** dec around [6]  
*Math: 6 decreases = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end securely.

---

## HEAD (Make 1 per bird)

Start with main body color.

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]

**Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math: (1+1) × 6 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math: (2+1) × 6 = 24 ✓*

**Rnds 5-8:** sc in each st around [24]  
*4 rounds of even stitching*

**Begin decreasing:**

**Rnd 9:** (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math: (2+1) × 6 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 10:** (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math: (1+1) × 6 = 12 ✓*

**Stuff head firmly.**

**Rnd 11:** dec around [6]

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tight to close.

---

## BEAK (Make 1 per bird)

Use orange or yellow yarn.

**Rnd 1:** 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2:** (sc, inc) around [6]  
*Math: (1+1) × 2 = 6 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** sc in each st around [6]

**Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) around [8]  
*Math: (2+1) × 2 = 8 ✓*

**Rnd 5:** sc in each st around [8]

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly with small amount of fiberfill.

---

## COMB - ROOSTER VERSION (Make 1)

Use red yarn. The rooster has a larger, more prominent comb.

**Rnd 1:** 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [8]

**Rnds 3-5:** sc in each st around [8]  
*3 rounds even*

**Rnd 6:** (dec) around [4]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten piece slightly.

---

## COMB - HEN VERSION (Make 1)

Use red yarn. The hen has a smaller, more subtle comb.

**Rnd 1:** 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2:** (sc, inc) around [6]

**Rnds 3-4:** sc in each st around [6]  
*2 rounds even*

**Rnd 5:** (dec) around [3]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten piece.

---

## WATTLE (Make 2 per bird)

Use red yarn. These hang under the beak.

**Rnd 1:** 4 sc in magic ring [4]

**Rnd 2:** sc in each st around [4]

**Rnd 3:** sc in each st around [4]

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. These will be small teardrop shapes.

---

## WINGS (Make 2 per bird)

Use main body color. Wings are worked in joined rounds for flat shape.

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring, sl st to first sc to join [6]

**Rnd 2:** ch 1, inc in each st around, sl st to first sc to join [12]

**Rnd 3:** ch 1, (sc, inc) around, sl st to first sc to join [18]  
*Math: (1+1) × 6 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4:** ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to first sc to join [18]

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Do not stuff - wings should be flat.

---

## TAIL FEATHERS - ROOSTER VERSION (Make 3-4)

Use accent colors (black, dark green, dark blue, brown - mix colors for variety).

**Row 1:** Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across [7]

**Row 2:** Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across [7]

**Row 3:** Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across [7]

**Row 4:** Ch 1, turn, dec, 3 sc, dec [5]  
*Math: 1+3+1 = 5 ✓*

**Row 5:** Ch 1, turn, dec, sc, dec [3]  
*Math: 1+1+1 = 3 ✓*

**Row 6:** Ch 1, turn, dec (with middle st and last st), sc in same st as first part of dec [2]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Make 3-4 feathers in different colors for a vibrant rooster tail.

---

## TAIL FEATHERS - HEN VERSION (Make 2-3)

Use main body color or slightly darker shade. Hen tail is shorter and simpler.

**Row 1:** Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across [5]

**Row 2:** Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across [5]

**Row 3:** Ch 1, turn, dec, sc, dec [3]  
*Math: 1+1+1 = 3 ✓*

**Row 4:** Ch 1, turn, dec, sc [2]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Make 2-3 shorter feathers.

---

## FEET (Make 2 per bird)

Use orange or yellow yarn.

**Rnd 1:** 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnds 2-3:** sc in each st around [6]  
*2 rounds even*

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Stuff very lightly. These are small cylinders that will be sewn to bottom of body.

---

## ASSEMBLY

**Step 1: Attach Head to Body**
- Position head on top of body, slightly forward
- Pin in place
- Using yarn needle and matching yarn, sew head to body with whip stitch all around
- Sew through both pieces multiple times for security
- Weave in ends

**Step 2: Attach Beak**
- Position beak on center front of head, slightly below middle
- Sew securely all around the opening
- Make sure it's firmly attached for toddler safety

**Step 3: Attach Comb**
- Position comb on top of head, centered between eyes
- Sew along the base of comb to top of head
- Stitch through multiple times to secure

**Step 4: Attach Wattles**
- Position one wattle on each side under beak
- Sew securely at the top of each wattle piece
- Allow bottom to dangle slightly

**Step 5: Attach Wings**
- Position wings on sides of body, about 1/3 down from top
- Flatten wings against body
- Sew around edges of wings, leaving them slightly puffy
- Wings should point slightly downward and back

**Step 6: Attach Tail Feathers**
- Layer tail feathers at back of body, fanned out
- For rooster: arrange 3-4 feathers in colorful fan, slightly overlapping
- For hen: arrange 2-3 feathers closer together, more subtle
- Sew each feather securely at the base
- Stitch through body and feathers multiple times

**Step 7: Attach Feet**
- Position feet at bottom front of body
- Space them slightly apart for stability
- Sew securely around opening of each foot cylinder
- Bird should sit upright with feet supporting front

**Step 8: Embroider Face**
- Using black embroidery floss or thin black yarn:
  - **Eyes:** Make 2-3 French knots for each eye, or satin stitch small ovals
  - Position eyes on sides of head, above and slightly forward of beak
  - Make eyes slightly larger for friendlier appearance
- Secure all embroidery with multiple knots on inside

---

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in all remaining ends** securely with multiple passes
2. **Check all attachments** - pull gently on each piece to ensure security
3. **Shape the bird** - adjust wings, tail, and comb positioning
4. **Final inspection** - ensure no loose threads or gaps in stitching

---

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

### Color Variations
- **White Leghorn Hen:** Pure white body, bright red comb
- **Rhode Island Red:** Rusty red-brown body
- **Speckled Hen:** Use variegated yarn for body
- **Fancy Rooster:** Use 3-4 colors in body, iridescent green/black for