crochetpinkpumpkin
Hi dear Pumpkin, I am super happy yo FINALLY publish my pattern for the giant crochet cactus. With its terracotta pot, it’s THE super trendy home decor and it’s easy to crochet ! The cactus itself is very easy to make if you are a beginner. The flowers are a little more complex but I filmed a tutorial, right here to learn how to make them.
As usual the pattern is accompanied by a YouTube video so don’t hesitate to watch it for more details.
Crochet pattern pdf file (ad free)
For more convenience and to support my blog you can choose to purchase the printable PDF file of the cactus crochet pattern ( ad free and more detailed pictures ) on my Etsy shop, by clicking here.
So, if you choose that option, huge, huge THANK YOU for your support, I can keep making my crochet patterns thanks to you 🙂
But, you can also decide to follow the cactus pattern directly on my blog, so let’s crochet !
Some notes before starting
- Read the pattern completely before you start.
- Full YouTube tutorial for the cactus : here
- The use of different supplies from that indicated may vary the final rendering. You don’t have to use the same brand of yarn but the gauge has to be the same for a similar result.
- For a result similar to the original cactus, it is important to read the pattern at each step so as not to skip instructions given for a specific row. The model requires careful counting of rows and stitches.
- Also, don’t hesitate to contact me here if you notice any mistake in the tutorial, thank you 🥰
- Check the size of the hook indicated before each elements.
- The numbers placed in parentheses correspond to the number of stitches to have when finishing the row. This allows you to know if it was done correctly. If you have more than the number indicated, it means that you have added stitches. Conversely, if you lack it, you have forgotten it.
- The letters (a,b,c…) at the end of sentences correspond to the pictures.
- Avoid waste by mixing your cut threads with the stuffing.
- When it is indicated “classic finish “, it means: Cut the thread and pass it through the loop to make a knot.
- When it is indicated ‘’ invisible finish‘’, it means : Cut the thread, pass it through the loop to make a knot and then, create a ‘’ fake stitch ‘’ to make it invisible. ( please refer to this video : here )
© This cactus crochet pattern is the property of crochetpinkpumpkin. This pattern is for personal use only. No profit can be generated from this pattern or from the sale of the finished product.
Difficulty, stitches and techniques used
Level of difficulty : Easy ( the only elements that is are little bit complicated are the flowers : you can learn how to make it : here )
Stitches and techniques : single crochet, puff stitch, chain stitch, slip stitch, increase, decrease, front loop, back loop and double crochet
Learn the puff stitch : here
For more details about the different crochet stitches and techniques, watch my YouTube videos : here
If you are a beginner with chenille yarn, I suggest you to watch my video ‘’ start crocheting with chenille yarn ‘’ : here
List of supplies
The use of different supplies from that indicated may vary the final rendering. You don’t have to use the same brand of yarn but the gauge has to be the same for a similar result.
The cactus crochet pattern contain affiliate links. It means that I receive a small commission if you purchase the product that is linked ( no additional cost to you )
- Green chenille yarn Bernat Blanket, Smoky Green ( gauge 6 ) for the cactus ( from Joann store ). I used less than one ball.
- Cactus 2 : Fall colors acrylic yarn I love this yarn, Autumn Stripe ( gauge 4 ) ( from Hobby Lobby ). To make the thread thicker, I took the 2 ends of the ball and crocheted the 2 threads at the same time. I used less than one ball. For the flowers and pompoms.
- Brown acrylic yarn, Red heart Super Saver, Cafe Latte ( gauge 4 ). To make the thread thicker for the pattern, I took the 2 ends of the ball and crocheted the 2 threads at the same time. I used less than one ball. For the soil. Link : here
- Cactus 1 : I used leftover balls of yarn ( there is a mix of cotton and acrylic, gauge 2 or 3 ). The colors are : purple, white, yellow, baby pink, light green and blue.
