It is time for high tea! Welcome to “The English Rose Tea Room,” a caravan that embodies the quintessence of British elegance and charm. Inspired by the romantic aesthetics of a country garden party, this mobile tea room features a soft Pink and Cream exterior, adorned with climbing vines of handmade roses. The defining feature is the large side awning, draped in exquisite white lace, inviting guests to step out of the sun and into a world of refinement.

The interior is a study in Victorian-inspired luxury. Center stage is a round table draped in a delicate lace tablecloth, laden with a traditional three-tiered cake stand holding scones, sandwiches, and macarons. Two antique-style dark wood chairs with plush velvet red cushions provide seating. In the corner, a loyal Corgi—the Queen’s favorite dog—waits patiently for a crumb to fall. From the blue-and-white china tea set to the framed botanical prints on the wall, every detail has been crafted to transport you to a relaxing afternoon in the Cotswolds.

This is an advanced miniature project that focuses heavily on texture and micro-details. To ensure the caravan walls are sturdy enough to support the lace awning and the furniture remains elegant yet upright, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique creates the rigid, box-like structure necessary for a high-quality display piece.

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 weight (for structure) and Lace weight/Embroidery Thread (for details).

  – Soft Pink: Lower exterior walls, roof edges.

  – Cream/White: Upper exterior walls, interior walls, lace awning, tablecloth.

  – Dark Brown: Chair frames, table legs.

  – Deep Red/Burgundy: Chair cushions (Velvet yarn is a plus here).

  – Corgi Colors: Tan/Orange and White.

  – Green: Rose vines/leaves.

  – Rose Pink: Tiny flowers.

  – China Blue: Tea set details.

  – Pastry Colors: Beige (scones), Pink/Green (macarons), White (sandwiches).

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tea set, food, Corgi, and roses.

  – 1.0mm (Steel Hook): For the finest lace details.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, thin craft wire (for the cake stand and chair legs), fabric glue, a small piece of actual lace fabric (optional, or crochet it), tapestry needle.

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
• Shell: 5 Dc in one stitch.
• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.

Part 1: The Tea Room Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Cream or Beige.

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 Pink & Cream Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The color split is horizontal.

Panel A: Exterior (Pink & Cream)

• Start with Soft Pink.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12: Sc across (Pink Bottom Section).
• Change to Cream/White.
• Row 13-35: Sc across (Cream Top Section).
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create rectangular window openings (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Cream)

• Use Cream yarn for the entire piece to create a bright, airy tea room feel. 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 Pink for the bottom edge and Cream for the rest.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Pink bottom, Cream top) to close the back.

3. The Lace Awning (Roof Flap)

This is a separate panel attached to the roof that flips up.

• Panel: Create a Cream sandwich panel the size of the roof. Sew one long edge to the caravan roof line so it acts like a hinge.
• Lace Overlay: Use 1.0mm or 1.5mm hook and white thread.

  Row 1: Ch length of the flap.

  Row 2: *Sc, Ch 5, Sk 3, Sc* across.

  Row 3: *Shell in ch-5 space, Sc in Sc* across.

  Repeat rows of lace shells until it covers the flap. Sew the lace onto the panel, letting the scalloped edge hang over the front.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: Victorian Furniture

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and 1.5mm.

1. Antique Chairs (Make 2)

• Legs: Use Dark Brown. Ch 6 tight chains. Insert wire for stability. Make 4 legs per chair.
• Seat Frame: Dark Brown. Ch 6, Sc 6 rows. Square.
• Cushion: Deep Red/Burgundy. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Square off: (Sc, hdc, dc+ch1+dc, hdc, sc) in corners. Make it plush/puffy. Glue to seat frame.
• Backrest: Dark Brown. Ch 12 arch. Sc around wire to form a curved Victorian back. Fill the center with Red cushion fabric.
• Assembly: Assemble legs, seat, and backrest with strong glue.

2. The Tea Table

• Tabletop: Dark Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 24. Flat circle. Sandwich with canvas circle.
• Pedestal: Dark Brown. Ch 4 ring. Sc tube for 1 inch. Flare out at bottom (Inc around) for stability.
• Lace Tablecloth: White Thread (1.0mm hook).

  Rnd 1: MR 12 dc.

  Rnd 2: 2 dc in each.

  Rnd 3: *Dc, Ch 2* around.

  Rnd 4: *Sc in space, Ch 3, Shell in next space, Ch 3*.

  Drape over the table.

3. Corner Cabinet

• Unit: White. Ch 8. Sc 15 rows. Fold into a triangular prism or L-shape to fit the corner.
• Detail: Embroider tiny blue flowers on the doors.

Part 3: The High Tea Service (Micro-Crochet)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook.

1. Three-Tier Cake Stand

• Plates: Silver/Grey thread. Make 3 flat circles of decreasing size (Small, Medium, Large). Stiffen with glue or card.
• Central Pole: Use a silver wire. Thread the plates onto the wire, spacing them about 0.5 inches apart using beads or glue stops.

2. The Treats

• Scones: Beige. MR 4 sc, Sc 1 round. Tiny lumps.
• Macarons: Pink/Green/Yellow. MR 4 sc. Sandwich two tiny circles.
• Sandwiches: White. Ch 3, Sc 2 rows. Cut diagonally (or decrease) to make triangles. Embroider a green line (cucumber) on the side.
• Placement: Glue treats onto the tiers of the stand.

3. China Tea Set

• Teapot: White. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 5. Lid: Tiny bead. Spout/Handle: White thread loops. Embroider blue dots.
• Cups: White. MR 4 sc, BLO sc 1 round. Handle: Thread loop. Embroider blue rim.
• Saucers: White flat circle (MR 6 sc).

Part 4: The Corgi & Exterior

1. The Corgi Dog

Use 1.5mm Hook. Colors: Tan and White.

• Head: Tan. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds.

  Snout: White. MR 4 sc. Sew to face.

  Ears: Tan. Ch 3, Sc (Triangle). Large and perky. Sew to top.

• Body: Tan. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, Sc 5 rounds (Loaf shape). Dec to close.

  Tummy: White patch sewn on bottom.

• Legs: Tiny nubbins (MR 4 sc). Make 4.
• Tail: None! (Or a tiny nub).
• Pose: Place the Corgi sitting on one of the Red Velvet chairs.

2. Climbing Roses

• Vines: Green. Ch 30. Sc randomly back down to create thickness variety. Sew onto the front exterior corners of the caravan.
• Roses: Pink/Red. Ch 4. *2 dc in 2nd ch, sl st in 3rd ch*. Roll up the spiral and stitch base. Make 10-15 tiny roses. Sew them onto the vines.

3. Wheels

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Tire: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 2 rounds.
• Hubcap: Pink. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Textured Picot edge.
• Sew to sides.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Pink/Cream shell is rigid. Secure the Lace Awning/Flap in an open position using a small wire prop or by sewing it to the top window frame if preferred.
2. Interior Setting:
   • Glue the Table in the center. Place the Cake Stand and Tea Set on top.
   • Position the Chairs. Glue the Corgi onto one chair.
   • Secure the Corner Cabinet.
   • Add the Lace Curtains to the windows (tiny squares of lace crochet).
   • Glue a tiny “framed picture” (postage stamp size crochet square) on the back wall.
3. Exterior Finishing:
   • Sew the Roses and Vines up the front pillars.
   • Add a Pink hitch to the front.

Congratulations! You have opened “The English Rose Tea Room.” It is a delightful display of craftsmanship and elegance, ready for afternoon tea.