Crocheted Barn Owl

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• Step 1

  Method
  The head and body of the barn owl are worked in continuous rounds and rows of double crochet. An opening is created at the base of the body to insert the legs. The end of the body is joined by slip stitching into the back loops of the stitches from each side at the same time, forming a straight edge. The front loops of the stitches are crocheted into to begin the tail, which is worked in rows of double crochet. The wings are worked in rows of double crochet, half treble and treble stitches. The facial disc is also crocheted in rows of various stitches. The majority of stitches are increased to produce a curl in the fabric. The first few stitches from each side are joined, forming the front shaping of the face. The beak is crocheted in rounds and then folded to form a semi-circle. The stitches from each side are slip stitched together with a small amount of stuffing added before closing. The facial disc is sewn to the head and the beak is stitched in place underneath the front shaping. The eyes are sewn onto the face. The legs are made of craft wire wrapped in yarn and bent into shape. The feather markings are embroidered onto the surface of the head and wings. The owl’s eggs are worked in continuous rounds and stuffed.

  1 ch at beg of the row/round does not count as a st throughout.

• 

  Step 2

  Body
  Head
  Starting at the top of the head, with 2.75mm hook and A, make a magic loop (see page 145).
  Round 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop (6 sts).
  Round 2 (inc): (Dc2inc) 6 times (12 sts). Pull tight on short end of yarn to close loop.
  Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times (18 sts).
  Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times (24 sts).
  Round 5 (inc): (Dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times (30 sts).
  Round 6 (inc): (Dc2inc, 4 dc) 6 times (36 sts).
  Round 7 (inc): (Dc2inc, 5 dc) times (42 sts).
  Rounds 8–16: 1 dc in each dc. 
Join B in last dc.

  [Head chart]
  Rounds 1–16

• 

  Step 3

  Breast
  Row 1: With B, work 1 dc in next 6 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 2: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 7 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 3 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 3 dc, (dc2inc) twice,
  1 dc in next 4 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (44 sts).
  Row 4 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 5 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 
1 dc in next 6 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (46 sts).
  Row 5 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 7 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 
1 dc in next 8 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (48 sts).
  Row 6: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 21 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 7 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 10 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 1 dc in next 11 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (50 sts).
  Row 8: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 27 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 9 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 13 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 1 dc in next 14 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (52 sts).
  Row 10: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 33 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 11 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 16 dc, (dc2inc) twice, 1 dc in next 17 dc, sl st in next dc, turn (54 sts).
  Row 12: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 39 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.

  [Breast chart]
  Rows 1–12
  Round 16 of head

  Key
  Magic loop
  Chain (ch)
  Slip stitch (sl st)
  Double crochet (dc)
  dc2inc
  dc2tog
  dc in back loop only
  dc2inc in back loop only
  dc in front loop only
  sl st in back loop only of both stitches at same time to join
  Half treble (htr)
  htr2inc
  Treble (tr)
  tr2inc

  Colour key for shape back, leg opening, shape end of body and tail only
  A
  B
  C

• 

  Step 4

  [Shape back 1 chart]
  Rows 13–28
  Row 12 of breast
  Round 16 of head

• 

  Step 5

  Shape back
  Row 13: 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 
1 dc in next 41 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 14: With A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 42 dc, turn.
  Row 15: With B, work 1 ch, 1 dc in next 42 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 16: As for row 14.
  Rows 17–28: Rep rows 15–16, 6 times.
  Row 29 (dec): With B, make 1 ch, (dc2tog, 6 dc) 5 times, dc2tog; with A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc, sl st to first dc, turn (48 sts).
  Row 30: With A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 36 dc, turn.
  Row 31: With B, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 36 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 12 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 32: As for row 30.
  Row 33 (dec): With B, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 5 dc, (dc2tog, 6 dc) 3 times, dc2tog, 1 dc in next 5 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 1 dc, dc2tog, 1 dc in next 6 dc, dc2tog, 
1 dc in next dc, turn (42 sts).
  Row 34: With A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 32 dc, turn.

  [Shape back 2 chart]
  Rows 29_34
Row 28 of shape back

• 

  Step 6

  [Leg opening chart]
  Rounds 1–2
  Row 34 of shape back

  Leg opening
  The following is worked in rounds.
  Round 1: With B, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 8 dc, 16 ch, skip next 16 dc, 1 dc in next 8 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc.
  Round 2: With B, work 1 dc in next 8 dc, 1 dc in next 16 ch, 1 dc in next 8 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn.

