CROCHET FAIL🐓🧶My Cluck-tastic Creation: KNITTING the Emotional Support Chicken 🐔♥️

[@wynterfraust8204]

Life-long crocheter here. I really loved this knitted chicken, but I wasn't very crazy about the pictures of the crocheted version. After some internal debate, I decided to purchase the knit pattern, a pair of needles, and spent 4 days watching KZbin videos, learning basic knitting, and the specific stitches listed in the pattern. My first chicken took exactly one week to knit, and I'm currently working on the finishing touches of my 3rd chicken today. After watching your video, I'm so glad I didn't go with the crocheted pattern.

[@cherylkines2076]

Gentle friend ❤ Safety eyes are not considered by most amigurumi makers as truly safe for children. We tend to favor embroidered eyes on the stuffies we make for our young people. Beautiful chicken, I love your small version 😊

[@colleenwnek3404]

I am inspired to start every comment and email with Gentle friend ❤" from now on! ☺

[@cball8160]

So cute, Mark! A wise woman once said “There are no mistakes in knitting with the exception of a split stitch. Everything else is a technique the knitter may choose or change.😉

[@13ellamy]

i’ve seen a few different people make the crocheted version of this chicken, and the knit version is SUPER cute too! i love how you placed the different scrap colors :-) also, while safety eyes are just fine for slightly older kids, unfortunately they are not safe for infants and very young children! the concern is that they could be choke-able. even if it’s extremely secure when first placed, the plastic could degrade over time and break, or the fabric around the eye could stretch or rip, especially for an extremely determined toddler. i think safety eyes are named that for the same reason a safety pin is called a safety pin! it’s secured in place, but that doesn’t mean it’s SAFE (safety pins are still sharp after all!)

[@liesbethbos3049]

As another grown up watching this… man you make me laugh. Waiting to see if you are going to say that you need to crochet a mini support chicken for the bigger one in case you are going to rip their eyes out. I am not trolling, I am in love with your channel and your content, your matter of fact sense of humor makes me laugh. Thank you for being here 🙂

[@lopezmariae621]

Glad to see the support chicken comes in a smaller version than others that are full-size. Mark, I like that you changed the size of the eyes makes a big difference. I don't mind the finishing work and weaving ends in my knitting projects. Thank you, for sharing the process of making this small chicken.

[@annalderman5612]

I love your emotional support chicken. When you mentioned that if you feel pain then check in with someone. I was having trouble with my fingers when I was purling. A dear friend told me about the Norwegian purl. After lots of practice I can purl without feeling the pain in my fingers. We all know what works for our bodies as we craft so I don’t feel another person should be telling anyone they are wrong. I asked my friend for advice and she was willing to help me which I was so grateful for. Thank you for sharing your crafting journey.

[@sylviapadilla3363]

I really appreciated your commentary regarding the crochet version!! I was also disappointed at the lack of clarity on the pattern and thought maybe it was just me having problems! Thank you, also, for suggesting to look at the notes and tips on Ravelry. That was a HUGE help! And now, finally! The Knitting Tree LA came out with their CROCHET tutorial video on KZbin! 🙏

[@wdbreezy]

So cute !! You did a great job finishing. After knitting three worsted weight chickens, I can safely say I’m over the obsession. Your color choices and the smaller size are tempting…but no more chickens. A note to those looking at knitting the ESC, there’s a video tutorial walk-thru from The Knitting Tree LA on KZbin that’s helpful.

[@mikelafiddle]

Not sticking around for the chicken, I can't see myself ever making it. But always sticking around for a "chat" with you. Your content is very comforting. ❤

[@mikelafiddle]

Mark!!!! I yelled at the screen when you put on the second set of eyes, like a sports spectator 😂 you JUST said that the advice is to put on the eyes, meditate on it, and THEN put the backing on. And then you put the backs on so fast. But I totally feel the struggle with finishings. I have a scrunchie that I'm like 1/3 done seaming. Been in my desk for 2 years.

