Owls (Granny style)

I am teaching another crochet class at The Wool Cabin.  I "work" there on Thursday afternoons.  The shop owners asked me to teach another crochet class and they wanted to focus on on Granny squares, which are a great project for a beginning student and a good project for teaching crochet stitches and reading patterns.  I want my students to take home more than just a finished class project.  I try to teach them skills so they can execute projects on their own.  Being able to read a pattern is the skill that will help them the most, so that's one of my class goals.  Granny squares can be as big a project as you like...from pillows to blankets and even these little stuffed owls.

While they aren't technically Granny's they are close cousins.  They are lightly stuffed and 3 dimensional.  I found the pattern here on Bunny Mummy's blog; she's British not Egyptian ;).  Click on the link to get her tutorial.  She's generously sharing it for free and has nice photos for beginners who might not be experienced at following written instructions.

These are a quick crochet and are good way to use up bits of leftover yarn.  I found buttons from my button jar for eyes.  Unfortunately, the green-headed owl looks like he might have a cataract; black buttons probably would look a bit better. You could use safety eyes or embroider eyes with yarn if you are worried about a choking hazard for small children. Wouldn't they make a colorful mobile above a child's bed, or be adorable hung across a ribbon on the wall?