• 

  Step 7

  Shape end of body
  The following is worked in rows.
  Row 1 (WS): With A, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 32 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 2 (RS) (dec): With B, work (dc2tog, 4 dc) 5 times, dc2tog; join C in last dc, 1 dc in next 10 dc with C, turn (36 sts).
  Row 3: With C, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 26 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 4 (dec): With B, work 1 dc in next 2 dc, (dc2tog, 2 dc) 6 times; with A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn (30 sts).
  Row 5: With A, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 20 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 6 (dec): With B, work 1 dc in next dc, (dc2tog, 2 dc) 4 times, dc2tog, 1 dc in next dc; with C, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn (25 sts).
  Row 7: With C, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 15 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 8 (dec): With B, work (dc2tog, 1 dc) 5 times; with A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn (20 sts).
  Row 9: With A, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, sl st in first dc, do 
not turn.

  [Shape end of body chart]
  Rows 1–9
  Round 2 of leg opening

• 

  Step 8

  Join edges
  Next: Flatten the end with WS together and the next dc at the corner of the work. With B, make 1 ch, sl st into back loop only of next 10 sts on both sides at the same time to join, turn so RS of back of owl is facing.

  [Join edges chart]
  Row 9 of shape end of body
  Next

• 

  Step 9

  Tail
  Row 1 (RS): With C, work 1 dc in remaining front loops of next 10 dc of row 9; with B, work 1 dc in front loops of next 10 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 2 (WS): Continuing in both loops of each st; with B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc; with 
C, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn.
  Row 3: With A, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 4: With B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn.
  Row 5: With C, make 1 ch, 1 dc in next 10 dc; with B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, sl st in first dc, turn.
  Row 6: With B, work 1 dc in next 10 dc; with C, work 1 dc in next 10 dc, turn.
  Round 7 (dec): With A, make 1 ch, (dc2tog, 6 dc, dc2tog); with B, work (dc2tog, 6 dc, dc2tog), sl st in first dc, turn (16 sts).
  Row 8: With B, work 1 dc in next 8 dc; with A, work 1 dc in next 8 dc.
  Row 9 (dec): With A, make 1 ch, (dc2tog, 4 dc, dc2tog) twice, sl st in first dc (12 sts).
  Break yarn and thread through the last row, pull up tight to close the opening and fasten off.

  [Tail chart]
  Rows 1–9
  Row 9 of shape end of body

• 

  Step 10

  Left thigh
  With RS of body facing and 2.75mm hook, skip the first 10 dc of the 16 dc of the opening for the legs and rejoin B to the next dc with a sl st.
  Row 1 (RS): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 5 dc, 1 dc in reverse side of next 6 ch, turn (12 sts).
  Row 2 (WS): 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn.
  Rows 3–4: As for row 2.
  Row 5: 1 ch, (dc2tog, 2 dc) 3 times, turn (9 sts).
  Rows 6–8: As for row 2.
  Row 9: 1 ch, (dc2tog, 1 dc) 3 times (6 sts).
  Row 10: As for row 2. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

  [Thighs chart]
  Left thigh
  Right thigh
  Rows 1–10
  16 ch of round 1 of leg opening
  16 dc of row 34 of shape back

  Right thigh
  With RS of body facing and 2.75mm hook, skip the 4 ch by the left leg and rejoin B to the reverse side of the next ch with a sl st.
  Row 1 (RS): 1 dc in same ch as sl st, 1 dc in reverse side of next 5 ch, 1 dc in next 6 dc of opening, turn (12 sts).
  Rows 2–10: As for rows 2–10 of left thigh (6 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at 
the end.

• 

  Step 11

  [Facial disc chart]
  Rows 1–2
Start

  Facial disc
  With 2.75mm hook and B, make 27 ch.
  Row 1 (RS): 1 dc in 2nd chain from hook, 1 dc in next 4 ch, 1 htr in next ch, tr2inc, htr2inc, (dc2inc) twice, 1 htr in next ch, tr2inc, 1 tr in next 2 ch, tr2inc, 1 htr in next ch, (dc2inc) twice, htr2inc, tr2inc, 1 htr in next ch, 1 dc in next 5 ch, turn (36 sts).
  Row 2 (WS) (inc): 1 ch, 1 dc in next 4 sts, (dc2inc) twice, htr2inc, (tr2inc) 22 times, htr2inc, (dc2inc) twice, 1 dc in next 4 sts (64 sts).

