Yarn
Worsted weight yarn – I used Cascade 220 100% Wool in Color #8400 (medium gray) (75 grams / 165 yards) for the head, body, wings, and tail. Vanna’s Choice in Cream for the eye circles and stitching on the belly (6 grams / 10.5 yards), and Vanna’s Choice in Gold for the beak and feet (5 grams / 8.5 yards)
Needle
Size H/8 (5mm) hook
Notions
Polyester stuffing
Locking stitch marker
Scissors
Tapestry needle
One pair 18 mm black safety eyes (can be found in various shops on etsy.com, freshstitches.com, or suncatchereyes.net) NOTE: these are NOT safe for children under 3. Instructions are provided at the end of this pattern for making crocheted eyes, or you can just embroider the eyes.
Finished Size
About 12” tall
Abbreviations
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st: slip stitch
Owl
This pattern doesn’t specify gauge. Just use a hook size appropriate for your
yarn and make sure your stuffing doesn’t show through.
Make all stitches into the back loop! {see our tutorial} This creates ridges on the right side of your work that are useful for counting rows and for attaching limbs. Of course, you can crochet through both loops if you prefer and he will still look cute! J
Start your work with either a magic loop or a sloppy slip knot to avoid having a hole in your animal’s head. I use the sloppy slip knot, so to do this you just lay your yarn over your hook, then twist your hook once to create a twist in the yarn. I pinch the twist with two fingers while I chain 2 and then crochet rnd 1, then you just have to pull the tail of the yarn tight to close the hole.
Fasten off with a long tail so you have enough yarn to attach your limbs! I leave 6-9 inches of yarn.
Head (using gray)
Ch 25 + 1 (total 26 chains)
Rnd 1: Starting with 2nd ch from the hook, sc once in next 24 chs. Sc 3 times in the next ch, turn to other side of chain and sc in the next 24 chs, then sc 2 times in the last chain. Sl st to the first sc to form a rnd, chain 1. (total 53 sc sts) (Slip stitch in the first 2 rnds is to prevent twisting in the ears from working in a continuous spiral)
Rnd 2: Sc in each st, then sl st to first sc, ch 1. (total 53 sts)
Rnd 3: Sc in next 25 sts, sc twice in next st, sc in next 25 sts, sc twice in the last st. DO NOT SLIP STITCH. PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. (total 54 sts)
**With rnd 4 and all rnds going forward, DO NOT SLIP STITCH at the end of the rnd, work in continuous spirals unless instructed otherwise.**
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 8 sts, sc twice in next st*, repeat between *’s 5 more times. (total 60 sts), move marker.
Rnds 5 – 17 (13 rnds): Sc in each st (total 60 sts), move marker.
Rnd 18: *Sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog*, repeat between *’s 5 more times. (total 54 sts), move marker.
Rnd 19: *Sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog*, repeat between *’s 5 more times (total 48 sts), move marker.
Rnd 20: *Sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog*, repeat between *’s 5 more times (total 42 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a very long tail. Weave tail through stitches on the inside of the head, until you reach one of the top corners. Pinch the corner to form ear (see photo) and sew a few stitches to secure, at about rnd 4. Weave remaining tail over to 2nd corner and repeat for 2nd ear. Weave in the remaining tail.
Body (in gray)
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts). PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc in each st (6)
Rnd 3: Sc twice in each st (12)
Rnd 4: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 5 more times (18)
Rnd 5: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 2 sts; repeat 5 more times (24)
Rnd 6: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 3 sts; repeat 5 more times (30)
Rnd 7: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 4 sts; repeat 5 more times (36)
Rnd 8: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 5 sts; repeat 5 more times (42)
Rnd 9: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 6 sts; repeat 5 more times (48)
Rnd 10: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 7 sts; repeat 5 more times (54)
Rnd 11: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 8 sts; repeat 5 more times (60)
Rnd 12: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 9 sts; repeat 5 more times (66)
Rnd 13: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 10 sts; repeat 5 more times (72)
Rnds 14 – 23 (10 rnds): Sc in each st (72)
Rnd 24: Sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts; repeat 5 more times (66)
Rnd 25: Sc2tog, sc in next 9 sts; repeat 5 more times (60)
Rnd 26: Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts; repeat 5 more times (54)
Rnd 27: Sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts; repeat 5 more times (48)
Rnd 28: Sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts; repeat 5 more times (42)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Using cream yarn, secure a length of yarn to the inside of the body and thread tapestry needle. Bring needle to right side of body and use to sew small “v’s” or
“x’s” to indicate feathers on belly. Secure in a knot on inside of body when finished.
Set aside for now.
Wings (Make 2, using gray)
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts). PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc in each st (6)
Rnd 3: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 2 more times (9)
Rnd 4: Sc in each st (9)
Rnd 5: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 2 sts; repeat 2 more times (12)
Rnd 6: Sc in each st (12)
Rnd 7: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 5 more times (18)
Rnds 8 – 11 (4 rnds): Sc in each st (18)
Rnd 12: Sc2tog, sc in next st; repeat 5 more times (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Flatten wings (do not stuff) and attach to each side of body at a diagonal (higher in the back), at about rnds 5 – 9 of body, counting down from the neck.
Tail (made up of 3 “feathers”, using gray)
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6) . PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 2 more times (9)
Rnds 3 – 5 (3 rnds): Sc in each st (9)
Fasten off here for first 2 “feathers”, stay connected for 3rd “feather”:
Rnd 4 (connecting all the “feathers”): Sc in next 4 sts, Sc in next 4 sts on 2nd “feather”, sc in next 9 sts on 3rd “feather” (go all the way around), sc in next 5 on 2nd “feather”, sc in next 5 on 1st “feather”. Pause here and thread ends of 2nd & 3rd feathers onto tapestry needle and use to sew holes together between the pieces.