[@angelacarnes2894]

Just found your video and just finished my first chicken a couple of days ago. I’m a knitter of 45+ years, taught classes and worked in a yarn shop for 5 years, and even the knit pattern gave me a fit. I’m a visual person, and if the pictures in the pattern had been better I would have been happier. I also had struggles with the bottom gusset placement and got the comb too far back on the head, but overall my chicken at least looks cute. I’m going to try the next one on sock yarn and loved seeing yours. Thanks for this video!

[@denubug]

I think shr looks great! Her eyes are fine!

[@colleenwnek3404]

Okay Mark, I enjoyed the chicken clarification but ... but ... the knitting with lambs intro clip?! New knitting goal unlocked! 😍

[@cherylkoch6438]

I like the crocheted seaming you used to on your chicken.🐓❤️🧶

[@ginnerlucreates1884]

Thanks for this video Mark. I’ve knit 2 of these in worsted weight (Beak-on-ce & Tailfeather Swift). I used mattress stitch to sew together & found it easy enough but tedious. I’m currently working on a sport weight chicken for my craft room and will try the single crochet to seam it. I also didn’t bind off each of the tailfeather sides. I left the stitches live, knit them together and then did the bind off row. I also did French knot eyes with the yarn doubled. And once my chicken is finished, I have 2 more to knit in worsted weight 😂

[@MakerMarkKnits]

I'd love to see those chickens! What great names :) And great idea to bind off the tail feathers together as one!

[@amanda31429]

I did the opposite- started with the worsted chicken, and now I want to make a smaller one! Adding a bean bag is a terrific idea. Chickens aside, I just love your intro music and the background music for this video!

[@renemccoy2318]

I love your color choices for your chicken!

[@thizizliz]

It's really cute. Good points on the crochet version. Yours is the 2nd knit one that I've seen and both look fine, but those crochet hens on Ravelry are perfect examples of why tests should be done on new patterns - especially a 3D item.

[@GreenParlour0749]

Henrietta Cluckington is what I thought of. Came out looking great.

[@spinningloft]

Great video, thanks! I had chickens in the past, and they are intelligent and funny creatures. I had a sad dream once where a chicken was looking me right in the eye and telepathically begging, "Can you get them to turn off the lights--we don't want to lay eggs all night."😢😢🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚

[@nancyhill7794]

Just twist! Hold the back still and twist the eye. The eye is like a screw! Easy peasy! Another tip…after you have the backing on the eye, carefully dab the pointy end of eye with a hot cigarette lighter and melt that point down. Gets rid of point and holds the backing on more firmly. I have also seen a circle of felt added on the front, then push the eye through.

[@pegpage8618]

Cute chicken - I think Henrietta would be a good name. It would be too fiddly for me to make too, but it’s a really cute way to use up scraps. Good job and another fun video. Thanks.

[@Ann-ed1bq]

Chicken is adorable 🥰 I love the eye placement, I think it’s perfect and gives her the right character.

[@JenniferPage]

Definitely no wrong way, just a variation of it....and I still wholeheartedly agree with variety is the spice of life

[@mollybloom8991]

My Eleanor Roost-evelt was followed by a far more diminutive Franklin in Woolstok Tynd scraps with Suri held double as the contrast, it makes for the world’s softest chicken and the marling in the Tynd meant the seaming looked impeccable - thank you busy yarn!

[@netty062]

What a great video Mark, thank you!! I saw at my local yarn store (True North Yarn in Barrie) that they stuffed their aran weight chicken with memory foam pieces, ordered off Amazon I think. What a squishy feel! I'm going to get some and knit up a ESC!!

[@debbyflowers1488]

Fun fact, many chickens have red eyes! I have over 40 chickens pecking around the farm, love them but haven't knitted one. Yet! Your eye placement looks good to me. If I do make one I like your idea of weighting it, I will probably just use rocks. Around our place those wire cutters are called side cutters (hubs is an electronic tech).

