Consider Owls

Consider Owls Crochet Mittens by Tanja Osswald

What is Being Made

Consider Owls is a pair of crochet mittens featuring a creative optical illusion design. When worn with negative ease, the mittens reveal owl eyes that "open" as the fabric stretches across the hand. The mittens measure approximately 19 cm (7.5 inches) long when unstretched, with a finished width of 5.5 cm (2.2 inches) when folded flat. With regular wear, the mittens naturally stretch and settle to about 16 cm (6.5 inches) in length. The designer's model mittens incorporate approximately 5 cm (2 inches) of negative ease to achieve the intended eye-opening effect.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level crochet pattern employs a distinctive and specialized technique to create its signature owl eye design. The primary construction method uses back loop only slip stitches, which is the key technical element that enables the visual transformation when the mittens are worn. This technique creates texture and dimensional effects that respond to the stretch of the fabric, making the owl motif appear and disappear based on how the mittens fit the wearer's hands.

The use of back loop only slip stitches is an advanced crochet technique that requires careful attention to stitch placement and tension. This method creates a distinctive fabric structure that differs from traditional slip stitch construction, allowing for the unique optical properties necessary for the owl eye effect. The pattern is suitable for crocheters with intermediate experience who are comfortable working with specialized stitch techniques and understanding how fabric behavior affects finished design elements.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Consider Owls mittens are designed to be worked in 4-ply yarn weight, offering a balance between drape and structure necessary for the pattern's optical illusion effect. The original pattern sample uses approximately 40 grams of Hedgehog Fibers Sock yarn in the colorway "cinder," which provides 140 meters or 155 yards of yardage. The finished model mittens weigh 29 grams when complete.

Construction requires a 3.5 mm crochet hook and a darning needle for seaming. The designer notes that individual crochet tension varies, and it is advisable to plan for a few extra grams of yarn beyond the stated 40 grams, particularly when substituting alternative yarns. This allows for adjustments based on personal crochet style and yarn characteristics.

Pattern Customization

The width of the mittens can be adjusted to suit different hand sizes and preferences. The negative ease requirement is essential to the pattern's success—the mittens must be worn snugly to create the owl eye opening effect. Yarn substitution is possible with 4-ply weight alternatives, though the designer recommends accounting for potential yardage and weight variations when choosing different yarns.