Notes: the base was knitted for 10-1/4” before decreases began; for the base decreases, I ended up marking the centre stitch, then doing slanted 2tog decreases towards it on either side to get the stitch count right.

May 7/17: realized I had enough yarn left over from dad’s zip cardi to finally get around to this project, so I purchased it today! Another version which will use ElleM’s Charted Chicken chart.

May 10/17: c.o. last night, after Miriam left following dinner. She was working on a sweater for her mom, and the bug bit me again.

May 15/17: I’ve been dragging my feet on this one, knowing my gauge is not what the designer intends and thus being uncertain how to proceed. I think I’ve decided to do a provisional c.o. for the part where the body is to join the base, knit up from there, and make/attach the base once I see how the body knits up.

May 16/17: used a 6mm crochet hook to work the provisional c.o., then picked up and knit from the small size, worked the increases and began the chart.

May 19/17: finished the chart last night.

May 26/17: it’s obscene that I’m taking this long to finish this project. I finished up the head and the body over the past couple of days and have begun the base. From there, it should just be a matter of finishing up the various bits-n-bobs.

May 27/17: almost completed the base, but I’m having trouble decreasing down to the suggested stitch count, for some reason. Will need to look at it again, after a decent night’s sleep (should that be forthcoming -- Kara’s been having nightmares again).

May 31/17: been helping Matt and Wally with the Architects’ Microsite since the weekend, so I haven’t had time to chicken.

Jun 1/17: finally sat down and completed the base last night, plus began stuffing the form. Home stretch!

Jun 4/17: just the tail feathers and making up left to get to. Update: finally done!

Dec 11/17: decided to sew the wattle down last night. I prefer the look of it, spread out.