Woolly Owls

Welcome to Owl Gallery!

Showcased below are a few samples of owls using different yarns, adding novelty yarns to the wings and tails, and a few more button eye ideas. I hope they are inspirational, and give you a few ideas for creating your own.

PHOTO ONE: A Harry Potter look alike.

PHOTO ONE: This snowy owl is like the pattern cover using Nature Spun worsted, Aran N91, and Frog Tree Suri fingering weight, Ivory #000, carried together. Three novelty yarns were added to the wings and tail, Crystal Palace Yarns Squiggle, Shell Mix #9288, Fizz, Camel #7322, and Trendsetter Yarns Flora, Earth Multi #9000.

The novelty yarns are added into the wings beginning at the second row, and carried along every other row until the end. After knitting in one novelty yarn, I cut the yarn leaving about a 1-inch tail. No need to weave in ends. Then I knit a plain row, and the next row I add in a different novelty yarn. I have found adding in at least 2-3 novelty yarns gives the wings and tail texture and interest, giving them that feathery-look.

PHOTO TWO: The scarf (above) was knit using Nature Spun worsted, Brick Road 225, and Sunburst Gold 308. For the scarf, CO 8 stitches of Brick Road, knit 4 rows. Add in Sunburst Gold and knit 4 rows, switch back to red yarn. Continue in this pattern for 108 rows. Bind off. The hardest part about this little scarf is weaving in all the ends! Alternate tassel colors as per shown. To eliminate the rolling edges, block the scarf with a steam iron.

The eye spectacles are made of two 12-inch strands of 24-gauge black wire, woven onto each other to make one wire. Shape into two circles with an upside-down 'U' in-between. Wrap the loose ends on each other leaving 1/8-inch ends. Snip with a wire cutters if they seem too long. These ends will attach to the owl's beak, keeping them on.

PHOTO THREE: This is the backview of the snowy owl, without the scarf. I added the novelty yarns to the tail, as well, to balance out the wings and add whimsey.

PHOTO FOUR (Below): This owl was knit using Nature Spun worsted, Aran #N91, and Frog Tree Suri, dark grey #0012, carried together. Two-layered button gives the eyes more color and dimension.

PHOTO FIVE (Below): This little owlette measures about 5-1/2 inches tall from top to bottom, compared to the 8-inch mother owl. It was knit using size 7 or 8 double point needles. The owlette used a strand of Frog Tree Alpalca sport weight, Cream, and a strand of Trendsetter Yarns Aura, Cream, carried together. The Aura was carried every other round. The Aura creates a fuzzy baby owl. The eyes use 9 mm plastic eye screws, solid black, rather than the 12 mm recommended for the regular owl.

I will photograph this baby very soon with its mother, so you can compare the sizes easier. What a great compliment to Martin Waddell's book, Owl Babies, featuring Percy, Sarah and Bill. Remember that book? my kids loved it!

PHOTO SIX and SEVEN: This owl used Nature Spun worsted, Stone #701, and Rowan Kidsilk Haze fingering weight, Cream #634, carried together. The two yarns together created a speckled grey color.

A tummy was added to this owl using the same techniques for the eyes.

What a difference a button eye can make! This owl isn't so serious!

PHOTO EIGHT (Below): This owl is similar to the owl on the pattern cover. It used Nature Spun worsted, Aran #N91, and Frog Tree Suri fingering weight, Sable #007, carried together. The two colors meld during felting creating a speckled owl. After brushing it, the owl becomes fuzzy and soft, enhancing the colors.

The wings used Crystal Palace Yarns Fizz, Camel #7322, carried along with the worsted and fingering weight yarns. The Fizz was carried every row.

Also, the multi-ringed button eyes add color and character. Fabric stores have dozens of buttons to choose from. If you don't like what you see, paint your own!