realistic crochet owl

Bubu is the owlet I’ve always dreamed of making!

Many years ago, when I created my first realistic owl, Okiri, I came across an adorable image of an owl plush toy online. It was fluffy and plump, and I instantly loved it. Although it wasn’t quite what I had envisioned for my project, I saved the image both on my computer and in my mind. Each time I designed a new owl pattern, that plush toy would come to mind, even though it wasn’t the species I wanted to create.

Over the past month, I embarked on another artistic endeavour. Last summer, I illustrated two owl growth charts, depicting an owl’s development from ‘egg to owl’ in twelve images. What began as a fun side project evolved into a serious quest. A Dutch magazine dedicated to owls agreed to publish the growth charts, suggesting it would be even better if I included all six owl species that breed in our country. I was thrilled, but it meant I needed to create four additional charts. It was quite an undertaking, but I absolutely loved it and learned a great deal about our owls. When I shared my progress on Instagram and mentioned that designing a new pattern would take longer, I received so many enthusiastic reactions and new followers! This was likely due to the photo I posted featuring all the owls I’ve created, which made me realise that many of you share my passion for owls.

To celebrate this owlet spirit, I decided it was time to design a super cute and fluffy owl chick inspired by that retro plush toy (which I fortuitously found and purchased from an Etsy shop). My goal was to keep this owl amigurumi as simple as possible while ensuring it was round, fluffy, and undeniably cute!

I adored the plush toy’s colouring: the almond-coloured face paired with a beige-striped body. Since there isn’t an Istex Lett Lopi almond colour, I decided to hold two strands of Einband Lopi almond together; it’s not ideal, but it was worth it for that shade. I made the body rounder than previous owls and integrated a tail shape. Initially, I planned to forgo wings, but once the first version was complete, I decided that Bubu needed separate wings. I also had an easy idea for the paws, and when I tested it, the result was perfect!

When Bubu was finally finished, I felt such joy. He resembles many of the owlets I’ve drawn. By simply changing the colours of the face and eyes, you can create any owl species chick! You might be curious about Bubu’s species. I had to search for a while before I was certain. At first, I thought the plush toy resembled a great horned owl chick. But then I accidentally stumbled upon a photo of an owl chick that was basically the plushy. It turned out to be a Western screech owlet, the most perfect owl chick on the planet.

Here are some more pictures of Bubu the crochet owlet. Below them, you’ll find all the information you need about the pattern.

This is an easy pattern made with basic stitches, with each step explained in detail to ensure that even beginners can create this owl amigurumi. My pattern format includes instructions like ‘sc in next, 2 sc in next, invdec,’ etc. I chose this format because it works better for creating realistic amigurumi.

This crochet owl is made with Istex Lett Lopi (a 100% wool yarn known for its fuzziness) and stands 5.5 inches (14 cm) tall. The pattern includes clear and colour-coded instructions on how to crochet and assemble the doll, along with instructional images with extra notes. You’ll also find pictures of the finished doll at the end. In the pattern, you’ll discover what materials you need as well as the yarn colour numbers, in short, everything necessary to create your own realistic owl amigurumi! All the additional information you need to know about this pattern you can find in the shop listings. You can purchase it in my shop at Ravelry or Etsy.

And heads up! This pattern has a one-dollar release discount until March the 3rd. Feel free to let me know if you need any additional information.

I’m so excited to present you this pattern! Meet Barnsby, a super-realistic but too-cute-to-be-real crochet barn owl.

It has been such an interesting ride to design this owl amigurumi pattern. First of all, barn owls are wondrous-looking creatures with their flat dish-like-looking face. Basically, the face functions as a big ear. The flat disc catches sounds incredibly well, so that they can hear even the tiniest rustle of prey. The challenge for me was to create a flat face that would stay flat when attached to the head. Also, for this streamlined animal I wanted to make a design without too many bumps and attached bits. The owl had to be as seamless as possible.

And that was something new for me. This summer I’ve been experimenting with new techniques, and I had something in mind that could do the trick. I had never tried something like it before, but how hard could it be? I enthusiastically accepted the challenge. After a few silly-looking experiments, I learned how to use this technique properly. I’m not going to go into details, but attaching a body piece to an unfinished body and then crocheting ahead is a brilliant and super-easy way to get a seamless result. It won’t work for every animal or design, but it’s perfect for birds.

And the face! I got so many positive reactions about the owl’s face, so many people found it perfect. So very jolly you all liked it so much. The face is simply sewn to the head, and by pushing the stuffing to the back of the head and keeping the front practically empty, the face stays nice and flat.

I really hope the finished crochet owl meets your expectations! I can’t deny that I’m very proud of the looks and simplicity of this pattern. With this pattern I think even someone with basic skills can make this super-realistic-looking barn owl amigurumi.

Here are a few more pictures of Barnsby the barn owl, and below them you can find info about and links to buy the pattern.

Info about & links to buy the pattern

Barnsby the realistic barn owl is made with Istex Lett Lopi, a 100% wool with a lot of fuzziness. If you use the recommended yarn, he will be 6 inch / 15 cm high. I would strongly recommend a fuzzy yarn, because it hides the seams of the colour changes.

The pattern is written in US terms and contains a clear and colour-coded description of how to crochet and assemble the crochet owl amigurumi, with extra illustrations and example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the yarn colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make your own wondrous owl. All the additional information you need to know about this pattern you can find in the shop listings. You can buy this pattern in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here.

Heads up: it has a one-dollar release discount till Thursday the 10th of October.