As there are a lot of bird spotters among my friends and family, I’ve had quite some appeals for knitted birds. So I’ve taken up the venture of cloning different species in a knitted collection. Nowadays, the kids in my family actually collect these birds and I’m always delighted when they can actually spot and identify a species without even leaving the house!

Owls are a group of over 200 very typical bird species. They are generally solitary, nocturnal birds of prey with upright, proud postures and funny flat faces. As they are masters of camouflage, why not send your knitted owls undercover throughout your back yard and have a birdwatching summer holiday-at-home!

There are three owl species included in this pattern: the barn owl and owl chick, the (Eurasian) eagle-owl and the snowy owl, with the pattern for a tiny wood mouse (in miniature knitting) included. Each owl is an easy, fast project, that can be finished in an evening or so and a great way to use up any scraps you have lying around. Your owls will come out more life-like with a variation in colors and textures of your chosen yarns.

The owls were knitted flat on 2.25 mm double pointed needles (UK 13, US 1) and the mouse was done on 1 mm double pointed needles in lace gauge yarn (but can also be made on thicker needles in bulkier yarn). Some intarsia work is asked for and loop stitches (explained in the pattern) are used to make the eagle-owls’ ear tufts.

Hope you have a hoot!