You, Me and the ABCs : Crochet ABC Toys : O is for Owl

If you are a crocheter and have a baby or toddler, play room or nursery, and love organization and helping your child learn – this post is for you!  I am posting new patterns for each letter many times per week so keep checking back.

Today’s post will be O is for Owl, but if you are joining me for the first time, you will find that O is for Octopus is already on my blog. In addition to Octopus and Otter, today I give you O is for Owl. Now, you have some fun choices to make – or you can make them all!!

Octopus -in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy!!! I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities. But scraps of Cake yarn are also super fun and fun for all ages!  And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.

O is for Otter – I have a new Otter pattern that is part of my Baby Animal series and you can find that pattern here on my Etsy if you prefer a PDF. Prefer Ravelry? I have Baby O the Otter there as well.

But, now, as part of this series, O is for Otter is a free blog post. 

O is for Owl: I have a baby owl pattern that is part of my Baby Animal series as well, but if you prefer the PDF you can find that pattern here on my Etsy.  Or I have the Owl FREE on my Ravelry here:

Want a fun way to use your scraps? Want to make a lot of little projects/toys that are great for little ones? Want to custom a special piece for a wee one? – and then end with one big finale? This project is for you! (And you can skip the big finale if it’s not for you and still have all the little toys and ABCs.)

I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  And my printable paid patterns contain a lot more photo tutorials to help you if you need.  You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.

And now, in Part 2, you can find the letters G-M also on my Etsy at this link right HERE

This project was in my head as I was designing all of these letters and I’m so excited to get this started! Won’t you join me? Here is the latest new pattern to go with the others already linked.  If you prefer to shop on Ravelry for your patterns I also have the entire alphabet PDF over there.

You can begin by deciding what colors you want to use for your letters – I’ll be using them all! – and make up the alphabet  or save this post and wait for the end and make it all at once.

I’m gonna give you some options at the end to make the final part right for you/your space.  Here are some of the previous toys so make sure to check out THE ORIGINAL POST to link hop to them all.

Here are some of the latest patterns that are all free here on my blog.

I will using some of the patterns that I’ve already made for this ABC project and you will see those linked below at the end of this post.  You can go ahead and get started today! I can’t wait to share this with you. I’m planning on at least a weekly update, but I’m going to shoot for two per week. I’m gonna try.

So, join me. Save this post. Let’s get started!

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same.  I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog.

UPDATE: O is for Owl: May 24, 2020

O for Octopus was blogged a while back since I had written this pattern a while ago – as a matter of fact it is one of my most popular pins/blog posts.  O is for Otter and Owl came about because I was commissioned to make an entire Woodland Themed Baby Set and the Otter and Owl were part of that set.  They have been available for a bit now on my Etsy so if you prefer to have an easy downloadable PDF you can find both of those links at the top of this post.

You will also find another octopus post on my blog with the same pattern, but it’s a larger version where you can add poly stuffing or make with stuffing/rattle parts.  For the larger one, its a fun, easy way to adapt this fast pattern for a large version using some various stash yarn.  Head on over to this post and check out some other octopus examples. 

I want to say thank you for all who stop by to support my patterns and my blog.  I have chosen to NOT do ads on my blog (with the exception of my affiliate links) and offer FREE patterns, but please – if you love my patterns and want to say a little thank you- or just have some good small business karma support points- a purchase now and then or a visit to any of my affiliate links really helps.  It keeps this blog going so I can continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy.  I also purchase a pattern now and then or visit an affiliate link from my favorite blogs and designers.  Thank you

I have compiled the first letters (A-F) of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.

And now, in Part 2, you can find the letters G-M also on my Etsy at this link right HERE

And MOST ALL of my PAID patterns contain way more photos and tutorials than what I can add to my blog post. I try to keep my fees very low.

This pattern is intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.

You may sell products made from this pattern, but please give me credit as the designer. Please do not use my photos as your own work, but you may use my photos to reference back to my blog, Etsy, Pinterest, IG or FB, but please link back to me.

If you find any problems with this pattern please let me know and if you have any problems with any of it feel free to message me and ask for support.

Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stitches Glossary:

Chain: Ch

Single Crochet: SC

Inc Sc: make two single crochet stitches in the same stitch as indicated

Invisible Decrease: inv. dec. – this is an invisible single crochet decrease

HDC: half-double crochet

HDC Inc: increase in HDC

DC Inc: increase in DC

DC: double crochet

Tr: treble crochet

Picot: chain 3 and slip stitch into the first chain space (the one farthest from the hook) *US Terms apply

Here are some of the products that I use:

I use this as my hook case and never leave home without it.

