Crochet Tutorial: Waterwheel Turnip Beaver Garden Cottage – Free Crochet Pattern.

This crochet pattern creates a detailed garden cottage scene with a round cream turnip house, leafy green turnip top, brown arched door, round windows, a working-look waterwheel, blue pond and stream, stone borders, wooden bridge, garden beds, tiny vegetables, storage shed, baskets, watering cans, and three small beavers. The finished piece is designed as a cute tabletop crochet diorama with many stitched details.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size

• Base mat: about 17 in wide x 13 in deep.
• Turnip cottage: about 7 in tall to roof opening, about 8.5 in tall including leaves, and about 6.5 in wide.
• Large standing beaver: about 3.25 in tall.
• Small seated beavers: about 2.25 in tall.
• Pond: about 5.5 in wide.
• Bridge: about 5 in long x 2 in wide.
• Waterwheel: about 2.75 in diameter.

Skill Level

This is an intermediate amigurumi and crochet diorama pattern. A confident beginner can make it by working slowly, counting every round, and pinning each part before sewing. Most pieces use single crochet, increases, decreases, flat rows, small tubes, surface stitching, and layered assembly.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn in cream, dark brown, medium brown, tan, caramel, light blue, medium blue, moss green, dark green, sage green, light gray, dark gray, black, white, orange, red, bright green, pale lettuce green, and beige.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for firm amigurumi pieces.
• 3.5 mm crochet hook for the base mat, pond, and bridge pieces.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Plastic canvas or thick felt for the base, bridge, storage shed walls, and garden bed support.
• 8 mm safety eyes for the large beaver.
• 6 mm safety eyes for the two smaller beavers.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Sewing pins.
• Scissors.
• Optional thin craft wire for leaf shaping and bridge rail support.

US Crochet Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• st: stitch
• rnd: round
• FO: fasten off

Gauge and Texture Notes

For the cottage, beavers, vegetables, and small props, use tight amigurumi tension so stuffing does not show. The image has a clean, dense handmade texture with visible spiral rounds. If your stitches are loose, change to a smaller hook before making the cottage and animals.

The base mat and water pieces should be slightly flatter and softer, so a 3.5 mm hook works well. The turnip cottage needs a round, firm shape. Stuff it evenly while shaping the bottom flat enough to sit securely on the mat.

Construction Overview

• First crochet the rectangular grass base.
• Make and attach the pond, stream, stone border, and bridge.
• Make the turnip cottage body, door, windows, and leafy top.
• Make the storage shed, waterwheel, garden beds, baskets, watering cans, and vegetables.
• Make three beavers: one standing by the waterwheel, one seated with a basket, and one sitting on the bridge holding a radish.
• Sew all pieces to the base in the same arrangement as the photo.

Grass Base Mat

The base is a flat moss green rectangle with slightly rounded corners. It holds the house in the back center, a pond in the front left, garden rows on the right, a shed on the left, and a blue stream running behind the bridge toward the waterwheel.

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Base Rectangle

1. With moss green yarn and 3.5 mm hook, ch 61.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 60 sts.
3. Rows 2-45: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 60 sts.
4. Row 46: ch 1, sc across. Do not turn.
5. Border rnd 1: ch 1, work 44 sc evenly down the side, 3 sc in corner, 58 sc across bottom, 3 sc in corner, 44 sc up opposite side, 3 sc in corner, 58 sc across top, 2 sc in first corner, sl st to first sc.
6. Border rnd 2: sc around, placing 3 sc in each corner center stitch. Sl st to join. FO and weave in ends.

Cut a piece of plastic canvas or thick felt slightly smaller than the base. Sew or whipstitch it to the underside with moss green yarn. This keeps the diorama flat on a table and prevents the turnip cottage from tilting forward.

Blue Pond and Stream

The pond sits at the front left with a rounded edge. A narrow blue stream curves behind the bridge and reaches the waterwheel on the right side of the cottage. Use light blue for the main water and medium blue for subtle surface stitching.

Round Front Pond

1. With light blue yarn and 3.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
7. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc around. 36 sts.
8. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
9. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc around. 48 sts.
10. Rnd 9: sc 7, inc around. 54 sts.
11. Rnd 10: sc 8, inc around. 60 sts.
12. Rnd 11: sc 9, inc around. 66 sts.
13. Rnd 12: sc 10, inc around. 72 sts.
14. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pin the pond on the front left corner of the mat. Let the lower left curve extend close to the edge, matching the picture. Sew only around the outer edge. With medium blue yarn, surface slip stitch a loose spiral across the pond to create the circular water texture.

