Easter Chick-Free Pattern

 As promised, here is a little pattern/tutorial to make your very own cuddly crocheted Easter chick!  I usually like to make mine with this fun super soft, yellow microfiber yarn.  It's so soft and baby chick-like, but as I ordered it from a specialty shop online, I realize others may not have access to something of its kind.

So I worked this pattern using a pastel mix from Red Heart.

*Please note that using different yarn weights and hook sizes will give you far different results with your chick.  If you want a tiny chick to fit inside of the large plastic eggs you find in most craft stores, I recommend using a fingering or sport weight yarn with a G Hook.

As you can see, they are quite different in size.  My daughter seems to thoroughly enjoy having one that is large enough so that it can be snuggled though.  

The faces are completely sewn on, so no small parts(choking hazards).  That makes these little chickies the perfect Easter gift for kids of all ages, from baby and up!

Now for instructions on how to make your own!

You will need......

Materials:
Yarn (the choice is really up to you; for a small chick, go with a 2 or 3 weight, for larger, go with a worsted weight)
G or H hook (once again, entirely up to you; keep in mind the smaller the hook and yarn, the smaller the bird and vice versa)

Embroidery floss

Needle and thread (you can substitute floss for thread)

Felt (you will literally need the tiniest bit of felt for this, preferably orange or yellow)

Scissors

Yarn needle

Polyfill stuffing

and a cup of coffee (optional, but if making yours first thing in the morning, as I was, I recommend it ;) )

Instructions:  working in continuous rounds/DO NOT JOIN

Round 1:  ch2, 6sc in beginning ch
Round 2:  2sc in ea. (12sc)
Round 3:  2sc in one st, sc in next, repeat around (18sc)

Round 4:  2sc in one st, sc in next 2, repeat around (24sc)

Rounds 5-10:  sc around (24sc x 6 total)
(Here I recommend marking your beginning stitches.  I like to use a scrap of yarn in a different color. I know there are all kinds of fancy stitch markers out there, and I have even considered purchasing or making some, but truth be told, I think a scrap of yarn works better.)

*Begin stuffing your chick now, making sure to stuff firmly.

Round 11:  sc2tog, sc in next 2, repeat around 5 more for a total of 6 times (18)

Round 12:  sc2tog, sc in next, repeat around 5 more for a total of 6 times (12)

Rounds 13-14:  sc around (12sc x2rows) *note: if you don't want much of a "neck", you can just do one row here.)

Round 15:  2sc in one, sc in next, repeat (18)
Round 16:  2sc in one, sc in next 2, repeat (24)
Round 17:  2sc in one, sc in next 3, repeat (30)
Round 18:  2sc in one, sc in next 4, repeat (36)
Rounds 19-24:  sc around (36 x 6 rows)

Round 25:  sc2tog, sc in next 4 (6x)
Round 26: sc2tog, sc in next 3 (6x)

Round 27:  sc2tog, sc in next 2 (6x)
Round 28:  sc2tog, sc in next (6x)

Round 29: sc2tog, (8x to close), join with slst, cut and tie off.  Hide tail inside chick.

Wings:  make 2
Round 1:  ch2, 6sc in beginning ch
Round 2:  2sc in each (12sc)
Rounds 3-4:  sc around (12sc x2rows)
Fold in a semi circle & sc first few stitches together.......

Work hdc's in the remaining open stitches of wing and join with slst, cut (leaving a long tail for sewing) and tie off.
Using yarn needle, attach wings to side of bird.  I like to use a jointed stitch by sewing through the side of the chick and the other wing.  This way, the wings move a little.  Don't pin down the entire wing; you want them to stick out a little bit.

Next is the face....
Using the yarn needle and embroidery floss, sew on some little eyes.  You pretty much can't go wrong here.  Then you just pull the remaining floss toward the back of the head and cut, hiding the tail inside the chick head.
Cut a small triangular scrap of felt and sew it with needle and thread(or floss) to the face, just below the eyes.  Once again, you hide the thread tails in the head.

Now he is finished!  You have your Easter chick!

Now go make some chicks to fill those baskets or hide in some plastic eggs!  Perhaps it could be the prize in your egg hunt this year.
While you're at it, head on over to Craftsy or Ravelry and pick up my new Egg Hunt pattern, the perfect accessory for your little one's Easter egg hunt this year!