Welcome to the season of new beginnings! The “Seedling” Nursery is a breath of fresh air, capturing that magical moment when life first bursts from the soil. This caravan isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a mobile potting shed designed with a rustic, faux pallet wood exterior and a specialized “polycarbonate” style roof to let the sun shine in. Inside, it is a gardener’s hive of activity, packed with trays of tiny, tender green sprouts just unfurling their first leaves.

The scene is tended by a studious Mole wearing glasses, who uses his magnifying glass to inspect the crop for quality. A wheelbarrow full of fresh potting soil sits ready nearby. This project is perfect for those who love nature, gardening, and the satisfying repetition of making tiny miniatures.

To achieve the architectural look of the wood cladding and the structural integrity needed for the shelves of heavy soil trays, we will use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique ensures the walls are rigid and flat, like real wood panels.

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 (Mercerized cotton gives the best definition for the tiny leaves).

  – Light Brown & Beige: Exterior wood cladding (two tones for the pallet look).

  – Pale Silver/Light Grey: Roof (polycarbonate effect).

  – Black: Seedling trays, tires, mole’s glasses.

  – Dark Earth Brown: Soil.

  – Bright Leaf Green: Sprouts.

  – Mole Colors: Taupe/Dark Grey (Body), Pink (Nose/Feet).

  – Scrap Colors: White (seed packets), Grey (tools), Rust (dirty gloves).

• Hooks:

  – 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the caravan shell, floor, mole, and wheelbarrow.

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny sprouts, seed packets, and gardening tools.

• Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (for the magnifying glass and glasses), tapestry needle, fabric glue, fine tipped markers (optional for seed packet art).

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
• FLO: Front Loop Only
• Sl st: Slip Stitch

Part 1: The Potting Shed Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Dark Brown (to hide dirt!).

1. Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
2. Row 2-40: Sc across. (Aim for a 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 Faux Pallet Walls (U-Shaped)

To mimic the look of wooden pallets, we will use two shades of brown/beige and work in specific ridges.

Panel A: Exterior (Wood Effect)

• Use Light Brown (Color A) and Beige (Color B).
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Side + Roof width + Right Side). Sc across.
• Row 2-4 (Color A): Sc across.
• Row 5 (Color B – The Gap): Work Sc in BLO across. This creates a ridge line imitating separate planks.
• Row 6-8 (Color B): Sc across.
• Row 9 (Color A – The Gap): Work Sc in BLO across.
• Repeat this striping pattern up the wall height (approx 30-35 rows).
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create large rectangular windows to let “light” in for the plants. Ch 12, Sk 12.

Panel B: Interior (Beige)

• Use solid Beige yarn. Sc across for the same dimensions. Match the window gaps.

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 Light Brown.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

3. The “Polycarbonate” Roof

This needs to look like translucent corrugated plastic sheets. We use Pale Silver yarn.

• Row 1: Ch the width of the roof. Sc across.
• Row 2-End: Work Hdc in BLO for every row. This creates a deeply ribbed texture that mimics corrugated roofing.
• Make a rectangle large enough to cover the top of the U-shaped shell.
• Assembly: Glue or sew this “sheet” onto the top of the caravan walls. You can place a clear plastic sheet underneath it for extra rigidity if desired.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Seedling Production Line (Interior)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. This is maximalism at its finest.

1. Shelving Units

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Shelves: Crochet simple grey or silver rectangles (Ch 15, Sc 4 rows). Stiffen them with cardboard or plastic canvas strips.
• Supports: Glue vertical strips to the back wall and attach 3 tiers of shelves.

2. The Seedling Trays (The Main Event)

Use 1.5mm Hook.

The Tray (Black):

• Row 1: Ch 12. Sc across.
• Row 2-4: Sc across.
• Row 5 (Compartment Walls): *Sc 1, Ch 2, Sc in same st (Picot), Sc 2* repeat across. This creates little bumps to separate the seedlings.
• Sides: Sc around the rectangle to make a shallow rim.

The Soil Plugs (Dark Brown):

• MR 4 sc. Sl st to close. Make dozens of these tiny dots.

The Sprouts (Green):

• Insert hook into center of a Soil Plug.
• Ch 2. (Sl st, Ch 2, Sl st) into the 2nd chain from hook. This creates two tiny leaves. Fasten off.
• Assembly: Glue the sprouted soil plugs into the black trays in neat rows. Fill the shelves with these trays.

3. Seed Packets

Use 1.5mm Hook and Beige thread.

• Packet: Ch 5. Sc 4 rows. Fasten off.
• Embroidery:

  – Tomato: Red french knot.

  – Sunflower: Yellow star stitch.

  – Carrot: Orange dash with green top.

• Scatter these on the floor and shelves.

Part 3: Gardening Tools

Use 1.5mm Hook.

1. Dirty Gardening Gloves

• Hand: Beige. Ch 4, join. Sc 2 rounds.
• Fingers: *Ch 2, sl st back* repeat 4 times for fingers.
• Dirt: Use a brown marker or watered-down acrylic paint to smudge the fingertips of the gloves.

2. Small Shovel

• Handle: Brown. Ch 8. Sl st back.
• Blade: Grey. Ch 3. Sc, Inc, Sc, Dec. (Pointed shape). Sew to handle.

Part 4: The Exterior Scene

1. The Inspector Mole

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Taupe yarn.

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 6 rounds. Dec to close. (Chubby oval).
• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to close. Sew to top of body.
• Snout: Pink. MR 4 sc, Sc 1 round. Sew to face.
• Hands/Feet: Pink. MR 5 sc, Sc 2 rounds. Make 4. These are digging claws.
• Glasses: Twist thin craft wire into tiny spectacles. Glue to face.

2. The Magnifying Glass

• Lens: Twist wire into a circle with a handle.
• Rim: Crochet a thin Grey cord (Ch 10, sl st) and wrap/glue it around the wire circle.
• Glass: You can use a drop of clear glue or resin inside the circle, or leave it empty. Stitch to the Mole’s hand.

3. Wheelbarrow

• Tub: Rust/Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 4 rounds. Flatten slightly.
• Wheel: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sew to front bottom.
• Handles: Grey. Ch 10. Stiffen with wire. Glue along the bottom sides of the tub, extending out the back.
• Soil Load: Make a “lid” of Dark Brown textured yarn (Bobble stitch) to fit inside the tub, looking like a heap of dirt.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the U-shaped walls are firmly attached to the floor. The sandwich method is vital for the straight “plank” look. Glue the “Polycarbonate” roof on top.
2. Interior Production:
   • Glue the shelving units to the back wall.
   • Place the Seedling Trays onto the shelves. Make sure they are visible through the windows.
   • Scatter the Seed Packets and Gloves on the floor near the door.
3. Exterior Inspection:
   • Position the Wheelbarrow near the hitch.
   • Place the Mole standing up, holding his Magnifying Glass over a loose Seedling Tray on the ground, inspecting his work.

Congratulations! You have cultivated a tiny world of growth. The “Seedling” Nursery is a fresh, hopeful addition to your crochet collection. Happy gardening!