Dam*ed Beaver!
August 1, 2008 at 1:09 pm | In Crochet | 50 CommentsLiving in the suburbs, I like to think that you get the best of both worlds; the convenience of the city isn’t too far away, and yet you’re close enough to nature that you might get to cultivate a garden, or get close to the native wildlife. Depending on the circumstances though, it can easily feel like the opposite. Got loud neighbors? Rowdy kids who bash in your mailbox overnight? Well, welcome to the city my friend! Worse, however, is when nature doesn’t know when to stay in its place. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a tree-hugging, plant-loving vegan, but I don’t take kindly to an invasion of ants or aggressive weeds consuming that carefully planted garden. That cozy little home of yours right on the fringe of modernity and tradition is far more precariously perched than one might care to believe, in fact. It’s pretty hard to ignore this when the elements try to evict you every time the rains come pouring down and turning the basement into a swimming pool.
Shockingly enough, it wasn’t a downpour that flooded the lower level the other day when I ventured down the winding staircase to retrieve an old book. Having experienced a string of crystal-clear, sunny days, puzzlement and alarm sent me charging back up those stairs to investigate. Nope, no burst pipes or overflowing bath tubs to be found, so what on earth was going on? Inspecting the perimeter of the house in a last desperate effort, the problem quickly became much clearer. Mysteriously, our shallow little puddle of a swamp had become swollen and was now seeping into every open pore in the siding. Following the trail of soggy earth back into the woods, it was there that the source became obvious. Towering over the diminutive creek sat a newly forged dam, solid as a rock and built of fallen trees and debris. Who could possibly be responsible for this monstrosity? Who would be so malicious, so uncaring, so…
Cute. Damn it. (Forgive the pun!)
Even Isis couldn’t believe it, sniffing around with trepidation.
Clearly, some serious discussion was in order. Reluctant to move his masterpiece, I could understand how much work he put into his dam, but something just had to give. Explaining the situation back at home, he eventually agreed to move further on down the river, but on one condition: That some other family would be kind enough to let him take up residence in their babbling brook or lazy stream. So I implore you, dear readers, to open your doors (or at least yard) to this sweet little critter and take him in. Just make sure he knows where the run-off from his blockades are going!
Head and Body:
Using an F hook and worsted weight yarn in dark brown, sc6 into a loop
Sc twice in each st (12 sts)
Sc1, sc twice into next st* around (18 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (24 sts)
Sc3, sc twice into next st* around (30 sts)
Sc4, sc twice into next st* around (36 sts)
Sc even for 4 rounds
Sc4, sc2tog (30 sts)
Sc even for one round
Sc3, 2tog* around (24 sts)
Sc2, 2tog* around (18 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (24 sts)
Sc3, sc twice into next st* around (30 sts)
Sc4, sc twice into next st* around (36 sts)
Sc5, sc twice into next st* around (42 sts)
Sc6, sc twice into next st* around (48 sts)
Sc even for 6 rounds
Sc6, sc2tog* around (42 sts)
Sc5, sc2tog* around (36 sts)
Break yarn
Bottom:
With light brown yarn, sc6 into a circle
Sc twice in each st (12 sts)
Sc1, sc twice into next st* around (18 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (24 sts)
Sc3, sc twice into next st* around (30 sts)
Sc4, sc twice into next st* around (36 sts)
Break yarn, leaving long tail to sew with
Muzzle:
With light brown yarn, ch6, sc into 2nd ch from hook, sc into remaining sts (5 sts)
Turn, ch1, sc1, sc2 into the next st, sc1, sc2 into the next st, sc1 (7 sts)
Turn, ch1, sc2, sc2 into each of the next 3 sts, sc2 (10 sts)
Continue around and sc into back posts of first row of sts, and sc remaining even (15 sts)
Sc even for one round
Break yarn, leaving long tail to sew with
Ears: (Make 2)
Sc5 in a circle
Sc twice in each (10 sts)
Break yarn, fold in half, sew around edges.
Tail: (Make 2)
Ch 12
Sc 10, sc 3 times in last st, continue around, sc into the back of each st (23)
Turn, ch1. Sc 5, sc 2 into next, sc3, sc 2 into next, sc 3, sc2 into next, sc 3, sc2 into next, sc 5 (27)
Sl st 7, sc2 into one, sc1, sc2 into one, sc1, sc2 into one, sc 3, sc2 into one, sc1, sc 2 into one, sc 1, sc 2 into one, sl st 7 (33)
Sl st 7, sc 2 (sc 2 into one, sc 2) x5, sl st 7 (38)
Break yarn and tie off
Limbs: (Make 4)
Start with light brown yarn and sc 5 in a circle
Sc twice into each st (10 sts)
Switch to dark brown, sc into back loops
Sc even for one round
Break yarn and tie off
Assembly:
Embroider the muzzle with black worsted weight yarn. Cut small rectangles out of white felt for the teeth, and sew them on by hand with invisible (clear) thread. Lightly stuff, and sew the muzzle onto the head. Insert safety eyes and secure tightly. Stuff both the head and body with a gentle but firm touch, and sew the bottom to cover the open hole. Tie off and bury the knot.
