DMC x COZY BLUE Beavers - PAT05312 - Downloadable PDF

DMC x Cozy Blue Beavers Embroidery Pattern (PAT05312) – Free Downloadable PDF

This free downloadable embroidery pattern is a charming collaboration between DMC and the popular embroidery designer Cozy Blue, featuring an illustrated beaver design (castor). It is a beginner-friendly project that introduces stitchers to a variety of classic hand embroidery techniques through a whimsical, nature-inspired motif. The finished design measures approximately 11.6 cm x 6.5 cm, making it a compact and manageable piece ideal for hoops, patches, or decorative textile projects.

What Is Being Made

Stitchers will create a hand-embroidered beaver illustration, worked in a combination of surface embroidery stitches onto fabric. The design is presented with a full colour guide and technical chart, allowing crafters to follow the pattern with confidence. Because this is a beginner level pattern, it is well-suited to those who are just starting out with embroidery as well as more experienced needleworkers looking for a relaxing, decorative project.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates five distinct embroidery stitches, each assigned a specific code letter in the technical chart:

• Backstitch (A) – A foundational embroidery stitch used for outlines and fine detail lines. Worked with 2 strands of thread, backstitch creates a clean, continuous line ideal for defining the beaver's features and contours.
• Satin Stitch (B) – A classic filling stitch where parallel straight stitches are placed closely together to create a smooth, solid coverage of colour. Worked with 2 strands, it gives a polished, almost painted appearance to filled areas.
• Straight Stitch (C) – One of the simplest embroidery stitches, consisting of individual stitches placed at varying angles to add texture and detail. Worked with 2 strands.
• Herringbone Stitch (D) – A decorative crossed stitch that creates a distinctive zigzag pattern. It adds visual texture and interest to specific areas of the design. Worked with 2 strands.
• Long and Short Stitch (E) – A blending stitch used to create smooth colour gradations and realistic shading. Alternating long and short stitches interlock across rows to produce a naturalistic, painterly effect. Worked with 3 strands, giving a slightly fuller, more textured result.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for the following materials and tools:

• DMC Mouliné Spécial Art 117 embroidery floss – the specific thread collection used throughout the design. Two colour codes are specified: DMC 3799 (a dark charcoal grey) and DMC 167 (a golden khaki/olive tone), with one skein of each required for the stated design size.
• Needle No. 12 – a fine embroidery needle appropriate for working with stranded cotton on fabric.
• Fabric – the pattern references a magic sheet transfer system, along with a transfer pen and transfer paper, to transfer the beaver design accurately onto the chosen fabric before stitching begins.

Colour and Design Details

The colour guide included in the PDF uses labelled zones (A1, B1, C1, D1, E2) to map each stitch type and thread colour to specific areas of the beaver illustration. This clear visual reference makes it straightforward for beginners to follow the design without ambiguity. The limited two-colour palette keeps the project approachable while still producing a detailed and expressive result.

Pattern Format and Availability

This pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF from the DMC library. It is part of an ongoing collaboration series between DMC and Cozy Blue, and is presented bilingually in English and French. The PDF includes a colour diagram, a technical stitch chart, a full colour and materials guide, and step-by-step instructions across five pages.