
Welcome to the most delicious stop on the road! “The Grandma’s Pie Factory” is a heartwarming crochet caravan that looks exactly like a giant, golden-baked pie. The roof is a masterpiece of lattice-work pastry crust, revealing glimpses of juicy cherry filling underneath. Inside, it’s a bustling bakery kitchen featuring a vintage stove with an opening oven door, cooling racks stacked with blueberry and apple pies, and a central table prepped with rolling pins and flour. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and sweet enough to eat.
This project is a detailed miniature construction. To ensure the caravan holds its boxy shape and supports the heavy “crust” roof, we rely on the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). We will also be using two different hook sizes: a standard hook for the main structure and a micro-hook for the intricate tiny pies and fruit.
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.
– Golden Crust / Beige: Main exterior walls, roof lattice, pie crusts.
– Deep Red / Cherry: Under-layer of roof, apples, cherry filling.
– Blue / Purple: Blueberries.
– White: Flour, table cloth (gingham check).
– Grey / Silver: Oven, racks, wheels.
– Brown: Interior floor, table legs.
- Hooks:
– 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the caravan shell, furniture, and roof.
– 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny pies, apples, and lattice strips.
- Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
- Other: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, hot glue gun, thin cardboard (for box inserts), red/white fabric (optional for curtains).
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
- FPdc: Front Post Double Crochet (for basket weave effect on roof if not using strips).
Part 1: The Pie Crust Structure (Sandwich Method)
Use Hook Size: 2.5mm
1. The Floor Base
Make 2 identical panels using Brown yarn.
- Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
- Row 2-40: Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″).
- 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 Golden Crust Shell (U-Shaped)
This forms the Left Wall, Roof Base, and Right Wall. The roof section here is the “filling” layer.
Panel A: Exterior Base (Golden & Red)
- Start with Golden Crust yarn.
- Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
- Row 2-15: Sc across (Left Wall section).
- Change to Deep Red (This is the “filling” visible under the lattice).
- Row 16-35: Sc across (Roof section).
- Change to Golden Crust.
- Row 36-50: Sc across (Right Wall section).
- Windows: In the Golden sections, create window openings by chaining 8 and skipping 8 stitches in appropriate rows.
- Fasten off.
Panel B: Interior Lining (Beige)
- Use Beige yarn for the entire piece. Match dimensions and window holes of Panel A.
Assembly:
- Cut plastic canvas strip (with window holes).
- Sandwich canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
- Join: Sc around the perimeter through both layers using Golden yarn. Sc inside window frames.
- Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
3. The Lattice Roof Overlay
This is the signature detail. We create woven strips of dough.
- Strips: With Golden Crust yarn, Ch 25 (or width of roof). Sc back. Make 10-12 horizontal strips. Make 8-10 vertical strips (longer).
- Weaving: Lay the vertical strips over the Red roof section. Weave the horizontal strips over and under the verticals to create a lattice pie crust pattern.
- Securing: Sew the ends of all strips firmly to the edges of the roof panel. The Red yarn underneath should peek through the gaps.
- Crimped Edge: Work a round of (Sc, Ch 2, Sc) in each stitch along the roof edge to mimic a crimped pie crust rim.
📌Thank you for reading the article.
Part 2: The Bakery Kitchen (Interior)
Use Hook Size: 2.5mm for furniture.
1. The Vintage Stove & Oven
Use Light Grey/White yarn.
- Box: Ch 12. Sc 10 rows. Fold/stitch into a cube box (Sandwich method recommended for stiffness).
- Oven Door: Make a separate square panel (Black center, Grey rim). Sew the bottom edge to the stove front so it hinges open.
- Burners: Black yarn. MR 6 sc. Make 4. Glue to top.
- Knobs: Black french knots on the front panel.
2. Cooling Racks
- Shelves: Use craft wire bent into U-shapes or crochet thin grey frames. Glue them to the side walls or stack them next to the oven.
Assembly: Glue the stove to the back left corner. Place the racks on the right side.
Part 3: The Pies & Ingredients (Maximalism)
IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook for these items.
1. Miniature Pies (Make lots!)
- Pie Tin: Silver yarn. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. BLO Sc around.
- Filling: Red (Cherry), Blue (Blueberry), Brown (Meat/Apple). MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sew into the tin.
- Lattice Top: Beige yarn. Ch 4 strips. Glue in a hashtag pattern # over the filling.
- Full Crust Top: Beige circle. Sew on top, poke a hole in the center for steam.
2. Ingredients
- Apples: Red/Green. MR 4 sc, Inc to 8. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to close. Tiny brown stem.
- Pumpkins: Orange. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to close. Wrap yarn around the outside to create lobes. Green stem.
- Blueberry Bowl: Blue french knots piled in a small bowl.
3. The Prep Table
- Table: Brown. Ch 12, Sc 8 rows. Legs: Ch 6 posts.
- Tablecloth: Red/White Gingham. (Switch colors every 2 stitches). Crochet a rectangle to drape over the table.
- Rolling Pin: Beige. Ch 10 cylinder. Tiny handles on ends. Glue to table.
- Flour Spill: White yarn brushed out with a velcro brush to look fluffy/powdery on the table.
Part 4: Exterior Details
1. Wheels & Hitch
- Wheels: Black tires (24 sc round), Grey hubcaps. Sew to sides.
- Hitch: Grey tube on the front.
2. Curtains
- Use Red/White checkered fabric scraps or crochet tiny squares. Glue gathered bunches to the inside of the windows.
Final Assembly
- Structural Check: Ensure the U-shaped shell is sturdy. The lattice roof adds weight, so the plastic canvas core is essential.
- Kitchen Setup:
- Glue the Stove and Racks in place.
- Place a “baking” pie inside the open oven door.
- Stack cooling pies on the wire racks.
- Centerpiece: Place the Prep Table in the middle. Arrange the Rolling Pin, Flour, and a half-made pie on top.
- Floor Scatter: Place baskets of Apples and Pumpkins on the floor under the table.
Congratulations! You have baked up a storm. The “Grandma’s Pie” Factory is ready to serve sweet memories and cozy vibes.