2017 Geek-A-Long: Beast Boy

Even though we put the final Geek-A-Long Guild boxes of the year into the mail, I still have trouble believing this is the 44th square, which means there are only four left after today! FOUR. Where did the year even go? How did we get only two days away from November? I swear to Chuck ::winks at Supernatural fans:: that I was crocheting sea creatures pool side yesterday and making Fourth of July plans. I know I’ve been chipping away at my Christmas knitting, knocking items of My Make List, but nothing signals the march of time and the coming of the holiday season quite like the end of the Geek-A-Long.  Every year it makes me a bit weepy, but this time I think I might be able to stand strong since we’ll be celebrating the five-year anniversary of the GAL in 2018.

With a stiff upper lip, let me tell you about my favorite little green guy. Beast Boy.

Beast Boy is a lighthearted bundle of jokester joy, but Garfield Logan’s origin story isn’t filled with sunshine and rainbows. As a child, his semi-abusive scientist parents used an untested serum to save him from a rare illness. They turned him into a West African green monkey for 24 hours since they’re immune and we’re surprised when it went horribly, and predictably, awry. His hair, eyes, and skin turned green and he gained the ability to morph into any animal of his choice.

To make matters worse, his parents died in a boating accident, which he beats himself up for not being able to prevent it, only to be rescued by a couple of jerks that force him to use his powers to commit crimes.

I know what you’re thinking, “This is when he joins the Teen Titans and becomes the lovable goof we all love, right?”

NOPE.

He got adopted by the villain Nicholas Galtry, who realizes he can embezzle Garfield’s estate. It’s all very A Series of Unfortunate Events. Beast Boy is the Baudelaire children and Galtry is Count Olaf. Eventually, the Doom Patrol rescues him and he joins up with them for a while. His signature outfit he wears in the Teen Titans is actually the Doom Patrol, although it used to include a purple mask.

After some more crappy things happen, he eventually ends up at his forever home with the Teen Titans. He becomes best friend with Cyborg, whom he shares a passion for video games and movies with, and develops a love/hate relationship with the complicated Raven.

Whether you’re knitting, crocheting, or cross stitching this square, you can download the 44 Beast Boy pattern here. Instructions and charts for both knit and crochet are listed in the pattern. When you’re finished making it, don’t forget to Instagram your squares at us @lattesandllamasyarn with the hashtag #geekalong!

If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and a tutorial on crochet here. Want to hang out with other people making the blanket? You can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here.

~ Jac
Beast Boy: [Robin tosses Beast Boy the Brain] Dudes, check it out.
[they freeze the Brain] Beast Boy: Brain freeze.
[everyone groans]

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If you enjoyed this post, please consider making a donation to Child’s Play Charity. Here is a direct link to our official donation widget benefiting the charity. Please help us raise $1,000 this year. No contribution is too small! Wanna make your donation go even further? Lattes & Llamas will donate $1 for every skein of Geek-A-Long Yarn purchased. Ask your local yarn store to carry GAL Yarn or get it through our website.