Oswald the Owl – Free Crochet Pattern

Looking for a new feathered friend to add to your crochet collection? This adorable free owl crochet pattern is the perfect project for beginners and experienced crocheters alike. With simple stitches and clear instructions, you’ll be stitching up this wise old bird in no time.

I would classify this free owl crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Oswald the Owl

Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
• Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
• Body, head, ears, and tail require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the wings or feet.  
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Using color A (shown as white):

Eye Circles (make 2)

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 HDC in each st around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (12 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

If using safety eyes, insert eyes into the middle of the magic ring. Do not attach the backings.

Body

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (42 sts)

R8-13: 1 SC in each st around. (42 sts)

R14: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R15: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R17: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R19-20: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R21: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Do not fasten off. Move on to head.

Head

R22: Working in the front loops only, *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R23: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R24: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R25-31: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R32: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R33: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

Attach the eye circles over R26-31 leaving about 1 st between them. If the posts of the safety eyes are long enough, attach the backings on the inside of the head. Otherwise, attach the safety eye backings behind the eye circles and push any remaining post through to the inside of the head.

Attach the outer edges of the eye circles to the head.

R34: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R35: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R36: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R3: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Tail

Using color B (shown as cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R4-6: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R8: Fold the tail in half. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Wings (make 2)

Using color C (shown as brown):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R7: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (21 sts)

R9-10: 1 SC in each st around. (21 sts)

R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R13: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R14: Fold the wing closed. Leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold, working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across. See tutorial photos. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Beak

Using color D (shown as gold):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Feet (make 2)

Using color D (shown as gold):

R1: Ch 5, turn, SC in second ch from hook and each of the next 2 sts. Working around to the other side of the ch, 3 SC in final ch. Now working on the other side of the ch, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. 2 SC in final ch. (10 sts)

R2-3: 1 SC in each st around. (10 sts)

R4: Fold the foot closed. Working through both sides, leaving 1 unworked SC on each end of the fold, 1 SC in each st across. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Forming the last round of the ears in an oval shape, attach the ears to each side of the top of the head, over R29-34.

Attach the beak just between the bottom of the eyes, over R24-26.

Attach the wings over R20, leaving about 9 sts between each wing. Secure in the middle of each wing as well to ensure that the wings stay facing downward.

Attach feet on the bottom of the body, over R2-4, with approximately 2 sts between the bottom of each. Secure in the middle of each foot to ensure that the feet stay facing upright.

Attach tail between R5-6 of the back of the body and secure in the middle to ensure that the tail stays facing upright.

I hope you enjoyed this free owl crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Oswald the Owl

Tips & Tricks

• When assembling your crochet owl, use pins to hold your pieces in place to ensure proper placement.
• Use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each round of this free owl crochet pattern.
• Check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks to improve your amigurumi crochet owl.

Alterations

• Use a yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size to create a larger crochet owl.
• Adjust the placement of the wings, feet, or ears of this free owl crochet pattern to create different looks.

More Free Amigurumi Animal Crochet Patterns

I hope you’ve enjoyed this free owl crochet pattern! For more fun amigurumi animal crochet pattens, be sure to check out my amigurumi animal pattern collection. You may like my highland cow crochet pattern, or my free fox crochet pattern.