My lovely sister just got a new home (well, 6 months ago and I have added the usual WIP “time tax” all crafters need). She was looking for some cuteness to decorate the place. When she spotted some knitted cacti, I was immediately certain I could make them for less than she was proposing to buy them for.
I raided my oddments for greens and browns – Of which I had plenty.
I found that those 35g balls you get with magazines are plenty for most little cacti.
I took to Google for a pattern and wow! There are plenty. You can make a cactus in any shape or size. After much reviewing and indecision, I have ended up with these:
These pots are from Amazon. They are 6.5cm and are perfect for a project like this. They add something special to the finished product that means I can give my sister something unique.
The Cacti
The one thing all the patterns seem to have in common is the soil.
Using a 3.5-4.5mm hook (tension dependant) and “soil colour” wool.
Pattern:
- 6dc in to magic circle, slst to join (6)
- ch 1, 2dc into same stitch, 2dc into each stitch around, slst to join (12)
- ch 1, dc into same stitch, 2 dc into next stitch, [dc, 2dc] to the end, sl st to join. (18)
- ch 1, dc into same stitch, dc into next stitch, 2 dc, [dc, dc, 2dc] to the end, sl st to join. (24)
- ch 1, dc into same stitch, dc into next stitch, dc, 2 dc, [dc, dc, dc, 2dc] to the end, sl st to join. (30)
- ch 1, dc into same stitch, dc into next stitch, dc, dc, 2 dc, [dc, dc, dc, dc, 2dc] to the end, sl st to join. (36)
- Continue to increase in this way until the circle fits in the opening of the pot you have chosen
- Then: ch 1, dc into same stitch, dc around, sl st to join.
Repeat until soil is the height of the pot.
…And then choose your cacti.
Barrel cactus:
The first one I made was a barrel style cactus with a little flower on top. It was beautifully simple to crochet and looks great. I used scrap wool and so didn’t have enough to make the size suggested in the pattern (here). My rectangle here is about 11cm.
Regardless, the final product looks lovely.
The flower is this simple pattern.
Ball cactus:
Another unique looking cactus is this ball cactus.
It is not as easy to make as the barrel cactus but is well worth the time and the many parts.
Prickly pear:
And finally I made the prickly pear from this pattern. I made a few edits.
Firstly, I use a magic circle to start as I find these easier to control. I also stuffed it when I was done because the flat look felt unfinished to me.
All in all, a fun afternoon and evening of crafting and a nice little housewarming gift.