This week for Iron Craft we are having a virtual baby shower for Jenny over at A Bird in Hand Art. From Jenny’s art I knew she liked birds and owls show up a lot in her work, so I chose that for my theme. I decided to put my new crochet skills to work and create an owl granny square to be used in a baby blanket. Designing a square with an owl in it turned out to be easier than I thought.

The square is a basic circle in a square with the ears stitched on afterwards giving it a little dimension. Hooking enough squares to make the full blanket during the Iron Craft time line, while traveling, was probably biting off more than I could chew. Here’s where I stand on the 80 squares I need to finish.

I went with a color palette that I though matched what Jenny often used on her owl pieces. I think they are bright and attractive for a baby of any sex. The owl are on the white squares with colored squares in between. It has been so much fun to work on this blanket I can’t wait to finish it and see it all together.

Owl Granny Square

Download the pdf of the Owl Granny Square

I crocheted my squares with a 4.25mm hook and used worsted weight yarn. The squares measure 4″.

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch

Round 1: Make a magic loop. Ch 2 (counts as first dc), 11 dc. Close the loop. Sl st in the top stitch of the first chain. End off.

Round 2: Attach new color into any dc. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). 1 dc into the same space. 2 dc into each remaining dc. You will have 24 dcs (12 sets of 2). Sl st into the top stitch of the first chain. End off.

Round 3: Attach new color: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc into the next two dcs. 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc into the next dc. *Dc into the next 5 dcs. 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc into the next dc. Repeat from the * two more times. Dc into the remaining two dcs. Sl st into the top stitch of the first chain.

Round 4: Attach new color: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). dc into the next 5 dcs. 2 dc, 3 ch, 2 dc into the  ch 2 space. *Dc into the next 8 dcs. 2 dc, 3 ch, 2 dc into the ch 2 space. Repeat from the * two more times. Dc into the remaining 3 dcs. Sl st into the top stitch of the first chain. End off.

Make ears: Use the same color are round 2.

You are going to work on six stitched from Round 2 between two corners.

Ch 3 into first stitch.

Dc into the next stitch.

Sl st into the next 2 stitches. Dc into the next 2 stitches. Weave ends into the back of the square as shown in picture below.

Eyes and Beak:

With a tapestry needle and scrap yarn, stitch on a beak.

For the eyes, 3c in white. Sl st into the first chain making a loop. End off. Weave in end.
Using black yarn, make a french knot in the center of the eye.

Since the ends didn’t have much to weave into on the eyes I put a little fabric glue on the back to keep everything in place. Sew onto owl with white thread and needle.
(You could also sew on felt eyes if you don’t want to deal with such small crocheted circles.)

I’ll give you instructions for the full blanket once it’s done.

Update 3/7/13 Ok, I still haven’t finished my blanket, but you can see a lovely on a reader did here.

Copyright 2012 Kathy Lewinski
JustCrafyEnough.com
This pattern is for personal use only. Please do not sell, distribute or teach this pattern without my permission. Do not claim this pattern as your own. Do not sell items made with this pattern without permission.