- Crochet hooks : for cacti 1 & 2 : 7 mm, 6 mm (J10) ,
For the cactus 1 ( flowers ) : 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Terracotta flower pot : around 7 in. diameter (18 cm)
and 5 in. high (13 cm) from Lowe’s.
- Toy stuffing : here
- Darning needle and stitch marker.
- Cardboard ( to place in the cactus and for the pompoms ). You can use pompom makers if you already have some at home. If not, it’s ok I will show you how to make them with cardboard.
- Transparent craft glue ( for example Elmer’s craft bond ) here, scissors here and a compass ( to make circle on the cardboard
( More information about supplies on my blog post ‘’ Crochet supplies list for beginner ‘’ )
YouTube Tutorial for the cactus
Cactus crochet pattern
© This document is the property of crochetpinkpumpkin. This cactus crochet pattern is for personal use only.
No profit can be generated from this pattern or from the finished product
Abbreviations
R: round
Ro : row
Ch : chain stitch
Sc: single crochet
Dc : double crochet
Sl: slip stitch
BLO : back loop only
FLO : front loop only
Inc: increase
Hdc : half double crochet
Ps : puff stitch
Cactus
Green chenille yarn
Ro0 : 25 ch + 1 turning ch *
Turn your work, turning ch becomes first stitch (1) of the row, SKIP ch 25 and start crocheting in ch 24 of Ro0
Ro1 : 1 sc in each stitch (25) + 1 turning ch
Turn your work, turning ch becomes first stitch (1) of the row, SKIP sc 25 and start crocheting in sc 24 of Ro1
Ro2 : FLO, 1 sc in each stitch (25) + 1 turning ch
Ro3 > Ro51 : Same of Ro2 ( 50 times )
At the end of Ro51, don’t make a turning ch, just a classic finish.
Fold the strip in half and sew the two ends together (a).
Insert a thread into the top stitches. By pulling on it, the circle will close (b). If the circle did not completely closed, you can glue a little piece of cardboard. It will be the bottom of the cactus.
Do the same thing on the other side but, this time, do not pull the thread. Turn the work over so the sewing threads are less visible.
The picture c shows the piece of cardboard once the cactus is turned over.
Then, stuff the cactus, and pull on the thread to close the side that was still open. It will be the top of the cactus. The circle doesn’t have to be completely closed. Make a knot that you can untie. Later, we will use this space to place a pompom.
* Turning chain tutorial : here
If you need more details about the assembly in the video : here
Cactus soil
Hook : 6mm
Brown acrylic yarn ( if you chose Red Heart Super Saver yarn, make the thread thicker by using the 2 ends of the ball and crochet the 2 threads at the same time
R0 : magic ring
R1 : 6 sc in the magic ring (6)
R2 : 6 inc (12)
R3 : (1 sc, 1 inc) x6 (18)
R4 : (2 sc, 1 inc) x6 (24)
R5 : (3 sc, 1 inc) x6 (30)
R6 : (4 sc, 1 inc) x6 (36)
R7 : (5 sc, 1 inc) x6 (42)
R8 : (6 sc, 1 inc) x6 (48)
R9 : (7 sc, 1 inc) x6 (54)
R10 : (8 sc, 1 inc) x6 (60)
R11 : (9 sc, 1 inc) x6 (66)
R12 : BLO ,1 sc in each stitch (66)
R13 > R15 : 1 sc in each stitch (66) ( 3 rounds )
Invisible finish
Assembly, part 1
Start by sewing the soil to the bottom of the cactus (a).
Add some craft glue under the soil.
Then add some toy stuffing, it will be kept in place by the glue (b).
In cardboard, cut a circle a little smaller than the diameter of the pot. Here, my pot is less than 7 inch in diameter so I cut a 6 inch diameter circle.
Put some glue on the cardboard circle and stick it on the stuffing to block it. You can use sewing clips or clothes pegs to keep it in place while the glue dries (c).