Narrow Stream Behind the Bridge

1. With light blue yarn, ch 12.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 11 sts.
3. Rows 2-24: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 11 sts.
4. Row 25: sc2tog, sc 7, sc2tog. Turn. 9 sts.
5. Rows 26-31: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 9 sts.
6. Border: sc evenly around, placing 2 sc in each corner. FO, leaving a long tail.

Place the stream vertically from the pond toward the waterwheel, slightly angled to the right. Tuck the lower end under the bridge. Sew flat to the grass base. Add short curved medium blue surface stitches to suggest moving water.

Gray Stone Border

The stones around the pond and stream are small oval pebbles in light and dark gray. They create the soft rounded border visible in the image. Make different sizes so the edge looks handmade and natural.

Small Pebbles

1. With gray yarn and 3.0 mm hook, ch 4.
2. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side of chain: sc 1, 2 sc in last ch. 8 sts.
3. Rnd 2: sc around. 8 sts.
4. Stuff very lightly.
5. Rnd 3: dec around. 4 sts.
6. FO and close.

Medium Pebbles

1. With gray yarn, ch 5.
2. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: sc 2, 2 sc in last ch. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, inc, inc, sc 3, inc. 14 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc around. 14 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 4: sc 1, dec around as evenly as possible. FO and close.

Make about 24 small pebbles and 14 medium pebbles. Sew them around the pond and stream edges. Use more stones along the front pond curve and both sides of the narrow stream, just like the image.

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Turnip Cottage Body

The cottage is a round cream turnip with a wide lower belly, a narrower top opening, a brown arched door at the front, and two circular windows on the sides. The bottom should be slightly flat, while the upper body remains smooth and bulb-like.

1. With cream yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
7. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc around. 36 sts.
8. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
9. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc around. 48 sts.
10. Rnd 9: sc 7, inc around. 54 sts.
11. Rnd 10: sc 8, inc around. 60 sts.
12. Rnd 11: sc 9, inc around. 66 sts.
13. Rnd 12: sc 10, inc around. 72 sts.
14. Rnd 13: sc 11, inc around. 78 sts.
15. Rnd 14: sc 12, inc around. 84 sts.
16. Rnd 15: sc 13, inc around. 90 sts.
17. Rnds 16-27: sc around. 90 sts.
18. Rnd 28: sc 13, dec around. 84 sts.
19. Rnd 29: sc around. 84 sts.
20. Rnd 30: sc 12, dec around. 78 sts.
21. Rnd 31: sc around. 78 sts.
22. Rnd 32: sc 11, dec around. 72 sts.
23. Rnd 33: sc around. 72 sts.
24. Rnd 34: sc 10, dec around. 66 sts.
25. Rnd 35: sc around. 66 sts.
26. Rnd 36: sc 9, dec around. 60 sts.
27. Rnd 37: sc around. 60 sts.
28. Rnd 38: sc 8, dec around. 54 sts.
29. Rnd 39: sc around. 54 sts.
30. Rnd 40: sc 7, dec around. 48 sts.
31. Rnd 41: sc around. 48 sts.
32. Rnd 42: sc 6, dec around. 42 sts.
33. Start stuffing firmly. Shape the bottom flat by pressing it gently on a table while adding stuffing.
34. Rnd 43: sc 5, dec around. 36 sts.
35. Rnd 44: sc around. 36 sts.
36. Rnd 45: sc 4, dec around. 30 sts.
37. Rnd 46: BLO sc around. 30 sts.
38. Rnd 47: sc around. 30 sts.
39. FO, leaving the top open. Do not close the hole because the leafy top will sit inside this opening.

To make the cottage sit safely on the base, cut a 3.5 in circle of plastic canvas. Place it inside the lower body before the opening becomes too small. This creates the flat base seen in the photo.

Brown Arched Door

The door is dark brown, rounded at the top, and placed at the front lower center. It has vertical ribbed rows, a small beige knob, and two tiny beige stitch marks on the left side.

1. With dark brown yarn and 3.0 mm hook, ch 11.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 10 sts.
3. Rows 2-10: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 10 sts.
4. Row 11: sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog. Turn. 8 sts.
5. Row 12: sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog. Turn. 6 sts.
6. Row 13: sc2tog, sc 2, sc2tog. Turn. 4 sts.
7. Row 14: sc2tog twice. 2 sts.
8. Border: sc evenly around the full door, placing 2 sc around upper curve corners to keep the arch smooth. FO, leaving a long tail.