[@creative2716]

Henrietta Clucksalot. Very cute!

[@gardenplots283]

I made the crocheted version. I bought the pattern from the designer's Etsy site. I only had a few problems where there seemed to be mistakes in the pattern but figured them out for myself fairly quickly. The chicken came out looking great and it did not have the wonky look of the photos on Ravelry.

[@krisvanallen]

The detail of the crochet seams up the front is a wonderful detail!

[@paulaknit]

I enjoyed your video and will watch more of your content. I will definitely try the smaller size. There are utube video for the knitted and crochet version for persons having difficulty by the designers. I must say for 2 small pieces, I didn't find it fiddly at all. I knit or crochet practically everyday. I can make the knitted chicken in 2 days. I also lined the chicken, so not to have stuffing seepage. I realize everyone comes to their craft with different approaches ,but when I embark on a new idea or totally new design or concept, I follow the pattern (if it's correct) before making my changes.

[@cwolf44]

Great video Mark. So enjoying your channel.

[@JenniferPage]

Hahaha when you're talking about "bean bags" I thought of my crochet friends who just made a stuffed wolf and wanted the same, but found quite a bit old bag of navy/kidney dry beans in her pantry and stuffed them into an old section of pantyhose for her 'bean bag' base lol so at first I thought you meant making your own "bean bag" and not just purchasing one lol Love to your gorgeous chicken, she's such a fanciful fowl.

[@chrissy24-7]

I adore the smaller chicken and now I'm truly inspired 🐔 Also, get bolt cutters, they are super handy for all kinds of things

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Henry is adorable. Thank you for sharing your finishing process. ♥️ I appreciate the heads up regarding the crochet version. I will have to make the knit version once I get some time. I’ve been avoiding making a “toy” with knit or crochet, but I’ve been forced by the crafty universe to take the dive.

[@deborahking7873]

I love your finishing crochet, I have knitted 4 chickens but each time absolutely hated finishing it.your crochet finish is super.I will now make 1 more .🤣❤

[@cherylkines2076]

Totally agree with you about the crochet chicken pattern. I gave up on it and felt like I'd wasted money on the pattern 😢

[@meganlefebvre2491]

Another great video! You explain everything so well and we makers are fortunate to have a voice such as yours. Your videos are well thought out, helpful, and comforting. Can't wait to see your next one!

[@marycase9352]

Thanks Mark! I just happened to be assembling my 2 chickens today. Your tips on the eyes and crocheting the seams are great. Yes, assembly of any toy or figure is always quite fiddly! 💜🧶🐓

[@wendyltwice4156]

I offer you two chicken names inspired by well known singers...Orville Peck or Roger Poultry. Love your videos!

[@wdbreezy]

Orville Peck !! Yes!!

[@LindaNixon-ws4ge]

If Orville Peck is chosen, the chicken will need a mask😂

[@Schatzie301]

I love him. Absolutely precious!

[@mendyviola]

She’s adorable!

[@darlareed3391]

Henrietta Vogelstein...... Nice work. Enjoyed your tutorial. Thanks!

[@nelundtimmys.4032]

Love your finishing - its a great design feature to crochet borders. 🐔🐔🐔Yes I agree, when I pay for a design, it had to work!!! Until now I have 3 knitted chickens - there will be definitely a X-Mas chicken!!!

[@purrlee2467]

Good color choices. You can always keep the bugeyed safety eyes and use a strong glue as backings for the future. I don't use any safety eyes for amigurumi and substitute with mini elastics or pony beads over a regular stitch, or embroider them.

[@r.mcd2921]

Cute, but so fiddly. Not for me, but I was happy watching you work this project. I probably would have embroidered the eyes rather than using the little plastic ones. Thanks Mark!

[@robinmanly7381]

So sweet! The crochet and your colors give a homespun look in the best way! Now I'm tempted to make one!

