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Crochet cactus pillow with cactus flower on couch.
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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

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)
  • Fasten off and leave tail for sewing.
    Fold the rectangle in half so the beginning row and ending row are touching each other, then sew the 2 ends together so it makes a completed loop or circle. 
  • You will now have an open end at the bottom and then the top of the rectangle. Using the same yarn (or new yarn - if you don't have enough tail left) cinch both the bottom and top of the rectangle closed. Do this by going in and out of the ends of the rows about every half inch/inch. First do the bottom and pull tight, stuff the cactus with poyfill and then move onto the top of the cactus and cinch the top closed.
    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.

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!
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