Grant’s Chicken Hat is done and ready to be shipped out.

When I first saw a picture of this I knew I had to make it for Grant. I think he’ll love it.

He’s a big guy so this hat is tailored to his head. He came to visit this past summer and I took several head measurements. Shaping the top was a pain and took me at least five times to get right.

Lots of knitters on Ravelry commented about the chicken legs being difficult to make. Lighted Window’s revision was recommended and I followed her directions for the legs. I stuffed them with some stuffing from my stash. The claws are I-cord.

I made braided ties for the closure.

This hat was not fun to knit. There was lots of cursing and two rounds of time out. But the end product is hilarious and makes the process worth it.

Pattern: Chicken Viking Hat
Source: Aloha Media, Lighted Window
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish DK, 1.5 skeins of Nutmeg, 1 skein of Persimmon Heather, both superwash
Needles: 4.0 mm
Size: custom
Modifications: several, see above
Started: November 2009
Finished: December 2009