• For the free crochet cactus pattern we will be working in rows.

Cactus x2:

• Row 1: Ch x25 (25) + 1 turning chain.
• Row 2: Sc x25, one in each ch, (25). Ch x1 and turn.
• Rows 3-29: Skip the ch (always skip the turning ch), and sc x25, one in each sc from the last row (25). Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 30: Sc x25, then ch x15 (40). Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 31: In second ch from hook make a sc. Then sc the rest of the chains and sc in the row. (40). Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 32-36: Sc x40 (40). Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 37: Sc x40, then ch x18, (58). Ch x1, turn. The chains should be opposite of the other arm you started, if for some reason you end up on the same side just make an extra row to get to the other side.
• Row 38: In the second ch from the hook make a sc. Then sc the rest of the chains and row (58) Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 39-46: Sc x58 (58), ch x1 and turn. You should end row 46 on the side with the first cactus arm you started.

FIRST ARM ROWS ONLY:

• Row A-G: Sc x12 (12), ch x1 and turn
• Row H: Dec, sc x8, dec (10). Ch x1 and turn
• Row I: Dec, sc x6, dec (8). Ch x1 and turn
• Row J: Dec, sc x4, dec (6). Ch x1, and turn
• Row K: Dec, sc x2, dec (4). Slip stitch and fasten off. Weave in the ends.

BACK TO THE MAIN CACTUS BODY:

• Row 47: Restart crocheting the body and the second arm of the cactus by skipping 3 sc spaces between the first arm and where the body is. You should have the newly finished arm on the right side of you, then looking at the base of the arm (row 46) , skip 3 spaces and then reattach the yarn by inserting the hook into the single crochet top, yarn over with the yarn, then pull the hook through the space, yarn over and pull through the hoops. You can carry over the yarn tails or weave them in later. Sc the entire row (43). Ch x1, and turn
• Row 48-55: Sc x43 (43) Ch x1 and turn.
• Now you should be at the end of the row with the unfinished arm.

SECOND ARM ROWS ONLY:

• Row a: Sc x15 (15). Ch x1 and turn
• Rows b -i: Sc x15 (15). Ch x1 and turn
• Row j: Dec, sc x11, dec (13). Ch x1 and turn
• Row k: Dec, sc x9, dec (11). Ch x1 and turn
• Row l: Dec, sc x7, dec (9). Ch 1 and turn
• Row m: Dec, sc x5, dec (7). Ch x1 and turn
• Row n: Dec, sc x3, dec (5). Slip stitch and fasten off. Weave in tail.

STARTING BACK ON THE MAIN BODY OF CACTUS:

• The second arm you just finished should be on your right. Go down to row 55 (where we branched off to finish the arm) and skip 3 spaces. You should be lined up with the main body. Attach your yarn once more, just like how you did previously.
• Row 56 -68: Sc x25 (25) Ch x1 and turn.
• Row 69: Dec, sc x21, dec. (23). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 70: Dec, sc x19, dec. (21). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 71: Dec, sc x17, dec. (19). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 72: Dec, sc x15, dec. (17). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 73: Dec, sc x13, dec. (15). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 74: Dec, sc x11, dec. (13). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 75: Dec, sc x9, dec. (11). Ch x1 and turn,
• Row 76: Dec, sc x7, dec. (9). Ch x1 and turn,
• You are going to make 2 of these cactus sides and then either sew them together with yarn and tapestry needle or (how I prefer to do it) single crochet along the entire edge lining up the 2 pieces and stuff as you go. This gives you a ragdoll pillow look.

Crochet Cactus Flower:

• You can alter the size as you see fit. Just make sure that your starting ch is in multiples of 6 +5.
• 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 between the bottom of the petals, cinch closed but make sure the petals are going in a spiral formation so it looks more like a flower.
• Sew the flower wherever you would like on the cactus. I like the areas on top of the head or arms.
• To make the white lines on the cactus body and arms, thread a long piece of yarn on a tapestry needle, insert it into the cactus (making a discreet embroidery knot or tie) and then go to town! I made my lines about an inch to an inch and half long and about that far apart. I made sure to have the lines go in different directions but you can be more uniform if you would like. You can also try other patterns like small x instead of lines if you would prefer.
• Once the cactus is stitched together, stuffed, adorned with a flower, and embroidered with white little lines your cactus is complete! You now have a huggable squishable stuffed cactus pillow made from my free crochet cactus pattern.