Titus the Barn Owl Pattern

I have always loved barn owls and I’ve been looking for a good barn owl pattern for a while but none of the patterns I saw were what I wanted to make.  When I saw Stacey Trock’s Design Week idea I was inspired to start designing this barn owl rather than put it off any longer.

He got his name from the scientific name for barn owl – Tyto Alba.  Although every time I think about the name I just think of the explorer nicknamed ‘Titus’ (Lawrence Oates) on Scott’s mission to the South Pole who said the famous line: “I am just going outside and may be some time”.

The pattern can also be downloaded as a PDF here

The body and head are made as one piece then the face, tummy, and feet are sewn on.

Need:

·         3 mm crochet hook.

·         Double Knitting or Worsted wool in the following colours:

o   Tan.

o   White.

o   Straw (for the feet and beak).

·         6mm Safety eyes (or black thread to sew eyes).

·         Stitch Markers.

·         Tapestry needle.

·         Stuffing.

Pattern:                    (English terms used)

Note: dec = dc 2 together, inc = dc 2 in 1 stitch.

Head and Body 

(Starting at the top of the head)

Tan wool

Row 1:  dc 6 in a magic ring.                                                      (6 stitches)

Row 2: inc around.                                                                    (12 stitches)

Row 3: (dc, inc) around.                                                             (18 stitches)

Row 4: (dc, dc, inc) around.                                                       (24 stitches)

Row 5-8:  dc around.                                                                 (24 stitches)

Row 9: (dc 2, dec) around.                                                        (18 stitches)

Row 10-11:  dc around.                                                             (18 stitches)

Row 12: (dc 2, inc) around.                                                        (24 stitches)

Row 13-17: dc around.                                                              (24 stitches)

Row 18:  (dc 10, dec) around                                                    (22 stitches)

Row 19-20:  dc around.                                                             (22 stitches)

Row 21: (dc 9, dec) around.                                                       (20 stitches)

Row 22: dc around.                                                                   (20 stitches)

Row 23: (dc 8, dec) around.                                                       (18 stitches)

Row 24: In back loops only (dec, dc) around.                             (12 stitches)

Stuff body at this point

Row 25: decrease until hole is closed.  Fasten off and sew in ends.

Face

Note: ‘tr inc’ is 2 trebles in the same stitch

White wool

Row 1:  dc 6 in a magic ring.                                                      (6 stitches)

Row 2: inc around.                                                                    (12 stitches)

Row 3: ch1, dc1, tr inc, (1 tr, 1 dc) in next dc, sl st into next 2 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc, 1 ch, sl st into next 2 dc, (1 dc, 1 tr) in next st, tr inc, 1 dc, sl st into next st, sl st into 1st dc.

Row 4: 1 ch, 1 dc in next 2 sts, inc in next 2 sts, 1 dc, sl st into next 2 sl sts, sl st into ch, 1 ch, 1 dc, 1 ch, sl st into ch, sl st into next 2 sl st, 1 dc, inc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, sl st into sl st.  Fasten off leaving long tail to sew.

Tummy

Starting at bottom edge

White wool

Row 1: ch 6

Row 2: turn, dc in 2^nd chain from loop and every chain to end, turn.

Row 3-7: ch, dc across, turn.                   (5 stitches)

Rows 8: ch, dc, inc, dc, inc, dc, turn.         (7 stitches)

Row  9-10 : ch, dc across, turn.              (7 stitches)

Row 11: ch, dc, dec, dc, dec, dc, turn.     (5 stitches)

Row 12: ch, dc across, turn                     (5 stitches)

Row 13: ch, dec, dc, dec, turn.                (3 stitches)

Row 14: ch, dc 3 together.  Finish off leaving long tail to sew.

Wings  (make 2)

Tan wool

Row 1: 6 dc in a magic ring.                                                       (6 stitches)

Row 2: (dc, inc) around.                                                             (9 stitches)

Row 3: dc around.                                                                     (9 stitches)

Row 4: (2 dc, inc) around.                                                          (12 stitches)

Row 5: (3 dc, inc) around.                                                          (15 stitches)

Row 6: dc around.                                                                     (15 stitches)

Row 7: (3 dc, dec).                                                                    (12 stitches)

Row 8: dc around.                                                                     (12 stitches)

Row 9: dc around.                                                                     (12 stitches)

Row 10: (2 dc, dec) around.                                                       (9 stitches)

Row 11: dc around.                                                                   (9 stitches)

Row 12: (dc, dec) around.                                                          (6 stitches)

Row 13: dc around.                                                                   (6 stitches)

Row 14: dec around.                                                                 (3 stitches)

Fasten off leaving tail to sew to body.

Feet      (make 2)

Straw wool

4 ch, ss into first chain, (4 ch, ss into same chain) repeat two times.

Making Up

Stuff the body and head. 

Put safety eyes on face and sew a few stitches on using straw yarn to form the beak.  Sew face onto the head.

Flatten the wings and sew onto the body.

Sew the feet onto the body.