Welcome to the zestiest project of the year! The “Lemon” Orangery is a breath of fresh Mediterranean air, designed to look like a vintage mobile greenhouse. This caravan features a unique “glass” frame structure crocheted in light moss green, allowing a full view of the lush citrus harvest inside. The roof is the star of the show, tiled with cheerful, bright yellow lemon slices. Inside, miniature lemon trees bow under the weight of their fruit, while wooden crates overflow with the harvest. A rustic ladder and a pitcher of lemonade complete the scene. Outside, a chill Capybara—nature’s most relaxed animal—balances a lemon on his head while tending to a cart of seedlings.

This is an advanced construction project. Because the walls are essentially open frames to simulate glass windows, maintaining structural rigidity is the biggest challenge. Therefore, we strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn) for every wall, door, and roof panel. We will also switch between a standard hook for the frame and a micro-hook for the tiny lemons and leaves.

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 is best for the fruit definition).

  – Light Moss Green: Caravan frame, door frames.

  – Bright Yellow: Lemon fruit, roof slices, lemonade.

  – White: Pith of the roof lemons, Capybara eye detail.

  – Wood Brown/Beige: Crates, ladder, tree trunks, cart.

  – Dark Green: Lemon tree leaves.

  – Capybara Brown: A warm, medium brown (Coconut color).

  – Black: Wheels, eyes.

  – Clear/Icy Blue: Pitcher glass effect (optional, or use clear plastic).

• Hooks:

  – 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the caravan frames, floor, capybara, and crates.

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny lemons, leaves, pitcher, and roof slices.

• Structure: 6-7 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Windows: Clear rigid plastic sheets (from packaging or acetate) to act as the “glass” inside the frames.
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, brown floral wire (for tree trunks), tapestry needle, fabric 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

Part 1: The Orangery Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Beige/Light Brown (Wood floor look).

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 “Glass” Wall Frames

We need to create open frames. The plastic canvas inside these frames must be cut like a picture frame (hollow center) or use clear plastic sheet for the glass effect.

Side Walls (Make 2 units):

• Frame Pattern (Moss Green): Ch 35.

  Row 1-3: Sc across. (Bottom rail).

  Row 4-20: Sc 3, Ch 29 (Skip 29), Sc 3. (Side pillars).

  Row 21-23: Sc across. (Top rail).

• The Grid: Crochet 2 thin chains (vertical) and 1 thin chain (horizontal) and sew them into the window opening to create a 6-pane window look.
• Sandwich: Make 2 crochet frames. Sandwich a piece of clear acetate sheet (for glass) and a thin plastic canvas border between them. Sc around edges to seal.

Back Wall (Solid):

• Make a solid Moss Green panel (Sandwich method) to close the back of the caravan. Dimensions should match the width of the floor and height of the side walls.

3. The Double French Doors (Front)

The front is open, consisting of two swinging doors.

• Door Frame: Ch 12. Sc 3 rows (Bottom). Sc 2, Ch 8, Sc 2 (Sides) for 15 rows. Sc 3 rows (Top).
• Grid: Sew a cross shape (+) inside the empty space.
• Assembly: Make 2 crochet frames per door (Inner/Outer). Sandwich clear plastic between them. Sc around. Make 2 complete doors.
• Hinges: Sew the outer edge of the doors to the front edge of the Side Walls.

4. The Lemon Slice Roof

Use 1.5mm Hook for the slices.

The Roof Base:

• Make a solid Moss Green panel (Sandwich method) large enough to cover the top. Curve it slightly.

The Lemon Slices (Make 12-15):

• Center: Yellow. MR 6 sc.
• Pith Lines: Change to White. (Sc 1, Ch 2, Sc 1) in each st? No, let’s do: *Sc Yellow, spike st White down to center*. Easier method: Crochet a flat yellow circle (MR 6, Inc to 12, Inc to 18, Inc to 24). Then use White yarn to embroider 6-8 radiating lines like wheel spokes.
• Rind: Change to White. Sc around. Change to Yellow. Sc around.
• Placement: Sew these slices in rows onto the Roof Base, covering it completely like tiles.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Lemon Harvest (Interior)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook.

