Owl Granny Square Lovey – Free Crochet Blanket Pattern

What is a Lovey Blanket?

A lovey blanket, also known as a security blanket or comfort blanket, is a small, soft piece of fabric (usually with an attached stuffed animal head) that babies and toddlers love to cuddle. It provides comfort and a sense of security, especially at nap time or bedtime.

This owl version takes things up a notch with a cozy granny square blanket body and a sweet, wide-eyed owl perched at the top. The best part? It’s totally handmade and can be customized in every way.

Why You’ll Love This Owl Lovey Pattern

There are so many reasons to love making this crochet lovey. Here are a few of the top ones:

• Beginner-friendly granny square body
• Adorable and huggable owl design
• Quick workup – great for gifting on short notice
• Customizable colors to match any theme
• Perfect stash buster – use up your leftover yarn!

Not to mention, this is the kind of crochet project that gets all the “awws” on social media. If you’re looking to wow your followers or Etsy customers, this one is a winner.

Let’s Talk Granny Squares

The granny square portion is the blanket part of this lovey – and it’s a crochet staple for a reason. Granny squares are made by working clusters of double crochets into chain spaces, forming a square as you go. They’re easy to memorize and addictive to make.

The beauty of the granny square blanket is how adaptable it is. Want a bigger lovey? Add more rounds. Want something seasonal? Choose fall colors like rust, mustard, and cream for autumn vibes, or go pastel for spring.

This project uses just one big granny square, so there’s no need to sew together multiple pieces – making it a seamless and satisfying make.

Creating the Owl Head and Wings

The owl portion is worked in the round (think amigurumi style), starting with a magic ring and increasing outward to form the head. You’ll then decrease and stuff it before closing it off. The wings and facial details are made separately and stitched on.

Adding safety eyes gives it that cute, wide-eyed look – but you can absolutely embroider the eyes if you want to make the lovey baby-safe.

For even more personality, you can customize the owl’s look by changing the beak color, adding blush to the cheeks, or even making it a sleepy owl by stitching on closed eyes with little lashes.

Tips for Making a Baby-Safe Crochet Lovey

If you’re making this for an infant or young toddler, here are a few safety tips:

• Use embroidered or crocheted eyes instead of safety eyes.
• Choose a soft, hypoallergenic yarn that washes well.
• Make sure all parts are securely attached and there are no loose ends.
• Keep stuffing firmly packed but soft enough for cuddles.

Remember, this is a toy meant to bring comfort, so safety is top priority!

Great for Gifting!

This crochet lovey blanket is a fantastic handmade gift. It’s small enough to work up quickly but still big on personality and charm.

Perfect for:

• Baby showers
• First birthdays
• Holiday gifts
• Comfort items for NICU or donation drives
• Nursery decor additions

Pair it with a matching hat, booties, or a storybook about owls for a thoughtful and personal present.

Selling Owl Loveys at Craft Fairs

If you sell your crochet items, these are fantastic sellers at markets and fairs! People are always drawn to cute animal-themed baby items, and the owl is universally loved. Just be sure to note your safety features if it’s for babies (embroidered eyes, soft stuffing, etc.).

Bonus tip: Display one in a small basket with others in different animals or colors to show off your range.

Time Commitment and Skill Level

This is an Easy skill level crochet project. The granny square part is beginner-friendly, and the owl head is a simple amigurumi-style, which is also beginner friendly, but the eye patches, wings, and general assembly might be a bit tricky for someone just starting out.

As far as time, you can complete this lovey in an afternoon, depending on your speed and how much detail you add to your owl. The blanket shown was made in about 4 hours.

About the Materials

The Owl Granny Square Crochet Lovey Blanket was made with 100% Cotton Worsted Weight Yarn, specifically I Love this Cotton. Good substitutes for this yarn are Knit Picks Dishie, Paintbox Cotton Aran, and Lily Sugar ‘n Cream. However, you can use whatever yarns you like, just make sure they’re baby safe if gifting or marketing for babies.

You will also need an H/8/5.00mm crochet hook, 12mm safety eyes in black or color, fiberfill stuffing, yarn needles for stitching the owl parts together and then stitching the owl to the blanket. Personally, I used hot glue to attach the owl pieces to the head, then sewed the head to the body. In addition you will Lastly a pair of scissors will be needed!

The Crochet Pattern

Keep reading for a list of what you need to make the Owl Granny Square Crochet Lovey Blanket, including the stitch pattern instructions!

