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Amigurumi 44 rounds No account, no download

A beginner’s guide to crochet nesting rainbow owls

Amigurumi owls worked in single crochet (UK double crochet); American and British stitch terms both explained.

A beginner's guide to crochet nesting rainbow owls
Skill
Intermediate
Time
4-6 hours
Yarn weight
Worsted
Hook
12 mm

Intermediate

What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.

Worsted

What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.

4-6 hours

What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.

About this pattern

This pattern is a crocheted amigurumi set: rainbow-coloured owls built from eye patches, head and body, beak, wings and feet, plus a matching crocheted nest and leaves. It uses single crochet (UK double crochet) throughout, worked in rounds and rows with safety eyes and polyester stuffing. A 3.25 mm hook suits the owls and an 8 mm hook suits the bulkier nest.

The Nesting Rainbow Owls are a family of amigurumi figures built almost entirely from single crochet (UK: double crochet), the dense, even stitch that gives toy crochet its firm, stuffable fabric. Each owl is assembled from several small worked pieces — eye patches, head and body, beak, wings and feet — plus a separate crocheted nest and a scattering of leaves, all made with the same basic stitch repeated across different stitch counts and colour sequences.

Construction works piece by piece rather than as one continuous build. The head and body is worked in a continuous spiral from a starting chain over 13 rounds, while the beak is worked back and forth in short rows, decreasing from 3 stitches down to 1 before being folded in half and oversewn. Eye patches, wings and feet are each worked as separate small rounds and sewn on afterwards, so shaping, colour changes and stuffing happen apart from final assembly.

Each finished owl measures approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall, and the matching nest they sit in measures about 9 inches (23 cm) in diameter once decorated with leaves. Exact gauge isn't crucial for this pattern, but the hook should produce a tight fabric that stuffing won't show through.

Materials

Light worsted weight (DK/8 ply) yarn in

  • White
  • Light and dark shades of: Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Turquoise, Blue, and Purple
  • Super Bulky yarn in Mid Green and Dark Green
  • 5 clear or colored 12mm safety eyes
  • Polyester toy stuffing
  • Size D (3.25 mm) crochet hook for owls
  • Size L (8 mm) crochet hook for nest
  • Scissors
  • Large yarn needle
  • Stitch marker

The list is the pattern's own wording.

Instructions

Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.

Eye Patches

Make 2 pieces, starting from center.

With White yarn make 2 ch.

  1. Round 1

    6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts) Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    2 sc in each st around. (12 sts) Change to Dark Color yarn.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Round 3

    [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts) Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet

Head & Body

Make 1 piece starting at top of head. Working in continuous spiral rounds.

With Light Color yarn make 13 ch. (Foundation chain)

Place marker in first st of next round, move marker up with each completed round.

  1. Round 1

    Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each of remaining 11 ch to end, turn work and making all remaining stitches down opposite side of foundation chain: Sc in each of next 12 ch to end. (24 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Rounds 2–5

    Sc in each st around. (4 rounds) Change to Dark Color yarn.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Rounds 6–7

    Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  4. Round 8

    [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  5. Round 9

    Sc in each st around. Continue in stripe pattern of 1 round Light color (L) followed by 1 round Dark color (D)

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  6. Round 10

    (L): [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  7. Round 11

    (D): Sc in each st around.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  8. Round 12

    (L): Sc in each st around.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  9. Round 13

    (D): Sc in each st around. Insert 12 mm safety eyes into center of eye patches. Insert between rounds 6 & 7 of head, spacing approx 6 stitches apart. (Inside edges of the eye patches should just touch each other. Allow for a little extra stretch when owl is stuffed). Do not sew down edge of eye patches yet.

    Key3
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
    mm
    millimeters
  10. Round 14

    (L): [Sc in each of next 4 st, invdec] 6 times. (30 sts)

    Key4
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  11. Round 15

    (D): [Sc in each of next 3 st, invdec] 6 times. (24 sts) Continue in Light Color to end.

    Key4
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  12. Round 16

    [Sc in each of next 2 st, invdec] 6 times. (18 sts)

    Key4
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  13. Round 17

    [Sc in next st, invdec] 6 times. (12 sts) Stuff head & body.

    Key4
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  14. Round 18

    [Invdec] 6 times. (6 sts)Fasten off, leaving a long tail for finishing. Thread yarn tail onto yarn needle, pick up front loop only of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close the hole. Fasten off. Weave in end.Sew edges of eye patches to face with back stitch.