1. Potted Lemon Trees (Make 2)

• Pot: Terracotta/Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. BLO Sc around. Sc 5 rows. Fill with stuffing.
• Trunk: Cut 3 lengths of floral wire. Twist them together at the bottom (roots) and branch them out at the top. Wrap tightly with Brown yarn. Insert roots into the pot.
• Leaves: Dark Green. Ch 6. Sc, Hdc, Dc, Hdc, Sc back down. Make 15-20 leaves per tree. Glue to branches.
• Lemons (On Tree): Yellow. MR 4 sc, Inc to 8. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 4. Close. (Oval shape). Glue 5-6 lemons onto the branches.

2. Harvest Crates

Use Wood Brown.

• Base: Ch 10. Sc 6 rows.
• Sides: Ch 10. Sc 2 rows. Make 4 slats.
• Corner Posts: Ch 4, Sc back. Make 4.
• Assembly: Glue slats to posts to form a crate. Make 3 crates.
• Fill: Fill the crates with the tiny lemons (pattern above). Make about 20 loose lemons.

3. A-Frame Ladder

• Legs: Beige. Ch 12. Sc back. Make 4 legs.
• Steps: Ch 4. Sc back. Make 3 steps.
• Assembly: Glue legs into two “V” shapes. Glue steps between them.

4. Lemonade Pitcher & Glasses

• Pitcher: Use Pale Yellow or Clear/Blue yarn.

  Rnd 1: MR 5 sc.

  Rnd 2: Inc to 10. BLO Sc around.

  Rnd 3-6: Sc around.

  Rnd 7: (Sc, Ch 2, Sc) for spout. Handle: Ch 5 loop on side.

• Glasses: MR 4 sc. BLO Sc around. Sc 2 rows. Make 2.

Part 3: The Exterior Scene

1. The Capybara

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm and Capybara Brown yarn.

• Head (Boxy): Ch 6. Work around chain. Sc 1 round. Inc at corners to keep it rectangular. Work 5 rounds straight. Stuff firmly. It should look like a shoebox.
• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18, (2, Inc) to 24. Sc 10 rounds. Dec to close. (Potato shape).
• Assembly: Sew head to body. Capybaras have no neck visible.
• Legs: MR 6 sc. Sc 3 rounds. Make 4 short legs. Sew to body.
• Ears: Tiny semi-circles (MR 4 sc) sewn high on the head.
• Face: Embroider sleepy eyes with a straight line or slight curve.
• The Balancing Act: Sew a single Lemon (from tree pattern) with a green leaf onto the top of the Capybara’s flat head.

2. The Seedling Handcart

• Tray: Beige/Wood. Ch 8. Sc 10 rows. Sc around edge to make a rim.
• Wheel: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sew to the front center underneath.
• Legs: Two pegs at the back so it stands level.
• Handles: Ch 8. Stiffen with glue/wire. Attach to the back corners.
• Seedlings: Use Brown to make tiny pots (MR 5 sc, BLO sc). Add a tiny Green “V” stitch in the center for the sprout. Fill the cart with these.

3. Exterior Wheels

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

Final Assembly

1. Construct the Frame: Sew the Back Wall and the two Side Walls to the Floor. Ensure the frames are rigid.
2. Attach Roof: Sew the Lemon Slice Roof on top. The slight curve adds charm.
3. Install Doors: Sew the double doors to the front frame. They can be left slightly ajar.
4. Interior Styling:
   • Place the two Lemon Trees in the back corners.
   • Stack the Crates full of lemons in the center.
   • Lean the Ladder against one of the trees.
   • Place the Pitcher and Glasses on a crate or small shelf.
5. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the Handcart near the hitch.
   • Place the Capybara in front, looking zen with his lemon hat.

Congratulations! You have built the freshest, zestiest caravan on the road. The “Lemon” Orangery is a sunny delight that captures the essence of a Mediterranean summer.