Chick Ornaments!

Every year I try to make a new set of ornaments for our Christmas tree.  This year, in honor of our newest pets, I made some chickens!

Our chicks are only about 6 weeks old, so they don't have their combs yet.  Eventually they'll grow in, but for now their little heads are smooth with feathers... Thus, chick ornaments!

CHICK ORNAMENTS
approx 3 inches from beak to tail feathers
Supplies:
Chicken Body/Wings: Small amount of worsted weight yarn (I used white cotton for some, and beige acrylic for the others, it's your choice)
Beak/Legs: Small amount of worsted weight yarn (I used a dark yellow cotton)
Scissors
Yarn needle
6" of hemp cord (you could also use embroidery floss, a piece of yarn or an ornament hanger)

Chicken Body:
R1: 8 hdc in a magic loop, pull loop tight and sl st to first hdc to form a circle (8 st)
R2: ch 1, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to first hdc, ch 5, sl st into same st, ch 8, sl st into same st, ch 5, sl st into same st (you just made the tail feathers!  It sort of looks like a pineapple now, huh?)

R3: fold chicken body in half (you're going to crochet the sides together now) and put 2 sc in each set of stitches across (16 st + tail feathers)
R4: (making the neck and head) ch 1, work 3 hdc stitches evenly into the top edge of the chicken body - don't go past the center or it will look odd... (3 st)
R5: ch 1, hdc across (3 st)
R6: ch 1, hdc 3 st together
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Wings:
(make 2)
ch 3
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch sp (2 st)
R2: ch 4, sc in first st, ch 3, sc in second st
Fasten off.  Leave a tail so you can sew the wing onto the chicken body.  Place the wing slightly towards the front of the body (not dead center) and stitch it into place.  Repeat on the other side!
Weave in any ends.

Chicken Beak:
**I have included a series of photographs to help you through this odd process.  The beak is one chain stitch, which sounds like it should be so simple, and it is, but only if you actually SEE the way I did it, hence, the photos**
Choose your beak placement

Choose your beak placement

Pull a loop through to attach the yarn, and ch 1

Pull the TAIL end of the yarn through the chain. Tug gently at both yarn ends to tighten beak.

Weave the beak-tip end down through the loops where you attached the yarn on one side

Cut the other end of the yarn and weave it up through the loops where you attached the yarn on the other side.
Trim all ends!  It makes a perfect beak!

Chicken Legs:
Using chicken leg color, ch 8, sc to center bottom edge of chicken (one of the stitches in the middle), ch 9
Fasten off.  Use ends to help tie the bottom of the chain in a knot.  Tighten the knot as close to the bottom of the first ch as possible.  Snip off any tail ends.

Making the hanger:
Using your yarn needle, run the hemp cord through a stitch in the top of the chicken's back.  Tie the ends together in an overhand knot to make the hanger (you could also use an ornament hanger, if that's more your style).

Now go hang it on your tree!

Make some more!

Use them as gift toppers!

Give them different colored beaks and legs!  And have fun!

xoxo