With medium brown yarn, surface stitch vertical lines from bottom to upper arch to create wood grain. Sew the door to the cottage front between rounds 16 and 32. Place a small beige French knot or tiny 5 sc circle on the right side for the knob.

Round Cottage Windows

The windows are circular with dark brown frames, golden yellow panes, and small crossbars. Place one window on the left upper front side and one on the right upper front side, slightly above the door height.

Window Center

1. With golden yellow yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. FO.

Window Frame

1. Join dark brown yarn to any stitch of the yellow circle.
2. Rnd 1: sc around. 18 sts.
3. Rnd 2: sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

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Make two windows. With dark brown yarn, embroider one vertical bar and one horizontal bar across each yellow center. Add two diagonal short stitches if you want the pane shape to look closer to the photo. Sew the windows at rounds 22-30 of the cottage, one on each side of the front.

Turnip Leaf Crown

The leafy crown has a dark green central sprout and several long ruffled leaves. The leaves curve outward and upward, with scalloped edges. For the closest shape, use two sizes of leaves and lightly wire the center vein if the piece is for display only.

Central Leaf Stem Cluster

1. With dark green yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: sc 1, inc around. 9 sts.
4. Rnds 3-9: sc around. 9 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 10: sc 1, dec around. 6 sts.
7. FO, leaving a long tail.

Long Ruffled Leaf

1. With sage green yarn, ch 23.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, hdc 7, dc 5, hdc 3, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: hdc 3, dc 5, hdc 7, sc 6. Turn.
3. Row 2: ch 1, sc 4, hdc 5, dc 7, hdc 5, sc 4, 3 sc in tip stitch, sc 4, hdc 5, dc 7, hdc 5, sc 4. Do not turn.
4. Edging: ch 2, sl st in next st, repeat around the leaf edge to create small scallops. FO, leaving a long tail.

Short Curled Leaf

1. With dark green yarn, ch 17.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, hdc 5, dc 3, hdc 2, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: hdc 2, dc 3, hdc 5, sc 5.
3. Edging: ch 2, sl st in next st around. FO, leaving a long tail.

Make four long leaves and three short leaves. Surface stitch a dark green center vein down each leaf. Sew the short leaves close around the central stem. Sew the long leaves around the top opening, spacing them like a star. The front leaves should droop slightly over the cream turnip body.

Left Storage Shed

The shed on the left is a small open-front brown and tan garden shelter with a slanted roof. It contains a watering can, a bucket, a basket of vegetables, and a flowerpot. The walls are textured with rows to mimic planks.

Shed Back Wall

1. With tan yarn and 3.5 mm hook, ch 18.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 17 sts.
3. Rows 2-13: ch 1, BLO sc across. Turn. 17 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Shed Side Walls

1. Make two pieces.
2. With tan yarn, ch 10.
3. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 9 sts.
4. Rows 2-11: ch 1, BLO sc across. Turn. 9 sts.
5. FO, leaving long tails.

Shed Roof

1. With medium brown yarn, ch 22.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 21 sts.
3. Rows 2-8: ch 1, BLO sc across. Turn. 21 sts.
4. Border: sc around the roof. FO.

Stiffen the shed pieces with plastic canvas cut to fit each panel. Sew the side walls to the back wall at right angles. Place the roof on top so it slopes slightly forward, then sew it along the top edges. Attach the shed to the left rear corner of the base.

Watering Can

1. With muted blue gray yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4-7: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 8: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 9: dec around. 6 sts. FO and close.
9. Spout: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. FO and sew to front side.
10. Handle: ch 12, sl st back across. Sew as a curved handle on the back side.

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Small Bucket and Flowerpot

Bucket

1. With gray yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
5. Rnds 4-6: sc around. 12 sts.
6. FO. Add a handle with ch 10 and sew each end to the rim.

Flowerpot

1. With terracotta yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 5-6: sc around. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 7: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
8. FO. Fill top with a dark brown 18 sc circle and sew inside rim.

Waterwheel

The waterwheel sits on the right side of the cottage, beside the stream. It is dark brown with side rings and small paddle slats. It should look attached to the cottage wall but stand slightly forward.

