Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern

Have you ever wanted to squeeze a cactus? Follow along with this easy Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern! This is one cactus that won't prick you.

Today I will show you how to crochet a cactus with my easy free crochet cactus pillow pattern! It's perfect for all your crochet boho needs so you can bring some of that desert life into your house. Who wouldn't want to make their house feel like a crochet desert with all the crochet succulents and cactus amigurumi lying about on the couch.

If you want to continue with the southwest/ boho crochet patterns, then check out my Bohemian Crochet Pillow. A perfect boho crochet pillow to pair with the cactus crochet pattern and a simple boho crochet blanket.

I have 2 designs for making crochet cactus patterns. The one we are making here is the round crochet cactus pattern, which is in essence a cactus shaped pillow. I also have a Cactus Crochet Pattern that is a saguaro cactus pillow.

The round cactus crochet pattern is super simple to make and can easily be completed in just a few hours and it can be easily changed to create a variety of sizes. If you make smaller versions, you can always add faces so then the crochet cactus pattern becomes a cactus amigurumi pattern!

Soon you can have a whole patch of cactus pillows in a corner of your living room or couch because they are pretty addicting to make. So, let's get started making this crochet cactus free pattern! Times a wasting!

✏️ Things to Note:

1. I made this crochet cactus pillow pattern with flower with a skein of light sage yarn from the Red Heart Fiesta collection to emulate cactus and its prickles because of the flecks of white that are throughout the yarn. You can use any green to make the cactus pattern, but the speckled fiesta yarn creates a nice visual statement. 
2. I made the crocheted cactus with acrylic yarn as it's what I had on hand but this project can be completed with any type of yarn. Cotton, acrylic, and chunky yarn are the yarns I would highly suggest though. 
3. The finished size of the crochet cactus pillow pattern with flower is roughly a foot in width, height, and length. 

🪡 Materials Needed

• 1 skein of light sage from the Red Heart Fiesta collection, (It has since been discontinued so you can find any green tweed looking yarn to get a similar effect, otherwise you can use a solid green)
• and a small ball of pink yarn - could be light, dark or a standard normal pink shade. 
• J hook (6mm)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends and sewing pieces together
• Polyfill

💭 Abbreviations to Remember (US Terms)

• Magic ring (mr)
• Single crochet (sc)
• Increase (inc) - 2 stitches in the same stitch
• Chains (ch)
• Double crochet (dc)
• Half double crochet (hdc)
• Back loop only (blo)
• Front loop only (flo)

🧋 Variations

Consider altering the starting chain by adding or removing chains to modify the cactus size. Opt for various shades of green to add diversity!

🍵 Instructions for Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern

For the crochet cactus pillow pattern, we will be working in rows.

Crochet Cactus Pattern:

We will be alternating crochet rows of front loop only and back loop only. 

Row 1: Ch x40 (40). Then ch 1 and turn

Row 2: Starting in the second chain from hook, make a HDC in every ch (40). Then ch 1, turn

Row 3: In FLO, HDC the entire row. When you go through a stitch normally, usually you go through 2 loops. The front loop of a stitch is the loop that is closest to you. Only go through this loop and leave the back loop alone. (40) Ch 1, turn

Row 4: In BLO, HDC the entire row. This is where you skip the front loop of a stitch and work in the back loop. It’s the opposite of what you did in the last row.  (40) Ch 1, turn

Row 5-55: Continue alternating rows 3 and 4. (40)

Slip stitch, fasten off and leave tail for sewing.

Sewing:

You are going to cinch the long sides of the rectangle by weaving in and out of the rows along the edge. Pull tight and tie off. Make sure to stuff the cactus before closing it off completely. IF THERE ARE OPEN HOLES AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM THAT WON'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY, THAT'S OKAY SEE NEXT STEP!

If you can’t get your cactus to close all the way on the top and bottom, that is okay! I couldn’t either and I think it's just due to there being a lot of yarn and rows that we are trying to tighten together. In order to fix this we are going to make circles to cover the top and bottom holes. Kind of like a beach ball.

Crochet Circles x2:

Round 1: Using the same green color. Make a MR and work sc x6 in the circle. If you find it difficult making a magic ring you can chain 2 and then crochet sc x6 in the second chain from the hook. (6)

Round 2: Inc x6. (12).

Round 3: [Inc, sc], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round. (18).

Round 4: [Inc, sc x2], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round. (24).

Round 5: [Inc, sc x3], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round (30)

You may need to make more rounds depending on how big the hole is, so double check by placing the circle over the hole to make sure it's covered. If you need more rows continue the pattern of doing an increase and then adding an additional single crochet to each single crochet cluster. 

Otherwise, fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Sew the circles over the holes on the top and bottom of the round cactus.

Crochet Cactus Flower:

Row 1: Leave a long starting ch tail for sewing later. Ch x60, + ch x5, turn

Row 2: Dc in 6th ch from hook. Then [ch 1, skip the next 2 chs on the foundation chain row, dc, ch 2, dc in the same stitch that you did the last dc in.] Repeat what is in the brackets for the rest of the row. At the end of the row, ch x3 and turn.

Row 3: Make a dc in the 2 chain gap between the pair of dc stitches in the row below. Don't stitch into the ch, stitch around its entirety. Then ch x2, and make dc x2 in the same gap. So there should be 2 dc (the first dc is made of turning chains), 2 ch, and then 2 dc

Then [ch x2, skip the single chain gap in the row below, and make dc x2 in the gap below that has the 2 ch, then ch x2, and dc x2.] Repeat what’s in the brackets for the rest of the row. At the end of the row ch x3, and turn

Row 4: In the gap below dc x5, then make a sc in the next gap, then make [dc x6 in the following gap, and  make a sc in the next gap], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the row. This row should make a shell type top creating individual petals. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Weave the starting tail through the base of the foundation ch and pull tight making sure it's tightened in a way that allows the flower to spiral around itself, then make a few stitches through the bottom to secure its shape. Then sew to the cactus anywhere you would like! I did mine on the top off center. 

