Trian's Great Horned Owl

Supplies Size 10, 14 needles Tapestry needle One skein each: Lion brand Homespun in Edwardian Lion brand Jiffy in Camel Yarn replacements: Jiffy was chosen for its fuzzy properties and can be substituted with a similar yarn. Homespun can be replaced with any boucl. However, if the boucl you choose is thinner than homespun, you will want to adjust the weight of the yarn you use to replace the jiffy, and the size of your needles accordingly. The goal is to have a tight knit where the boucl can come through. Body Directions Combine homespun with jiffy to make one thread Cast on 35 stitches Knit 27 rows in stockinet; make sure your stitches are tight. Row 28: continue in stockinet, but make sure this row is a little looser. Row 29: continue with stockinet, but knit 3 strands together (pick up one stitch plus one strand from second stitch), making sure to keep stitches a little loose. Row 30: repeat (last stitch will catch 4 strands instead of three) Cut thread and knot off Using tapestry needle thread one strand of jiffy through open stitches. Leave about a foot on each side (to the thread slipping out) and cut. Slip off of knitting needle.

Turn inside out (so that the purl side is outside) and fold sides in towards center and sew bottoms shut so that stitches are on the purl side. Sew up middle Loop thread through middle of bottom, leaving a long tail for pulling later. Turn right side out Stuff around the pull thread until full pull drawstring thread in and knot off. Pull up on thread attached to bottom so that; using a small amount of tension you create legs Knot off & stuff all threads inside Note: the body can also be knit in the round so that there is not a seam to be sown up the back. Once finished, simply lay flat, sow up the bottom and place your pull string.

Head Directions Unravel 8-9 yards (approximately) of jiffy from the skein and roll into

a ball. Do this twice more. These will be combined and used for the inside of the face. Using jiffy and homespun cast on 15 stitches Working in stockinet, stitch 2 rows. Combine the three strands of jiffy Using intarsia create owls face HS = homespun Com = combined (jiffy & homespun) Jif = jiffy Still working in stockinet 3 Com, 9 Jif, 3 Com 2 Com, 11 Jif, 2 Com Repeat 1 Com, 13 Jif, 1 Com Repeat Repeat 1 Com, 6 Jif, 1 Com, 6 Jif, 2 Com, 4 Jif, 3 Com, 4 Jif, 2 Com, 3 Jif, 5 Com, 3 Jif, 2 Com, 2 Jif, 7 Com, 2 Jif, 2 Com, 1 Jif, 9 Com, 1 Jif, 19 Rows in Com Bind off

1 2 2 2 2

Com Com Com Com Com

Turn purl side out & stitch up sides using jiffy Turn right side out Take top corners, fold them in on themselves and sew in place along side head seam, starting about an inch down. These are the horns. Tuck in all threads and stuff head

Using Jiffy attach head to body Knot off and tuck thread inside Try to place your stitches just under the bind off/cast on in the inside of the head. This will give the head a distinct, separated look (like real owls have) and hide your stitches. Beak Using homespun only, cast on 5 Work in stockinet Knit 5 rows Knit, decrease on each side by catching two stitches into one. Catch all three remaining stitches in one stitch Knot off Tuck loose threads into purl side Close edges and sew shut using homespun, or a thinner black yarn if you prefer Using homespun (or thinner same color yarn) attach top half of beak to appropriate place on face.

Wings Work in garter Using Homespun only, Cast on 5 Knit one row Increase one at beginning, knit row Knit row Increase one each end, knit row Knit row Increase one at beginning, knit row Knit row Increase one at beginning, knit row Knit 7 rows

Decrease one at beginning Knit row Repeat last two steps until there is one stitch left Bind off Wind in threads Repeat for second wing

< Attach wings to sides of body using homespun or thinner thread of same color. The increase/decrease side goes in front for wings at rest and in the back for wings that fly. Wind in threads Eyes You can either buy craft eyes to glue on, embroider them, or sew on buttons using black thread, like I did.