Texture-Rich Owl | Free Crochet Pattern with Video
Get ready to crochet your very own adorable textured amigurumi owl with this free pattern! Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this crochet pattern features easy-to-follow steps to create a charming, cuddly owl stuffed animal with intricate textures. Enhance your amigurumi collection with this delightful handmade project that’s sure to be a hoot!
The Texture-Rich Owl (or “Rich” as he has come to be called around here) was the subject of my first Crochet-A-Long. It was done over 5 days and we worked together via videos to create him, one step at a time.
The pattern was broadcast on Facebook in my Group and on YouTube.
As promised, his pattern in full text-only format is now available for free, right here on the blog! Scroll down to read it!
Construction
This little amigurumi owl worked up rather quickly for most of the CAL participants. The most tedious part being his head. Rich’s head is well — richly textured! It uses what I call a “chain curl” or a stitch that can sometimes be referred to as “faux fur.”
The whole owl teaches you 5 different texture-creation techniques to add to your crochet toolbox: Picots, chain curls, spike stitches, loop stitches, and fringe threading.
This is usually where I say that the best way to follow this pattern is with a Premium Pattern 2.0, and while it is true for 99% of Hooked by Kati designs, I must admit that this one is much easier to understand and follow if you use the YouTube Videos.
However, if you like to have something to hold in your hand (or take into your living room to crochet) I have a printable PDF version with checkboxes and color photos you can get right here:
You can get the Premium Pattern 2.0 on Ravelry or Etsy.
Texture-Rich Owl | Premium Pattern
The Premium Pattern of Texture-Rich Owl amigurumi is a printable pdf with clear instructions, LOTS of photos, and checkboxes for every row.
Texture-Rich Owl | Free Crochet Pattern
(Keep Scrolling to get to the Video Tutorials!)
Pattern is written in English, in US terms, using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.
You Need to Know
Chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), back loops only (BLO), front loops only (FLO), Right side (RS), Wrong side (WS), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!
For a quick refresher of these basic skills, go to www.hookedbykati.com/basics
You Will Practice Intermediate Techniques
- How to make a 3-dimensional object in crochet
- How to shape using increases and decreases
- How to create multiple textures while working in the round
Supplies
- Big Twist Value yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 380 yds/6 oz/170 g, Cinnamon (CINN), 1 ball; Ivory (IVO), < 1 ball; Varsity Gold (GOLD), <100 yds.
- G (4.00 mm) hook
- Two 24mm colored round-pupil safety eyes
- Polyfil stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Hair brush (optional)
Measurements
6” tall x 5” wide
Gauge
9 sts x 9 rows in SPsc 2 rows below, sc pattern = 2” x 2”
Pattern Notes
- Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
- For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
- Between sets of chain curls or loop-st rounds/rows, use traditional increases and decreases instead of invisible.
- Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case pieces require repositioning.
Special Stitches
- Loop-st inc – Loop stitch increase: Work two loop sts in next st.
- Loop-st – Loop stitch: Insert hook through st, loop yarn back to front over 1 finger, slide hook over nearside of loop, grab farside of loop and pull through st, yo, pull through both loops on hook, remove finger from loop.
- Loop-st dec – loop stitch decrease: Insert hook through st, yo, pull through st, insert hook through next st, loop yarn back to front over 1 finger, slide hook over nearside of loop, grab farside of loop and pull through st, yo, pull through three loops on hook, remove finger from loop.
- Picot – Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.
- SPsc 2 rows below – Spike single crochet 2 rows below: Insert hook into st two rows below working st, yarn over, draw up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Free Pattern Instructions
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Beak
With GOLD, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in second ch from hook. (3)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (6)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 3 times. (9)
Rnd 4: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 5: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (6)
Stuff lightly.
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.
Set aside.
Eye Circles
(Make 2)
With IVO, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [Sc, picot (see Special Stitches), sl st in same st] 6 times.
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Position eye circles so they touch with picots angled up and out on sides. Hold together so there are two sts between the picot section and the place where the circles touch. Using sewing tail, mattress stitch eye circles together along 4 sts. Leave tails for future use.
Insert safety eyes in center of each eye circle. DO NOT attach washer yet!
Set aside.
Wings
(Make 2)
With CINN, ch 2.
