Get ready to rock and roll with this retro-cool crochet project! The “Vinyl Record” Store is a mobile music haven designed for the ultimate audiophile. This Hipster-style caravan features a striking black and orange exterior that screams vintage cool, topped with a massive vinyl record signage. Inside, it’s a crate-digger’s paradise: wooden boxes overflowing with colorful albums, band posters plastering every inch of the walls, and a vintage turntable spinning the hits. The shop is managed by a cool Hipster Cat, complete with black-rimmed glasses and a cozy scarf, inspecting the latest arrivals.

This is an advanced project rich in miniature details. To ensure the caravan maintains its classic curved shape and the walls stay rigid enough to hold the interior displays, we use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique creates a sturdy structure with a clean, professional finish on both the inside and outside.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn: Sport or DK weight cotton yarn.

  – Black & Burnt Orange: Exterior stripes.

  – Beige/Cream: Interior walls and Cat’s fur.

  – Wood Brown: Crates and floor.

  – Grey/Silver: Turntable, wheels, hitch.

  – Scrap Colors (Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, etc.): Album covers and posters.

  – White: Cat’s paws/muzzle, poster backgrounds.

• Hooks:

  – 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the main caravan structure, floor, and cat body.

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the miniature records, crates, turntable, and accessories.

• Structure: 5 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, black craft wire (for the cat’s glasses), tapestry needle, hot glue gun, fabric glue.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• Ch: Chain
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 sc in one st)
• Dec: Decrease (invisible decrease)
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• Sl st: Slip Stitch

Part 1: The Caravan Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Wood Brown.

1. Row 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (20)
2. Row 2-38: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″).
3. Fasten off Panel 1. Keep yarn attached to Panel 2.

Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to size. Sandwich between the two panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Retro Exterior (U-Shaped Shell)

This long strip forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. It features bold horizontal stripes.

Panel A: Exterior Shell (Black & Orange)

• Start with Orange.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to wrap around 3 sides of floor). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-8: Sc across (Orange).
• Change to Black.
• Row 9-16: Sc across (Black).
• Change to Orange.
• Row 17-22: Sc across. (Window Level).
• Row 23 (Windows): Sc 15, Ch 12, Sk 12, Sc 36, Ch 12, Sk 12, Sc 15. (Creates two window gaps).
• Row 24: Sc across, working into the chains.
• Change to Black (Roof section).
• Row 25-35: Sc across. Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior Lining (Beige)

• Row 1-35: Repeat the dimensions of Panel A using solid Beige yarn. Ensure the window gaps align perfectly with Panel A.

Assembly:

• Cut a long strip of plastic canvas (cut out window holes).
• Sandwich canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
• Join: Sc around the entire perimeter and inside the window frames to lock layers together. Use matching colors (Orange/Black) for the outer edges.
• Shape: Bend into a “U” arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

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Part 2: The Signage & Decor

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

The Roof Sign: “VINYL RECORD”

• Center: Orange yarn. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18.
• Outer Ring: Black yarn. (2, Inc) to 24, (3, Inc) to 30, (4, Inc) to 36.
• Backing: Make a second identical circle in Black.
• Assembly: Sandwich a circular piece of plastic canvas between the two circles. Sc around to seal.
• Detail: Embroider “VINYL RECORD” in white letters around the black ring. Or surface slip stitch if skilled.
• Mounting: Glue upright on the center of the roof.

Part 3: Interior “Maximalism” (Miniatures)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook for these items.

1. Wooden Record Crates (Make 4-6)

Use Wood Brown.

• Base: Ch 8. Sc across for 6 rows.
• Sides: Sc around the perimeter of the base, building up walls for 5 rounds. Work in BLO for the first round to create a sharp corner.
• Handles: On the last round, Ch 2, Sk 2 in the center of the short sides to make handle holes.

2. Vinyl Records & Sleeves (The Inventory)

• The Record: Black yarn. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Fasten off. Glue a tiny dot of color in the center (Label).
• The Album Cover (Sleeve): Use various colors (Blue, Red, White).

  Row 1: Ch 7. Sc across for 6 rows. Fold in half or make two squares and sew 3 sides.

  Design: Use embroidery floss to stitch simple shapes (a lightning bolt, a face, a prism) to mimic famous album covers like “Aladdin Sane” or “Dark Side of the Moon”.

• Make 20+ of these to fill the crates!

3. The Turntable Station

• Cabinet: Wood Brown. Make a small cube (sandwich method or stuffed). Approx 1.5″ x 1.5″.
• Player Base: Grey. Crochet a flat square to fit on top of the cabinet.
• Platter: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Glue to the grey base.
• Tonearm: Grey thread. Ch 5. Stiffen with glue and attach next to the platter.

4. Band Posters

• Posters: Use fine thread (White/Black/Red). Ch 6, Sc 8 rows.
• Embroider tiny black stick figures or text blocks to look like concert flyers.
• Glue these all over the interior beige walls, overlapping them slightly for a grunge look.

Part 4: The Hipster Cat

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

Head & Body

Use Beige/Tan yarn.

1. Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around (12).
3. Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) around (18).
4. Rnd 4: (Sc 2, Inc) around (24).
5. Rnd 5-9: Sc around.
6. Rnd 10 (Neck): (Sc 2, Dec) around (18).
7. Rnd 11: (Sc 2, Inc) around (24).
8. Rnd 12-18: Sc around.
9. Rnd 19: Dec around to close. Stuff firmly.

Details

• Ears: MR 4 sc, (1, Inc) to 6, (2, Inc) to 8. Sew to head.
• Paws (Make 4): Start White. MR 6 sc. Change to Beige. Sc 4 rows. Sew to body.
• Tail: Beige. Ch 15, Sc back. Sew to rear.
• Face: White muzzle (MR 6 sc). Pink nose embroidery.

Accessories

• Glasses: Bend small black craft wire into two circles and a bridge. Glue carefully to the face. Alternatively, crochet Ch 12 with black thread, join loops for lenses.
• Scarf: Striped Yarn (Yellow/Grey/Brown). Ch 35. Hdc across. Wrap around neck.
• Holding a Record: Sew one of the miniature records (from Part 3) to the cat’s paws.

Part 5: Exterior Finishing

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. Wheels (Make 2)

• Hubcap: Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12.
• Tire: Black. (1, Inc) to 18, (2, Inc) to 24. Sc 2 rounds. Sew to sides.

2. Window Frames

• Use Grey yarn. Surface slip stitch around the window cutouts to create a metallic frame look.

3. Tail Lights

• Red yarn. MR 5 sc. Sew to the back bumper area.

Final Assembly

1. Interior Setup: This is the fun part. Glue the Turntable Cabinet in the back corner. Stack the Crates filled with records on the floor.
2. Wall Decor: Ensure the posters cover most of the upper wall space inside.
3. Exterior: Attach the wheels. Glue the “VINYL RECORD” sign to the roof.
4. The Scene: Position the Hipster Cat standing outside, looking cool with his vinyl.

Congratulations! You have curated the coolest shop in town. This Vinyl Record Store Caravan is a masterpiece of retro style and miniature crochet art. Spin that record and enjoy!