Snow Owl

• 6mm Braided White Cord
• 6mm Twisted White Cord
• 6mm Natural Jute or similar cord
• One 15-inch diameter Ring
• Two 2-inch Plastic Rings
• Two 20mm Black beads, or plastic “eye” beads
• One 20mm x 30mm barrel bead (for beak).
• Decorative Items such as a branch, flowers, leaves, etc.
  

Knots Used: Larks Head Knot, Alternating Square Knots, Overhand Knot, Linen Stitch, Double Half Hitch

Braided – Cut 18 strands of cord, each 110 inches long (Body).
Cut 6 cords, each 12 inches long (for the Feet).

Twisted – Cut 40 cords, each 66 inches long (Wings)
Cut 28 cords, each 8 inches long (Eyes)
Cut 17 cords, each 7 inches long (Top of Head)

Jute Cord (made up of at least 3 strands) – Cut 2 cords, each 18 inches long. You can also use other types of cord material, just make sure it’s natural or brown in color.

Step 3: Tie a row of Square Knots, using 4 strands at a time (2 fillers), directly under the mounting knots.

Step 4: Tie a second row of Square Knots, alternating cords by moving over 2 strands. Repeat this process for 3 more rows. Make the rows as close together as possible.

Step 5: To attach the eyes in the 6th row, locate the 4 strands directly in the center of the design. Mark them somehow (a piece of tape works well). The 4th and 5th strands to either side of the marked ones are the cords for the eyes. Pass a bead over both these cords. Tie Square Knots with the other cords in the row. There should be 2 knots between the Snow Owl eyes.

Step 6: Tie another row of Alternating Square Knots. When you reach the beads for the eyes, make sure the knots are resting just below them. Slide the barrel bead over the 2 strands in the middle of the group you marked in step 5.

Step 7: Continue the Alternating Square Knots for another 12 rows.

Step 8: Tie 4 more rows, but Double Half Hitch the first and last 2 cords in each row to the ring. Then continue to knot the rest of the strands. Be sure to pull the Snow Owl body taut. You may need to stretch the design slightly, to make it as snug as possible. If for some reason the design is loose or needs to stretch too much, add or subtract one row of knots as needed.

Step 9: For the final row of knots, Double Half Hitch all of the remaining cords to the ring.

Step 12: Use the Jute to wrap all 6 strands for about ½ inch. Secure it by passing the end through the last loop (Linen Stitch). Unravel the Jute cord, so there are three strands to work with. Divide the white cords into three groups of two cords. Wrap one strand of Jute around each group, using the Linen Stitch technique. Make the wraps very snug. The center group should be wrapped for one inch, and the other two for ¾ inch. Make an Overhand knot to secure the wraps. Try to place the knot towards the back of the “toes” of the Snow Owl, so it doesn’t show.

Step 13: Apply glue to the entire wrapped portion. When dry, cut off any remaining cord. Repeat steps 11 thru 13 for the left foot.

Step 14: To start the wings, mount 20 of the 66-inch cords (twisted) to the right section of the ring. Use Larks Head Knots, filling in the space between the upper and lower body sections. The “heads” of the knots should be heading the same direction as the Lark’s Heads at the top of the body section.

Step 15: Tie 4 rows of Alternating Square Knots, with the rows close together, the same as the body.

Step 16: Omit the first and last 2 cords in addition to the strands omitted in the previous step (total of 4). Continue the row of Alternating Square Knots. These dropped cords will no longer be used. Repeat this process for 5 more rows, with 2 additional cords from both ends omitted with each row.

Step 17: Use the last cord at the top of the Snow Owl wing design, and direct it towards the bottom, over the other cords. It should rest against the Square Knots, following the curve they make. Double Half Hitch all the cords to it. Apply glue to the bar formed, and allow it to dry.

Step 18: Select 2 cords in the center portion of the wing. Pass them through openings in the 3rd row over from the edge of the ring (in the body), so the wing bulges slightly. In the back of the design, tie a Square knot with the 2 cords to secure the wing. Apply glue and cut off any remainder.

Step 19: Trim the loose cords so the ends rest close to the bottom of the large ring. If you wish, you can completely cut off the strands in the top portion of the wing design. Unravel the remaining strands, but do not brush them.

Step 20: Repeat steps 14 thru 19 for the other wing.

Step 21: Mount 14 of the 8-inch cords (twisted material) to one of the small rings, using Larks Head Knots. Repeat for the second ring. Unravel the cords.

Step 22: Place the rings centered over each eye. Attach them with scrap cord at the top and bottom. I like to use scraps of narrow cord or string for this step. Secure them with Square of Overhand knots in the back of the design. Apply glue to the knots, and trim off any remaining cord.