Materials

Worsted Weight Yarn (#4)

• Beige (MC) – 2.5oz (129yds)
• Brown (A)- 1.5oz(78yds)
• Gold (B) – .75oz(39yds)
• Terracotta (C) – .5oz(26yds)
• Sage (D) – .5oz(26yds)

H/8/5.00mm Crochet Hook

12mm Safety Eyes

Fiberfill Stuffing

Yarn Needle

Scissors

Gauge

3.5 CL + 3 ch-1 x 8 rows = 4”

Not critical for this project.

Finished Measurements

Blanket: 13” x 13”

With Owl: 12.5” L (Tufts to Blanket Edge)

Stitch Guide

arnd = around

ch = chain

CL = See Special Stitches

dc = double crochet

sc = single crochet

sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)

Skill Level

Easy

Notes

• Beginning chain 2 counts as the first stitch.
• Blanket works from the center-out.
• Where asterisks appear, repeat the instructions between them.
• Where parenthesis appear within the instruction, work those stitches into the same space.
• Optional: Add a fabric backing!
• Stitch chart is at the end in black and white for color testing!
  
  
  

Special Stitches

Cluster (CL) – Place three double crochet in the same space.

Instructions

BLANKET

With Color A,

R1. Ch 3, join to form a ring: In ring, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2* 3X, sl st to top of beginning ch 2; Fasten if changing colors.

With Main Color,

R2. Attach yarn to ch-2 space, (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space as join, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 space, ch 1* 3X, sl st to top of beginning ch 2; Fasten if changing colors.

With Color B,

R3. Attach yarn to any corner ch-2 space, (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space as join, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-2 space on side, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch-2 space, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-2 space on side, ch 1* 3X, sl st to top of beginning ch 2; Fasten if changing colors.

With Main Color,

R4. Attach yarn to any corner ch-2 space, (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space as join, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-2 space on side, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 space, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch-2 space on side,* 3X, sl st to top of beginning ch 2; Fasten if changing colors.

R5-12. Repeat R4, alternating colors as desired. Blanket shown was repeated for 12 rows with a color change pattern of *A, MC, B, MC, C, MC, D, MC* ending with MC.

BORDER,

With Main Color,

Ch 1, 1 sc in each st and ch space around, sl st to join in 1st sc; Fasten. (196)

If a decorative border is desired: find a border with a stitch multiple of 2, 4, 7, 14, or 28.

OWL HEAD

With Any Color,

R1. Make magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring

R2. 2 sc arnd (12)

R3. *2 sc, sc* arnd (18)

R4. *2 sc, sc x 2* arnd (24)

R5. *2 sc, sc x 3* arnd (30)

R6. *2 sc, sc x 4* arnd (36)

R7-17. sc arnd (36)

R18. *dec, sc x 4* (30)

R19. *dec, sc x 4* (24)

R20. *dec, sc x 4* (18)

R21. *dec, sc x 4* (12)

STUFF HEAD

R22. dec arnd, weave tail through remaining stitch and pull tight to close; Fasten.

EYE PATCHES (Make 2)

With Any Color,

R1. Make magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring

R2. 2 sc arnd (12); Fasten 1st eye patch; keep a working loop for the 2nd eye patch & continue

R3. *2 sc, sc x 3* 5X, leave remaining sts unworked; Without breaking yarn, pick up other eye patch and *2 sc, sc x 3* 5X, sl st to join in 1st sc of other eye patch; Fasten and use left over tail to sew two worked stitches from each eye patch together.

BEAK

With Gold,

R1. Ch 3, sc in 2nd chain from hook and across, turn (2)

R2. Ch 1, sc across (2)

R3. Ch 1, dec; Fasten. (1)

FEATHER TUFTS (Make 2)

With Any Color,

R1. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (4)

R2. Ch 1, sc x 3, turn; leave remaining st unworked (3)

R3. Ch 1, sc across; Fasten. (3)

WINGS (Make 2)

With Brown,

R1. Make magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring (6)

R2. 2 sc arnd (12)

R3. *2 sc, sc* arnd (18)

R4. *2 sc, sc x 2* arnd (24)

R5. Fold wing in half and working through both layers: sc x 8, *(2 dc, ch 1), sl st in next st* 3X; Fasten.

Don’t forget to share!

If you make the Owl Granny Square Crochet Lovey Blanket, I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram at @blackstone_designs or use the hashtag #GrannySquareLovey so I can share your makes with the community.