Welcome to the brightest, sunniest project of the season! The “Daffodil” Spring Van is a joyful celebration of rebirth and vibrant colors. This miniature caravan captures the essence of a western spring with a striking yellow and white color palette, adorned with delicate embroidered daffodil motifs along the exterior body. It is a symbol of happiness on wheels.

The interior is a gardener’s potting station in full swing. It features pots of blooming daffodils with their iconic trumpet-shaped centers, loose bulbs with delicate white roots ready for planting, and essential tools like green gardening gloves and a bag of potting soil. The cutest detail? A custom duck-shaped watering can! Outside, a fluffy yellow duckling, wearing a daffodil flower as a hat, waddles near a white picket fence surrounding a bed of vibrant blooms.

This project relies on structural precision. To ensure the caravan maintains its crisp, boxy shape and can support the interior shelves, we strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). We will also be switching between a standard hook for the main shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate flowers and tiny tools.

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 is best for the flower definition).

  – Bright Yellow: Lower van exterior, daffodils, duckling, watering can.

  – Crisp White: Upper van exterior, interior walls, fence, bulb roots.

  – Leaf Green: Stems, leaves, gardening gloves.

  – Orange/Gold: Daffodil trumpets (pistils), duck beak.

  – Dark Brown: Soil bag, potting soil, loose bulbs.

  – Beige/Tan: Floor.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny daffodils, bulbs, gloves, and watering can.

• Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, hot glue, black beads (eyes), embroidery floss (for side motifs).

Abbreviations (US Terms)

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

Part 1: The Spring Van Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Beige/Tan.

1. Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
2. Row 2-40: 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 Yellow & White Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. We want a cheerful two-tone look.

Panel A: Exterior (Yellow & White)

• Start with Bright Yellow.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12: Sc across (Yellow Section – Bottom).
• Change to Crisp White.
• Row 13-35: Sc across (White Section – Top & Roof).
• Window Cutouts: In the White section on the side walls, create rectangular window openings (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Embroidery: On the Yellow section, use Green and Dark Yellow yarn to embroider small Daffodil motifs (a star shape with a French knot center) along the side panels.
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (White)

• Use White yarn for the entire piece to reflect light onto the plants. Match dimensions and window gaps 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. Use Yellow for the bottom edge and White for the rest.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Daffodil Collection (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. These flowers define the theme.

1. Potted Daffodils

• Pot: Terracotta/Orange yarn. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. BLO Sc around. Sc 3 rows. Fill with Brown yarn “soil”.
• Stems: Green. Ch 6. Stiffen with glue or wire.
• Daffodil Flower:

  Petals: Yellow. MR. (Ch 3, sl st in ring) x 6 times.

  Trumpet (Pistil): Orange. Ch 3, join to ring. Sc 1 round. Sew to the center of the petals.

• Assembly: Glue the flower to the stem, and the stem into the pot. Add long, thin Green leaves (Ch 8 strips). Make 4-5 pots.

2. Loose Bulbs with Roots

• Bulb: Dark Brown. MR 5 sc. Inc to 10. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 5. Close. (It should look like a small onion).
• Roots: Use White yarn. Thread a needle and pass it through the bottom of the bulb, leaving short loops or tails hanging out to look like roots.
• Sprout: Add a tiny Green stitch at the top. Make 3-4 loose bulbs.

Part 3: Gardening Accessories

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm

1. Duck-Shaped Watering Can

This is a signature item! Use Bright Yellow.

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, Sc 3 rounds, Dec to 6. (Oval shape).
• Head: MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 5. Sew to top front of body.
• Beak (Spout): Orange. Ch 3, sc back. Sew to head mouth area. *Note: For a watering can look, the water usually comes out of the beak.*
• Handle: Ch 8. Sew from back of head to back of body.
• Eyes: Tiny black knots.

2. Bag of Potting Soil

• Sack: White or Beige. Ch 8. Sc 10 rows. Fold in half and sew sides.
• Fill: Stuff mostly with fiberfill, but glue some Dark Brown “soil” (textured yarn crumbs) coming out of the top.
• Label: Embroider a tiny flower or “SOIL” on the front.

3. Green Gardening Gloves

• Hand: Green. Ch 4, join. Sc 2 rounds.
• Fingers: *Ch 2, sl st back* repeat 4 times.
• Make a pair (Left and Right).

Part 4: The Exterior Scene

1. The Fluffy Duckling

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Bright Yellow yarn.

• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 4 rounds.

  Tail: At the back, Ch 3, Sc back to create a feathery point. Dec to close.

• Wings: Ch 4, Sc back. Sew to sides.
• Beak: Orange. Ch 2, Sc. Sew to face.
• Texture: Use a velcro brush to fluff up the yellow yarn to make it look like downy feathers.

2. The Daffodil Hat

Use 1.5mm Hook.

• Make a slightly larger Daffodil flower (Pattern from Part 2).
• Sew it onto the Duckling’s head.

3. The Flower Bed & Fence

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Fence: White.

  Pickets: Ch 6, Sc back. Make 8 pieces.

  Rails: Ch 20. Sc back. Make 2 rails.

  Assembly: Glue pickets to rails to form a low fence section.

• Flower Bed: Green. Crochet a freeform flat shape (oval).

  Flowers: Crochet simple yellow circles (MR 5 sc) and sew them densely onto the green base.

• Place this assembly in front of the caravan.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Yellow/White U-shell is securely sewn to the floor. The plastic canvas sandwich is vital for the walls to stand up straight.
2. Interior Styling:
   • Table: Crochet a simple white table (Sandwich method). Glue the Loose Bulbs onto the table surface.
   • Floor: Place the Pots of Daffodils in corners and near the door.
   • Details: Lean the Bag of Soil against the wall. Place the Duck Watering Can and Gloves next to the bulbs.
3. Exterior Arrangement:
   • Position the White Fence and Flower Bed in front of the caravan.
   • Place the Duckling (with his hat) standing proudly in the garden scene.

Congratulations! You have cultivated a little slice of spring. The “Daffodil” Spring Van is a cheerful, detailed masterpiece that brings sunshine wherever it goes.