12. Spotted Owl Plush
Meet our charming Spotted Owl Plush, a delightfully plump and friendly companion crafted just in time for the spooky season. With its oversized amber eyes, tiny orange beak, and cozy embroidered belly feathers, this little bird is full of personality and makes a wonderful pocket-sized friend. Measuring 3.5 inches tall, it works up quickly in just about an hour, making it an ideal weekend project for crocheters of all skill levels.
Quick Facts
| Skill level | Finished size | Yarn | Hook | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 3.5 in / 9 cm tall | DK cotton (Cat. 3) | 3.5 mm (US E/4) | 1 hour |
Materials You Will Need
- DK weight 100% cotton yarn: Cream (30 grams / 75 metres), Brown (10 grams / 25 metres), and Orange (5 grams / 12 metres)
- 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes with washers
- Polyfiber toy stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch marker
- Scissors
Gauge
The first 3 rounds of the body measure approximately 2.5 cm across. Exact gauge is not critical for this amigurumi, but work your stitches tightly and evenly to ensure the toy stuffing does not show through.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = single crochet increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec = single crochet decrease (insert hook in front loop of next 2 stitches, yo, pull through, yo, pull through two loops)
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- BLO = back loop only
- FO = fasten off
UK terms: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.
Pattern Notes
- The body is worked in continuous spiral rounds without joining. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
- Stitch counts are shown in brackets at the end of each round.
- When changing colours, work the final yarn over of the previous stitch with the new colour.
Instructions
Body – Cream, make 1
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
Rnds 8 to 16: sc in each st around (42)
Insert safety eyes between Rnds 11 and 12, approximately 7 stitches apart.
Rnd 17: (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
Rnd 18: (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 19: (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
Stuff firmly now.
Rnd 20: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 21: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
Rnd 22: dec x 6 (6)
FO, leave a 20 cm tail, and thread through front loops of remaining 6 stitches to pull closed. Weave in ends.
Wings – Brown, make 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc x 6 (12)
Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
Rnds 4 to 5: sc in each st around (18)
Rnd 6: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)
FO, leave a 25 cm tail for sewing. Do not stuff the wings.
Feet – Brown, make 2
Rnd 1: 5 sc in a magic ring (5)
Rnds 2 to 3: sc in each st around (5)
FO, leave a 15 cm tail for sewing. Flatten the open end and sew to the bottom of the body.
Beak – Orange, make 1
Rnd 1: 4 sc in a magic ring (4)
Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) x 2 (6)
FO, leave a 15 cm tail for sewing. Position directly centered between the safety eyes.
Assembly
Attach the beak centrally between the safety eyes, spanning across Rnds 11 and 12. Sew one wing to each side of the body, curving slightly forward against Rnds 8 through 15. Attach the two small feet securely to the bottom underside of the body so the owl can sit upright.
Finishing
Using the brown yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider small vertical V-shaped feather accents across the cream belly area in staggered rows between Rnds 12 and 16. Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely inside the plush body.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Do not overstuff the head so that the safety eyes push outward awkwardly.
- Always count your stitches at the end of every round to avoid accidental increases or decreases.
- Ensure the flat base of the owl is symmetrical so it stands upright without tipping over.
- Keep your tension consistent when switching between the cream body yarn and brown wing yarn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use worsted weight yarn instead of DK cotton?
Yes, you can substitute worsted weight yarn, but your finished owl will turn out slightly larger and you will need to use a larger crochet hook, such as a 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm hook.
Are safety eyes safe for a baby or a toddler under three?
Safety eyes can pose a choking hazard for young children. For a gift intended for a child under three, embroider the eyes using black embroidery floss with French knots instead of using plastic safety eyes.
How do I wash my finished owl plush?
Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild soap. Machine washing is not recommended as it may distort the shape of the polyfiber filling.
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