[@kcfield601]

I have made 5 of them for Christmas. I really want to go smaller using the sock yarn. I like that idea. Beautiful work.

[@jenniferbarrett3272]

I made an ESC and loved the process and the result. I usually don’t enjoy toy making, but, aside from sewing the bottom on, the rest was really enjoyable and not too fiddly. Yours turned out great with fingering yarn, although it may not be as cuddly as the bigger chicken, that is very nice to snuggle up with. The crochet seams look great. Nice mod.

[@KimClinger]

I have 3 support chickens in various stages of competition. I need to get mine finished before starting any more. You could name her Helen Muir-hen.

[@BitchinStitchez]

OMG! 😂😂😭😭😭 your sense of humor is my twinflame! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Paula-tf3zv]

Great name!

[@annzbikowski4198]

I think a pattern is just a suggestion of how something should be made. Love the way you finished your chicken. I think I will try that. Thanks. I use uncooked rice for weight.

[@khabsamum6074]

Celine Dehen inspired by your latest video , the crochet join looks so good. Will now have to learn crochet as I too am not a fan or that neat at sewing together

[@sueshapiro4546]

Your Emotional Support chicken is adorable! I might have to make one in fingering weight to go with the worsted weight one I made. I also hate seaming so I’ll crochet the next one. Thank you!!

[@audraforbes]

I never thought to crochet the pieces together - what a great idea! I’ve made 2, and am on my 3rd, but I have issues with stuffing knit projects. (Ive only ever knit washcloths and a couple of scarves before doing the chickens!) Do you have a video on how to stuff knit toys? The stuffing always shows through when I do it the way I do my crochet projects.

[@lillian7035]

Hey Mark, love your chicken! He/she reminds me of a varsity jock donning all the school colors. Bad ass little chicken! I used mattress seaming for my chickens-the joins were nearly invisible. Thank you for another great one!

[@karenmoody7011]

Love the sock chick ! Well done on the crochet finish. As its may 4th maybe Hen solo a star wars reference 😂

[@anndunn6775]

Your yarn choices, eyes and seam treatment are wonderful. Cute chicken

[@gillshand5820]

I love how you have seamed it. I’ll try that thanks.

[@bayareaknitter]

Love how your little chicken turned out! I just finished my 4th. I gifted the first three but needed one for me! That said, I also hate seaming, so they were a true labor of love. 😅🐔

[@kimberlysmiley4732]

Soooo cute!

[@gunvorstorck]

I love your version of the chicken! Thanks for the warning about the crochet pattern. I was thinking of making the crochet version of the chicken but after hearing what you shared I won't.

[@siobhanyamada-gu8dr]

I love your emotional support chicken!!! 🐔 I just ordered two kits from the originator of the pattern, The Knitting Tree, LA: Tailfeather Seift and Prince and the RevolusHEN. They should arrive tomorrow! 🎉 I’m not all that creative with names, so I don’t really have any recommendations for yours, but it really is beautiful! 🤩 I think when it comes to seaming mine, I may end up using your crochet method. It looks way more fun.

[@krisvanallen]

Stuffing the chicken reminded me of one thanksgiving with our grandparents, and I was about 12. My sweet grandma asked me I knew what we do with the turkey. I responded tentatively with a “no.” She said “we stuff his a$&!” Struck me funny!

[@kellygonio3829]

Your chicken turned out so cute that I think I will give it a go!!

[@paulinehakeney7068]

Hi, I have just watched your video, really enjoyed it, and love your chicken. I am halfway through making the crochet version. Before I started I took notice of the different comments by other makers on Ravelry about errors in the crochet pattern. I must say though, upto now at least, I am finding that my pattern has most, if not all, of the corrections now in place. I am just starting the chest section and no problems with the pattern so far. Hopefully this will continue.

[@AlisonOlds]

Yes! I also dislike the finishing work. I quilt as well and feel the same about doing the binding.

