Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Hen Sweater

I have quite a flock of free-range chickens on my farm- probably around 75 or so. My main breeds are Delaware, Rhode Island Whites, Cochins, and Buff Brahmas. I also have some Barred Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. One of the problems with having roosters, (other than when the crow right outside the bedroom window) is that the hens they have chosen as their favorites, become bald along their backs. Some even end up with sores and with the upcoming winter, I have been concerned about them getting cold. So after a little research, I found the Little Hen Rescue's site, with patterns for hen sweaters out of fleece and knitting: http://littlehenrescue.co.uk/jumpers.aspx. Personally I prefer crochet, since I can complete projects quickly and I needed to make several sweaters. So I came up with a crochet pattern myself and have already made 4 hen sweaters. The hens get used to wearing clothing surprisingly quickly, and I hope this saves their backs and maybe they can regrow their feathers. I am posting my pattern if anyone has the same problem, just wants to put a sweater on their hen, or wants to make some to donate to the Little Hen Rescue.



Hen Sweater

Yarn: worsted weight
Hook: H/8 or size needed for gauge
Gauge: 14 sts = 4 1/8”. 12 rows = 4”.


Ch 29 loosely, leaving an 18 inch tail.
1) Sc in second chain from hook and in each chain across. Ch 1, turn. (28 sc)
2-4) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
5) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (26 sc)
6-8) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
9) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (24 sc)
10-12) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
13) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (22 sc)
14-16) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
17) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (20 sc)
18-20) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
21) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (18 sc)
22-24) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
25) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (16 sc)
26-28) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
29) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (14 sc)
30-32) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
33) Dec sc in first two sc, sc across to last 2 sc, dec sc. Ch 1, turn. (12 sc)
34-35) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
36) Sc in each sc across. Ch 4, turn. Ch 4 counts as first treble crochet.
37) Tr in second and third sc. Sl st around post of last tr made. Sl st in next 7 sc. Ch 4, tr in last 2 sc. Ch 4, turn.
38) Tr in second and third tr. Ch 6. Tr in last three tr. Ch 1, turn.
39) Sc in each tr and chain across. Ch 1, turn. (12 sc)
40-41) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
42) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (14 sc)
43-45) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
46) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (16 sc)
47-49) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
50) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (18 sc)
51-53) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
54) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (20 sc)
55-57) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
58) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (22 sc)
59-61) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
62) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (24 sc)
63-65) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
66) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (26 sc)
67-69) Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
70) Sc twice in first sc. Sc across to last stitch. Sc twice in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (28 sc)
71-74) Sc in each sc across. Cut yarn, leaving 18 inch tail.

Finishing: Fold in half, matching sides. Using yarn tails, stitch up the sides at the bottom about 3 inches, leaving the rest of the sides open for the wings. Weave in ends.