Our super-cuddly owl cushion is bursting with character and charm. Made from layers of circles, a little bit of clever embroidery completes his personality. Plus, you only need to crochet one side - the reverse is fabric, making it a quick project. If you want to crochet the back though, all you need to do is repeat the body pattern (but don't forget to get extra yarn).
YOU WILL NEED
■ Cascade 220 (100% wool, 100g/201m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Natural (8010), Yarn B Charcoal Grey (8400) Yarn C Goldenrod (7827) Yam D White (8505)
■ A 4.5mm (US 7) hook
■ A round cushion, 40cm (16in) diameter
■ Complementary fabric, 50x50cm (20x20in), for reverse of cushion cover
■ Tapestry needle
■ Black embroidery thread
■ Sewing needle and thread
MEASUREMENTS
Cushion cover measures 40cm (16in) in diameter
BODY
Using Yarn A, ch6, ss to first ch to form a ring.
Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr), 13tr into ring, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [14 tr]
Round 2 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into same st, 2tr into each st around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [28 tr]
Round 3 Ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr into next st, *tr into next st, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to 1 join. [42 tr]
Round 4 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into next st, 2tr into next st, *tr into each of next 2 sts, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [56 tr]
Round 5 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into each I of next 2 sts, 2tr into next st, *tr into each of next 3 sts, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [70 tr]
Continue in the same fashion, increasing the number of sts by 14 evenly placed sts as in previous rounds, until cushion cover measures 40cm in diameter. Fasten off and weave in ends.
EYES (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn B, ch6, ss to first ch to form a ring.
Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr), 13tr into ring, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [14 tr]
Round 2 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into same st, 2tr into each st around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [28 tr] Fasten off.
Round 3 Join Yam C in any st, ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr into next st, *tr into next st, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [42 tr]
Round 4 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into next st, 2tr into next st, *tr into each of next 2 sts, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [56 tr] Fasten off.
Round 5 Join Yarn D in any st, ch3 (counts as tr), tr into each of next 2 sts, 2tr into next st, *tr into each of next 3 sts, 2tr into next st; repeat from * around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [70 tr] Fasten off.
Now working back and forth in rows:
Row 6 Join Yarn B in any st, ch1 (counts as dc), dc into next 34 tr, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. [35 dc]
Row 7 Ch1 (counts as dc), dc into next 34 dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
BEAK
Using Yarn B, ch12.
Row 1 (RS) Tr into fourth ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [10 tr]
Rows 2-4 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into each tr across to end of row working last tr into top of beg ch-3, turn. [10 tr]
Work dc evenly around the whole square, with 2dc in each corner.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
FEET (MAKE 2)
Using Yarn B, ch6, ss to first ch to form a ring.
Round 1 Ch3 (counts as tr), 13tr into ring, ss to beg ch-3 to join. [14 tr]
Rounds 2-3 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr into each st around, ss to beg ch-3 to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
TO MAKE UP
Pin eyes and beak to cushion using image as a guide. Using a sewing needle and thread, sew pieces to body of the cushion.
Using a tapestry needle and Yarn B, add eyelashes to the eyes, using image as a guide.
Cut a round piece of fabric a little larger than the diameter of the cushion for the reverse of the cover. Using a tapestry needle and black embroidery thread, embroider the phrase: "Come fly with me" (or phrase of your choice) to the reverse of the cushion cover.
With RS facing together, sew the front to the back of the cushion, leaving an opening that's wide enough to fit the cushion pad through. Turn cover right side out and insert the cushion pad before sewing up the opening.
Pin feet to edge of cushion. Using a sewing needle and thread, sew feet to body of the cushion.