And now you have a cactus pillow to hug and snuggle made from my crochet cactus pillow pattern! The crochet cactus also makes a perfect gift for cactus loving friends! If you are giving it as a gift to a friend, pair it with a set of my Crochet Cactus Coaster Pattern.

Looking for other bohemian crochet patterns? I do have a Sunflower Coaster Crochet Pattern and Crochet Sunflower Blanket Pattern for a more fall boho look verses a desert boho look.

If you have a small amount of green yarn leftover, try making my Crochet Headphone Sprout Pattern for a fun quirky crochet project.

🧵 Pattern FAQs

🧶More Crochet Boho Patterns

If you tried this Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern (or any other pattern on my website), please let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!

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Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern

Have you ever wanted to squeeze a cactus? Follow along with this easy Crochet Cactus Pillow Pattern! This is one cactus that won't prick you.

Author: Kimberly Arenas

Materials

• ▢ 1 skein of light sage from the Red Heart Fiesta collection
• ▢ small ball of pink - could be light, dark, or a standard normal pink shade.
• ▢ 6mm hook
• ▢ Tapestry needle
• ▢ Polyfill

Abbreviations (US terms)

• ch = Chain
• dc = Double Crochet
• hdc = Half Double Crochet
• blo = Back Loop Only
• flo = Front loop only
• mr = Magic ring
• sc = Single crochet
• inc = Increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)

Notes

I used light sage yarn for this crochet cactus pillow pattern to mimic a cactus, but any green works. Acrylic, cotton, and chunky yarn are suitable for this project.

The finished size is approximately a foot in width, height, and length. Adjust the starting chain for size variation. Experiment with different green shades for variety.

Consider stacking various sizes for a decorative effect.

Instructions

Cactus:

• Row 1: Ch x40 (40), Ch 1 and turn
• Row 2: Starting in the second chain from hook, make a HDC in every ch (40) Ch 1, turn
• Row 3: In FLO, HDC the entire row. When you go through a stitch normally, usually you go through 2 loops. The front loop of a stitch is the loop that is closest to you. Only go through this loop and leave the back loop alone. (40) Ch 1, turn
• Row 4: In BLO, HDC the entire row. This is where you skip the front loop of a stitch and work in the back loop. It’s the opposite of what you did in the last row. (40) Ch 1, turn
• Row 5-55: Continue alternating rows 3 and 4. (40)
• Slip stitch, fasten off and leave tail for sewing.
• Sewing: You are going to cinch the long sides of the rectangle by weaving in and out of the rows along the edge. Pull tight and tie off. Make sure to stuff the cactus before closing it off completely. IF THERE ARE OPEN HOLES AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM THAT WON'T CLOSE ALL THE WAY, THAT'S OKAY SEE NEXT STEP!
• If you can’t get your cactus to close all the way on the top and bottom, that is okay! I couldn’t either and I think it's just due to there being a lot of yarn and rows that we are trying to tighten together. In order to fix this we are going to make circles to cover the top and bottom holes. Kinda like a beach ball.

Circles x2:

• Round 1: Using the same green color. Make a MR and work sc x6 in the circle. If you find it difficult making a magic ring you can chain 2 and then crochet sc x6 in the second chain from the hook. (6)
• Round 2: Inc x6 (12)
• Round 3: [Inc, sc], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round (18)
• Round 4: [Inc, sc x2], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round (24)
• Round 5: [Inc, sc x3], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the round (30)
• You may need to make more rounds depending on how big the hole is, so double check by placing the circle over the hole to make sure it's covered. If you need more rows continue the pattern of doing an increase and then adding an additional single crochet to each single crochet cluster.
• Otherwise, fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
• Sewing: Sew the circles over the holes on the top and bottom of the round cactus.

Crochet Cactus Flower:

• The flowers I make for my cactus patterns are very similar to crochet roses, just a little longer. I made one for my crocheted cactus but you can add as many as you want and can experiment adjusting the size!
• Row 1: Leave a long starting ch tail for sewing later. Ch x60, + ch x5, turn
• Row 2: Dc in 6th ch from hook. Then [ch 1, skip the next 2 chs on the foundation chain row, dc, ch 2, dc in the same stitch that you did the last dc in.] Repeat what is in the brackets for the rest of the row. At the end of the row, ch x3 and turn.
• Row 3: Make a dc in the 2 chain gap between the pair of dc stitches in the row below. Don't stitch into the ch, stitch around its entirety. Then ch x2, and make dc x2 in the same gap. So there should be 2 dc (the first dc is made of turning chains), 2 ch, and then 2 dc
• Then [ch x2, skip the single chain gap in the row below, and make dc x2 in the gap below that has the 2 ch, then ch x2, and dc x2.] Repeat what’s in the brackets for the rest of the row. At the end of the row ch x3, and turn
• Row 4: In the gap below dc x5, then make a sc in the next gap, then make [dc x6 in the following gap, and make a sc in the next gap], repeat what's in the brackets for the rest of the row. This row should make a shell type top creating individual petals. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Sewing:

• Weave the starting tail through the base of the foundation ch and pull tight making sure it's tightened in a way that allows the flower to spiral around itself, then make a few stitches through the bottom to secure its shape. Then sew to the cactus anywhere you would like! I did mine on the top off center.

Tried this pattern?Mention @thecaffeinatedsnail or tag #thecaffeinatedsnail!