Little Owls

Little Owls

            Worsted weight and US size 5 dpn, or DK weight and US size 3 dpn.

Using circular cast-on, cast on seven stitches.  Divide onto three dpn (2, 3, 2).

1.     K all around

2.     Kfb x7 (14 st)

3.     K all around

4.     (K1, kfb)x7 (21 st)

5-11.      K5, work in seed stitch across next eleven stitches, k5

12. (K3k2tog)x4, k remaining stitches (17 st: 5, 7, 5)

13-18.  K all around

Rearrange stitches on needles so needles 1 and 3 have four stitches and needle 2 has nine.

19.  K all around.

19b. M1, k4 on needle 1, but stop here.

Combine stitches on needles 1 and 3.  You should now have two needles, each with nine stitches.  Start stuffing.  Execute a three-needle bind-off, stuffing as you go.

Pick up the yarn tail from the cast-on edge and thread it up through the body, pulling it out the center of the owl’s head.  Keeping it taut, thread the tail back down to the base.  This will shape the ears.  I repeat this step a few times to make sure it will stay.

With white yarn, same or thicker than that used for the body, produce two woven circles for the outlines of the eyes.  Tie French knots using black yarn in the middle of the woven circles for the eyes.  With yellow or brown yarn, work three or so back stitches for the beak.  Here is a tutorial for the woven circle: http://www.embroidery.rocksea.org/stitch/weaving-stitch/woven-circle/

Wings (make 2)

1.     Cast on 5 stitches

2-6. Continue st st (or garter stitch—change it up!)

7. Ssk, k1, k2tog.

Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches.  Sew wings onto either side of owl.  Weave in ends.  For extra flourish, weave ends up through ears, cut them short, and pull apart the strands.  Ear hair!