• 

  Step 12

  Join centre front of face
  Next: With WS together, make 1 ch, sl st into back loop only of next 10 sts on both sides at the same time to join, turn. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

  [Join centre front of face]
  Next
  Row 2 of facial disc

• 

  Step 13

  Feathered edging
  With RS of facial disc facing and 2.75mm hook, join A with a sl st to the back loop only of the first of the remaining 44 sts.
  Next: 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, (dc2inc, 4 dc) 8 times (52 sts). Fasten off.

  [Feathered edging chart]
  Next
  Row 2 of facial disc

• 

  Step 14

  Wings (make 2)
  With 2.75mm hook and A, make a magic loop.
  Row 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop, turn (6 sts).
  Row 2: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn.
  Row 3 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc) 6 times, turn (12 sts). Pull tight on short end of yarn to close loop.
  Row 4: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn.
  Row 5 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times, turn (18 sts).
  Row 6: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn.
  Row 7 (inc): 1 ch, (dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times, turn (24 sts).
  Row 8: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc, turn.
  Row 9: 1 ch, 1 dc in each dc to last 2 sts, dc2tog (23 sts).
  Row 10 (dec): 1 ch, dc2tog, 1 dc in each dc to end, turn (22 sts).
  Rows 11–14: Rep rows 9–10, twice (18 sts).
  Row 15: 1 ch, 1 dc in next 5 dc, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 16 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next dc, 1 htr in next dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (20 sts).
  Row 17: 1 ch, 1 dc in next 8 sts, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 18 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 4 dc, 1 htr in next dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (22 sts).
  Row 19: 1 ch, 1 dc in next 11 sts, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 20 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 5 dc, 1 htr in next 3 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (24 sts).
  Row 21: 1 ch, 1 dc in next 14 sts, sl st in next dc, turn.
  Row 22 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 6 dc, 1 htr in next 5 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (26 sts).
  Row 23 (inc): 1 ch, dc2inc, 1 dc in next 17 sts, sl st in next dc, turn (27 sts).
  Row 24 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 8 dc, 1 htr in next 8 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (29 sts).
  Row 25 (inc): 1 ch, dc2inc, 1 dc in next 22 sts, sl st in next dc, turn (30 sts).
  Row 26 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 11 dc, 1 htr in next 10 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (32 sts).
  Row 27 (inc): 1 ch, dc2inc, 1 dc in next 27 sts, sl st in next dc, turn (33 sts).
  Row 28 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 15 dc, 1 htr in next 11 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (35 sts).
  Row 29 (inc): 1 ch, dc2inc, 1 dc in next 32 sts, sl st in next dc, turn (36 sts).
  Row 30 (inc): 1 dc in same dc as sl st, 1 dc in next 19 dc, 1 htr in next 12 dc, htr2inc, 1 tr in next dc, tr2inc, turn (38 sts).
  Row 31 (inc): 1 ch, dc2inc, 1 dc in next 36 sts, sl st in next dc (39 sts).
  Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

  [Wing 1 chart]
  Rows 1–14

• 

  Step 15

  [Wing 2 chart]
  Rows 15–31
  Rows 14 of wing

• 

  Step 16

  Beak
  With 1.75mm hook and D, make a magic loop.
  Rounds 1–3: Follow the instructions and chart for rounds 1–3 of Head on page 118 (18 sts).

  [Beak chart]
  Join centre front of beak
Next

  Join centre front of beak
  Next: Fold the piece in half, matching the last round of stitches and with the next dc at the corner. Make 1 ch, sl st into back loop only of next 9 sts on both sides at the same time to join, pushing a small amount of stuffing into the beak before closing. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

• 

  Step 17

  Egg (make 4–6)
  With 2.75mm hook and B, make a magic loop.
  Round 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop (6 sts).
  Round 2 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 3 times (9 sts). Pull tight on short end of yarn to close loop.
  Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc, 2 dc) 3 times (12 sts).
  Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 3 dc) 3 times (15 sts).
  Rounds 5–8: 1 dc in each dc.
  Round 9 (dec): (Dc2tog, 3 dc) 3 times (12 sts).
  Round 10: 1 dc in each dc.
  Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Stuff egg, pull end of yarn tight to close the opening and fasten off.

