Watch how to crochet the cabled owl stitch (video & written pattern)

The wildlife fans in your family won't be able to resist this gorgeous cabled owl effect that you can add to blankets, hats, and washcloths.
The three-dimensional owl stands proud of a background of plainer crochet, making a real talking point. Best of all, this beautiful effect is really not so hard to create.
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Watch the cabled owl stitch tutorial by Crochet Ever After:
Materials
You want your owl to stand out really well against its background so pick a nice smooth yarn which is not too bulky, fuzzy or chunky. Avoid variegated wools as well as they will distract from the design. A light worsted or DK weight would be ideal. You'll need a hook in an appropriate size, check the manufacturer's band for recommendations. You'll also want a pair of scissors and a tapestry needle on hand.
Pro tip: Sew some buttons or beads onto your creation to make eyes and see your owl really come to life.
Abbreviations
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
St(s) - stitch(es)
Fptr - front post treble stitch
Fpdc - front post double crochet
Yo - yarn over
Special stitches involved in this pattern
Front post treble - yo twice, insert hook behind and around post of st you are working, pushing st post forward, yo and pull through.
Front post double crochet - yo once, insert hook behind and around post of st you are working, pushing st post forward, yo and pull through.
Reverse single crochet - this is worked like a normal sc but in reverse. So with right side facing and working from left to right, yo, insert your hook as normal, yarn over and pull through two loops on the hook. Continue working towards the right-hand side of the project.
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Written pattern
To make the owl washcloth, start by chaining 31. For other projects, make a chain the desired length of your project.
Row 1: turn, beginning in 2ch from hook, sc in each ch across.
Row 2: turn, ch 1, sc across row.
Row 3-6: repeat row 2.
Row 7: turn, ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, fptr around 2 previous skipped sts of row below, skip next 3 st, fptr around next 2 sts of row below, sc in each of 3 previous skipped sts, skip next 2 sts, sc in last 10 sts.
Row 8: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Row 9: turn, ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, fpdc around next 2 sts of row below, skip previous 2 sts, sc in next st, fpdc in next 4 fptr of two rows below, skip previous 4 sts, sc in next st, fpdc around next 2 sts of row below, skip previous 2 sts, sc in last 10 sts.
Row 10: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Row 11: turn, ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, fpdc around next 2 fpdc of 2 rows below, skip previous 2 sts, sc in next st, fpdc in next 4 fpdc of two rows below, skip previous 4 sts, sc in next st, fpdc around next 2 fpdc of 2 rows below, skip previous 2 sts, sc in last 10 sts.
Row 12: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Row 13-14: repeat rows 11 and 12.
Row 15: turn, ch 1, sc in next 10 sts, skip next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, fptr around 2 previous fpdc skipped stitches from 2 rows below, skip next 3 sts, fptr around next two fpdc sts from 2 rows below, sc in each of 3 previous skipped sts, skip next 2 sts, sc in last 10 sts.
Row 16: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Row 17: repeat row 9.
Row 18: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Rows 19-26: repeat rows 11 and 12.
Row 27: repeat row 15.
Row 28: turn, ch 1, sc in each st across.
Rows 29-33: repeat row 28. to finish, ch 1, rsc evenly around entire outside of washcloth. Work 3 rsc around each corner. Join with a sl st and finish off, weaving in all ends with the tapestry needle.