Embroider one side of the tail as per the picture above, in a grid-like pattern with a mid-tone brown yarn, and sew the two pieces together. Sew the tail to the bottom of the body. Lightly stuff and attach limbs. Press the ears together and sew them on with a slight curve, so that they appear somewhat rounded. Enjoy your new friend, but keep an eye out for flooding!
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Aw, that beaver is so damn cute! ;0)
Comment by Katy — August 1, 2008 #
You make me wish I knew how to crochet. I was a knitter once upon a time, but then I had a baby! Now I just don’t have the time! If I did, though, I would certainly make your adorable critters. This beaver is precious!
Comment by Jennifer — August 1, 2008 #
Adorable! I love the details like the tail and teeth!
Comment by teeni — August 1, 2008 #
so darn cute!
Comment by Celine — August 1, 2008 #
This makes my heart want to melt. His little teeth remind me of my guinea pigs’ cute little faces, and the tail! Oh, the tail!!
Comment by Cakespy — August 1, 2008 #
Adorable! Do you mind if I translate it into Spanish? I’d link back here and give you all credit, of course.
Comment by coopersita — August 1, 2008 #
I love the detail on the tail!!
Comment by jessica~ — August 1, 2008 #
I love your story and the beaver…not taking sides of course!
Comment by Debbie Bourque — August 1, 2008 #
Such a cute story :-) My inlaws are having trouble with beavers and I keep telling them that they were here first (the beavers).
Comment by Vegan_noodle — August 1, 2008 #
Awesome as usual, I love how you have stories, too.
Comment by k2sc1 — August 1, 2008 #
AWESOME!!!! LOL!!! Me and my twin sister both had very large front teeth when we were young and kids would tease us calling us ‘bucky beavers’~ i have got to make one for her!!!!!
Comment by Nathalie — August 2, 2008 #
Such a CUTE beaver!! I can wait to try out the pattern! THANKS!
Comment by Sydney — August 2, 2008 #
So cute :)
Comment by linda — August 2, 2008 #
河狸真可愛! 我愛你的網站！我也吃素！
Comment by 英騰 — August 2, 2008 #
Totally ADORABLE. Your Critter Patterns ROCK!!!!!! Thank You for sharing Your story and the Super CUTE Beaver Pattern!!!!! Big Critter Hugs to You!!!!!!!
jeni
Comment by jeni — August 2, 2008 #
your beaver is AMAZING!! I loved the little story, too : )
I wish I knew how to crochet… is there a big learning curve?
Comment by Tony — August 2, 2008 #
oops, i meant steep learning curve
Comment by Tony — August 2, 2008 #
Hannah,
I’ve nominated you for a Brilliante Blog Award, for being so awesome! Check out my blog for details. Then copy the award, link to me as the person who nominated you…and then nominate 7 of YOUR favorite blogs!
Comment by meghan — August 2, 2008 #
This is so great! I had just been getting to try and do my own beaver pattern. There’s this song – you probably know it – The Beaver Song, and i sing it to annoy one of my friends and I’d been thinking that it would be great to have a little beaver to go along with the song! I might still do my own pattern, but I’ll be sure to make one of yours too!
Comment by Kate — August 2, 2008 #
Tony:
It really isn’t that hard to crochet – I’ve been doing it for about 30 years, but that’s only because I taught myself in 3rd grade when I was home sick and driving my Mom nuts.
Just be patient and practice, and realize that at the beginning you are going to make a lot of mistakes. I have seen so many people who didn’t make a perfect project their first time, got frustrated, and never tried again. I told them you fell down an awful lot before you figured out how to walk, and now you’re pretty good at it! It’s eady to unravel mistakes in crochet, too, and pick up right where you left off. It’s much more forgiving than knitting that way.
(The advantage of starting in crochet is that the materials are cheap! A few balls of decent quality yarn, a few hooks, a book or two from the library or a friend’s help, and that’s it – no expensive equipment or batteries required. And since so many people are impressed by anyone who can make something, you can always make simple cotton potholders to match someone’s new kitchen when they buy their first house, or a baby afghan for a sister who is having a baby, or a simple warm winter scarf for your uncle for Christmas, and the ooh’s and ahh’s are very gratifying to the ego.) :)
Good luck!
Comment by Baroque — August 3, 2008 #
cool!
i am finally getting a sewing machine passed to me in a few weeks! Jared and I can’t wait to start making cutie pie stuff.
Comment by lori-the pleasantly plump vegan — August 3, 2008 #
Absolutely adorable!!! I love the pattern on the tail.
Comment by didally — August 3, 2008 #
Aw! That’s one round little beaver- too cute!
Comment by Animal-Friendly — August 3, 2008 #
o my gosh, what a cutie he is, so of course i just had to copy him. hope mine turns out half as cute as yours.
love the lil sotories that go along with em too, keep up the good work. such an imagination u have.
i’m going into a lil home business of my own and wish i had the imagination to put lil stories with my lil guys i make as well. u’ve inspired me to try, thanks alot. hopefully i’ll have a web page as well too, just need to learn how to make one, havent got that part down yet, in fact dont even know where to start.
back to you, youre awesome!
