Little Miss Lexi recently celebrated her eighth birthday. So of course, she got a special hand crocheted present from her Aunt Donna.
This year, I crocheted rainbow owl tote bag, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. This bag features the Crocodile Stitch, which was a new one for me to try. But it was easy to learn and made for awfully cute owl feathers!
I used the Colorful Owl Purse free crochet pattern.
Materials You'll Need
For this project, you’ll need a variety of yarn colors for the feathers; small bits of white, black, and an additional yarn color for the eyes; and two small white buttons, needle, and white thread for the eye highlights. I used a size H hook for the entire project.
Yarn Choice
Rather than using the exact yarn colors specified in the pattern, I used a variety of yarn that I had on hand to create the rainbow effect of the feathers. As long as you choose yarns that are all the same fiber and weight, you can also use yarns from your stash.
The colors of yarn that I used in this project were:
- Big Twist Blueberry
- Big Twist Medium Teal
- Big Twist Buttercup
- Red Heart Super Saver Pretty 'N Pink
- Big Twist Light Teal
- Red Heart Super Saver Shocking Pink
- Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green
- Red Heart Super Saver Pumpkin (Beak)
- Red Heart Super Saver Pale Plum (Iris of Eyes)
Of course, if you'd like to make the rainbow pattern without weaving in ends, you could also choose a rainbow mandala or variegated yarn and let it do the color work for you.
Modifications to the Pattern - The Handle
Other than the color and brand of yarn used, the only modification I made was how I completed the handle. I really loved the idea of the braided handle, and I actually completed one handle exactly as described in the pattern. However, by tying off the ends of the braid 3 inches from each end, tying the ends to the purse, and then trimming, I found that the "tassels" that were created got pretty short, which I didn't care for the look of.
While I was re-doing the braid, I chose to work with 50" pieces of yarn to give some extra length to the handle. I also opted to double the number of strands of yarn, so that I was working with 24 pieces of yarn, instead of 12. I tied them about 5" from each end, tied them to the bag, then trimmed to give final tassels that were around 3" finished.
Pattern Help
While the pattern is not difficult at all since the majority of the bag has a step-by-step YouTube video tutorial included. A few parts of the pattern start with a Magic Ring, which may be a new technique for some crocheters. If this technique is new to you, this YouTube Tutorial for a Magic Ring will show you how to do it:
Thumbs up for the pattern and also for the idea - most little girls LOVE rainbows, so this one is sure to be a hit! It works up fast and would make a perfect birthday present! Here's Lexi with her Owl Bag:
Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here: Colorful Owl Purse
If you're looking for other free crochet patterns for a special little girl in your life, give these patterns a try:
- Rainbow Toddler Dress
- Color Block Toddler Dress
- Summer Diamonds Toddler Dress
- Flower Child's Toddler Sweater
- Lacy Child's Top
- Idlewild Girl's Dress
- Strawberry Tote Bag