Rnd 5: Sc in each st (27)
Rnd 6: Sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts (24)
Rnd 7: Sc in each st (24)
Rnd 8: Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; repeat 5 more times (18)
Rnd 9: Sc2tog, sc in next st; repeat 5 more times (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Stuff lightly, sew flat to lower back of body at about rnd 11, counting up from the bottom.
Eye Circles (make 2, with cream)
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts) . PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc twice in each st (12)
Rnd 3: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 5 more times (18)
Rnd 4: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next 2 sts; repeat 5 more times (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Sew flat onto front of head at about rnds 7 – 15, counting down from top of head, leaving about 2 sts between eye circles. If using plastic safety eyes, insert into middle of each eye circle and through head, attach washer to secure.
(NOTE: these are NOT safe for children under 3. Instructions are provided at the end of this pattern for making crocheted eyes for younger children, or you can just embroider the eyes.)
Beak (using gold):
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts). PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc twice in the next st, sc in next st; repeat 2 more times (9)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st (9)
Fasten off.
Stuff very lightly, sew onto front of face between eyes and about 4 rnds up from bottom of head.
Feet (Make 2, using gold)
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts). PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Rnd 2: Sc twice in each st (12)
Rnds 3 – 4 (2 rnds): Sc in each st (12)
Rnd 5: Sc2tog, repeat 5 more times (6)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Stuff lightly and attach at bottom front of body, at about rnds 9 – 11, counting up from bottom. Leave about 12 sts between feet.
Assembly (specific directions included in each section above)
Form ears as stated in Head directions.
Attach eye circles and safety eyes to head, if using.
Attach beak to head.
Stuff head.
Attach wings to body.
Embroider on belly, if desired.
Attach feet to body.
Attach tail to body.
Stuff body.
Sew head and body together.
Optional Baby-safe eyes
Using black, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts). PM in last sc st to denote end of rnd. Work in continuous spirals just like you did for the head.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
You’re done!
About the Designer: Shauna Jared
About the Designer: Shauna JaredShauna Jared lives in Middle Tennessee with her husband and five-year-old son. She has been knitting since 2009; she learned to crochet a few years later. Besides knitting and crocheting, she also enjoys drawing, painting with watercolors, reading, collecting vintage Pyrex, and spending time with her family. You can find Shauna on Ravelry.com where she has several patterns available. She is on Instagram as shaunajared75 and would love to see your finished objects using her patterns! Please feel free to tag her and use the hashtag #shaunajareddesigns.
On the body, why do you have rnd 2 as SC on each st? It leaves a big bump! Is there a reason for the bump? Please respond to this and my previous questions! Thanks!
In rnd 3, you sc for 25 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch, 25 sc, 2 sc in last. Are you skipping the next to last stitch? Also what does PM in last stitch to denote end of round mean?
Hey!
This pattern was published about 3 years ago, and the designer isn’t active so we’ll need to work this out together. A few thoughts:
– I do agree with your comment because I also get that there would be one stitch left over.
– I would do something to make that row one less – it could be skipping that last stitch. It could be working a sc2tog about 1/4 before or after an ear.
– About your other question – every row is a SC in BLO. I just want to make sure you read the note that every SC is worked in BLO.
– PM means Place Marker
BTW, Knotions is a magazine run by a single person. Given that, we don’t normally work weekends, and given that this pattern was several years ago, I had to really dig back in my personal archives to be able to talk about it.
Thank you!
you’re welcome!
By the way, in the body, she has you SC evenly around. That causes a bump!! Is there a reason for the bump? Like to attach the tail or feet? I don’t understand why it isn’t an increase row so it will lay flat!
you’re making the head so this should dip down a bit because it’s the top of the head.
I’m confused by the start for the head. How do you end up with 53 stitches? I just recently started crocheting and confused by that part.
You’re crocheting by winding around both sides.
The 53 sts break down like this:
24 (first side)
3 (last st on this side – you’re increasing in it to create the curve)
24 (second side)
2 (final st – but you sc in it twice)
Does that help?
Yes that does help, thank you! And once I connect it together with the first slip stitch, do i continue turning it?
Awesome! Glad it was helpful 🙂
You actually just keep working round and round. That’s what this means “(Slip stitch in the first 2 rnds is to prevent twisting in the ears from working in a continuous spiral)”.
You’ll often see reference to a “continuous spiral” in crochet and that’s what it means – just keep working around in the one direction.
She also has you place a marker a couple rounds from then, and she also tells you to move it at the end of each round. The marker is there so you know where the round ends and a new one starts. This is another common technique when working in a continuous spiral.
The pattern says to start woth a magic ring, then it says chain 25. I guess I am confused. I am starting with the head. Could you explain? Thanks for your help!
It’s been quite a while since I’ve looked at that pattern, but you do not work a magic loop for the head.
Knitting explanations needed…..I started Ollie Owl by Shauna Jared and I have 2 questions…when you make the body and head, are they each top down or bottom up??
2. On beginning of head is there an error in step one? You crochet a chain, then make sc all along it and then down the other side of chain. Then you join it to make a circle…but it does not make a circle…Please help…thanks a lot…Knitting with love.
Hi J! The body is crocheted bottom up and the head is crocheted top down. So essentially, you’re connecting both of the open ends when you sew them together at the neck.
Also on the head, you’re crocheting a chain, then sc’ing in each stitch and along the bottom and connecting it, so you’re crocheting in more of a long oval in order to make the top of the head/ears. I hope that makes sense! Please let me know if you have more questions! 🙂