The ROOSTER: Chinese Zodiac Animals #10

Roosters are known to be arrogant and self-assured- hence the term "cocky".    As much as they are boastful, they also tend to be quite honest people.  Besides being social, roosters are very confident and charming.

This is another one of my favourites from this series.  I loved making up all the little parts of the rooster...especially his feet!  Please visit the main pattern page first for more tips and important information.  With worsted yarn and size A hook, the rooster will be approximately 7 inches in circumference.

You will need:

white, yellow and red yarn in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st

# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing)

Begin here:

R1  With white yarn, magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around              (INSERT EYES BETWEEN R7/8, eleven sts apart)
R12  38, DEC (39)
R13  25, DEC, 12 (38)
R14  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)
R15  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R16  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28)        (FILL WITH STUFFING)

R17  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R18  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R19  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R20  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Beak (make one in yellow):

R1  Magic Circle with 4 sts in the loop.

R2  (1, INC) twice around (6)

R3  (2, INC) twice around (8)

R4  (3, INC) twice around (10).

R5  sc around.

R6  (4, INC) twice around (12).

R7  sc around.  Bind off leaving a tail to sew on the centre of the sphere.  You can put some stuffing in there :)

Wattle (make one in red):  

ch 6, slst in 3^rd chain, ch 2, slst in nx st, ch 2, sl st in nx st, sc, ch1, turn and sc back across.  Finish off leaving a tail for attaching under the beak.

Comb (make one in red):  

use a F or G hook, ch 9, sl st in 3^rd chain, ch 3, sl st in nx st, ch3, sl st in nx st, ch3, sl st in nx st, sc, ch1, turn and sc back across.  Finish off leaving a tail for attaching to the top of the head.

Feet (make 2 in yellow): 

ch 7 with yellow yarn.  Starting in 2^nd chain from hook, sl st in next 3 ch. (ch 4, starting in 2^nd ch from hook, sl st in nx 3 ch) 2 times, then continue to sl st along original chain back to start.  Make 2.

Sew on your wattle, comb and both feet.

Nine more days until the new year!  The Dog and Pig are still yet to come!  I can't wait to see some of your creations.  Feel free to post on Facebook or IG (#turtlekeeperdesigns).  If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to comment or post on any of my usual haunts :)