Materials:

Hook: Size G/4mm hook

Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in Barley, Putty, Misty Blue, and Plum. You won’t but the smallest amounts. This is a great scrap yarn project. Impeccable is 285 yds/4.5oz*260m/127.5g. It is a #4 Yarn. I’ve also used only the smallest bit of gold for the beak.

-Safety Eyes or buttons (or yarn to embroider if you choose) and needle to embroider face. I’ve chosen buttons for this project and give details in the instructions for safety.

-Stuffing. I have used Poly-Fill brand stuffing, but feel free to use what you prefer.

Spiral Crochet:

I crochet in the “spiral” for this project and for most of my work. This prevents the joining seam that can occur with crochet.   What that means is that you don’t join each round with a slip stitch and then chain 1, but rather keep on working the next stitch – the first one from the previous row. It may help to use a stitch marker to designate the beginning of the previous round. For example, if your round calls for 30 sc stitches, then sc 30 around, but instead of slip stitching to the first stitch and then chaining one, sc in the first stitch and keep on going for your next round.

 

This pattern starts at the bottom and works up to the top of the head. The belly patch is made separately and then sewn on.

I have some stripes in my example and will note below where I changed colors. Of course, this is optional and you can just continue in a solid color or even add more stripes.

Ch 2 (you can also use a magic ring if that is your preferred method of starting a circle or amigurumi)

Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)

Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (18)

Round 4: *1 sc in next two sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (24)

Round 5: *1 sc in next three sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (30)

Round 6: 1 sc in each stitch around (30) *change color on last stitch

Rounds 7-9: sc in each stitch around (30) *change color on last stitch

Rounds 10-12: sc in each stitch around (30) *change color on last stitch

Rounds 13-15: sc in each stitch around (30) *change color on last stitch

Rounds 16-17: sc in each stitch around (30)

Round 18: *1 sc in next three sc, inv dec over the next 2 sc* repeat around (24)

Round 19-20: 1 sc in each stitch around (24)

Round 19: *sc in next 2 sc, inv dec over next 2* repeat around (18)

Rounds 20-21: 1 sc in each stitch around (18) Chain 1

After you complete Round 21, you will stuff and hold the opening closed and sc along the gathering to close. You will be single crocheting through two layers to close. (9)

Chain 1 and turn. Now, working in rows with a chain 1 and turn after each row:

Sc in each stitch across (9)

Inc, sc 7, inc (11)

Inc, sc 9, inc (13)

Inc, sc 11, inc (15) chain 3 and turn (chain 3 is not a stitch)

Now, do the following stitches:

(tr, tr), (tr, tr), (tr, dc), (dc, dc), (dc, hdc), sc 5, (hdc, dc), (dc, dc), (dc, tr), (tr, tr), (tr, tr)

*just in case you don’t know – the stitches above in () go into one stitch together and those not in () are by themselves.

Finish off with a tail for sewing. You should now have this:

After the last stitch above you will chain 1 and work down the raw edge (my crochet hook points to this in the photo). Sc evenly down that side and then slip stitch across the bottom of the upper piece and sc up the other raw edge. You can see in the 2^nd photo above where I slip stitched across (it’s just over my hook). When you finish off leave a tail for sewing. Only the very front curve will get sewed down.

Belly:

*Just in case you need a refresher or this is new to you. If it is typed “sc 3” that means make a single crochet in each of the next 3 stitches. If it is types “3sc” that means make 3 sc in the SAME next space. AND (2sc) 3 means make 2 single crochet in the next SAME space 3 times.

The belly starts with a chain and then gets worked around the chain to make an oval. As I mentioned above, I work in the spiral or continuous round – so, this belly portion pattern is written that way – continuously – mark off the stitches as you go and/or use a stitch marker to help you keep track. You will need to trust me on this part as some numbers are maybe going to seem like typos – they are not – these numbers help even out the spiral oval as you go. Also, the 3sc stitches below should line up to be worked in the center of the 3sc before them.

Chain 9. Starting in the 2^nd chain from the hook: sc 7, 3sc, turn to work on opposite side of the chain now, s csc 6, 2sc in last space (you should now have 18 crochet), sc 8, 3sc, sc 8, 3sc, sc 9, 3sc, sc 10, 3sc, sc 11, 3sc, sc 12, 3sc, sc, hdc 11, sc, 3sc, sc, hdc 12 (there are now 32 stitches around). Slip stitch in next and finish off with a tail for sewing.