    Key2
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches

Beak

Make 1 piece. Working back and forth in rows.

With Yellow/Orange yarn make 4 ch

  1. Round 1

    Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each of next 2 st. (3 sts)

    Key4
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    1 ch, (does not count as st), skip first st, sc in each of next 2 st. (2 sts)

    Key4
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Round 3

    1 ch, (does not count as st), skip first st, sc in next st. (1 st) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold beak in half lengthways so row ends line up. Oversew edges together. Sew beak to center of face in between eyes with point of beak facing downwards.

    Key3
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet

Wings

Make 2 pieces starting from center.

With Light Color yarn make 2 ch.

  1. Round 1

    6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts) Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Round 3

    [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  4. Round 4

    [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  5. Round 5

    1 ch, (does not count as a st), fold circle in half, sc through both layers to end. (12 sts)Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Using back stitch sew edges of wings to sides of body with curved side facing inwards on tummy. Stuff lightly before you close the seam.

    Key4
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet

Feet

Make 2 pieces, starting from center.

With Yellow/Orange yarn make 2 ch.

  1. Round 1

    6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts) Place marker at beginning of next round.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Round 3

    [Sl st in next st, 3 ch, Sl st in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, Sl st in same st as first Sl st] 3 times. (3 toes)Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.Sew feet side by side to base of owl around edge of circular part of foot with right side of foot facing upwards. Leave edges of toes un-sewn, they will naturally curl up a little.

    Key4
    sl st
    slip stitch
    hdc
    half double crochet
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch

Nest

Make 1 piece starting at center of base.

With Mid Green Super Bulky yarn and a size L (8 mm) crochet hook make 2 ch.

  1. Round 1

    6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts) Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    sc
    single crochet
  2. Round 2

    2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  3. Round 3

    [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  4. Round 4

    [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  5. Round 5

    [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  6. Round 6

    [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  7. Round 7

    [Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (42 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  8. Round 8

    [Sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (48 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  9. Round 9

    [Sc in each of next 7 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (54 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  10. Round 10

    [Sc in each of next 8 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (60 sts)

    Key3
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  11. Round 11

    Working in back loops only: Sc in each st around.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  12. Round 12

    Working in both loops again: Sc in each st around.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  13. Round 13

    [Sc in each of next 8 st, invdec] 6 times. (54 sts) Change to Dark Green Super Bulky yarn.

    Key4
    invdec
    invisible decrease
    sts
    stitches
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  14. Round 14

    Sc in each st around. Fasten off, weave in ends.

    Key2
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
  15. Round 15

    Join Dark Green Super Bulky yarn to any leftover loop from round 11 at base of nest. (1 ch, sc) in same st as join, sc in each of next 8 st, 2 sc in next st, [sc in each of next 9 st, 2 sc in next st] 5 times. (66 sts)Fasten off. Weave in ends.

    Key4
    sts
    stitches
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet

Leaves

Make as many pieces as you want to decorate your nest in various leaf colors.

With your Light Green/Dark Green yarn make 8 ch. (Foundation chain)

  1. Round 1

    Working in back loops only: Sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, Sl st in last ch, 2 ch, skip 2 ch, now working in left over loops of foundation chain: Sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, Sl st in next ch, sc in point of leaf.Fasten off. Weave in ends.

    Key6
    sl st
    slip stitch
    hdc
    half double crochet
    ch
    chain
    st
    stitch
    sc
    single crochet
    dc
    double crochet

Sew base of leaves around top edge of nest placing a leaf every 3 stitches and alternating between Light and Dark Green. There is no need to cut the yarn in between leaves, just fasten each leaf with a knot and thread the yarn through the next few crochet stitches until you reach the next place you wish to attach a leaf, fasten the next leaf with a knot and repeat to end. Sew opposite points of leaves to round 15 in the same way.

Ear Tufts

Cut 2 strands of Light Color and 2 strands of Dark Color yarn approx 5″ (13 cm) long. Take all 4 strands, fold in half and pull loop through stitch on top corner of head. Feed the ends of yarn through loop and pull tight to form a tassel. Repeat for the opposite side. Trim to 1″ (2 cm).

