This post is a work-in-progress, as I plan to eventually include patterns for additional cacti varieties. Probably both crochet and knit. I’ll add as I make them up.
Note: The lengths used in these patterns can be easily adjusted to achieve different shapes and sizes.
(I’m a man who’s got very specific taste / You-you-you’re just my type.)
For now, let’s start here: BARREL CACTUS
M A T E R I A L S
Worsted weight yarn
Polyfill or other stuffing material
Size E/3.50mm crochet hook, or other small size to obtain a firm gauge
Yarn needle
P A T T E R N
Barrel Cactus Body
Ch 18.
Rnd 1: Sc blo in 2nd chain from hook, hdc blo next 15 sts, sc blo in last st, ch 1, turn.
Rnds 2 – 8″ length: Repeat Rnd 1 until piece measures roughly 8″ in length. Bind off leaving long tail.
Use the bind-off’s tail to mattress stitch up the short sides, forming a tube. Then sew through the loops of the top opening and pull to gather in the round. Stuff the cactus body, then sew the bottom closed in the round.
Tiny Flowers
Rnd 1: *Ch 7, tr in 4th ch from hook, htr in next ch, hdc in next ch, sl st in next ch; repeat from * 3 or 4 more times. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Using a yarn needle, gather the petals by stitching into the back of the work and gently pull together. Stitch on small bits of yarn for the flower’s stamen.
Stitch flowers onto cactus body as desired.
ECHINOPSIS PASACANA
M A T E R I A L S
Worsted weight yarn
Polyfill or other stuffing material
US 4 (3.50mm) knitting needles, or other small size to obtain a firm gauge
Yarn needle
P A T T E R N
Echinopsis Pasacana Body
Cast on 30 sts.
Rnd 1: *k1, p1; rep from * to end of row.
Rnd 2: * p1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Rnds 3 – 5″ length: Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 5″ in length. You are working a seed stitch to create the cactus’ bumpy texture. Bind off leaving a long tail.
Use the bind-off’s tail to stitch up the top of your cactus. Using a yarn needle, pass the yarn under approximately equally spaced stitches, then pull tight to close the hole at the top. Then mattress stitch up the long side, forming a tube. (Turn inside-out if you’d like to hide your stitching.) Stuff the cactus body.
Bottom Cover
Using two strands of yarn for thickness, cast on 5 sts.
Rnd 1: Knit
Rnd 2: Cont in stocking st, inc 1 st and each end of needle on next 2 rows. 10 sts.
Rnds 3 – 9: Work 7 rows even in stocking st.
Rnd 10: Dec 1 st and each end of needle on next 2 rows, bind off.
Mattress stitch to attach the bottom cover to your stuffed cactus body.
Attach pom-poms or flowers as desired.
