Welcome to the depths of the enchanted woods! The “Fern” Forest Cabin is a sanctuary for nature lovers and fairycore enthusiasts. This project captures the serene beauty of the forest floor, featuring a rustic caravan clad in Oak Brown “timber” and topped with a living roof of thick, dark green moss. It is a texture-rich piece that brings the outdoors in.

The interior is designed as a botanist’s retreat. It features a maximalist collection of potted ferns with intricate curling fiddleheads and long, weeping fronds. Macrame baskets hang from the ceiling, while scientific tools like a leather-bound botany book and a magnifying glass sit ready for study. Tiny mushrooms sprout from the floorboards, blurring the line between inside and out. Outside, a sleepy fox naps on a mossy mat next to an old log reclaimed by nature.

To ensure this cabin maintains its structural integrity and the “wooden” walls remain flat and rigid, we strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This allows the caravan to support the heavy textured roof and interior shelving without collapsing. We will also be switching between a standard hook for the structure and a precision micro-hook for the delicate plant life.

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 recommended for leaf definition).

  – Oak Brown: Exterior walls, log, interior floor.

  – Dark Forest Green: Roof moss, mature fern leaves.

  – Lime/Spring Green: Fiddleheads, young ferns, moss mat.

  – Beige/Tan: Macrame ropes, book pages.

  – Rust Orange & White: Fox.

  – Leather Brown: Book cover.

  – Black/Grey: Magnifying glass, wheels.

  – Red/White: Tiny mushrooms.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny fern leaves, fiddleheads, book, and tools.

• Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, floral wire (essential for posable fern stems and magnifying glass handle), tapestry needle, fabric glue/hot glue.

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 from hook.
• Bobble: 3-dc cluster (for moss texture).

Part 1: The Cabin Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Oak Brown.

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 Oak Walls (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. We want a vertical plank look.

Panel A: Exterior (Oak Brown)

• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-35: Work in BLO (Back Loop Only) for every row. This creates horizontal ridges that, when the wall is stood up, look like vertical wooden siding.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create square window openings (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Oak Brown or Beige)

• Use Oak Brown for a rustic look or Beige for a brighter interior. Work in normal Sc (no BLO needed). 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 using Oak Brown. Sc inside the window frames.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

3. The Moss Roof Overlay

To create the thick, dark green mossy texture on the roof:

• Base: With Dark Forest Green, Ch width of roof. Sc across.
• Texture Rows: *Sc, Bobble Stitch, Sc* repeat across. Next row: Sc across. Repeat these two rows until the piece covers the roof section.
• Assembly: Sew or glue this textured “blanket” onto the top exterior of the caravan. Pull at the bobbles to make them fuzzy.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Fernery (Interior Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. Ferns require delicacy.

1. Potted Ferns (Make 3-4 varieties)

• Pot: Terracotta/Dark Brown. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. BLO Sc around. Sc 3 rows. Fill with brown yarn.

Fern Type A: The Drooping Fern (Boston Fern)

• Use Dark Green. Ch 15.
• Leaflets: *Sl st in next ch, Ch 2, Sl st in same ch* repeat down the chain. This creates a jagged, leafy vine.
• Make 6-8 fronds. Glue them into a pot so they spill over the sides.

Fern Type B: The Fiddlehead (Spiral)

• Use Lime Green. Ch 12.
• Spiral: 2 Sc in each of the first 5 chains (this will curl tightly). Sl st down the remaining chains (stem).
• Insert a tiny wire into the stem part to make it stand up. Group 3-4 spirals in a pot.

2. Macrame Hanging Baskets

• Basket: Beige. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 2 rows.
• Hangers: Ch 15. Attach to rim. Make 3 chains and join them at the top.
• Plant: Glue a “Drooping Fern” inside. Hang from the interior ceiling.

3. Interior Mushrooms

• Stem: White. Ch 3, Sc back.
• Cap: Red or Brown. MR 4 sc. Inc to 8. Glue to stem.
• Glue these randomly on the floor or in the flower pots.

Part 3: The Botanist’s Tools

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm

1. Leather Botany Book

• Cover: Leather Brown. Ch 6. Sc 4 rows.
• Pages: White. Ch 5. Sc 3 rows. Fold in half.
• Assembly: Glue pages inside the cover.
• Detail: Embroider a tiny green leaf on the front cover.

2. Magnifying Glass

• Lens Frame: Black/Grey. Ch 12, join to ring. Sc around ring to thicken.
• Glass: (Optional) Glue a piece of clear tape or plastic packaging across the ring.
• Handle: Black. Ch 6. Sl st back. Use a tiny piece of wire inside to keep it straight. Glue to the frame.

Part 4: The Exterior Scene

1. The Sleeping Fox

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Rust Orange/White yarn.

• Head: Orange. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 2 rows. Dec to 6.
• Body: Orange. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 5 rows. Dec to close. (Oval shape).
• Tail: Start White. MR 4 sc. Inc to 8. Change to Orange. Sc 5 rows. Dec to 4.
• Ears: Orange. Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch. Sew to head.
• Assembly: Sew head to body in a tucked position. Sew tail wrapped around the body.
• Face: Embroider two curved lines (U shape) for sleeping eyes and a black nose.

2. The Moss Mat

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and various Greens.

• Crochet a freeform organic shape. Start with a rectangle and work random increases on the edges.
• Texture: Surface slip stitch or use Loop Stitch in random patches to mimic uneven moss growth.

3. The Wool Log with Ferns

• Log: Oak Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. BLO Sc around. Sc 15 rows. BLO Sc around. Dec to close.
• Bark Texture: Use Dark Brown yarn to surface slip stitch jagged horizontal lines.
• Ferns: Use the 1.5mm hook to make tiny green fern leaves (Ch 5, picot stitches). Glue them growing out of the log.

4. Wheels

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the U-shaped shell is firmly attached to the floor. The moss roof is heavy, so the plastic canvas walls must be stiff.
2. Interior Landscaping:
   • Glue the Potted Ferns in the corners and along the back wall. Vary the height (Fiddleheads tall, Boston ferns low).
   • Hang the Macrame Baskets from the ceiling (sew through the interior roof).
   • Place the Botany Book and Magnifying Glass on the floor or a small stack of books.
   • “Plant” the tiny mushrooms on the floorboards.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Place the Moss Mat in front of the door.
   • Position the Sleeping Fox on the mat.
   • Place the Log nearby to complete the woodland setting.

Congratulations! You have created a peaceful woodland retreat. The “Fern” Forest Cabin is a tribute to the quiet beauty of nature, perfect for any fairycore collection.