Pocket Emotional Support Chickens

There is something wonderfully sweet about these little Pocket Emotional Support Chickens. They are tiny, soft, slightly silly in the best possible way, and exactly the sort of handmade project that makes people smile before they have even finished reading the pattern.

This free knitting pattern is perfect for anyone who loves small comfort makes, quick gift projects, or quirky little knits with personality. Each chicken is small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, making them ideal as pocket companions, desk buddies, care-package gifts, or thoughtful little “thinking of you” presents for friends and family.

I especially love the idea behind this project. Not every handmade gift needs to be large or complicated to feel meaningful. Sometimes a tiny knitted chicken, made with love and tucked into someone’s bag, coat pocket, or bedside table, can be just the thing to brighten a difficult day. These little comfort chicks have that lovely handmade charm that feels personal without being overly sentimental.

The finished chickens have a simple rounded shape, cute beaks, tiny combs, and bead-like eyes, giving them just enough detail to feel full of character. They would be adorable knitted in natural chicken colours like cream, brown, grey, and speckled yarns, but you could also have fun with bright scraps, variegated yarn, or leftover wool from other projects. This is a great stash-busting project, especially if you have small amounts of yarn you do not want to waste.

Because they are small, they would also make a lovely charity knitting idea, a craft market item, a classroom reward, or a sweet addition to handmade gift baskets. You could knit a whole flock and package them with a little note that says “Pocket Emotional Support Chicken” for extra charm.

Overall, this is a delightful free knitting pattern for anyone who enjoys quick, comforting, personality-filled projects. It is cute, giftable, inexpensive to make, and full of handmade heart. Whether you knit one chicken or an entire flock, these adorable little comfort chicks are sure to bring a smile.

Explaining Dia de Los Muertos to kids can be difficult because most of us don’t generally talk about death or what happens when we die a lot with our kids. But Dia de los Muertos is actually a happy, not scary occasion that allows us to remember loved ones, share stories and come together as a community.

While it is mostly celebrated by people of Mexican heritage, the day has become more well known thanks to movies and other media representations. And there are some great children’s books to help explain and allow you to celebrate the holiday if you want.

Dia de Muertos by Jaque Jours, illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (48 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by words & pictures, suggested retail price $14.99) tells the story of a family getting their ofrenda (altar for the dead) ready and how they remember people who have died through decorations, food and sharing stories.

It covers the classic decorations and rituals of Dia de los Muertos including using cempasúchil (in English we call them marigolds) and papel picado (cut paper banners), pan de muerto and la catrina, the elaborately dressed, skull faced women that are a common site at Dia de los Muertos gatherings.

The back of the book explores how the day is celebrated throughout Mexico as well as the meanings of different symbols. There’s a recipe for pan de muerto, a tutorial for making papel picado and tips for doing makeup to look like like la catrina/el catrin.

Want to try more traditional foods? The Dia de Los Muertos Cookbook is a companion to The Dia de Los Muertos Story, both of which are by Andrea Jáuregui de la Torre and illustrated by Laura González (52 pages, hardcover paper over boards, published 2026 by becker & meyer kids!, suggested retail price $19.99).

The book opens with some discussion of the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and why food is an important part of the day. The recipes included are easy enough for kids to make with minimal help, and all based on food memories from her childhood.

There are recipes for hibiscus iced tea, Mexican corn and salsa, tortillas, molletes (open faced sandwiches with beans and cheese), jicama fries and sugar skulls to name a few.

Other activities in the book include papel picado, coffee filter marigolds, making your own playlist and making an ofrenda.

Together these books give young readers insight into this holiday that might be new or confusing to them, while also giving you a chance to get in the kitchen together and make your own Dia de los Muertos memories.

Have you read?