CROCHET CACTUS GARDEN

INSTRUCTIONS

ECHINOPSIS (Round Cactus)

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C3

Large (make 9 lobes)

Beg lobe -

Using 4mm hook and C3, make a magic ring, 1st rnd - 1ch, 6dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg.

2nd rnd - 1 ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

3rd rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 18 sts.

4th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 24 sts.

5th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 30 sts

6th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 36 sts.

7th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 42 sts.

8th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 48 sts.

9th rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, rep from around, sl st into dc at beg ... 54 sts. Do not fasten off.

Place a 2cm wad of polyester fill in the middle of the disc and fold disc in half so that the fold runs between the first and last dc and. Work edge row through both layers at once.

Edge row - 1ch, turn folded disc to work backwards, crab st in each st to last st, reverse sl st into last st. Fasten off.

To make up - Using yarn needle and length of C3 yarn, pass yarn through the centres of the straight edges of all 9 lobes and fasten firmly. Do the same at the top and bottom, leaving a long tail at the bottom for stitching on to soil.

Medium (make 9 lobes)

Work as for large to the end of 5th rnd.

Fold in half but do not stuff. Complete edge as for large cactus. Make up as for large cactus.

Small (make 9 lobes)

Work as for large to the end of 3rd rnd.

Fold in half but do not stuff. Complete edge as for large cactus. Make up as for large cactus.

FENESTRARIA (Straight Cactus)

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C3 and C4

Small (make 7, altering lengths by increasing or reducing a few rnds)

Using 4mm hook and C3, make a magic ring.

1st rnd - 1ch, 8dc in ring, sl st in dc at beg.

Change to C4, 2nd rnd - 1ch, 1dc in back loop of same st, 1dc in back loop of each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

3rd - 10th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

11th rnd - 1ch, 1dc in same st, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in last st, sl st in dc at beg ... 6 sts.

12th - 16th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing on to soil.

Medium (make 6, altering lengths by increasing or reducing a few rnds)

Using 4mm hook and C3, make a magic ring.

1st rnd - 1ch, 6dc in ring, sl st in dc at beg.

2nd rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

Change to C4, 3rd rnd - 1ch, 1dc in back loop of same st, 1dc in back loop of each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

4th - 14th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

15th rnd - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in next st, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, sl st in dc at beg ... 10 sts.

16th - 20th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing on to soil.

Tall (make 3, altering lengths by increasing or reducing a few rnds)

Using 4mm hook and C3, make a magic ring.

1st rnd - 3ch, 7tr in ring, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg.

2nd rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 16 sts.

Change to C4, 3rd rnd - 1ch, 1dc in back loop of same st, 1dc in back loop of each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

4th - 10th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st in dc at beg.

11th rnd - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, sl st in dc at beg ... 14 sts.

12th - 16th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg.

17th rnd - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in next st, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, sl st in dc at beg ... 12 sts.

18th - 30th rnds - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing on to soil.

RUFFLED ECHEVERIA

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C5, C6 and C7

Centre Leaf (make 6)

Using 4mm hook and C5, make 7ch.

1st row - Miss first ch, 1dc in each ch to end ... 6 sts..

1st rnd - 3ch (counts as tr throughout), 1tr in front loop of each st to end, rotate to work in the back loops of the foundation row, 1tr in what is now the front loop of each st to end, sl st into 3rd of 3ch art beg ... 12 sts. Continue to work in the round.

2nd rnd - 3ch, 1tr in next st, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg ... 16 sts.

3rd rnd - 3ch, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 6 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg ... 20 sts.

Change to C6, 4th rnd - 3ch, 1tr in each st around, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg.

Flatten leaf to work through two layers at once, 2nd row - 1ch, 2dc in both first and last st together, 2dc in each st to end ... 20 sts.

Change to C7, 3rd row - 1ch, 3dc in same st, 3dc in each st to end. Fasten off.

Outer Leaf (make 4)

Using 4mm hook and C5, make 9ch.

1st row - Miss first ch, 1dc in each ch to end ... 8 sts..

1st rnd - 3ch (counts as tr throughout), 1tr in front loop of each st to end, rotate to work in the back loops of the foundation row, 1tr in what is now the front loop of each st to end, sl st into 3rd of 3ch art beg ... 16 sts. Continue to work in the round.

2nd rnd - 3ch, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 6 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg ... 20 sts.

3rd rnd - 3ch, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 8 sts, 2tr in each of next 2 sts, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg ... 24 sts.

4th rnd - 3ch, 1tr in each st around, sl st in 3rd of 3ch at beg.

Change to C6 and flatten leaf to work through two layers at once, 2nd row - 1ch, 2dc in both first and last st together, 2dc in each st to end ... 24 sts.

3rd row - 1ch, 3dc in same st, 3dc in each st to end. Fasten off.

To make up - Using yarn needle and length of C5 yarn, stitch one centre leaf into a rough tube. Stitch the other centre leaves around it, then the outer leaves. Leave a long tail at the bottom for stitching on to soil.

LITHOPS (Stone plant)

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C5 and C9

Small (make 6 of each colour)

Using 4mm hook, make a magic ring.

1st row - 1ch, 4dc in ring, turn.

1st rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st to end, rotate to work along straight side, work 3dc evenly along side, place stitch marker in last st. Continue to work in a spiral ... 11 sts/rnd.

2nd rnd - 1dc in back loop of each st around.

