Cabled Chicken Sweater
This little sweater was made with the unique shape of a chicken in mind. It fastens with two buttons on the sides. This sample was made with Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash.
Size: This was designed for a medium sized hen. It measures 8 ½ inches across the breast at the widest point.
Gauge: 22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Materials:
142.5 yards (130.3 meters), 2 oz (57 grams) DK weight yarn (Light #3)
Size 6 (4 mm) needles (can be straight or circular)
Stitch holders or short circular needle (to hold neckline stitches)
Yarn needle
4 buttons ½” shank
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
m1 = make one: With left needle pick up thread between last and next stitch inserting front to back. With right needle knit back loop.
mp1 = make one purl-wise: Move yarn to front. With left needle pick up thread between last and next stitch inserting front to back. With right needle purl back loop.
k2tog = knit two together
ssk = slip one knitwise, slip one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit.
T3F = twist 3 front – Slip the next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work. Purl the next stitch from the left-hand needle, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
T3B = twist 3 back – Slip the next stitch onto cable needle and hold behind work. Knit the next 2 stitchs from left-hand needle, purl the stitch from the cable needle.
C4F = cable 4 front – Slip the next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work. Knit the next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
Neckline notes:
This pattern was designed to knit both shoulders at once after the neckline split. This will require attaching yarn and working with two sources a yarn while finishing the shoulders. Since it is a small number of rows this can be accomplished with the same skein of yarn as the body by attaching the other end of it when the neckline split begins.
When working with the two sources of yarn, at the neck in the center of the row, always switch sources of yarn so that the yarn never crosses the neckline.
You will be moving stitches to a holder on both sides of the neck on each row. If you use holders that can only be loaded from one direction, you will need two. You can use a short circular needle or equal or lesser size to hold the neck stitches to be able to move stitches from either side.
Front:
Cast on 42.
Row 1: (p2, k2) across to last two, p2. (42 stitches)
Row 2: (k2, p2) across to last two, k2. (42 stitches)
Row 3: p2, yo, k2tog, (p2, k2) to last 6 stitches, p2, k2tog, yo, p2. (42 stitches)
Row 4: (k2, p2) across to last two, k2. (42 stitches)
Row 5: k14, p4, mp1, T3F, T3B, mp1 p4, k14. (44 stitches)
Row 6: k4, p10, k6, p4, k6, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 7: k14, p6, C4B, p6, k14. (44 stitches)
Row 8: k4, p10, k6, p4, k6, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 9: k14, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k14. (44 stitches)
Row 10: k4, p10, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 11: k14, p5, k2, p2, k2, p5, k14. (44 stitches)
Row 12: k4, p10, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 13: k4, ssk, k8, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, k8, k2tog, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 14: k4, p9, k6, p4, k6, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 15: k13, p6, C4B, p6, k13. (42 stitches)
Row 16: k4, p9, k6, p4, k6, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 17: k13, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k13. (42 stitches)
Row 18: k4, p9, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 19: k13, p4, T3B, p2, T3F, p4, k13. (42 stitches)
Row 20: k4, p9, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 21: k2, yo, k2tog, k9, p3, T3B, p4, T3F, p3, k9, k2tog, yo, k2. (42 stitches)
Row 22: k4, p9, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 23: k5, m1, k8, p2, T3B, p6, T3F, p2, k8, m1, k5. (44 stitches)
Row 24: k4, p10, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 25: k14, p2, k2, p8, k2, p2, k14. (44 stitches)
Row 26: k4, p10, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 27: k5, m1, k9, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, k9, m1, k5. (46 stitches)
Row 28: k4, p11, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p11, k4. (46 stitches)
Row 29: k15, p3, T3F, p4, T3B, p3, k15. (46 stitches)
Row 30: k4, p11, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p11, k4. (46 stitches)
Row 31: k5, m1, k10, p4, T3F, p2, T3B, p4, k10, m1, k5. (48 stitches)
Row 32: k4, p12, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p12, k4. (48 stitches)
