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​Enjoy the Journey: A Knitter's Tale of Chickens and Joy

In my last blog post, I talked about the importance of gauge—this time- I am all about enjoying the journey! Sometimes, we get so focused on the finish line, we forget that the process is just as important. One of my recent projects perfectly embodies this idea: the Emotional Support Chicken.

It all started earlier this year when I stumbled across this quirky pattern. Then, while reorganizing my yarn stash, I found a gift of yarn that seemed destined to be a chicken. With a little more digging, I gathered all the contrasting colors I needed and was ready to cast on.

There’s something magical about the beginning of a new project: reading through a new pattern, finding an empty project bag, gathering notions, and winding the yarn. It’s a ritual that, for me, is as exciting as the finished project itself. On the first day of a new project, I often end up knitting late into the night, and this chicken was no exception! I finished that first one faster than I expected—because when you’re having fun, time flies.

The pattern itself is a little quirky. It uses "Steps" instead of "Rows" (something I hadn’t encountered before), and after joining the two tail pieces, the rest of the chicken is shaped with a wrap-and-turn method. But don’t let that intimidate you. The garter stitch fabric makes picking up wraps unnecessary, so the shaping is easy, even if you’ve never used this technique before.

As each section came together, I couldn’t help but feel that satisfying momentum. The head started taking shape, the beak was added, and suddenly, it looked like a chicken. Then came the eyes—and I’ll admit, I couldn’t contain my joy. I laughed out loud, purely because of how adorable it had become.

The joy didn’t stop there. After knitting the base, waddle, and crown, I sewed everything together and added the stuffing. The result? An emotional support chicken, ready for all the love and squeezes in the world—a reminder that, sometimes, the comfort we need is soft, squishy, and handmade.

Inspired by how much fun I was having, I made a second chicken as a shop sample. Then I decided to make one for each of my siblings. By the time you read this, I’ll be on my fifth chicken, with just one more to go before Christmas. I’m loving the process—especially choosing the yarn colors. Malabrigo Rios has been a dream for this project, with so many beautiful shades to choose from.

As I near the end of this chicken-making adventure, I’m reminded that the journey—whether through knitting or life—is what truly makes the experience meaningful. Sure, we all want to finish our projects, but isn’t the joy of creating, learning, and laughing along the way what really matters?

Knit Artfully,
Jennifer

Favorite yarn in the shop right now: Definitely Malabrigo Rios, the color options are endless, and the yarn is such a joy to knit with.

Favorite un-yarn: Any empty project bag, there are so many options in the shop right now.

Outside the shop: I’m finally getting a chance to visit my daughters overseas. We’ll be gathering in Paris, France, to ring in the new year, and then heading south to Granada, Spain, to see the Alhambra. I’ll attempt to take photos of the sights, but truth is, I'm a much better knitter than photographer.

This is asked of me time and time again. I think a better question would be, Why does sock knitting bring you joy? Let me tell you my personal reasons.

To begin with, socks are very portable so I can have knitting with me at all times. Not only does this keep projects moving along, but when I am knitting it calms me. (Crochet can be substituted for knitting if that suits you!) I am not good at meditation. If I am thinking k2, p2 I feel I can get to the same spot.

Socks are small so I feel accomplished every time I finish a pair or even just a sock. Of course you must do the second sock!!

As a sock knitter, I can custom fit each sock to the person I am making it for. Which heel works best, or do I need to make a special toe? And- the length of the sock is perfect. Love that negative ease! Also, the length of the leg can be made to the preference of the recipient.

I learn so many techniques while knitting socks. Everything you learn while knitting a sock can be used in the making of a sweater, shawl, cowl, etc. If you make a mistake, you only have to rip out a bit. So less tears! This also keeps your interest up. Do you like lace work? There is a sock for that! Do you like stranded knitting? There is a sock for that! You name it and a pattern can be found or created.

But, the very best part is the joy it brings to the people you give the socks to. I know they are not just being kind because I always get requests for more socks!

So are sock knitters the happiest people you know? Well maybe not all, but probably most! Just drop by a sock social sometime and see if that’s not true!

-Randi
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Favorite yarn in the shop right now: 
Spun Right Sock Yarn- Trunk show this Saturday December 7
Favorite “Unyarn”: Sock Ruler
Outside of the shop: I love to play pinball. Interested? I can tell you the best places to go!