Athena the Owl

Owl Amigurumi Time!


Materials:

Caron Simply Soft Yarn (Worsted Weight). Any Color. I used Dark Grey.
US Size 3 or 4 double pointed needles
Buttons or Safety eyes... or bits of yarn in a different color to sew eyes on
Small bits of worsted weight yarn in a different color for the beak and talons.
Stuffing
Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends
4.0 mm crochet hook

Skills:

Working in the round with increases and decreases
I-cord
Basic finishing techniques

Pattern Rating:

Advanced Beginner or Intermediate

Gauge:

Not important for this project. Just make sure that your stitches are tight enough so that the stuffing doesn't show through.

Body:

CO 6 stitches using the Old Norweigan CO method. Leave a 4-inch tail. Divide evenly amongst needles. Join in the round, careful not to twist stitches.
Row 1: k6
Row 2: [k1fb]. Repeat to end (12 sts)
Row 3: k12
Row 4: [k1fb]. Repeat to end (24 sts)
Row 5: k24
Row 6: [k1, k1fb]. Repeat to end (36 sts)
Row 7: k36
Row 8: [k1, k1fb]. Repeat to end (56 sts)
Row 9-25: k54
Row 26: [k1, k2tog]. Repeat to end of row, finishing with k2. (38 sts)
Row 27: [k2tog]. Repeat to end (19 sts)
Row 28: k2tog, k 17 (18 sts)
Stuff before continuing.
Row 29: k18
Row 30: [k2, k1fb]. Repeat to end (24 sts)
Row 31: k24
Row 32: [k3, k1fb]. Repeat to end (30 sts)
Row 33: k30
Row 34: [k4, k1fb]. Repeat to end (36 sts)
Row 35-42: k36
Now would be a most excellent time to embroider your owl's eye on or sew buttons on for eyes, if that is what you have chosen.
You will also want to make and sew on your owl's beak at this time. Sew it on centered between the eyes around row 35 or 36.
Row 43: [k4, k2tog]. Repeat to end (30 sts)
Row 44: k30
Row 45: [k1, k2tog]. Repeat to end (20 sts)
Row 46: [k2tog]. Repeat to end (10 sts)
Row 47: k10
At this point, finish stuffing your owl.
Row 48: [k2tog]. Repeat to end (5 sts)
Cut a 6-inch tail and thread through the remaining stitches. Pull tight and weave in loose ends.

Beak:

Top of beak: Using the Old Norweigan CO method, CO 4 stitches with yellow yarn.
Row 1: k4
Row 2: s1, k2tog, s1
Row 3: k3
Row 4: k2tog, k1
Row 5: k2
Row 6: k2tog. Pull through loose end.
Bottom: Using the Old Norweigan CO method, CO3 stitches with yellow yarn.
Row 1: k3
Row 2: k2tog, k1
Row 3: k2
Row 4: k2tog. Pull through loose end.

Wings:

Make two.
Using the Old Norweigan CO method, CO 10 stitches, leaving an 8-inch tail.
Rows 1-4: k10
Row 5: k1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1 (8 sts)
Rows 6-9: k8
Row 10: k1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 sts)
Rows 11-14: k6
Row 15: k1, k2tog, k2tog, k1 (4 sts)
Rows 16-19: k4
Row 20: k1, k2tog, k1 (3 sts)
Rows 21-23: k3
Row 24: Bind off in knit.

Talons:

Make two.
We are going to start by picking up three stitches along the bottom of the owl. With the yellow yarn...
Row 1: k3
Rows 2-6: k3, as if it was an I-cord.
Row 7: Bind off as an I-cord, leaving one stitch on the needle.
Taking your crochet hook, make a chain of 5 stitches long. Pull through and cut tail.
Cut a 10-inch long piece of yarn and thread through the bottom of the I-cord so that 5 inches is on either side.
Make crochet chains of 5 stitches long. Pull tail through.
Weave in loose ends.

Tail:

CO 13 stitches.
Row 1: [k1, p1]. Repeat to end. k1
Row 2: [p1, k1]. Repeat to end. p1
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
Row 5: Repeat Row 1.
Row 6: k2tog, [p1, k1] repeat until there are 3 stitches left. p1, k2tog (11 sts)
Row 7: Repeat Row 2.
Row 8: Repeat Row 1.
Row 9: Repeat Row 6 (9 sts).
Row 10: Repeat Row 2.
Row 11: Repeat Row 1.
Row 12: Repeat Row 6 (7 sts)
Row 13: Bind off in pattern (p1, k1).
Cut an 8-inch tail.

Finishing up:

Sew on the wings and tail, finish weaving in any loose ends and give your owl a name!

Feel free to enjoy this pattern for your own use, but please don't sell anything you've made using this pattern.