Row 33: k16, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, k16. (48 stitches)
Row 34: k4, p12, k6, p4, k6, p12, k4. (48 stitches)
Row 35: k16, p6, C4B, p6, k16. (48 stitches)
Row 36: k4, p12, k6, p4, k6, p12, k4. (48 stitches)
Row 37: k5, m1, k11, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k11, m1, k5. (50 stitches)
Row 38: k4, p13, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p13, k4. (50 stitches)
Row 39: k17, p5, k2, p2, k2, p5, k17. (50 stitches)
Row 40: k4, p13, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p13, k4. (50 stitches)
Row 41: k17, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, k17. (50 stitches)
Row 42: k4, p13, k6, p4, k6, p13, k4. (50 stitches)
Row 43: k4, ssk, k11, p6, C4B, p6, k11, k2tog, k4. (48 stitches)
Row 44: k4, p12, k6, p4, k6, p12, k4. (48 stitches)
Row 45: k4, ssk, k10, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k10, k2tog, k4. (46 stitches)
Row 46: k4, p11, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p11, k4. (46 stitches)
Row 47: k4, ssk, k9, p4, T3B, p2, T3F, p4, k9, k2tog, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 48: k4, p10, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p10, k4. (44 stitches)
Row 49: k4, ssk, k8, p3, T3B, p4, T3F, p3, k8, k2tog, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 50: k4, p9, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p9, k4. (42 stitches)
Row 51: k4, ssk, k7, p2, T3B, p6, T3F, p2, k7, k2tog, k4. (40 stitches)
Row 52: k4, p8, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p8, k4. (40 stitches)
Row 53: k4, ssk, k6, p2, k2, p8, k2, p2, k6, k2tog, k4. (38 stitches)
Row 54: k4, p7, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p7, k4. (38 stitches)
Row 55: k4, ssk, k5, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, k5, k2tog, k4. (36 stitches)
Row 56: k4, p6, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p6, k4. (36 stitches)
Row 57: k10, p3, T3F, p4, T3B, p3, k10. (36 stitches)
Row 58: k4, p6, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p6, k4. (36 stitches)
Row 59: k10, p4, T3F, p2, T3B, p4, k10. (36 stitches)
Row 60: k4, p6, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p6, k4. (36 stitches)
Row 61: k4, ssk, k4, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, k4, k2tog, k4. (34 stitches)
Row 62: k4, p5, k6, p4, k6, p5, k4. (34 stitches)
Row 63: k9, p6, C4B, p6, k9. (34 stitches)
Row 64: k4, p5, k6, p4, k6, p5, k4. (34 stitches)
Row 65: k9, p3, p2tog, T3B, T3F, p2tog, p3, k9. (32 stitches)
Row 66: k4, p5, k4, p2, move 2 stitches to holder, using a second source of yarn (see neckline notes) p2, k4, p5, k4. (2 neck stitches, 15 stitches each shoulder)
Row 67: k4, ssk, k3, p4, k1, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k1, p4, k3, k2tog, k4. (4 neck stitches, 13 stitches each shoulder)
Row 68: k4, p4, k4, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k4, p4, k4. (6 neck stitches, 12 stitches each shoulder)
Row 69: k8, p3, move a stitch of either side of neck onto holder, p3, k8. (8 neck stitches, 11 stitches each shoulder)
Row 70: k4, p4, k2, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k2, p4, k4. (10 neck stitches, 10 stitches each shoulder)
Row 71: k4, ssk, k2, p1, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, p1, k2, k2tog, k4. (12 neck stitches, 8 stitches each shoulder)
Row 72: k4, p2, purl in back and front, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, purl in back and front, p2, k4. (14 neck stitches, 8 stitches each shoulder)
Row 73: k4, ssk, knit in front and back, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, knit in front and back, k2tog, k4. (16 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 74: k4, p1, purl in back and front, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, purl in back and front, p1, k4. (18 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 75: Cast off while knitting 7 stitches, move last loop to holder, move a stitch from other side to holder, knit in front and back of next stitch, cast off, knit to end of row casting off and finish off. Leave enough yarn to stitch the shoulder and neck. (20 neck stitches)
Do Not Turn. Move the collar stitches from the holders to the needle.
Working through the back loop of the stitches, k1, (p2, k2) across to last three stitches, p2, k1
Row 76: p1, (k2, p2) across to last three stitches, k2, p1
Row 77: k1, (p2, k2) across to last three stitches, p2, k1
Repeat rows 76 and 77 to complete 14 more rows. On the last row, use a stretchy cast off technique to cast off (an example is http://slipslipknit.com/?page_id=92)
Back:
Cast on 28.