Wheel Rings

1. Make two rings.
2. With dark brown yarn, ch 28, sl st to first ch to form a ring. Be careful not to twist.
3. Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in each ch around. 28 sts.
4. Rnd 2: sc around. 28 sts.
5. FO on first ring. Leave a long tail on second ring.

Wheel Center Hub

1. With medium brown yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. FO, leaving a tail.

Wheel Paddles

1. Make eight paddles.
2. With dark brown yarn, ch 7.
3. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 6 sts.
4. Rows 2-3: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 6 sts.
5. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Place the two wheel rings together with paddles sandwiched between them, spacing the paddles evenly around the circle. Sew firmly through both rings. Sew the hub to the front center. Add six straight spokes from the hub to the ring with medium brown yarn.

Sew the wheel beside the cottage on the viewer’s right, with the lower edge touching the stream. Add a short gray post behind it by crocheting a 6 sc tube for 9 rounds, then sewing it upright beside the wheel.

Wooden Bridge

The bridge crosses the front pond and stream. It is brown, slightly arched in appearance, with vertical rail posts and two long handrails. The small seated beaver is placed on top holding a radish.

Bridge Floor

1. With medium brown yarn and 3.5 mm hook, ch 18.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 17 sts.
3. Rows 2-8: ch 1, BLO sc across. Turn. 17 sts.
4. Border: sc evenly around. FO, leaving a long tail.

Bridge Side Rails

1. Make two rails.
2. With medium brown yarn, ch 20.
3. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 19 sts.
4. FO, leaving long tails.

Bridge Posts

1. Make eight posts.
2. With dark brown yarn, ch 5.
3. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 4 sts.
4. FO, leaving tails.

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Sew four posts along each long side of the bridge floor. Sew one rail to the tops of the posts on each side. For a stronger bridge, sew a narrow piece of plastic canvas under the floor before attaching it to the pond. Place the bridge diagonally over the front water area.

Garden Beds

The right side of the base has three brown soil beds: carrots at the back, red radishes and cabbages in the middle, and pale green lettuces at the front. Small wooden signs label the crops.

Soil Bed Rectangle

1. With dark brown yarn and 3.5 mm hook, ch 18.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 17 sts.
3. Rows 2-7: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 17 sts.
4. Border: sc around. FO, leaving a long tail.

Make three soil beds. Sew them to the right side of the grass base. Place the carrot bed at the back right, the radish and cabbage bed in the middle, and the lettuce bed at the front right.

Crochet Carrots

1. With orange yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. Rnd 2: sc around. 5 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, sc 3. 6 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc around. 6 sts.
6. Rnd 5: sc 2, inc, sc 3. 7 sts.
7. Rnd 6: sc around. 7 sts.
8. Stuff with a tiny amount of fiberfill.
9. Rnd 7: sc 1, dec around as evenly as possible. FO and close.
10. Leaves: join green yarn at top, ch 4, sl st in same point, ch 5, sl st in same point, ch 4, sl st in same point. FO.

Make nine carrots. Sew them upright in the back garden bed in three neat rows, allowing the orange roots to show above the brown soil like the photo.

Red Radishes

1. With red yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc 1, dec around. 8 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.
7. Rnd 5: dec around. FO and close.
8. Root tail: attach white yarn at bottom, ch 3, sl st back, FO.
9. Leaves: attach green yarn at top, ch 4, sl st, ch 5, sl st, ch 4, sl st, FO.

Make six radishes. Sew three into the middle soil bed and place one in the bridge beaver’s paws. Place one extra near the basket if you want the harvested look shown in the image.

Cabbages and Lettuces

Pale Green Lettuce

1. With pale green yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, sl st in next st, repeat around. FO.
4. Outer leaves: join yarn in any front loop, ch 3, dc in same loop, ch 3, sl st in next loop, repeat around.

Round Cabbage

1. With light green yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 5: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. Rnd 6: dec around. FO and close.
9. With pale green yarn, embroider curved leaf lines around the cabbage.

Make four lettuces for the front bed and three cabbages for the middle bed. Sew them with the leaves facing upward. The front lettuces should be large, pale, and open like little rosettes.

Zucchini or Cucumbers

1. With dark green yarn, ch 8.
2. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: sc 5, 2 sc in last ch. 16 sts.
3. Rnds 2-4: sc around. 16 sts.
4. Stuff lightly.
5. Rnd 5: sc 2, dec around. 12 sts.
6. Rnd 6: dec around. 6 sts.
7. FO and close.

