Table of contents
Looking for an enchanting crochet project that combines whimsy with practical skill-building? This delightful Nesting Rainbow Owls pattern creates an adorable family of colorful owls nestled in their own cozy home. Perfect for both beginners looking to expand their skills and experienced crocheters seeking a charming gift project, these rainbow owls will bring joy to any home.
The pattern includes instructions for creating multiple owls in vibrant rainbow colors, each measuring approximately 3 inches tall, along with a spacious 9-inch diameter nest decorated with leaves. With clear step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you’ll master essential techniques like invisible decreases, color changes, and three-dimensional shaping.
Designed by : Janine holmes
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Pattern Notes and Terminology
This nesting rainbow owls pattern uses American crochet terminology. Here’s a quick reference for international crocheters:
American to British Conversion:
- ch (chain) = ch (chain)
- sl st (slip stitch) = ss (slip stitch)
- sc (single crochet) = dc (double crochet)
- hdc (half double crochet) = htr (half treble crochet)
- dc (double crochet) = tr (treble crochet)
- skip = miss
Abbreviations:
- cm = centimeters
- mm = millimeters
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- invdec = invisible decrease
Special Stitch – Invisible Decrease (invdec):
Insert hook into front loop only of first stitch, do not wrap yarn, insert hook into front loop only of next stitch. You will now have three loops on your hook. Wrap yarn and pull through the first two loops, wrap yarn again and pull through the last two loops.
Gauge: Exact gauge isn’t crucial, but ensure your hook creates tight fabric that stuffing won’t show through.
Materials Needed for the Nesting Rainbow Owls Pattern
For Owls and Leaves:
- Light worsted weight (DK/8 ply) yarn in:
- White
- Light and dark shades of: Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Turquoise, Blue, and Purple
For Nest:
- Super Bulky yarn in Mid Green and Dark Green
Additional Supplies:
- 5 clear or colored 12mm safety eyes
- Polyester toy stuffing
Pro Tip: For custom eye colors, use clear safety eyes and color the backs with permanent markers to match your owls perfectly!
Crochet Hooks & Tools for the Nesting Rainbow Owls Pattern
- Size D (3.25 mm) crochet hook for owls
- Size L (8 mm) crochet hook for nest
- Scissors
- Large yarn needle
- Stitch marker
Nesting Rainbow Owls Pattern – Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions
Eye Patches
Make 2 pieces, starting from center.
With White yarn make 2 ch.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Change to Dark Color yarn.
- Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.
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.
- Rnd 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)
- Rnds 2-5: Sc in each st around. (4 rounds)
Change to Dark Color yarn.
- Rnds 6-7: Sc in each st around. (2 rounds)
- Rnd 8: [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)
- Rnd 9: Sc in each st around.
Continue in stripe pattern of 1 round Light color (L) followed by 1 round Dark color (D)
- Rnd 10 (L): [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)
- Rnd 11 (D): Sc in each st around.
- Rnd 12 (L): Sc in each st around.
- Rnd 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.
- Rnd 14 (L): [Sc in each of next 4 st, invdec] 6 times. (30 sts)
- Rnd 15 (D): [Sc in each of next 3 st, invdec] 6 times. (24 sts)
Continue in Light Color to end.
- Rnd 16: [Sc in each of next 2 st, invdec] 6 times. (18 sts)
- Rnd 17: [Sc in next st, invdec] 6 times. (12 sts)
Stuff head & body.
- Rnd 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.
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).
Beak
Make 1 piece. Working back and forth in rows.
With Yellow/Orange yarn make 4 ch
- Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each of next 2 st. (3 sts)
- Row 2: 1 ch, (does not count as st), skip first st, sc in each of next 2 st. (2 sts)
- Row 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.
Wings
- Make 2 pieces starting from center.
With Light Color yarn make 2 ch.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
- Rnd 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.
Feet
Make 2 pieces, starting from center.
With Yellow/Orange yarn make 2 ch.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Place marker at beginning of next round.
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)
- Rnd 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.
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.
- Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6 sts)
Place marker at beginning of next round, move marker up with each completed round.
- Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of next 6 st. (12 sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (18 sts)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (24 sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (30 sts)
- Rnd 6: [Sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (36 sts)
- Rnd 7: [Sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (42 sts)
- Rnd 8: [Sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (48 sts)
- Rnd 9: [Sc in each of next 7 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (54 sts)
- Rnd 10: [Sc in each of next 8 st, 2 sc in next st] 6 times. (60 sts)
- Rnd 11: Working in back loops only: Sc in each st around.
- Rnd 12: Working in both loops again: Sc in each st around.
- Rnd 13: [Sc in each of next 8 st, invdec] 6 times. (54 sts)
Change to Dark Green Super Bulky yarn.
- Rnd 14: Sc in each st around.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
- Rnd 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.
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)
- Rnd 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make as many owls as you’d like! The pattern provides instructions for one owl, but you can create an entire rainbow family using different color combinations. Each owl uses approximately 50-60 yards of light worsted weight yarn.
Each owl measures approximately 3 inches (8 cm) tall, and the nest has a diameter of about 9 inches (22 cm). The size may vary slightly depending on your yarn choice and tension.
For best results, stick with light worsted weight (DK/8 ply) yarn for the owls and super bulky yarn for the nest. If you use different weights, adjust your hook size accordingly and expect size variations in the finished pieces.
Insert the safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7 of the head, spacing them about 6 stitches apart. The inside edges of the eye patches should just touch each other. Remember to account for stretching when the owl is stuffed.
Final Thoughts on the Nesting Rainbow Owls Pattern
This charming Nesting Rainbow Owls pattern offers the perfect blend of skill-building techniques and adorable results. Whether you’re creating a special gift or adding whimsical décor to your own home, these colorful owls are sure to bring smiles to everyone who sees them. The combination of different textures, colors, and construction methods makes this an engaging project that will enhance your crochet skills while producing something truly special.
Start with one owl in your favorite colors, then expand your rainbow family as your skills grow. Happy crocheting!
Remember it later!
Planning to try this soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