[@dianathorpe2280]

I think you did a great job on your chicken. The colors are lovely together and I really like how you did the crochet joins. Really set off the chicken and made it so cute! I'm glad you changed out the eyes. The other ones were definitely too big and dark and buggy looking. Yes you maybe put the eyes a little too high and a little too close to the beak but other than that I think she is pretty perfect. She is definitely a she!!! Thanks so much for the critique on the crochet version. I was thinking of buying that pattern but now I will definitely get the knit version instead. I will be making a worsted version as I have lots of worsted wool leftovers especially in chicken like colors. I love the intro music so much. Really sets the tone of your videos. :)

[@pathowes32]

Love your crochet finishing

[@shellyhughes7270]

I love your chicken! I recently took a knitting class at Around the Table Yarns. I started on the emotional support chicken but I’ve only gotten one side of the tail feathers done.

[@catherinen.7705]

🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔 Nice work! Five chicken rating. 🙂

[@tea3ali]

I'm currently working on the knitted version, calling it my "emotional frustration chicken". 4th attempt! Knits up fast, but something goes wrong when I get to the instructions for the 3rd point on the tail. I just found a row-by-row instructional video. I'm not giving up. Yet. -

[@j_filippo]

I like the crochet seams. I made on in February for a gift and my seaming wasn’t as neat as I wanted. I will do your way in the future.

[@kaizma88]

I love her - the smaller version is adorable 😍 Aren't chickens female and roosters male?

[@sunnystitcher5400]

I have made 3 chickens so far.... And um .... I have plans to make at least one more, in fingering weight yarn to have a bebeh chicken. Hope you find the perfect name for your hen. And I know you'll probably get this explanation a lot from this video, but the reason safety eyes are not safe, is that the young children who chew the eyes/are still oral explorers can deteriorate the fibers the eye is anchored to, causing the eye to fall out. If you're giving it to an older younger person, that doesn't have the oral fixations/explorations then they are perfectly fine to use.

[@TheSablelou]

So glad you are going this! I need to make two of these!

[@krisvanallen]

I wonder if stuffing the head, or even more, then placing the eyes would work. You can just then remove the stuffing to seam.

[@carolhudak3173]

Thanks Mark!

[@JeaWis]

I put safety eyes on my sock weight ESC and I was able to just pop the eye through the stitches. Then I embroidered eyes on.

[@melissa_pup]

Oh my goodness! Not another paid pattern that's frustrating due to errors! 🤬 I have had my fair share of wasted money for paid patterns that have left me so frustrated that I purchased it! This is why I decided to become a pattern tester... I am so tired of unchecked patterns and the designer just doesn't really care to take that extra step.

[@daniellem905]

These crack me up. Tempted to make a few.

[@belindatownshend3804]

Try using the “JIM HENSON” stitch for seaming…puppet makers use it to hide seams… never tried it on knitting but you never know

[@kimberlysmiley4732]

I love the Banty better than a larger chicken

[@3rdand105]

Your pliers remind me of toenail clippers, the old-school variety. I was thinking you could use those if you don't have pliers in the house. I find the clippers that are a larger version of fingernail clippers just don't do the job as well, but maybe that's just me...

[@kaitlyndzikman3579]

Henrietta and the Prisoner of Eggzkaban 😆

[@KarenStrickholm]

Hi Mark, love your KZbins, thank you! Since you are drawn to calling your chicken he/him/ Henry, and this is Pride Month, I suggest you may have birthed a delightfully trans Emotional Support Chicken. Welcome to the world, Henry!

[@CinSpain]

Maybe you should make a rooster in worsted, as they apparently become male during the process 😂😂😂 Cute chick 😊 I don't think, I'll ever make one, though...

[@debwaterman4918]

I’ve been thinking about making this chicken! Love the scrap colors you chose and I have lots of sock yarn scraps! Not sure if I’m just in FOMO or really want one.