3rd rnd - 1dc in each st around, 1dc in next st past stitch marker, sl st in next st. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.

Medium (make four in C5 and two in C9)

Using 4mm hook, make a magic ring.

1st row - 1ch, 4dc in ring, turn.

2nd row - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st to end, turn ... 8 sts.

1st rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from to end, rotate to work along straight side, work 5dc evenly along side, place stitch marker in last st. Continue to work in a spiral ... 17 sts/rnd.

2nd rnd - 1dc in back loop of each st around.

3rd - 4th rnds - 1dc in each st around, 1dc in next st past stitch marker, sl st in next st. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.

Large (make four in C9)

Using 4mm hook, make a magic ring.

1st row - 1ch, 4dc in ring, turn.

2nd row - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 2dc in each st to end, turn ... 8 sts.

3rd row - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from to end ... 12 sts.

1st rnd - 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, rep from to end, rotate to work along straight side, work 7dc evenly along side, place stitch marker in last st. Continue to work in a spiral ... 23 sts/rnd.

2nd rnd - 1dc in back loop of each st around.

3rd - 5th rnds - 1dc in each st around, 1dc in next st past stitch marker, sl st in next st. Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.

To make up - Using yarn needle and length of same-coloured yarn, stitch two semi-circles of the same size and colour together along the straight sides. Leave a long tail at the bottom for stitching on to soil.

SCHLUMBERGERER (Christmas Cactus)

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C6 and C8

Make in 6 lengths: L1 (make 3), L2 (make 3), L3 (make 2), L4 (make 2), L5 (make 2), L6 (make 2) and L7 (make 2).

'Leaf' Strands

Using 4mm hook and C8, make 21 (27, 33, 39, 45, 51, 63) ch.

1st rnd - Miss 1ch, working up one side of ch, sl st in next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, 3ch, sl st into ch at base of tr just made, sl st in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, 3ch, sl st into ch at base of tr just made, rep from to end, rotate to work up other side of ch, 3ch, 1tr in same ch as sl st just made, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, sl st in next st, sl st in next st, 3ch, 1tr in same ch as sl st just made, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, sl st in next st, rep from to last 2 sts, sl st in last 2 sts. Fasten off.

FLOWERS

Inner (make 6) -

Using 4mm hook and C6, make 7 ch.

1st row - Miss 1ch, sl st in next ch, 1dc in each ch to end.

2nd row - 1ch, 1dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 4ch.

3rd row - Miss 1ch, sl st in next ch, 1dc in each of next 2ch, 1dc in each of next 3 dc.

4th - 5th rows - Rep 2nd and 3rd rows. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Outer (make 6) -

Work as for inner to end of 5th row.

6th - 7th rows - Rep 2nd and 3rd rows. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

To make up - Tightly roll inner flower piece and stitch together. Roll an outer flower piece tightly around the rolled inner piece, and stitch together, so that the inner piece protrudes from the outer piece. Gently press the leaf strands. Using the 7-lobe and 10-lobe leaf strands as bases, stitch the shorter lengths as randomly as possible to them between lobes, making 'branches'. Stitch the flowers to the ends of leaf strands as desired.

SOIL

What You'll Need

'4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C2

Beg -

Using 4mm hook and C2, make a magic ring, 1st rnd - 2ch, 10htr in ring, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 10 sts.

2nd rnd - 2 ch, 2htr in same st, 2htr in each st around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 20 sts.

3rd rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in next st, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 30 sts.

4th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 2 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 40 sts.

5th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 3 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 3 sts, rep from around, miss 1ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 50 sts

6th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 4 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 4 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 60 sts.

7th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 5 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 5 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 70 sts.

8th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 6 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 6 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 80 sts.

9th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 7 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 7 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 90 sts.

10th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 8 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 8 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 100 sts.

11th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 9 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 9 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 110 sts.

12th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 10 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 10 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 120 sts.

13th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 11 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 11 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 130 sts.

14th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 12 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 12 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 140 sts.

15th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 13 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 13 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 150 sts.

16th rnd - 2ch, 1htr in same st, 1htr in each st around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg.

17th rnd - 2ch, 2htr in same st, 1htr in each of next 14 sts, 2htr in next st, 1htr in each of next 14 sts, rep from around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg ... 160 sts.

18 - 19th rnds - 2ch, 1htr in same st, 1htr in each st around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

POT

Using '4 Seasons' Pure Wool 8ply 50g: C1 and C9

Beg -

Using 4mm hook and C1, work as for soil to end of 19th rnd.

20th rnd - 2ch, 1htr in back loop of same st, 1htr in back loop of each st around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg.

21st - 23rd rnds - 2ch, 1htr in same st, 1htr in each st around, miss 2ch, sl st into htr at beg.

Change to C9, 24th rnd - Rep 21st rnd.

Change to C1, 25th rnd - Rep 21st rnd

Change to C9, 26th rnd - Rep 21st rnd.

Change to C1, 27th - 28th rnds - Rep 21st rnd. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

To make up - Fold top two rows inside of pot and stitch in place with tail.

FINISHING

Do not press (except Schlumbergerer). Insert polyester fill into Fenestraria and Lithops. Sew the cacti to the soil, clumping the same species together and filling empty areas with the Lithops. Sew the soil to the inside of the pot most of the way around - fill gently with polyester fill so that soil does not rise higher than edge of pot, then sew closed.