My entry to Ravelry’s ever-growing aviary of owls.

This seamless baby owl is knit in the round from the bottom up in a simple allover Crossed Stockinette (twisted stitch) pattern. The feathery facial fringe is added later with a crochet hook, though no actual crochet is required. (Note: although the fringe is securely knotted, it may not be suitable for very young children.)

Gauge: 24 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm (4 in.) in pattern. That said, exact gauge is not crucial for this project. In fact, you can use any yarn and needles you like, as long as you achieve a moderately dense fabric that does not reveal space between the stitches.

Finished dimensions: 15 cm (6 in.) tall and about 30 cm (12 in.) around the belly.

Safety eyes: 16mm-18mm in size.

It’s the large, wideset eyes that give Owlish his owlish appearance. Instead of safety eyes, you could also use black shank buttons, painted with a tiny dot of white in each corner.

Once you’ve finished knitting Owlish, perhaps turn your creative mind to accessorizing your featherless friend. A feather boa? A winter scarf? A fair isle toque?