Pompoms x3
You can use pompom makers but in this tutorial, I will show you how to make pompoms with cardboard.
In the cardboard, you will need to cut 6 circles (a) :
– 2 of 3.2 inches diameter ( 8 cm ), we will call them C1
– 2 of 2.4 inches diameter ( 6 cm ), we will call them C2
– Lastly, 2 of 1.6 inches diameter ( 4 cm ), we will call them C3
After cutting them, make another circle in the middle of each of them :
For C1 and C2, the circle in the middle is 1.2 in diameter ( 3 cm ).
For C3, the circle will be 0.8 in diameter ( 2 cm ).
Then cut these new circles to create a “donut” (b).
Take two same diameter circles (b) and wrap the thread around them ( fall colors yarn ) until the middle is no longer visible (c). –
Then, insert the scissors into the slice of the donut. And, cut all the threads by holding the middle so as not to drop them (d).
Insert a thread between the two cardboard circles and tie a knot. This will block the other threads (e). Keep it long enough to later attach the pompom to the cactus.
Remove the cardboard circles, you can also cut them because it won’t be used anymore.
Cut all the excess threads until you obtain the desired size and the texture of the pompom is homogeneous. Use the cardboard circles of different diameters to make two other pompoms (f,g).
Flowers
Reminder :
Hdc puff stitch : Yarn over, insert your hook in the stitch and pull up a loop. In this pattern, the loop has to be the height of the 3 ch. Repeat 6 more times ( total : 7 yarn overs, 15 loops on the hook ). Yarn over and pull the thread through all the loops, except the last one. You have two loops on the hook, make a sc with it.
Video to learn how to make the puff stitch : here
Flowers
( the pattern is the same for both types of flowers )
Petals
Cactus 1 : 9 – 10 flowers (b), use hook 3.5 mm. Thin acrylic and/or coton yarn. Tutorial to make these specific puffy flowers : here
Cactus 2 : Fall colors acrylic yarn ( make the thread thicker by using the 2 ends of the ball and crochet the 2 threads at the same time (a). Use 7 mm hook
R0 : magic ring
R1 : 3 ch + 6 dc in the magic ring. It will create 6 spaces between the double crochets. You will use these spaces to make each of the following sl.
R2 🙁 1 sl, 3 ch + 1 ps )*, 3 ch, go to the next stitch. Do it 5 other times to create 6 petals. After the last one, make a sl back to where you started, cut the yarn and make a knot.
Middle part
Chenille green yarn or yellow cotton yarn ( for the small flowers )
Ro0 : 3 ch
In the first ch, make a ps ( 3 yarn overs, 7 loops on the hook ). After the sc that closes the ps, do not make 3 ch. Just a yarn over to make a knot.
Then, insert the 2 cut threads in 2 of the 6 spaces of R1 (petals) and make a knot on the back. It creates the center of the flower.
Keep the threads long enough to attach the flowers to the cactus.
*in the same stitch
Assembly, Part 2
Cut a small circle in cardboard and insert it on top of the cactus to block the stuffing (a). Make a tight knot with the threads to make sure that the circle doesn’t open anymore.
Put the cactus in the pot.
Take the biggest pompom and cut the threads at the bottom to make it flat (b).
Put glue on the cardboard (on top of the cactus) and glue the flat side of the pompom.
Then, pin the flowers and the pompoms to the cactus to have an idea of the rendering. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can sew or glue the different elements ( personally I did both to make sure that everything will stay in place ) (c,d,e)
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Your cactus is now ready ! 😊
I hope that you enjoyed this free crochet cactus pattern !
Share your creation with me on Instagram or Facebook
by tagging @crochetpinkpumpkin
or by using #pinkpumpkinpattern
Also, don’t hesitate to contact me here if you notice any mistake in the pattern, thank you :). You are also more than welcome to ask me any questions or give feedbacks as well.
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