Finger Knit a Hen Pot Holder and Chick Coaster

Finger knitting is just what it says creating knit stitches on your fingers using only yarn. A cord of knit stitches forms. The same knit cord may be created using a spool with nails/prongs on top and pulling the cord through the middle of the spool. Both techniques are easy and fast. These links show the directions for finger knitting and spool knitting.

Both adults and children enjoy finger knitting. Children will knit a very long length of cord just for the satisfaction of the process. Adults usually want to use the cord in some way. This project is suitable for either children or adults. The hen may become a hot pad for dishes or a teapot and the chick is just right for a coaster. A set of a hen and several chicks would look cute on the table waiting to be used.

Materials:

Skein(s) or scraps of yarn in:

white, yellow, red, orange, black

Scissors

Ruler

Yarn needle

Knitting spool optional

Hen hot pad holder:

Create a 20 inch length of white cord keeping a 20 inch length of yarn at both the beginning and end of the cord to use for sewing the hen body. Thread the yarn needle with one length of the yarn and use it to sew 2/3 of the cord into a circle for the hen's body; secure the yarn by taking a few stitches in place. Thread the other length of yarn and use the same process to form a smaller coil for the hen's head. Secure the head to the body with secure stitches.

Use the black yarn to stitch an eye. Stitch a comb with the red yarn. A beak may be formed with the orange yarn and a few tail feathers with more white yarn.

Chick coaster(s):

Use yellow yarn to create a 12 inch length of cord keeping a 12 inch length of yarn at both the beginning and end of the cord for each chick. Use the same process as described above to create the chick. Use the yarn at each end of the cord to sew a coil for the body and the other end of yarn to sew a smaller coil for the head. Secure the head to the body and add a beak with orange yarn and an eye with the black yarn.

Tip:

The yarn used will determine the quality of the cord produced: a wool blend, craft or bulky yarn will create a thicker cord with more body while an acrylic yarn will create a much thinner cord with less body.