Crochet the Owl Granny Square

Materials You’ll Need

• Yarn: Worsted Weight Yarn (like Vanna’s Choice) in the following colors:
  • Body: Tan/Light Brown
  • Accent: A contrasting color for the “ears” and inner circle (e.g., pink)
  • Border: 2-3 colors for the granny square rounds
  • Details: Small amounts of black and yellow
• Crochet Hook: US G-6 (4.25 mm)
• Eyes: Two small black buttons (½ inch or smaller)
• Notions:
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle
  • Stitch Markers (helpful for keeping place)

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tc: triple (treble) crochet

Pattern Instructions

Part 1: Making the Owl

We start by creating the owl’s face in the center.

1. Round 1: With your main body color (tan), create a magic ring. Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 8 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. Ch 1. (8 hdc)
2. Round 2: Work 2 hdc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first hdc. Change to your accent color (e.g., pink). (16 hdc)
3. Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as first dc). Work 1 dc in the same stitch. Work 2 dc in each remaining stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-2. Ch 1. (32 dc)
4. Round 4 (Making the Ears): This round shapes the top of the head into “ears”.
   • Stitch 1: Work 1 hdc in the first stitch.
   • Stitch 2: In the next stitch, work (1 dc, 1 tc, 1 dc). This creates the first “ear”.
   • Stitches 3-7: Work 1 sc in each of the next 5 stitches.
   • Stitch 8: In the next stitch, work (1 dc, 1 tc, 1 dc). This creates the second “ear”.
   • Stitch 9: Work 1 hdc in the next stitch.
   • Join with a sl st to the first hdc.
5. Fasten off and weave in the ends. Turn the owl over so the “right side” (the side without the yarn tails) is facing you.

Part 2: Creating the Foundation for the Square

Now, we’ll build a frame around the owl to turn it into a square.

1. Look at the back of your owl. You will see the posts of the brown dc stitches from Round 3 connecting to the pink round.
2. Starting to the right of an “ear”, insert your hook under the bottom of one of these dc stitches. Draw up a loop of your first border color.
3. Ch 3.
4. Skip the next dc stitch. Insert your hook under the bottom of the following dc stitch, work 1 sc.
5. Ch 3.
6. Repeat from * all the way around the owl. You will be alternating (sc, ch3, skip) around the circle.
7. You should end up with 8 sc joins and 8 ch-3 spaces.
8. Join with a sl st to the base of the very first ch-3 you made.

Part 3: The First Granny Round

Now we work into the ch-3 spaces to form the first square round.

1. You are now working in the round of ch-3 spaces.
2. In the first ch-3 space, work: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). This is your first corner.
3. Ch 1.
4. In the next ch-3 space, work (3 dc). This is the side of the square. Ch 1.
5. *In the next ch-3 space, work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) for the next corner. Ch 1.
6. In the next ch-3 space, work (3 dc) for the side. Ch 1.
7. Repeat from * around until you have worked all 4 corners and 4 sides.
8. Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch-3.
9. Fasten off.

Part 4: Adding More Granny Rounds

The pattern continues with classic granny square rounds. Each round adds more groups on the sides between the corners.

Round 2 with New Color:

1. Join your new color in any corner space.
2. In that corner space, work (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Ch 1.
3. *In the next space (a side space), work (3 dc). Ch 1.
4. In the next space (another side space), work (3 dc). Ch 1.
5. In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Ch 1.
6. Repeat from * around.
7. Join and fasten off.

Round 3 with New Color:

1. Join your next color in any corner space.
2. Work your corner: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Ch 1.
3. *Work (3 dc, ch 1) in each of the next three side spaces.
4. In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc). Ch 1.
5. Repeat from * around.
6. Join and fasten off.
7. Weave in all ends.

You can continue adding rounds following this pattern: each new round will have one more 3-dc group on each side between the corners.

Part 5: Adding the Owl’s Face

1. Eyes: With black yarn, make a magic ring. Ch 1, work 8 hdc into the ring. Join with a sl st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew these small black circles onto the owl’s face. Sew your small black buttons into the center of each circle.
2. Beak & Feet: Using your yarn needle and yellow yarn, embroider the details.
   • Beak: Make a small, upside-down “V” shape between and just below the eyes.
   • Feet: At the bottom of the owl, make two small clusters of three loops each to look like talons

Tips for Success

• Tension: Keep your stitches consistent, especially when working the initial frame around the owl. This will ensure your square lays flat.
• Button Safety: If this square is for a baby, consider using safety eyes or embroidering the eyes instead of buttons to avoid a choking hazard.
• Blocking: Gently block your finished square to open up the granny stitches and make it perfectly square.
• Get Creative: Feel free to use different colors for your owl! A white owl with gray accents would be a beautiful snowy owl

Final Thoughts

Congratulations! You’ve just created an unbelievably cute and unique granny square that is sure to be a treasured item. This little owl is full of personality and is a joy to make