Cute Cactus Couple (Free Crochet Pattern)

Love is in the air~ 💖

Now that we're nearing the end of January, crunch-time is on for crocheting those handmade Valentine's Day gifts!

~ Here's a roundup of FREE Valentine's Day Crochet Patterns! ~ 

If you're choosing to make instead of buy this year, good for you!  In my book, unique, special, and one-of-a-kind is the way to go!

I present to you, the Cute Cactus Couple! 

Scroll down to find the free, written crochet pattern.  If you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can purchase it for a small fee in my shop. Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Click here to get the PDF pattern, complete with photo references!

Copyright Notice -- © 2019 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SweetSofties). No wholesale. You may not copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

Introduction:
The Cute Cactus Couple Pattern provides instructions for crocheting this adorable pair of cacti who feel right at home living together in their shared pot of soil.  This is a quick and easy DIY project that you can make in one afternoon, and without using a whole lot of yarn.  This Cute Cactus Couple can be used as décor around the house and make an adorable desk accessory as well.  They’re suitable to gift to loved ones, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, spouse, significant other, and friends and buddies too!  Great occasions to present them include Valentine’s Day, Anniversary, Wedding, birthdays, or other special holidays!   

Finished Measurements:

• Approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) in height

Level: 

• Advanced beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), joining rounds, attaching yarn, changing color, and sewing parts together.

Stitches/Terms Used (US Terminology):

• MR: magic ring (a.k.a. magic circle, magic loop)
• Ch: chain 
• Sc: single crochet
• Dc: double crochet  
• Sl st: slip stitch
• Inc: increase (two sc in same stitch)
• Dec: decrease (sc two stitches together)
• BLO: back loops only 

Materials:

• Worsted medium weight [4] yarn (I used: green, brown, and dark brown, along with scraps of pink for sewing details.)
  My favorite medium weight yarns to use are: Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart Soft, Vanna's Choice (Lion Brand), or Lion Brand Heartland)
• 2.75 mm hook (I love Clover Amour hooks!)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Pair of plastic safety eyes (6mm or 8mm)

~ CROCHET DIRECTIONS ~

POT:

Note: The pot is worked from bottom to top.  If you prefer a seamless piece, you can ignore the "ch1" and "join" instructions for each row. 
Start with the pot color (brown).
R1: 6 sc in MR. *Join all rows with a sl st to the first sc. (6 sts)
R2: Ch 1, inc around. *Join. (12 sts)
R3: Ch 1, (sc, inc) x 6. *Join. (18 sts)
R4: Ch 1, (sc 2, inc) x 6. *Join. (24 sts)
R5: Ch 1, (sc 3, inc) x 6. *Join. (30 sts)
R6: Ch 1, (sc 4, inc) x 6. *Join. (36 sts)
R7: Ch 1, sc around in BLO. *Join. (36 sts)
R8-R14: Ch 1, sc around. *Join. (36 sts)
R15: Ch 3, turn, and dc around in BLO. *Join. (36 sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.  

SOIL:

Start with the soil color (dark brown).
R1: You will have BLO stitches open between R14 and R15 of the pot.  Attach yarn to an open stitch at the seam.  Ch 1, and sc around in the BLO stitches.  *Join all rows with a sl st to the first sc. (36 sts)
At this point, you can trace the shape of the pot’s bottom on a piece of cardboard or thick paper. Cut out the circle and insert it into the pot. This will make the pot’s bottom flatter and sturdier.
Add stuffing above the circle and continue stuffing the pot bit by bit after each row.
R2: Ch 1, (sc 4, dec) x 6. *Join. (30 sts)
R3: Ch 1, (sc 3, dec) x 6. *Join. (24 sts)
R4: Ch 1, (sc 2, dec) x 6. *Join. (18 sts)
R5: Ch 1, (sc, dec) x 6. *Join. (12 sts)
R6: Ch 1, dec around. *Join. (6 sts)
Fasten off and weave in the ends.  Using scraps of pink yarn and a yarn needle, you can sew a small heart or design on the pot!

Note: Adjusting Your Cactus Size

You can easily adjust the size of your cactus!  Here is the general rule of thumb:

• Height: add chains to the starting chain for a taller cactus, and use fewer chains in the starting chain for a shorter cactus.
• Width: increase the number of rows for a chubbier cactus, and crochet fewer rows for a skinnier cactus. 

SMALLER CACTUS:

Start with the cactus color (green).
Ch 12, then ch 1 more. (13 ch)
R1: In 2nd ch from hook, insert a sc. Sc across. (12 sts)
R2: Ch 1, turn. In 2nd sc from hook, sc across in BLO. (12 sts)
R3-R15: Repeat R2.
Fasten off with a very long tail for sewing the cactus into its 3D shape later. 

BIGGER CACTUS:

Start with the cactus color (green).
Ch 13, then ch 1 more. (14 ch)
R1: In 2nd ch from hook, insert a sc. Sc across. (13 sts)
R2: Ch 1, turn. In 2nd sc from hook, sc across in BLO. (13 sts)
R3-R17: Repeat R2.
Fasten off with a very long tail for sewing the cactus into its 3D shape later. 

FLOWER:

Start with the flower color (pink).

1. 5 sc in magic ring. *Join. (5 sts)
2. (Ch 4, sl st in same st, then sl st in next st) x 5. This will result in 5 petals.
3. Fasten off with a long tail for sewing to the top of the shorter cactus later. 

~ FINISHING DIRECTIONS ~

1. Gather all the crocheted pieces: pot and soil, cactus (x2), flower
2. Insert plastic safety eyes onto the cacti rectangles.  Sew mouths using pink scrap yarn and a yarn needle.
   (Note: You can do this step before or after you sew the cacti into their 3D shape. I recommend doing it before sewing, so that it’s easier to insert the plastic safety eyes.)
3. Using the long yarn tail from the cactus rectangle and a yarn needle, use a running stitch across the top.  Pull the yarn together tightly to draw the top edge together.
4. Without fastening off, continue sewing down the side of the cactus to close up the “body”.
5.  Using the long yarn tail from the flower and a yarn needle, sew it onto the top of the cactus.  Then, stuff your cacti with fiberfill stuffing.
6. Using scrap pink yarn and a yarn needle, sew a heart onto the pot.
7. Lastly, sew the two cacti onto the pot! 

That's it, you're done! 

Congratulations on finishing the Cute Cactus Couple Pattern!

If you enjoyed this free project and would like to make a donation to support my work, it'd greatly help me out!  Any amount is greatly appreciated and will go towards the yarn and supplies I use to keep creating new designs!

Also, if you'd like to download the beautifully-formatted and easy-to-read PDF version with photo references (see preview below), you can purchase it for a small fee in my shop. Thank you for supporting Sweet Softies designs!

Click here to get the PDF pattern, complete with photo references!

If you made this project and would like to share photos, I'd absolutely love to see!  Here are links for sharing your finished creation:

• Sweet Softies Facebook Page
• Sweet Softies Amigurumi & Crochet Community Facebook Group
• Instagram, @SweetSofties
• Email: sweetsofties [at] gmail.com
• Or, feel free to share in the comments below! :)

As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a loving Valentine's Day season filled with joy with friends and family!

Best wishes,