The industrious, always-striving Queen Beaver is by far my favorite water rodent. They mate for life. They engineer complex structures that support the wetlands where they live. And their baby kits are darling with their webbed feet and broad, flat tails! If you are looking for the perfect project to celebrate the rodent queen, look no further! This playful hat features a beaver’s face, topped by a crown and flanked by eye-catching colorwork motifs. I created this design in collaboration with my own life-mate, Anton. He illustrated the beaver face and crown.

Note: The hat’s decreases occur rapidly. Give it a good block (I used a balloon) to round those out;)

Yarn Recommendations
The yarn recommendations listed below are a result of my best estimation. They are approximate. Gauge and substitutions will affect the amount you’ll need.

Main Color: Magpie Fibers Swanky DK (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon 250 yards/ 115 grams, 1 Skein Evil Beaver (brown)

Contrast Color: Magpie Fibers Swanky DK (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon 250 yards/ 115 grams, 1 Skein Fior Di Latte (white)

Or Approximately

Main Color: 213 yards / 195 meters DK Yarn

Contrast Color: 106 yards / 97 meters Dk Yarn

Gauge
23 stitches and 26 rounds = 4” / 10 cm in Colorwork Pattern on larger needles. To create the swatch for this project, CO at least 24 sts. Use Ysolda’s tutorial for “How to Swatch in the Round the Easy Way” and work the chart on page 4.

Suggested Needles*

• US Size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 16” / 40 cm length for the hat brim.
• US Size 6 / 4 mm 16” / 40 cm length for the hat body. Double pointed needles of the same sizes suitable for small circumference knitting for the crown decreases plus your preferred needle length for small circumference knitting to use for the crown shaping (Magic Loop or Double Pointed Needles). Always choose the needle size that you need in order to obtain the pattern’s gauge.

Two Sizes
Adult XS/S (M/L) Approximately 18.75 (21)” / 47.5 (53.25) cm circumference and 10.5” / 26.75 cm tall, unstretched.

Notions

• 1 Stitch marker to mark BOR
• Highlighter Tape (optional - to keep your place in the pattern)
• Measuring Tape
• Tapestry Needle
• Pompom maker(optional)
• Wool Wash and Blocking Mat

Techniques Used

• Latvian Braid Technique
• Long Tail Cast On Method
• Knitting in the Round on a Circular Needle
• K2TOG Decreasing
• Small Circumference Knitting in the Round
• Stranded Colorwork Knitting