Row 1: k1, p2, (k2, p2) across to last stitch, k1. (28 stitches)
Row 2: p1, k2, (p2, k2) across to last stitch, p1. (28 stitches)
Row 3: k1, p2, (k2, p2) across to last stitch, k1. (28 stitches)
Row 4: p1, k2, (p2, k2) across to last stitch, p1. (28 stitches)
Row 5: k7, p4, mp-1, T3F, T3B, mp-1 p4, k7. (30 stitches)
Row 6: k4, p3, k6, p4, k6, p3, k4. (30 stitches)
Row 7: k7, p6, C4B, p6, k7. (30 stitches)
Row 8: k4, p3, k6, p4, k6, p3, k4. (30 stitches)
Row 9: k7, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k7. (30 stitches)
Row 10: k4, p3, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p3, k4. (30 stitches)
Row 11: k7, p5, k2, p2, k2, p5, k7. (30 stitches)
Row 12: k4, p3, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p3, k4. (30 stitches)
Row 13: k4, ssk, k1, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, k1, k2tog, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 14: k4, p2, k6, p4, k6, p2, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 15: k6, p6, C4B, p6, k6. (28 stitches)
Row 16: k4, p2, k6, p4, k6, p2, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 17: k6, p5, T3B, T3F, p5, k6. (28 stitches)
Row 18: k4, p2, k5, p2, k2, p2, k5, p2, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 19: k6, p4, T3B, p2, T3F, p4, k6. (28 stitches)
Row 20: k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 21: k6, p3, T3B, p4, T3F, p3, k6. (28 stitches)
Row 22: k4, p2, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p2, k4. (28 stitches)
Row 23: k4, ssk, p2, T3B, p6, T3F, p2, k2tog, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 24: k4, p1, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p1, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 25: k5, p2, k2, p8, k2, p2, k5. (26 stitches)
Row 26: k4, p1, k2, p2, k8, p2, k2, p1, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 27: k4, p2tog, p1, T3F, p6, T3B, p1, p2tog, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 28: k7, p2, k6, p2, k7. (24 stitches)
Row 29: k4, p3, T3F, p4, T3B, p3, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 30: k8, p2, k4, p2, k8. (24 stitches)
Row 31: k4, p2tog, p2, T3F, p2, T3B, p2, p2tog, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 32: k8, p2, k2, p2, k8. (22 stitches)
Row 33: k4, p4, T3F, T3B, p4, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 34: k9, p4, k9. (22 stitches)
Row 35: k4, p2tog, p3, C4B, p3, p2tog, k4. (20 stitches)
Row 36: k8, p4, k8. (20 stitches)
Row 37: k4, p3, T3B, T3F, p3, k4. (20 stitches)
Row 38: k7, p2, k2, p2, k7. (20 stitches)
Row 39: k4, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k4. (20 stitches)
Row 40: k7, p2, k2, p2, k7. (20 stitches)
Row 41: k4, p3, T3F, T3B, p3, k4. (20 stitches)
Row 42: k8, p4, k8. (20 stitches)
Row 43: k4, mp1, p4, C4B, p4, mp1, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 44: k9, p4, k9. (22 stitches)
Row 45: k4, p4, T3B, T3F, p4, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 46: k8, p2, k2, p2, k8. (22 stitches)
Row 47: k4, p3, T3B, p2, T3F, p3, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 48: k7, p2, k4, p2, k7. (22 stitches)
Row 49: k4, p2, T3B, p4, T3F, p2, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 50: k6, p2, k6, p2, k6. (22 stitches)
Row 51: k4, p1, T3B, p6, T3F, p1, k4. (22 stitches)
Row 52: k5, p2, k8, p2, k5. (22 stitches)
Row 53: k4, mp1, p1, k2, p8, k2, p1, mp1, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 54: k6, p2, k8, p2, k6. (24 stitches)
Row 55: k4, p2, T3F, p6, T3B, p2, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 56: k7, p2, k6, p2, k7. (24 stitches)
Row 57: k4, p3, T3F, p4, T3B, p3, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 58: k8, p2, k4, p2, k8. (24 stitches)
Row 59: k4, p4, T3F, p2, T3B, p4, k4. (24 stitches)
Row 60: k9, p2, k2, p2, k9. (24 stitches)
Row 61: k4, m1, p5, T3F, T3B, p5, m1, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 62: k4, p1, k6, p4, k6, p1, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 63: k5, p6, C4B, p6, k5. (26 stitches)
Row 64: k4, p1, k6, p4, k6, p1, k4. (26 stitches)
Row 65: k5, p3, p2tog, T3B, T3F, p2tog, p3, k5. (24 stitches)
Row 66: k4, p1, k4, p2, move 2 stitches to holder, p2, k4, p1, k4. (2 neck stitches, 11 stitches each shoulder)
Row 67: k5, p4, k1, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k1, p4, k5. (4 neck stitches, 10 stitches each shoulder)
Row 68: k4, p1, k4, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k4, p1, k4. (6 neck stitches, 9 stitches each shoulder)
Row 69: k5, m1, p3, move a stitch of either side of neck onto holder, p3, m1, k5. (8 neck stitches, 9 stitches each shoulder)