Embroider little v’s for feathers if you want on the tummy and sew down.

Sew the upper face curve down if you haven’t already.

Eyes:

I wanted to make two asymmetrical eyes so my example has them slightly different in size. You can choose both small or both large. Leave a tail when you finish to sew.

Small circle:

Ch 2: Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)

Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (18)

Round 4: sc in each stitch around (18)

Large circle:

Ch 2: Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)

Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (18)

Round 4: *1 sc in next two sc, 2 sc in next sc** repeat around (24)

Round 5: sc in each stitch around (24)

*for this large circle, I added surface crochet around the outside of the circle in a different color.

***safety note here: some people choose not to use safety eyes or buttons for any type of toy and I get it – it is personal. But, if you do use them sometimes like I do, one added measure you may do is to get out that glue gun. I also sometimes use Beacon Fabritac glue. It is the only one that I trust. On pieces like this one where I’ve used buttons, I sew and tie multiple times on the back and then add fabrictac glue or hot glue to keep the knots in place. When using safety eyes, it is so easy to squeeze a big dollop of hot glue all on the backs of the eyes to secure them even more. I also use this method if they are going into a head. Just add that glue and let dry and complete.

After the eyes are finished and secured, embroider the little beak in between them.

Wings:

I moved up a hook size to my H/5mm for the wings.

Chain 9. Sc 8, ch 1 and turn

Sc 8, chain, ch 1 and turn

Sc 8, ch 1 and turn

*you will now crochet around the rectangle on 3 sides:

Sc 2, hdc 3, dc 2, 3dc in corner, in the center of row end make 2dc, 3dc in next corner, dc 2, hdc 3, sc 2, chain 1 and turn.

Hdc around in each stitch on the 3 sides and then sc along the unfinished side. (top of wing) – finish with a tail to sew.

Have you seen the other patterns in this series?  Here are a handful of the latest ones, but I have the letters A-O all FREE right here on my blog.

Pin this post and come back for all of the A-Z toys!   You can find a link to the original post below to start from the beginning!!

 

I realized after I started this project that I would never be able to update every new post with every new link – once I got down to the end of the alphabet, I would have to update about 20 post with all the links to all the new patters – So, I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the new links for all of the new toys.  <3

In addition to the alphabet patterns, below you will find a list of toys that will be linked right here starting now. *these are not set in stone and I may decide to switch them as I work if I am inspired in a different direction. So, pin or save this post and come back and follow along with me or subscribe to my blog and get email updates when I make a new post.

Ball – for the ball toys in this project, I refer you to this post to make one – or many – crochet balls using your scrap yarns.  The more textures the better.  You can also add rattle boxes, squeakers, stress balls as filler and more.

Bunny – I have made a few bunnies in the past and  I will be making another version of my Clover the Baby Bunny Pattern

Dinosaur – here on my blog you will find an entire Dinosaur Family.  For this ABC event, I will be making a different version of Scrappy.  He’s the perfect size and uses up some assorted scrap yarns.  If you want a different option, Baby Pea is also a nice small size and also Pinky the Dezzy Inspired DRAGON is a good choice for D is for Dragon.

Eye – I will be using the eyeball pattern from my Halloween Bag of Balls for this project, but if you find it too weird or spooky for a baby let me know and I’m sure I can whip up a different one.  This one would be super cute with some crinkle paper inside.  *Also, when you visit this post there is a Zombie ball that would make a cute Z word  and I will most likely be altering the colors on this Zombie ball and making a few additions to do a Ninja toy for N.

Goat – here on my blog you will find Ginger the Goat in my Farm Series.  She is a bit large for this project so she will get a few modifications to be a bit smaller.  Feel free to make her if you want a larger goat.

Lamb– another make from my Farm Series is Lonny the Lamb.  Lonny is a  nice, small size so I will be using this pattern here for the  Lamb, but will switch up the colors I’m sure. Maybe bright? Maybe a girl?

Octopus – in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy when made from cotton so this is the pattern that I will be using right here.  I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities.  And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.

 

Will you be joining in the fun? I’d love for you to make all of this with me, but if not pick a few and make it with me.

I’d love to see all your work or catch up with your progress so connect with me over on IG @theburgundybasket

#youandmeabccrochet

 

XOXO,

Kristi