Make four long green vegetables. Sew them near the right front garden area, slightly overlapping the soil edge, as seen near the radish and lettuce rows.

Tiny Garden Signs

1. With medium brown yarn, ch 8.
2. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 7 sts.
3. Rows 2-3: ch 1, sc across. Turn. 7 sts.
4. FO.
5. Post: ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. FO.
6. Sew sign rectangle to post.

Make three signs. Embroider short dark stitches to suggest words. Place one sign at the carrot bed, one at the radish or cabbage bed, and one at the lettuce bed. The writing can be decorative marks if the sign is very small.

Harvest Basket

1. With beige yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 5-7: sc around. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 8: sl st around for a firm rim. FO.
8. Handle: ch 18, sl st back across, sew ends to opposite sides of basket.

Make two baskets. Fill one with tiny round vegetables for the left shed area. Put the other in the seated beaver’s paws with carrots and greens showing above the rim.

Beaver Body Pattern

All beavers are made in warm brown yarn with tan muzzle details, rounded ears, small black noses, white front teeth, short arms, little feet, and flat oval tails. The large beaver stands near the wheel. The smaller beavers sit by the bridge and garden.

Large Beaver Body and Head

1. With medium brown yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
7. Rnds 6-13: sc around. 30 sts.
8. Rnd 14: sc 3, dec around. 24 sts.
9. Rnd 15: sc 2, dec around. 18 sts.
10. Stuff lower body firmly.
11. Rnd 16: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
12. Rnd 17: FLO inc around to start the head. 24 sts.
13. Rnd 18: sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
14. Rnds 19-25: sc around. 30 sts.
15. Insert 8 mm safety eyes between rounds 22 and 23, about 6 sts apart.
16. Rnd 26: sc 3, dec around. 24 sts.
17. Rnd 27: sc 2, dec around. 18 sts.
18. Stuff head firmly.
19. Rnd 28: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
20. Rnd 29: dec around. 6 sts.
21. FO and close.

Small Beaver Body and Head

1. With medium brown yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4-9: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 10: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff body.
8. Rnd 11: FLO inc around. 24 sts.
9. Rnds 12-17: sc around. 24 sts.
10. Insert 6 mm safety eyes between rounds 15 and 16, about 5 sts apart.
11. Rnd 18: sc 2, dec around. 18 sts.
12. Rnd 19: sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
13. Stuff head.
14. Rnd 20: dec around. 6 sts.
15. FO and close.

Beaver Muzzle, Nose, Teeth, Ears, Arms, Feet, and Tail

Muzzle

1. With tan yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.
5. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the muzzle under the eyes. Embroider a black oval nose across the top center. Add a short vertical black line below the nose. Sew two tiny white rectangles or satin stitches below the muzzle for the beaver teeth.

Ears

1. Make two for each beaver.
2. With medium brown yarn, make MR.
3. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
4. Rnd 2: sc around. 6 sts.
5. FO, flatten, and sew to the top sides of the head.

Arms

1. Make two for each beaver.
2. With medium brown yarn, make MR.
3. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
4. Rnds 2-7 for large beaver, or rounds 2-5 for small beaver: sc around.
5. FO, leaving tail. Do not stuff.

Feet

1. Make two for each beaver.
2. With medium brown yarn, ch 5.
3. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: sc 2, 2 sc in last ch. 10 sts.
4. Rnd 2: sc around. 10 sts.
5. FO and sew to lower front body.

Flat Beaver Tail

1. With dark brown yarn, ch 9 for a large tail or ch 7 for a small tail.
2. Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across to last ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side: sc across, 2 sc in final ch.
3. Rnd 2: sc around, placing 2 sc at each rounded end.
4. Rnd 3: sc around.
5. FO, leaving a long tail.

Embroider crisscross lines on each tail with medium brown yarn. Sew the large tail behind the standing beaver so it rests on the base. Sew one small tail behind the garden beaver and one small tail behind the bridge beaver.

Bridge Beaver Holding a Radish

Use the small beaver pattern. Sew the arms forward and slightly upward. Place a red radish between the paws and stitch it securely. Seat this beaver on the bridge, facing the viewer, with the tail tucked behind the body on the bridge floor.

Garden Beaver Holding a Basket

Use the small beaver pattern. Sew the arms around the beige harvest basket. Add two tiny carrots, one green leaf, and one red radish inside the basket. Place this beaver on the right side near the waterwheel and garden rows.

