Friday, February 12, 2010

Secrets secrets are no fun...

Unless they're shared with everyone!

I hate surprises.

No, adjust that...

I hate surprises when I know about them. If someone were to come to me and say "I'll have a surprise for you tomorrow" they would never get the chance to give it to me. I will go insane wanting to know long before the time comes. If someone shows up with a surprise, I act like un-dignified and un-23-year-old-ish and do a happy little dance.

The point? I can't wait to post my pattern. I'm just so proud of it. Without further ado,

SNOWY OWL PATTERN



MATERIALS

Small amount of white yarn
Hook appropriate to yarn (for amigurumi use a hook smaller than what the yarn lable calls for)
Miscelaneous decorative pieces (envelope, rope, beads, etc)
Beads, safety eyes, embroidery floss (your choice for eyes)
Black yarn for feet and beak
Polyfill or other stuffing

NOTE: Amigurumi is worked continuously. Do not join each round and chain, just keep stitching.

HEAD AND BODY

Create a ring of 6 sc, using the “ch. 2, 6 sc in second chain from hook” method or Magic Circle.

ROUND 1: 2 sc in each sc around (12)
ROUND 2: *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around (18)
ROUND 3: Sc in each sc around (18)
ROUND 4: *sc in next sc, sc 2 together, repeat from * around (12)

This is a good place to add the eyes if you are using safety eyes or beads. If you plan on embroidering the eyes, feel free to wait until you have stuffed/completed the entire owl.

ROUND 5: *sc in next sc, sc 2 together, repeat from * around (9)

At this point I chose to attach the beak since my owl is carrying a Hogwarts letter (see below for tips on making a “parchment” envelope). Using ww black yarn, stitch a “V” in between the eyes. If you are using an envelope, stitch through one corner before the bottom part of the “V.”

Begin stuffing firmly. Use small bits at a time rather than one large piece. Continue stuffing as you go.

ROUND 6: 2 Sc in each sc around (18)
ROUND 7: *Sc in each of next two sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around (24)
ROUND 8: *Sc in each sc around (24)
ROUND 9: *Sc in each of next 2 sc, sc 2 together, repeat from * around (18)
ROUNDS 10-12: Sc in each sc around (18)
ROUND 13: *Sc in next sc, sc 2 together, repeat from * around (12)
ROUNDS 14-15: Sc in each sc around (12)

This is essentially your last good chance to stuff. Make sure everything is stuffed firmly.

ROUND 16: *Sc 2 together, repeat from * around (6)

To finish, use a tapestry needle to pick up remaining 6 sc and pull tight to close. Weave in ends.


WINGS

Ch 2
6 sc in second chain from hook (6)
ROUND 1: *Sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around (8)
ROUNDS 2 - ?: Continue to sc in each sc around, working until wing reaches desired size.

Turn work, do not ch 1, sc in each of next 4 sc.

Bind off, leaving a long enough tail to sew to body

(make 2)

Sew wings to body using tail yarn. The longer flap is the outside/top of the wing and the shorter side is the inside/bottom of the wing.

TAIL

The tail is worked back and forth, not in the round
Ch 5
Sc in second chain from hook and in each sc across (4)
Ch. 1. Turn. Sc 2 tog sc 2 tog (2)
Ch. 1. Turn. Sc 2 tog (1)

Bind off.

Weave in ends and sew long side of tail to body

To make your owl a snowy owl/Hedwig, use a black eyeliner pencil to trace small black dots and a q-tip to rub the dots into the yarn. I HIGHLY recommend practicing this on a swatch first rather than going straight to the owl, if you mess up eyeliner doesn’t come off.

To make a parchment envelope...make yourself a cup of tea (using a tea bag). Enjoy it. Amigurumi is relaxing. On a white piece of printer paper drag the used tea bag back and forth to stain the paper an off white color. Allow to dry completely. Cut a square and fold the corners into the center. Secure with glue or a drip of red wax if you want to go all the way with it (being the nerd I am, I of course chose option 2).

COPYRIGHT: Please respect my rights and the rights of other designers. Feel free to make as many snowy owls as you would like but do not sell the pattern or claim it as your own. I'm all for charity options so if you would like to make the owl for charity please do. If you would like to sell the finished product you must contact me first. I will consider each item on a case by case basis.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks! It's my first pattern; I had a vision while I was making it and I'm really excited it came out that way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a really cool pattern. I love owls and had been looking for an owl crochet pattern to try for awhile before I happened on yours on Ravelry. Great work! I'm going to link back here when I make the owl.

    ReplyDelete