  [Egg chart]
  Rounds 1–10

• 

  Step 18

  Making up

  Body and legs
  Stuff the body firmly, leaving a gap at the opening of the body to insert the legs. Make the talons 11⁄8in (3cm) long and wrap the wire in yarn D. Slip the legs into the opening at the base of the bird and adjust them so the owl stands without tipping over. Add plenty of extra stuffing inside the body until it is firm. Sew together the opening of the body and stuff the thighs before sewing the inside leg seams. Thread the yarn through the stitches of the last round of each thigh, pull up tight around the leg and fasten off. Following the shape of the double crochet stitches, embroider V-shaped stitches for the feather markings in B, C and E over the top of the head and neck.

• 

  Step 19

  Birds’ legs

  The birds’ legs are made using wire that is bent into shape and wrapped in yarn. Choose a wire that is not too soft, as it could snap if overworked and may buckle under the weight of the bird.

  Materials
  See each bird pattern for specified yarn and length of wire required
  Long-nose pliers
  All-purpose adhesive

  Using long-nose pliers, make a bend in the wire 6¾in (17cm) from each end for the swan, barn owl and bald eagle, or 3⁄8in (1cm) from each end for all other birds. Make three toes by bending the wire back on itself every 1½in (4cm) for the swan, every ¾in (2cm) for the blackbird, and for the other birds to the length stated in the pattern. Squeeze together with the pliers.

• 

  Step 20

  For all birds excluding the swan, make a fourth toe the same length at the back of the foot. For the budgie, make two toes at the front and two toes at the back of each foot.

• 

  Step 21

  Wrap the short length left at each end of the smaller birds’ legs around the ankle to keep the wire toes in position and squeeze the wire end with the pliers. For the swan, barn owl and bald eagle, wrap the longer lengths of wire left at each end around the wire that joins both feet together, so the legs are double thickness. Use the pliers to squeeze the two sharp ends around the top of the wire legs where they will be hidden inside the body, securing them in place. Twist the bird’s feet so they both face the same direction.

• 

  Step 22

  On each bird, bend the length of wire between the feet into a curved shape to fit inside the body of the bird. Bend the tips of the toes downwards to shape the feet and bend the legs into position. (Note: Illustration shows legs of smaller birds.)

• 

  Step 23

  Starting at the ankle, wind the yarn around the wire. Bring the yarn to the end of each toe and then wind it evenly and tightly back along the length to the ankle. Wrap the yarn over the curved legs and around the toes of the other foot in the same way. Secure the end of the yarn with a dab of all-purpose adhesive and allow to dry.

• 

  Step 24

  Facial disc, beak and eyes
  Use the tail of yarn B left after fastening off to sew the outer edges of the facial disc to the head, leaving the inner edges and feathered edging unstitched. With the curved, joined edges at the top, position the beak underneath the centre front of the facial disc so the tip of the beak protrudes. Stitch the top end of the beak to the head. Wrap the front of the facial disc around the beak and sew the inner edges down to the head on each side of the beak. Use strong thread to sew the eyes to the head.

• 

  Step 25

  Wings
  Flip one wing so the wings mirror each other and embroider markings as for the head and neck. Position the wings on the owl with the last row at the lower edge of each wing. Use the tail 
of yarn left after fastening off to sew the top, curved edge of each wing to the body.

  Weave in the short ends of yarn.

Comments

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Nilce C. 19th November 2020

LOS AMO!!!
I LOVE YOU!!! I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT! AND YOU HAD IT!!!
SO MUCH GRATEFUL FROM ARGENTINA!

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leentje.gorissen · Houthalen-Helchteren, Flanders, BE · 3 projects 16th June 2019

Ok. Trying to make this but stuk at step 3. Anyone good at reading this pattern?

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Mistress Nora of Madness · Potterville, Michigan, US · 33 projects 28th April 2019

wonderful

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Moira 17th April 2019

So cute!

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