[@margali666]

Maybe next time stuff the head first and then put the eyes on so you have a full visual picture of the end result before committing? I love to accompany you on your endeavours 😊

[@christenagervais7303]

I think you should name your chicken, Chick Corea! (Olé)

[@JConklin5280]

I just found your podcast. As I'm watching I'm knitting ESC #6. I know. Crazy. The only small safety eyes I've been able to find were in my local Michael's and the only choice was brown. Where did you find yours? I really enjoyed your podcast and I've subscribed. Joanne in Alberta, Canada

[@lan7766]

I tend to have to take a break between crocheting amigurumi to do simpler/more repetitive projects, because I get sick of sewing things together! I’m pretty confused by your name choices, though, haha… Why Henry Kissinger?

[@evelyngorfram9306]

Name suggestion: Gordito/a. Because he/she is small, & they're plump.

[@pattigolden1]

I HAVE make a chicken!! FrankHENstein!!! Which is no longer available..... He's neon green. 😁 (He's on my ravelry page). It really wasn't available when I went to order, emailed & told them why I REALLY needed that one (my bff of forEVer had a stroke), within a couple hours I got a return email asking for my address & billing info!! They made a kit just for me!!!!! My BFF loved him....its like a damnit doll, only cuter!!! I opted for a kit because I couldn't find the yarn colors I needed. LOVE seeing the chicken in fingering, I want to make her "the Sanderson sisters". Now I'm hoping the eyes i got are small enough. What needle size did you use?? I too hate seaming!!! I was happy that FrankHENstein WAS mostly crocheted together, the contrasting "seam" showing was part of the design.... which of course, had a different pattern than the standard chicken...it didn't include the comb & wattles. 🤷🏻‍♀️ So now I have to get 2 different patterns. 🙄 I also think it recommended seaming the tail first, then the bottom actually matched row for row.

[@paulaknit]

I was able to get the eyes off several times by just slowly twisting and pulling up at small angles. Hopefully this helps.

[@teresac.m.355]

The first version of the knitting chicken was full of issues as well. If she had not made the video to follow I could not have made the original knitted version. Hopefully the pattern will be updated soon.

[@avrilcrisp5725]

Freeze a 2 litre bottle of water and stand it in front of an electric fan, it will help keep you cool.

[@MakerMarkKnits]

I've never tried that, thank you for the idea!

[@shellyhughes7270]

I have the knit and the crochet patterns. I’m a brand new knitter but I decided to knit it since I heard the crochet pattern had issues. I’m almost finished and it looks like a chicken! Anyways, I just got an email from Ravelry that there were corrections made to the crochet pattern so maybe it’s better now? I haven’t tried the crochet version yet though.

[@evelyngorfram9306]

Thank you! I had assumed the problems with the crochet ESC were all my fault (see also: Everything That Goes Wrong Is My Fault, under the category of Every Feminist Thing Ever). I automatically forgave errors like the extra Row 5s & Row 3s, the omission of what would have been some very helpful stitch counts, & the missed opportunity to use the word "spatchcock" in describing the flattened chicken as mostly a matter of pattern-writing style. [gettin' rant-ey with it] Not only is this a paid pattern, but $6.50 is more than twice as mush as the customary $2-$3. And *it's from a yarn store*. Which means it's at least partly a promotional item, representing a professional endeavor at which the author expects to make money & perhaps even turn a profit. And you know, if that LYS is kept as well as the crochet pattern is written; I'm not at all sure I'd want to shop there.

[@krisvanallen]

What if you crocheted a sc down each side then seam with a mattress stitch the two rows of sc?

[@ThirdStreetCreates]

I bought the pattern through ravelry and there was an update offered.

[@joycecampbell7340]

Thanks for the info about the crochet version. I bought the pattern and was very disappointed 4 rows in. There should be a video that helps with the written instructions. They weren't very clear to me.

[@MaryAnnSweetAngel]

In india it's around 95°F or 35°C in May as it's the hottest month here. 😅. We have access and ceiling fans. But I only have ceiling fans because I'm poor 🥲