Bean Bud Orca

I may be dating myself, but I still remember when going to see Shamu at Sea World when orcas were all the rage. These memories came flooding back when an orca was requested for my youngest nephew’s bean buddy.

The Bean Bud Orca is the fifth pattern in this series of pocket-sized amigurumi companions. Each design is pocket-sized, filled with dry beans for a satisfying squeeze, made with 100% cotton yarn for clear stitch definition and durability, and completely no-sew—no extra assembly required. Find the free crochet pattern below.

Finished Size: About 2 inches tall

Pattern Level: Intermediate

Materials:

• Scrap Cascade Ultra Pima
• Size H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch marker
• Dry beans for stuffing

Pattern Notes: Pattern is worked continuously in the round without joining or turning between rounds. To help keep track of your stitches, it may be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round.

Directions

Worked with two strands of Ultra Pima held together.

NOTE: This pattern utilizes a Bobble stitch for certain features, indicated in the instructions by “dc5tog,” which are all worked in one stitch.

Rnd 1. With Black and working in a magic loop, ch 1, 6 sc. 6 sc.

Rnd 2. (2 sc in next sc) 4 times; change to White. (2 sc in next sc) twice. 12 sc.

Rnd 3. Change to Black. (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times; change to White. (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) twice. 18 sc.

Rnd 4. Change to Black. Sc in next sc; change to White. Sc in next 2 sc; change to Black. Sc in next 6 sc; change to White. Sc in next 2 sc; change to Black. Sc in next sc; Change to White. Sc in next 6 sc. 18 sc.

Rnd 5. Change to Black. Work Side Fin: hdc in flo of next sc, (dc, tr, dc) in flo of next sc, hdc in flo of next sc; Side Fin complete. Sc in next 6 sc, work Side Fin; change to White. Sc in next 6 sc. 12 sc and 2 Side Fins.

Rnd 6. Change to Black. Hdc in next 3 unused back loops from Rnd 4, sc in next 2 sc, work Back Fin: (hdc, dc, picot) in flo of next sc, (dc, hdc) in flo of next sc; Back Fin complete. Sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 3 unused back loops from Rnd 4; change to White. Sc in next 6 sc. 16 st and 1 Back Fin.

Rnd 7. Change to Black. Sc in next 6 st, Hdc in next 2 unused back loops from Rnd 5, sc in next 4 sc; change to White. Sc in next 6 sc. 18 st.

Rnds 8–9. Change to Black. Sc in next 12 sc; change to White. Sc in next 6 sc. 18 sc.

Rnd 10. Change to Black. (Sc2tog over next 2 sc, sc in next sc) 4 times; change to White. (Sc2tog over next 2 sc, sc in next sc) twice. 12 sc.

Stuff body firmly with beans.

Rnd 11. Change to Black. *Sc2tog over next 2 sc; rep from * around. 6 sc.

Rnd 12. (Work Side Fin, sl st in next sc) twice. 2 Side Fins.

Finish off and weave in end.

Abbreviations

• ch (chain)
• ea (each)
• flo (front loop only)
• hdc (half double crochet)
• rem (remaining)
• rep (repeat)
• rnd (round)
• single crochet (sc)
• sl st (slip stitch)
• st (stitch)
• tog (together)
• tr (treble crochet)