Why Is Everybody Knitting Emotional Support Chickens?

Are we witnessing the rise of yet another viral internet trend? Since the debut of the knitting pattern for the now-famous “Emotional Support Chicken” on Ravelry in 2023, close to 11,000 users have proudly shared photos of their handcrafted poultry creations on the platform. The quirky pattern, designed by Annette Corsino at The Knitting Tree, a fiber arts shop in Los Angeles, was conceived as a humorous twist on emotional support animals, offering all the comfort with none of the regulations, responsibilities, or feeding schedules.

Corsino’s design quickly struck a chord with the crafting community and beyond, giving rise to a full-blown movement. Makers affectionately name their chickens with pun-laden monikers like Hen Solo, Eggward Norton, Hennifer Lopez and Lindsey LoHEN, echoing the playful spirit of backyard chicken owners.

The popularity of the pattern has translated into impressive sales: The Knitting Tree for Emotional Support Chicken store has sold more than 25,000 copies of the pattern and over 3,000 complete kits (everything included except needles and stuffing). Clearly, this is more than just a passing phase—and certainly more than chicken feed.