Big and Little Cactus Crochet Pattern

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Plant some happiness into your crafting life with these adorable amigurumi cactus friends! You can make a small cactus or large cactus (or both) with this easy pattern. Both of these cacti work up quickly, and would make great gifts for a housewarming, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or even a plant themed baby shower! The possibilities are endless!!

Admittedly, I didn’t know very much about cacti before starting designing this pattern. But after doing a little reading online, I found out they actually have a wonderful meaning in terms of gift-giving! Since they are seen as very hearty plants, they can make a very meaningful gift for someone who has been through struggles in their life recently, as a symbol of “endurance”. I had heard of them being given as housewarming gifts in the past, as well, which I think is a really cute idea! In terms of heartiness, you really can’t get much heartier than a crocheted version of a cactus!

(Pin it for later!)

Looking for the ad-free PDF pattern? You can find it in my shop HERE!

I became an even bigger fan of the lovely Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand while making my amigurumi bunnies (pattern HERE) this spring. So I knew I wanted an excuse to use it again for another project! I went with Vanna’s Choice in Dusty Green for the body of the cactus, and the very complimentary Rose for the blush. I think the color is just right – not too bright, but not too muted – and the texture of the yarn is sturdy for amigurumi projects, while not being too scratchy either! Find some on Amazon HERE!

I always love it when I can incorporate other textures or media into my crochet, so I really enjoyed using real, tiny terracotta pots for the base of these cactus friends! I got them at Jo-Ann’s for a very reasonable price, and you can also find some on Amazon HERE! They are really affordable and are just way too cute for all kinds of spring and summer craft projects!

Last but not least, I wouldn’t have been able to bring this project together (literally!) without some really good glue! I used Elmer’s Craft Bond and it worked like a charm. It has the same texture and strong bond of hot glue, but without the webs and potential mess! You can also find that on Amazon HERE!

Ready to grow some crocheted cactus cuties? Then let’s get planting!!!

Supplies

D-3 / 3.25 mm crochet hook
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in:

• * Dusty Green (60 yds)
• * Pink (less than a yd)
• * Black (less than a yd)
  
  Fiberfill stuffing
  6 mm safety eyes
  9 mm safety eyes
  1.5 inch clay pot
  2 inch clay pot
  Scissors
  Yarn Needle
• Elmer’s Craft Bond Glue

Abbreviations
BLO = back loop only
Ch = chain
FLO = front loop only
Hdc = half double crochet
Rem = remaining
Rep = repeat
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
St(s) = stitch(es)

Gauge
Exact gauge is not essential to this project.

Size
Small Cactus: About 4 inch total length (including pot)
Large Cactus: About 6 inch total length (including pot)

Instructions

Small Cactus
Ch 12.
Row 1 – Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and each st across. Ch 1, turn (11 sc)
Row 2 – working in BLO, sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (11 sc)
Rows 3 – 15 – Rep Row 2. Do not ch 1 at the end of Row 15 (11 sc per row)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Right Arm
Ch 8.
Row 1 – Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 sts. In next st, 3 sc. Sc in next 3 sts. Ch 1, turn (9 sc)
Row 2 – Working in BLO, sc in each st across. Make 1 sc at tip of Arm; sl st into next st. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (10 sc)

Left Arm
Ch 6.
Row 1 – Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in next st; 3 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Ch 1, turn (7 sc)
Row 2 – Working in FLO, sc in each st across. Make 1 sc at tip of Arm. Sl st into next st. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (8 sc)

Finishing
Run long yarn tail through top of Cactus, then pull tightly to cinch top. If there is a rem gap, sew one over top of cinched area.

Fold piece in half and sew together through BLO of one end, and through FLO of the other end.

Attach safety eyes. With Pink, make small horizontal lines on outer bottom corners of each eye for Blush.

With Black, make a small “v” for smile. Tie off ends on inside of piece.

Sew Arms to sides, placing shorter Arm higher than longer Arm Stuff piece if desired. Stuff piece (do not overstuff). Place a small amount of stuffing in pot as well.

Apply glue around inner edge of pot and place Cactus inside – there should be about 1/8 of an inch of the Cactus body placed onto glue. Hold in place for a few minutes and let dry according to glue package directions.

Large Cactus
Ch 16.
Row 1 – Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. Ch 1, turn (15 sc)
Row 2 – Working in BLO, sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (15 sc)
Rows 3 – 28 – sc in each st across, ch 1, turn. Do not ch 1 at end of Row 28 (15 sc per row)

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Left Arm
Ch 13.
Row 1 – Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, and in next 5 sts. 3 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 5 sts. Ch 1, turn. (14 hdc)
Row 2 – Working in FLO, hdc in each st across. Make 1 hdc at tip of arm. Sl st into next st. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (15 hdc)

Right Arm
Ch 10.
Row 1 – Hdc in 2nd ch from hook, and in next 3 sts. 3 hdc in next st. Hdc in next 4 sts. Ch 1, turn. (11 hdc)
Row 2 – Working in BLO, hdc in each st across. Make 1 hdc at tip of arm. Sl st into next st. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (12 hdc)

Follow Finishing directions for Small Cactus listed above.

Here are the finished Cacti!

I hope you enjoyed this cactus crochet pattern! If you love free and fun patterns, please be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media – I have so many more FREE patterns coming soon! Happy Crocheting!

COPYRIGHT: This pattern is owned by Crafty Kitty Crochet (Melissa Moore). Any reselling or distribution of this pattern is prohibited. Sale of items made using this pattern is welcomed, but I do ask that credit/a link be provided back to my site, craftykittycrochet.com.