Crocheted Owl Gifts

I recently completed a couple of crocheted items that were birthday gifts for my friend, Becky. She really likes owls. I try to find something unique and/or fun that has an owl theme for her. She liked them (yay!) and I thought you might like to see what I made. It was fun getting back into crocheting again.

This first project is called, It's a Hoot!

I found it via Pinterest. Here is one of the pins you can find on Pinterest. A unique feature is the fact that the buttons are crocheted in place as you complete the round of stitching. This is opposed to stitching them in place after you are done with the project. I thought that was pretty neat. And I liked the cable look of the owls themselves. The yarn I used is Red Heart Shimmer. You may not be able to see it, but there is an iridescent thread running through the yarn that adds a wonderful, well, shimmer. I can attest that the pattern was easy to follow and worked up rather quickly.

Next up is an owl doll/pillow/decor item. 

The pattern calls her Maggie the Owl and I was immediately smitten with the geometric shapes and the African Flower design. (Becky is also a fan of anything geometric) How cool to piece the motifs together to create and animal. Here is the pin that sucked me in...lol

Here is the finished project.

I have to share that I originally crocheted all the motifs using regular worsted weight yarn as specified in the pattern. I freely admit that I have difficulty visualizing what a finished project will look like in terms of sizing. And it wasn't until I started putting the owl together that I realized just how big it was going to become. Too big for me to feel comfortable with. I took a picture of the one I completed and the front part of the original version. 

Yikes, huh?

I was bummed at first when I realized how large it was going to become, thinking I wouldn't be able to make the owl after all. Then I got the idea to try again, only using a smaller yarn. So I ended up using what is called crochet thread. It is bedspread weight cotton thread. I'm thrilled at how well it worked! I took these pictures on my bed so as to give you an idea of the size of the owl against the standard size decor pillows that are on the bed. Plus I thought the colors worked well together. 

*Ü*

Thanks so much for stopping by.

I hope you have a happy weekend!

Check back soon as I made some cards today. 

Yay!

Crocheting Behind the Scenes…for Birthdays

I kind of dropped off the radar again for a bit. I’ve been crafty, but haven’t been able to share what I’ve been making because they were gifts and I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. But, yesterday, the gifts were given to their recipients, so sharing is what I aim to do! Be warned this is a long photo heavy post.

First up, one of our little friends loves Hello Kitty. Although this year, it appears that Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) of Disney Princess fame is carving out a niche in our friend’s heart. But Hello Kitty is still a love. Whew…because there was still a good chance she would like this little purse I crocheted…

It is so hard to photograph white, sorry. But, I think you get the idea. I found the pattern here. This was actually crocheted well over a month ago (yay, I was ahead of the game and not crocheting at the last minute). I liked the bit of gingham for the lining. Jessica picked out a little Princess cell phone lip gloss to tuck into the purse, thereby acknowledging both loves of her friend.  Our friend seemed very happy with her little purse.

Actually I was ahead of the game for all the projects I’m sharing today…yes there’s more…LOL

Next up…the recipient of the next items has an affinity for owls. And this year, more than any other, it seems that owls have exploded on the scene. Not just owls, really, really cute owls.

I was wandering Michaels one day, (if memory serves, the same day I got the book for Jessica’s doll dress that I knitted for her birthday) and I impulsively picked up one of those booklets they have in the yarn section that promotes the yarn behind the booklet. In this case, I came across this booklet and thumbed through the pages, not expecting anything at all. And I flipped past this next project and I was smitten…

Oh my goodness, it’s a Christmas tree ornament and it’s knitted! I guess I can knit a little bit.  I am really tickled with the end result of this little impulse buy. I love the eyes and lo and behold, I found those wooden looking buttons….in my stash. Don’tcha just love it when that happens?? There are other projects in this booklet that might find their way on my hooks/needles. I’ll share if that happens.

And finally, I have been SO itching to share this last gift. Yes, my friend got totally spoiled because of the plethora of really cute owl items out there this year. I just couldn’t help myself. See if you agree that I couldn’t resist this pattern when I came across it on Pinterest…

Isn’t this neat? As I said I found the idea on Pinterest and that led to the purchase of the pattern here. You have to check out this crafter’s Etsy page! My goodness, such cuteness!

I was initially drawn by the owl blanket/afghan, but didn’t think I would have time to get that made. But this tote sucked me in, big time! I substituted the yarn though. The pattern calls for 100% cotton yarn, which I don’t have in my stash anymore and there were 16 colors…sorry, too many for me to pick up for a project, so I went through my yarn and had enough Super Saver type yarns for the owls. I did pick up the brown (Michaels Loops and Threads brand) and found a pretty turquoise color at the second hand store-love the serendipity of that one.

Again, this was crocheted well ahead of time and about 2 weeks ago I went to Joann’s to find a fabric for the lining. Not having made something like this before I asked the gal at the fabric cut counter for help and she immediately told me to look for this owl fabric in the nursery section of fabric. Nursery section? What a great idea for decor for a nursery. I was so pleased at how perfectly it fit with the tote.  And the gal who helped me so loved the tote, I took her email address and sent her the information on where to get the pattern. Love sharing like that!

So, for weeks now I have been itching to share these projects with you. And I’ve also been resisting other owl items I’ve seen every where I go. And now I finally have. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for reading if you got this far.

On this Veteran’s Day weekend I salute those in uniform who fight for our freedoms. You deserve all the honors coming your way. Thank you for your service and sacrifices on our behalf.

 

Hope you have a wonderful start to your week! Thanks so much for stopping by.