Deramores Farmland Favourites Chick and Duck Knitting

Deramores Farmland Favourites Chick and Duck Knitting Pattern

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern creates two charming farmyard toy animals: a chick and a duck. Designed by Amanda Berry, these soft toys are perfect for beginners looking to develop their skills in toy making. The chick stands at a finished height of 11cm, making these compact, cuddly companions ideal for gifts or nursery decorations. Both toys are constructed using flat knitting techniques on straight needles, with pieces that are subsequently sewn together to create three-dimensional forms.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for crafters with basic experience. The primary method used throughout is flat knitting (working back and forth on straight needles) rather than circular knitting, which simplifies construction for toy makers. Key shaping techniques include:

• Increases using the kfb (knit into front and back) method to expand stitch counts and create rounded body shapes
• Decreases using k2tog (knit two stitches together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) techniques to taper and shape the toy pieces
• Mattress stitch seaming to join knitted pieces together with an invisible, professional finish
• Long tail cast on as the foundation method for beginning pieces
• Stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) as the primary fabric throughout

Stitches Used

The pattern focuses on essential stitches that create a smooth, polished fabric ideal for toy construction:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch used on right-side rows
• Purl (p) – worked on wrong-side rows to create stockinette stitch
• Kfb (knit into front and back) – an increase stitch that adds stitches while maintaining fabric integrity, used to shape the body and head
• K2tog (knit two stitches together) – a right-leaning decrease used to reduce stitches and create tapered sections
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease that provides balanced shaping
• Stockinette stitch (st.st.) – the primary fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows, providing a smooth surface perfect for toy finishing

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK yarn in three coordinating colors, with one 100g skein required in each shade:

• White "Frost" – used for the main body and wings
• Yellow "Citrine" – for accent details
• Red "Ruby" – for finishing touches

DK (double knitting or light worsted weight) yarn is a versatile medium weight that works beautifully for toy projects, offering good stitch definition and durability.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires 4mm straight knitting needles (US size 6) for all pieces. Additional materials include:

• Toy filling for stuffing the completed pieces
• A darning or tapestry needle for sewing seams and finishing
• 2 x 5mm black beads for eyes, along with sewing needle and thread for secure attachment

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of approximately 22 stitches by 28 rows per 10cm x 10cm square when working stockinette stitch on 4mm needles. However, the pattern notes that exact tension is not critical for toy making, allowing for some flexibility. The finished chick measures 11cm in height, creating a perfectly proportioned small toy suitable for young children or as a decorative accent.

Pattern Structure

The chick pattern begins with casting on 9 stitches and uses strategic increases across the first six rows to expand to 33 stitches, creating the rounded body shape. Subsequent rows work in stockinette stitch to build height and dimension. Decreases are then introduced to taper the piece toward completion. Wings are constructed separately with 12 cast-on stitches and feature paired