Introduction: Ernie and Enid - a Love Story

That's Ernie there on the left. Ernie's a handsome fellow; shy and quiet but a bit lonely. Enid's there on the right. She's a beautiful gal; sure of herself, independent and was also a bit lonely.

Their eyes should meet one day in church with the sun shining brightly through the stained glass behind Enid. For the romantics out there like myself lets just say it was love at first sight and a whirlwind courtship was followed by "I do's". Well fast forward and the happy couple are now expecting... and that's where we pick the story up (pun fully intended!).

Step 1: Gather Supplies - and Don't for Get to S-T-R-E-T-C-H

This Instructable is for Ernie and Enid's new arrival. The original pattern for Ernie and Enid is by Janice Anderson of Rowan and can be found here. I have adapted her pattern here to create baby.

For the little one you will need the following:

  • Yarn - I've used Grace by Paton's. I love the choice of vivid colours that are available and the ample yardage means you can make many love stories and families suited to you and yours. The inspiration for adapting this was when friend of ours had here 5th baby and I was stumped as to a shower gift... that's when I thought I'll make a chicken to represent each of her kids (remember, that's 5!!!) and she and her husband.
  • Knitting needles - 2.75mm. The needle size from original pattern was adjusted for the Grace yarn and for the size of the baby chicks to make them proportionately smaller.
  • Crochet hook - 2.50mm
  • Stuffing and Popping Corn/Dry Beans
  • Glass Beads - Black
  • Darning Needle
  • Sewing Needle
  • Black Thread
  • Scissors

To complete this project you will need to have a reasonable understanding of the basics of knitting and crochet; the following are the stitches used in this project:

Knitting

  • Cast on
  • Cast off
  • Knit
  • Purl
  • Knit 2 together
  • Slip one
  • Pass over
  • Mattress stitch (for sewing new arrival together)

Crochet

  • Chain stitch
  • Slip stitch

Step 2: Knitting the New Arrival - the Body

The Body

1. Using 2.25mm needles and Grace yarn in your colour choice cast on 25 stitches

Row 1: Knit one row

Row 2: Purl one row

Row 3: Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 2 (21 stitches)

Row 4: Purl one row

Row 5: Knit one row

Row 6: Purl one row

Row 7: Knit 2 , knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 2 (17 stitches)

Row 8: Knit one row

Row 9: Purl one row

Row 10: Knit one row

Row 11: Knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 1 (13 stitches)

Row 12: Purl one row

Row 13: Knit one row

Row 14: Purl one row

Row 15: Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 2 (11 stitches)

Row 16: Purl one row

Row 17: Knit one row

Row 18: Purl one row

Row 19: Knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 1 (9 stitches)

Row 20: Purl one row

Row 21: Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 2 (7 stitches)

2. Keeping stitches on needle, cut yarn leaving an 8" tail which you will use to cinch up top and sew body together and attach bottom.

3. Thread tail through 7 stitches on needle and cinch up snuggly.

Step 3: Knitting the New Arrival - the Bottom

The Bottom

1. Using 2.25mm needles and Grace yarn in the same colour as body, cast on 10 stitches

Row 1: Knit one row

Row 2: Purl one row

Row 3: Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 2 (8 stitches)

Row 4: Purl one row

Row 5: Knit one row

Row 6: Purl one row

Row 7: Knit 1, knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 1 (6 stitches)

Row 8: Purl one row

Row 9: Knit one row

Row 10: Purl one row

Row 11: Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 2 (5 stitches)

Row 12: Purl one row

Row 13: Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together (3 stitches)

2. Bind off stiches purl-wise

Step 4: Sewing Up

Sewing Up the New Arrival

1. Sewing bottom to body - starting at the cast on edge of the bottom and using mattress stitch sew bottom to the centre of the body. Now sew left and right sides of bottom to left and right sides of body.

2. Continue with mattress stitch and sew 3cm up back seam. Leave remaining yarn to finish sewing up after the new arrival has been stuffed.


Step 5: Stuffing, Corn and Beans - Nope, Not a Recipie

Stuffing

1. Using popcorn kernels or dried beans, fill the bottom 1cm of new arrival. If you prefer, you can omit this part as the new arrival is pretty small; keep in mind that without the weight of beans or corn the baby will be harder to pose like his folks...

2. Using toy stuffing stuff the remainder of the little fella.

3. Continue to sew up the rest of the way up the back of the body.

Step 6: Beak and Eyes

Beak

1. Using 2.25mm needles and Grace yarn in a contrast colour of your choice, cast on 4 stitches

Row 1: Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1

Row 2: Cast off 1 stitch, purl 1, knit 1

Row 3: Cast off 1 stitch, knit 1

Row 4: Cast off 1 stitch

2. Pull yarn through last stitch, and with darning needle weave yarn down to cast on edge

3. Attach beak to front, secure by putting yarn through body (and through stuffing as before) and come out at tail area, pulling snug and trimming close to body.

Eyes

1. With black thread and sewing or beading needle, sew black beads above beak....

Step 7: Legs

Legs
1. Using 2.5mm crochet hook and same colour of Grace yarn as used for beak (or colour of your choice);

  • Chain 5 Slip stitch into beginning chain (first toe)
  • Chain 4 Slip stitch into beginning chain (second toe)
  • Chain 4 Slip stitch into beginning chain (third toe)
  • Chain 35

2. Thread darning needle with the end of the leg being careful not to loose last stitch (leave a large loop)

3. Pull leg through front of the body, ensuring it goes through stuffing (this will help hide yarn going through body)

4. Create 3 more toes on this end of this leg

  • Slip stitch into 4th chain from stitch on crochet hook (first toe)
  • Chain 4 Slip stitch into same stitch as first toe (second toe)
  • Chain 4 Slip stitch into same stich as first toe (third toe)
  • Pull yarn through last stitch to secure

5. Tie knots in legs to create knees

Step 8: Comb

Comb
1. Using 2.5mm crochet hook and Grace yarn in the colour of your choice;

  1. Chain 8, cut yarn leaving a 5" tail
  2. Thread darning needle with yarn from both ends of chain
  3. Attach comb by pulling yarn through knitted stitch
  4. Secure comb by pulling yarn through loop of comb and down through body (through stuffing as before) and come out a tail area, pulling snug and trimming close to body

Step 9: Tail Feathers

Tail
1. Using 2.5mm crochet hook and Grace yarn in the colour of your choice and like comb;

  • Chain 8 for one tail feather, cut yarn leaving 5" tail
  • Chain 10 for second tail feather, cut yarn leaving 5" tail
  • Thread darning needle with yarn from both ends of chain
  • Secure each feather as you did for the comb, pulling yarn out through body (and stuffing) pulling snug and trimming close to body

Step 10: Introducing Baby Eunice