Doreen Speckmann's Norwegian Chicken Pincushion Pattern is the original. I have a mixed up brain when it comes to reading how to do something. I have to see it done. The online videos are a must for me. Usually I'll take a written pattern to my best quilt buddy and say can you figure this out and show me? Here is a little info about how this pincushion got it's start.
http://www.chickenpattern.freewebspace.com/