Notes from the pattern

  • The owls need the Size D (3.25 mm) hook for tight, gap-free fabric that holds its shape and hides stuffing; the Size L (8 mm) hook is used only for the Super Bulky nest, which is meant to be looser.
  • Place the stitch marker at the start of round 1 and move it up every round; in continuous spiral pieces like the 13-round Head & Body, losing the marker makes it easy to lose track of where a round begins.
  • Keep tension snug and consistent, since amigurumi worked too loosely will gap at the stitches once safety eyes are set and stuffing is pushed in behind them.
  • Colour changes between Light and Dark Colour yarn should happen on the last yarn-over of the previous stitch, so the new colour starts cleanly at the beginning of the next stitch rather than partway through it.
  • Gauge: exact gauge isn't crucial for this pattern, but the hook you choose should produce tight fabric that stuffing won't show through.
  • Special stitch – Invisible Decrease (invdec), used throughout the Head & Body and Nest: insert the hook into the front loop only of the first stitch, do not wrap yarn, then insert the hook into the front loop only of the next stitch (three loops now on the hook); wrap yarn and pull through the first two loops, then wrap yarn again and pull through the last two loops.
  • custom eye colors, use clear safety eyes and color the backs with permanent markers to match your owls perfectly.

The essentials

Rounds
44
Parts
8
Level
Intermediate
Time
4-6 hours
Hook
12 mm
Yarn
Worsted

Stitches you will use

  • Continuous spiral rounds Used throughout the 13-round Head & Body piece; a moving stitch marker is essential since there is no slip-stitch join to mark the round.
  • Flat short rows folded and seamed The Beak decreases from 3 to 1 stitch over 3 rows, then is folded lengthways and oversewn; keep both row ends even so the fold sits flat.

Troubleshooting

The Eye Patches look flat instead of slightly domed.

The increases across rounds 2 and 3 (2 sc in each st, then [sc, 2 sc] repeated) need to be spread evenly; bunched increases pull the round flat instead of curving it outward.

The Beak doesn't sit flat against the face once folded.

The oversewn edges were not pulled tight and even along the fold; re-sew the two row-end edges together closely before attaching the beak between the eyes.

The Nest looks baggy or uneven compared

Super Bulky yarn worked on the 8 mm hook needs an even, slightly looser tension held consistently across all 15 rounds; tightening up partway through will pull the bowl shape out of round.

Substituting yarn

Acrylic, worsted (Aran) weight
Closest match to the pattern's weight; finished size and drape stay the same, and the same 3.25 mm hook works for the owls.
Cotton, DK weight
Gives firmer stitch definition but a smaller finished owl; going up to a lighter hook size and adding a little extra stuffing helps fill any gaps.
Wool-blend, bulky weight, for the nest only
A lighter substitute for Super Bulky; drape is softer and the nest comes out smaller, so dropping to a smaller hook than the 8 mm keeps the stitches from looking loose.

Washing and care

  • Hand wash the finished owls and nest in cool water, reshape gently while still damp, and dry flat away from direct heat so the safety eyes and stuffing keep their position.
  • Store finished pieces away from direct sunlight to prevent the rainbow-coloured panels from fading, and keep the nest lightly supported inside rather than flattened so it holds its bowl shape in storage.

The photographs taken while this was being made

Every one was taken by whoever published the pattern, in the order the source listed them.

  • A beginner's guide to crochet nesting rainbow owls — photo 2
  • A beginner's guide to crochet nesting rainbow owls — photo 3

FAQs

Questions

Are the pieces joined as they're made, or sewn together afterwards?

Each part — eye patches, head and body, beak, wings, feet, and the nest and leaves — is worked as a separate piece and fastened off with a long tail. The tails are used to sew the pieces together once each one is complete and, where needed, stuffed.

How much stuffing does each owl need?

The pattern calls for polyester toy stuffing without specifying an exact quantity. Fill firmly enough that the body holds a rounded shape without stitches gapping, checking as safety eyes are inserted that the area around them stays supported.

Does this pattern use US or UK crochet terms?

It uses American terminology throughout, so single crochet (sc) means UK double crochet, half double crochet (hdc) means UK half treble, and double crochet (dc) means UK treble. "Skip" in the US instructions means "miss" in UK terms.

Is this pattern suitable for a beginner?

Yes; nearly every piece relies on a single stitch worked in rounds or short rows, with the longest section being the 13-round Head & Body. The main new skills are managing a stitch marker in continuous rounds and sewing a folded seam for the beak.

These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.