Cactus!! They are so in vogue right now and I can’t get enough of cactus and succulents. I even have a succulent wreath on my door.
Here in sunny Arizona there are cactus and succulents pretty much everywhere. But I bet there’s a few dreary places covered in ice and snow that could use a little sunshine. So let’s get crafty!
Kawaii Saguaro Cactus Pattern
You can get a printer-friendly version of this pattern here.
Supplies:
Red Heart Soft yarn in Guacamole and Tangerine
Caron Simply Soft in Sunshine Yellow and Strawberry
E/3.5mm hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
Polyester stuffing/Polyfil
Stuffing stick/chopstick/pencil
Skill level:
Beginner
Special stitches:
Back Post HDC: Back post single crochet
Front Post HDC: Front post half double crochet
*I recommend looking up this stitch on Youtube if you’re not familiar with it.
Abbreviations:
Ch: chain
Sl st: slip stitch
Sc: single crochet
Hdc: Half double crochet
Back Post HDC: Back post single crochet
Front Post HDC: Front post half double crochet
2sc or Inc: Stitch 2 in the same stitch, Increase
Dec: decrease or sc2tog (it will make your project look cleaner if you do an “invisible” decrease)
FO: Finish Off
Notes before Starting:
*This pattern is written in U.S. terms.
*This project is worked in rounds. You will be working in joined rounds and in continuous rounds.
*Your total stitch count will be in parentheses at the end of every row. This will help you to keep count of your stitches and make sure the finished product looks right. Chains and Slip Stitches do not count as stitches.
*You can use whatever yarn you have on hand, I recommend weight 4 yarn. For best results use the yarn suggestions provided.
Pot
Worked in joined rounds
Round 1: Magic Circle 6, join w/sl st (6)
Round 2: Ch 1, Inc in each sc around, join w/sl st (12)
Round 3: Ch 1, (Sc, Inc) repeat around, join w/sl st (18)
Round 4: Ch 1, (Sc 2, Inc) repeat around, join w/sl st (24)
Round 5: Ch 1, Back Post Single Crochet (BPSC) 1 sc in each sc, join w/sl st (24)
Round 6: Ch 1, (Sc 3, inc) repeat around, join w/sl st (30)
Rounds 7-8: (2 rounds) Ch 1, Sc in each sc around, join w/sl st (30)
Round 9: Ch 1, (Sc 4, Inc) repeat around, join w/sl st (36)
Rounds 10-11: (2 rounds) Ch 1, Sc around, join w/sl st (36)
Round 12: Ch 1, Front Post HDC in each sc, join w/sl st (36) Finish Off, leaving a tail about 12 inches long to sew the cactus into the pot.
Saguaro Cactus
Worked in continuous rounds
Round 1: Magic ring 6
Round 2: Inc in each sc around (12)
Round 3: (Sc, Inc) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (Inc, sc 2) repeat around (24)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) repeat around (30)
Rounds 6-21: Sc in each sc around (30) (14 rounds)
Round 22: (Sc 3, dec) repeat around (24)
Round 23: (Sc 2, dec) repeat around (18)
Starting at row 13, stitch face with black yarn or embroidery thread, use safety eyes if you wish. Make two small stitches in pink under each eye for the cheeks. Make a small ‘v’ centered one row below the eyes. Stuff cactus firmly without distorting the main shape.
Round 24: (Sc, dec) repeat around (12)
Round 25: Dec around (6)
Finish Off and weave in all ends
Saguaro Cactus arm
Worked in continuous rounds
Round 1: Magic ring 5 (5)
Round 2: Inc (10)
Round 3-5: (3 rounds) Sc (10)
Round 6: sc 3, hdc 3, sc 2, dec (9)
Round 7: sc 3, hdc 3, sc 1, dec (8)
FO, leave a long length for attaching the arm. Stuff lightly, bending and shaping the arm. Sew the arm to the Saguaro Cactus body starting about 6 rows from the top. The 3 Hdc stitches create the outside bend in the arm. Point the top of the arm towards the top of the cactus and sew it to the body.
Cactus flowers
Tiny flower
Worked in continuous rounds
Round 1: Magic Circle 5 (5)
Round 2: Sl st into Front Loop Only of first st. Ch 3, sl st into second FLO. Ch 3, sl st into third FLO. Ch 3, sl st into fourth FLO. Ch 3, sl st into fifth FLO.
Round 3: Sl st into the first Back Loop Only. Ch 3, sl st into second BLO. Ch 3, sl st into third BLO. Ch 3, sl st into fourth BLO. Ch 3, sl st into fifth BLO.
FO, leaving a length to attach flower to cactus.
Large flower
Worked in continuous rounds
Round 1: Magic Circle 5 (5)
Round 2: Inc (10)
Round 3: Front loop only (sl st, ch 3, 2dc in next sc, ch 3, sl st into same) repeat around makes 5 petals
Round 4: Remaining back loop only *sl st, ch 3, 2dc in next sc, ch 3, sl st into same* makes 5 petals. FO, leaving a length of yarn to attach flower to cactus.
Create a small pompom for the center of the flower by taking a small length of yellow yarn and wrapping it around your fingers 3-4 times. Use more yellow yarn to tie it off and snip open the ends. Leave 2 long lengths to sew the Pompom to the flower. Use scissors to trim up the pompom. Once the flower is complete, use the length of pink yarn to attach the flower to the cactus.
Assembly
Once the cactus is assembled, firmly position it inside the pot and use the extra length of Tangerine yarn to sew it together underneath the lip of the pot. Take up your flower and sew it to the top or side of the cactus, wherever you think it best.
Your cactus will stand up on its own and is the perfect addition to any windowsill, desk or kid’s playhouse. It never needs water or sun, and its cute little face will brighten up any day.
Get crafty and have an awesome day!
Jessica from 3rd House
The information and photos in this post are the sole copyrighted property of 3rd House from the End and 3rd House Creations. You may not copy and paste or reproduce any part of the information contained herein electronically, verbally, written or otherwise, including translations.
You may make and sell products from our patterns but we ask that you please link back to this post.
See who’s getting crafty on Facebook and Instagram with 3rd House Creations. Be sure to tag your creations #3rdHouseCreations so we can see what’s hot off your hook!