Row 1: 3 sc in second ch from hook, turn. (3)
Row 2: Ch 1, Loop-st inc (see Special Stitches), 2 loop-st (see Special Stitches), turn. (4)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc inc (see Pattern Notes), 3 sc, turn. (5)
Row 4: Ch 1, loop-st inc, 4 loop-st, turn. (6)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc inc, 5 sc, turn. (7)
Row 6: Ch 1, 7 loop-st, turn. (7)
Row 7: Ch 1, sc dec, 5 sc, turn. (6)
Row 8: Ch 1, loop-st dec (see Special Stitches), 4 loop-st, turn. (5)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc dec, 3 sc. (4)
Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.
Set aside.
Body
(starts at top of head)
With CINN, ch 2.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: (Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: [Ch 6, sl st in FLO of next st] 12 times. (12 curls)
Rnd 4: Working in exposed BLO of previous rnd, [sc, inc] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 5: Working in both loops, [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 6: [Ch 6, sl st in FLO of next st] 24 times. (24 curls)
Rnd 7: Working in exposed BLO of previous rnd, [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 8: Working in both loops, sc evenly around.
Rnd 9: [Ch 6, sl st in FLO of next st] 30 times. (30 curls)
Rnd 10: Working in exposed BLO of previous rnd, sc evenly around. (30)
Rnd 11: Working in both loops, sc evenly around.
Rnds 12-20: Repeat Rnds 9-11 three more times. Place marker in Rnd 14 for future use.
Rnd 21: [Ch 6, sl st in FLO of next st] 30 times. (30 curls)
Rnd 22: Working in exposed BLO of previous rnd, [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 23: Working in both loops, [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 24: [Ch 6, sl st in FLO of next st] 18 times. (18 curls)
Rnd 25: Working in exposed BLO of previous rnd, inc in each st around, turn. (36)
Hold the Eye Circles to the head, aligning posts of safety eyes along marked round. Insert the posts through the head and attach washers on the inside of the head.
Note: If the posts are not long enough to attach washer through both the Eye Circles and Head, attach washers on Eye Circles only and use sewing tail from eye circles to sew them in place on the head.
Stuff head.
Rnd 26: (WS) Do not chain, 36 loop st, sl st in starting st to join, turn. (36)
Rnd 27: (RS) Skip sl st (counts at turning chain) 36 sc, making sure to work into base of sl st from previous round.
Rnd 28: Sc evenly around.
Rnd 29: [Sc, SPsc 2 Rows Below (see Special Stitches)] 18 times. (36)
Rnd 30: Sc evenly around. (36)
Rnd 31: [SPsc 2 Rows Below, sc] 18 times. (36)
Rnd 32: Sc evenly around.
Rnds 33-40: Repeat Rnds 29-32 twice.
Rnd 41: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)
Rnd 42: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 43: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)
Finish stuffing.
Rnd 44: [Sc, dec] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 45: Dec 6 times. (6)
Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.
Assembly
Align Beak on head, centered one round of curls below the eye circles, starting point of Beak facing down. Using sewing tail of Beak, sewing beak to head in a straight line along underside of Beak, leaving the tip of the beak unattached.
Align wings straight across from each other on either side of body. Using tail from Wing, sew the wing to the body along the last round of the wing to Rnd 27, just below the loop stitch round of the body.
Cut four 6-inch strands of CINN. Fringe thread through head, even with the outside of the eye circles, about 4 rounds behind them. Trim even. Optional: Brush and trim even.
Optional: Cut all loop stitches. Use a brush to brush out the loops, being careful not to snag the body or head when brushing.
Tip: Lay something (a piece of felt or fabric) between the cut loops and the body/head when brushing to keep from accidentally snagging the body/head when brushing.
Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.
CAL Video Tutorials
Disclaimer: These videos were created as part of a 5-day Crochet-A-Long in July of 2024. There may be information and sales referenced within them that are no longer available.
Day 1: Eye Circles and Beak
Day 2: Wings
Day 3: Head
Day 4: Body
Day 5: Attachment
Disregard opening of doors for courses; it was a temporary sale for July 2024. If you are interested, you can get more information at www.nextlevelamidesign.com.
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Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Epic Amigurumi Patterns and Crochet Quests Facebook Group.
You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.
If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.
Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.
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Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.