Row 70: k4, p2, k2, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, k2, p2, k4. (10 neck stitches, 8 stitches each shoulder)
Row 71: k6, p1, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, p1, k6. (12 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 72: k4, p1, purl in back and front, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, purl in back and front, p1, k4. (14 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 73: k5, knit in front and back, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, knit in front and back, k5. (16 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 74: k4, p1, purl in back and front, move a stitch on either side of neck onto holder, purl in back and front, p1, k4. (18 neck stitches, 7 stitches each shoulder)
Row 75: Cast off while knitting 7 stitches, move last loop to holder, move a stitch from other side to holder, knit in front and back of next stitch, cast off, knit to end of row casting off and finish off. Leave enough yarn to stitch the shoulder and neck. (20 neck stitches)
Do Not Turn. Move the collar stitches from the holders to the needle.
Working through the back loop of the stitches, k1, (p2, k2) across to last three stitches, p2, k1
Row 76: p1, (k2, p2) across to last three stitches, k2, p1
Row 77: k1, (p2, k2) across to last three stitches, p2, k1
Repeat rows 76 and 77 to complete 14 more rows. On the last row, use a stretchy cast off technique to cast off (an example is http://slipslipknit.com/?page_id=92)
Finishing:
With yarn tail left after shoulder cast offs, stitch front and back shoulders together and up side of neck on both sides. Weave in ends. Attach buttons on sides of back corresponding to button holes on front.
I love how fully this sweater covers the chicken’s breast and yet is narrow between the wings as to not restrict wing movement. It fits snug at the base so there are no worries about the chicken catching it’s foot in the sweater. Perfect for use when molting during the cold, winter season!
Thank you for this pattern! I do not like writing patterns although I am an avid knitter. One of my hens is molting now and I was experimenting with baby tshirts to cover her but she kept getting her foot caught in the front so I was getting ready to design a sweater for her. Thank you for saving me the time! Falcon says thanks too!
Janean
Thank you for your articles and patterns. I am a crafter but do basic knitting. Can you suggest a basic pattern for a chicken jumper that would be easy for me to knit. I would love to have a go. Could I use the cabled pattern and just do moss stitch?
I hope to someday write one that has a more basic pattern instead of the cable, but I don’t know when that will be. So in the mean time, you can absolutely make this one with a moss stitch in the center, or can even just make it with stockinette in the center.
Be sure to use ssk/k2tog or p2tog appropriate to your pattern. Also change the m1 and mp1 stitches appropriate to your pattern. Lastly, I added two stitches throughout the body to compensate for the tightness of the cable stitches. You can eliminate the mp1 stitches on Row 5 and the p2tog stitches on Row 65. Then you will have two less stitches than what I show on Rows 5 to 64.
i am going to make these for three chickens which were rescued from a battery farm, where they had no feathers, didnt know what grass is , for zmas this year
I hope you take this in the spirit of admiration- your chicken is now my profile pic on Facebook. I’m linking to your pattern, in case a friend fancies making sweaters for her birds – thick frost this morning, and it’s late March! I have long wanted to keep hens, but it’s not practical, I’m afraid. Thanks all the same!
Noelle, the hen pictured is actually mine. Her name is Willow… just in case you want a name to attach to your profile pic.
Love the chicken pattern. My sister’s “3 girls” Ben’s will love them for Christmas. Will be anxious to sign up for Mama’s newsletter or blog.
Love it!
Hi, would this work for a large chicken if I knitted it using worsted instead of DK? Thanks for the wonderful free pattern!
I think this is a wonderful way to increase the size. You could also use a bit larger needles as well as the heavier yarn.
I love chickens so I’m looking forward to knitting this.
If I double the number of stitches, do you think this would work for a turkey? A friend just rescued one and she says it’s cold!
I was looking for a pattern for one of my hens that is molting, the weather is cold.