I am definitely not an amigurumi designer, but when this little guy popped into my head I instantly knew I had to make him! With Christmas approaching, I thought this crochet snow owl would make a great ornament or stocking stuffer.
I really like that he is not at all like the other amigurumi, stitch-wise. I used a different crochet stitch that would be dense enough to hold the stuffing inside and look knit! You probably know this by now that I love, love, love making crochet stitches to look like they are knitted. If you didn’t, my adorable crochet pumpkins that look knit should definitely give you a hint!

*** You can purchase a pdf of the crochet pattern for easy print here. ***
Also, it is a perfect opportunity to teach you a new stitch! This one is called the waistcoat stitch, knit stitch or center single crochet. It can be worked both flat and in the round but I prefer the look of it in the round and that’s what I am going to show you today.
You work it like a standard single crochet and the only thing that is done differently is the place you insert your hook. Instead of going in the usual place (under both top loops), insert your hook in between the vertical v that is in front of your work, as shown in the photo below.
Do not insert your hook in the usual place of a standard single crochet.

Insert it in the middle of the stitch, between the v shape.

It might be difficult at first because it’s quite a tight stitch, so you may have to use your other hand to push it through the fabric.
For this pattern forget everything you learned about amigurumi and your tension. This stitch creates a dense fabric as we said above, so we are going to use a slightly larger crochet hook than the one that is usually recommended and keep your tension and hands loose.
I used grey crochet thread in his tummy to showcase some color and for that, you definitely will want to check out my previous tutorial on how to change colors seamlessly. I am not going to explain this technique again here, so if you are not familiar, go check it out now.
Also, can you tell I am a huge Harry Potter fan?

So without further ado, let’s dive in the crochet pattern!
You will need:
Off-white aran yarn
Grey crochet thread
US 9/I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
polyester stuffing
yarn needle
scissors
stitch marker
12 mm craft eyes (or buttons)
A bit of white felt sheet
Small amount of yellow aran yarn
Yardage: approximately 60 m (65 yds)
Gauge: 7 st and 9 rows is 2 inches in csc
Abbreviations:
MR: Magic Ring
csc: center single crochet, knit stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
sl st: slip stitch
Dimensions: Hedwig is 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide.
Hedwig the snow owl crochet pattern
R1: MR, 6 sc (6)
R2: 2 csc in each st around (12)
R3: * csc, 2 csc * repeat from * to * around (18)
R4: * csc in next 2 st(s), 2 csc * repeat from * to * around (24)
R5: * csc in next 3 st(s), 2 csc * repeat from * to * around (30)
R6-7: csc in each st around (30)
R8: csc 9, attach thread, csc in next 3 st(s) with yarn and thread held together, drop thread, csc 18 (30)
R9: csc 8, csc 5 with yarn and thread held together, drop thread, csc 17 (30)
R10: csc 7, csc 7 with yarn and thread held together, drop thread, csc 16 (30)
R11: csc 8, csc 5 with yarn and thread held together, drop thread, csc 17 (30)
R12: csc 9, csc 3 with yarn and thread held together, drop thread, csc 18 (30)
R13-22: csc in each st around (30) Do NOT fasten off

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Assembly:
Now is the part that you fill your owl with stuffing and place the eyes before you close. There’s a tutorial below on how to cut the felt. The correct placement for the eyes is 5 rows below the last row you made, just above the center of the stomach -the grey and white area.
Draw 2 circles with a coin, one right next to each other. I used a 2 euro coin which measures 1 inch (2,5 cm) in diameter.

Cut the circles but leave the point that they meet uncut.

Measure separately each circle and find the center.

Do it again for the other side, in order to find the center.

The center is each cross. Make 2 small cuts at each cross to make room for the craft eyes to pass through.

Insert the craft eyes in the incision and place them at your owl as explained above.

After you filled with stuffing and placed the eyes, you are ready to close. You may have to work 1-2 more stitches in the last round in order to get to the side of your project. You will know that when you push his head flat and the last stitch is not right at the edge. I crocheted his head close because I really like the result and not at all because I am lazy and I hate sewing… 😉

Now, place hook under both front and back fabric under both loops, as shown in the photo, yarn over and make a loose slip stitch. Continue in that manner until you reach the other edge. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Make little tassels to add as his ears and sew the nose with yellow yarn. And that is it! You are done! Enjoy your little snow owl!

*** You can purchase a pdf of the crochet pattern for easy print here. ***
Lina
Tuesday 12th of December 2017
What a cute owl! :) And I like the crochet stitch: it really looks like knitted.
malloo
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
Thank you! That was the result I was going for! ;-)
Alexandra
Thursday 7th of December 2017
This little owl is so precious! I love the rustic look, and the embellishments. Usually I try to hide my seams, but I really like how you've used the top seam here. I've pinned this guy. I have run a granny square link up all year long, and have reached the last one. Would love if you came to share a granny square project, and enter the big, BIG 2017 Yarn Goodies Giveaway :)
Alexandra of EyeLoveKnots December Challenge: http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2017/12/december-granny-spiration-challenge.html
malloo
Wednesday 13th of December 2017
Thanks so much Alexandra! Unfortunately, I don't have a granny square project to share right now, but what an awesome idea!