Standing Beaver by the Wheel

Use the large beaver pattern. Sew arms at the sides, angled slightly forward. Sew the feet flat so the beaver can stand. Place it between the cottage and garden area, just to the right of the waterwheel, matching the upright figure in the photo.

Tiny Loose Vegetables for Baskets

Mini Round Vegetable

1. With red, green, or orange yarn, make MR.
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 2: sc around. 6 sts.
4. FO and close.

Mini Leaf Top

1. With green yarn, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch.
2. FO and sew to top of mini vegetable.

Make several mini vegetables for the left shed basket and the beaver basket. Use red for radishes, orange for carrots, and green for leafy produce. The small pops of color are important because they make the display look full and lively.

Path Stones in Front of the Cottage

The image shows a small curved path of gray stones from the cottage door toward the water. Use a mix of the small and medium pebble pattern. Sew the stones in a gentle curve starting at the door and ending near the stream edge.

• Use 7 to 9 stones for the door path.
• Use lighter gray near the door and darker gray near the water for natural variation.
• Keep small gaps between stones so the green base shows through.

Assembly Layout

Before sewing, place every piece on the base and look at the scene from the front. The turnip cottage should be the largest focal point in the back center. The shed belongs on the left. The waterwheel belongs to the right of the cottage. The bridge crosses the front pond diagonally.

1. Sew the pond to the front left of the base.
2. Sew the stream upward from the pond toward the right side of the cottage.
3. Sew the gray stones around the pond and stream.
4. Sew the bridge over the water, leaving enough room for the small beaver to sit on top.
5. Sew the cottage to the back center of the base. Use strong stitches through the bottom rounds and the base mat.
6. Sew the shed to the back left corner.
7. Sew the waterwheel beside the cottage and attach the gray support post.
8. Sew garden beds on the right side, keeping them neat and parallel.
9. Sew vegetables into the beds, arranging carrots at the back, cabbages and radishes in the middle, and lettuces at the front.
10. Sew signs beside the garden rows.
11. Sew the large beaver near the waterwheel.
12. Sew the basket beaver in front of the wheel and near the garden.
13. Sew the bridge beaver on top of the bridge.
14. Add the watering can, bucket, flowerpot, and vegetable basket inside and around the shed.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use pins first, then sew each piece with matching yarn. For the beaver faces, keep the eyes level, the muzzle centered, and the teeth small. Oversized teeth can change the expression. Add tiny black eyebrow stitches only if you want a sweeter, more animated look.

Shape the turnip leaves by gently bending them outward. If you used wire, hide all wire ends fully inside the stitches. The leaves should rise from the top center, with two leaves stretching left, two right, and one or two curling forward.

Check the cottage from the front after attaching the door and windows. The arched door should sit low and centered. The windows should sit higher and slightly outward, like round cottage windows on a curved turnip wall.

Care Notes

• Use this piece mainly as a decorative display.
• Do not machine wash if plastic canvas, wire, safety eyes, or stiffened parts are used.
• Keep away from strong direct sunlight to reduce fading.
• For children under three, replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes and avoid wire.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The base lies flat and does not curl.
• The cottage sits firmly without leaning.
• The pond and stream are sewn smoothly with no loose edges.
• The bridge is attached securely and the rails stand upright.
• The beavers have centered muzzles, small teeth, and visible tails.
• The waterwheel is round, evenly spaced, and placed beside the stream.
• The garden beds include carrots, radishes, cabbages, lettuces, signs, and green vegetables.
• The shed includes small garden tools or pots for the same cozy look as the image.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For light dust, use a soft clean brush and gently sweep along the stitch direction. Do not pull on leaves, signs, bridge rails, or waterwheel paddles. These small details are decorative and should be handled carefully.

For small stains, dampen a white cloth with cool water and blot the area. Avoid rubbing because rubbing can fuzz cotton yarn and flatten the stitch texture. Let the piece air dry completely on a towel.

Store the cottage diorama in a clean box with tissue paper around the leaves and bridge. Do not place heavy items on top. If the leaves flatten during storage, reshape them gently with your fingers before displaying again.

Your Waterwheel Turnip Beaver Garden Cottage is now complete. The finished scene should show a cozy cream turnip cottage, leafy green top, flowing blue water, bridge, garden rows, waterwheel, shed, baskets, vegetables, and three sweet beavers enjoying their tiny handmade garden world.