Turn on your tv and I guarantee that within the first commercial break you chance upon, you will witness at the very least three advertisements that some how relate to the holidays. Now that it’s November, nothing is off limits – Christmas is basically around the corner anyways, right? There is definitely a good deal if planning and crafting to start on for Thanksgiving, but if I try to even conceptualize what may or may not occur in December, I honestly fear that my head just might explode. With all the preparations to be done, I really don’t have time to clean that up, and I kind of doubt that brain goo will make a very attractive home decoration.
I have very poor perception of time, so when I see all these ads for Christmas gifts and such, my stress rises to about 20 points short of a melt down. We are entering my favorite time of year now, but there are many aspects that come with it which must be sorted through before the fun begins. All I can do right now is focus on one thing at a time, and since Thanks giving is indisputably fair game now, I think the time is ripe for us to talk turkey.
But of course I’m going to have a turkey at the dinner table! It’s his day after all, he should be the guest of honor! I’m sure we can both agree to have a tofurkey on the table as well. I have a feeling that my family won’t entirely agree with this proposal, but this year I’m putting my foot down. If there is any sort of dead animal present at dinner, I will not be. This is the time to be grateful for life, so I can’t possibly see how sacrificing another helpless turkey will really be the appropriate way in which to celebrate. I know tradition is very prevalent in the reasoning behind this approach, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s murder. This proclamation may just leave me out in the cold this year, but I know that I won’t be completely alone – My [acrylic] feathered friend over there plans to stick around for a while, especially during this dangerous time.
Now you can invite a turkey to your own veggie feast, how ever you choose to mark the occasion! They really do make wonderful, gracious guests, and you can rest assured that they will fully appreciate your decision to have a cruelty-free holiday. Just ask everyone you invite if they’d really want to eat a cute little turkey like him, and maybe you might change a few minds.
Head and Body:
Using an F hook and dark brown worsted weight, sc 5 into a circle
Sc twice into each stitch
Sc1, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc2, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc3, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc even for 4 rounds
Sc3, sc 2tog* around
Sc2, sc 2tog* around
-Insert eyes-
Sc even for 1 round
Sc2, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc even for 1 rounds
Sc3, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc even for 1 rounds
Sc4, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc even for 5 rounds
Sc4, sc 2tog* around
Sc3, sc 2tog* around
Sc2, sc 2tog* around
Sc1, sc 2tog* around
Sc 2tog* around
Break yarn, stuff, and secure bottom
Wing (Make 2)
With the same colored yarn as the body, ch 6
In second ch from hook, sc 1
Sc 1 into next ch
Dc 1 into each of the next 2 ch
Into final ch, tc 6 times
Dc into back of 2 sc
Sc once more into next stitch
Beak
In yellow yarn, sc3 into a circle
Sc2 into 1 stitch, 2 sc, 2 sc into 1 stitch (5)
Sc2, sc 2 into 1 stitch, 2 sc (6)
Beak yarn, leaving a couple inches to sew with
For the snood, simply ch 4 in red and attach
Tail
Beginning with the same dark brown yarn, sc 5 into a circle
Sc twice in each stitch
Sc1, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc2, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc3, sc twice into next stitch* around
-Switch to rust-colored yarn-
Sc4, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc5, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc6, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc7, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc8, sc twice into next stitch* around
-Switch to red yarn-
Sc9, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc10, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc5, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc6, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sc7, sc twice into next stitch* around
-Switch to orange yarn-
Sc8, sc twice into next stitch* around
Sk1, tc 5 into next stitch, sk1, sl st (Half way around, or 12 x)
Break yarn, leaving a very long tail
To assemble: Determine proper placement and sew both wings to the sides, and the beak between the two safety eyes. The only semi-challenging part is the tail, which is to be folded in half so that all of the scalloped edge is in front. Sew the two sides together so that the second to last row matches up on both pieces and the scallops protrude. Sew to the back using matching yarn. Bury in ends and start preparing for Thanksgiving!