Comment by Patty — August 3, 2008 #
This is so precious! And you’re so generous for putting up the pattern.
Comment by Tammy — August 3, 2008 #
Your stories are the cutest, Hannah!
Comment by Jess - The Domestic Vegan — August 3, 2008 #
[...] http://bittersweetblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/damed_beaver/ [...]
Pingback by Silly little egg! « gnat on the windshield — August 3, 2008 #
OMG! That is so cute! I can’t wait to make one of these.
Comment by stef — August 4, 2008 #
That’s one mighty fine looking beaver! :)
Comment by Gigi — August 5, 2008 #
I love all of your patterns and the stories that go with them are perfect. BTW, As has been said in the previous comments here, crocheting is really easy. Once the basic stitches are learned the sky is the limit.
Janet
Comment by Janet — August 5, 2008 #
Have you ever considered selling these guys on vegan etsy or something similar? I would probably pick one up if you made a cute little penguin.
Comment by fattymattyo — August 6, 2008 #
How adorable. I love him!
Comment by Katrina — August 6, 2008 #
Memories of our old scout mascot. Have to share this one around.
Comment by Gary — August 9, 2008 #
that beaver is tooooooo cute. We used to live near a pond and the beavers would chew down these huge trees to make their little dams and homes. Then the enviro peeps would come and clear some away so the water would run again. Then the beavers would get back to work….it was pretty funny seeing this go back and forth…..
Comment by val — August 11, 2008 #
What a cutie!
Comment by melisser — August 13, 2008 #
Am I missing the materials list used in this pattern? Or did I just not see it somewheres?
Comment by Aline — August 16, 2008 #
I started reading your story and was delighted to find your Beaver. He’s so very cute and the story just brings him to life. Thank you for letting your talent share.
Comment by Gioia — August 16, 2008 #
LOVELY!!!!!!!!, one request, sorry to bother, but I like to keep my patterns with name and the hitory. But the name I must, almost in every pattern, again copy and paste, think most of people just want a pattern…….not me, Most of the times I make them and somebody (mostly my DD and her friends), so, I gave them with the name and their history, to add your signature!!. And for me, I imagine them as my pets, not just something you buy!. Thanks for the pattern, Ruth in Chile.
Comment by Ruth del Valle — August 16, 2008 #
He is so cute and is one of the emblems that represents Canada. Just love him.
Cora
Comment by Cora — August 18, 2008 #
MUST MAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by olivia — August 26, 2008 #
Hi,
I love the animal patterns, but sometimes it does not give the finished size. These are being donated to children in hospitals and we don’t want the tiny ones, but something larger and more cuddly. Can you please tell me what size the beaver turns out to be. Thanks!
Ann
Comment by A. Smith — September 1, 2008 #
I was so excited to find this pattern. My daughter’s high school mascot is the beaver. So I made this for her birthday. I added a pin with some charms and a little pennant to add some school spirit. It turned out so cute! Thank you for the wonderful patterns.
Comment by Jen — October 1, 2008 #
What size eye is that? It looks like 12 mm but I’m not sure.
Comment by Julianne — October 2, 2008 #
I could take those beavers off your hands! We live on a hill above a little stream, but when it pours down rain, the city might be upset…that stream gets rid of the floods upstream. Not everyone is lucky enough to have my hill!
I love your pattern, very cute!!
Comment by GOLDIA — October 8, 2008 #
I showed this to my sister and she made it for my hubs for his birthday. Sooooo cute!!! He loves it (and so do my kids!!!)
Comment by Lisa — October 21, 2008 #
hi Jen you mentioned you made this can you please email me direct thhis is a christmas gift but i need to know the meterial list and the finishing size.. all help is welcome.. .
Comment by crys — November 17, 2008 #
soory my email is onceuponatimeago@yahoo.com
Comment by crys — November 17, 2008 #
Being very familiar with beavers, I can see how you might object to a dam in your backyard! I have an Ozzy buddy who shared your site with me when I asked her if she could make me a little beaver like the owly critter she made for me (he will be on my blog soon). You’re right, he is dam cute! Oh, and best of all, my Russel is the first Beaver in my collection! LOL
Kathy Beaver
Comment by kathynruss — May 25, 2009 #
He is just prescious – will probably sit up all night making him – it is like a good book – I can’t put it down til finished. Am making them for my 3 yr old granddaughter and one more any day – it is such a joy and such FUN – do you have another animals – teddy bears, lambs, elephants – made a 15 inch elephant in white trimmed in an “electric” purplse – he is beautiful!!!
“Gramma”
Comment by Helen Hopkins — June 7, 2009 #
hi I finished my Beaver for my son ;) he loved! thank you so much for sharing this for free, i posted photos of it on my blog if you want to see him, and I also linked you to this pattern and make mention of your blog ;0 thanks again
ps i did have a lot of trouble with the tail.. so I ended up making my own, otherwise everything else was nice and easy to follow! thanks again!
here is the my beaver version:
http://dianasrocks.blogspot.com/2009/06/amigurumi-damed-beaver-and-chocolate.html
Comment by Diana Graff aka PooToo — June 27, 2009 #