Welkom! Transport yourself to the vibrant fields of the Netherlands with “The Tulip Bulb Shed.” This project is a colorful homage to Dutch heritage, designed as a mobile flower station bursting with spring energy. The exterior showcases the traditional high-contrast palette of Dark Dutch Blue and crisp White, adorned with delicate hand-embroidered windmills. It mimics the quaint architecture of a Dutch cottage on wheels.

Step inside, and you will find a maximalist display of horticulture. Wooden nursery trays are lined up perfectly, filled with sprouting tulip bulbs in iconic shades of Red, Yellow, Purple, and Pink. The details are delightful: mesh sacks of harvest-ready bulbs hang from the walls, a vintage zinc watering can sits ready for duty, and a pair of tiny yellow wooden clogs (klompen) rest by the door. The scene is attended by a diligent Mouse Gardener, who—in true Dutch fashion—is wearing his own pair of oversized wooden clogs while tending to the white picket fence outside.

This is an intermediate-to-advanced project due to the structural construction and the sheer number of miniature flowers. To ensure the shed walls stand perfectly straight and the doors swing open without sagging, we will use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). We will also switch between a standard hook for the main shell and a micro-hook for the delicate floral work.

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 recommended for the flowers).

  – Dark Navy Blue: Lower exterior walls, chassis.

  – Bright White: Upper exterior walls, interior walls, fence.

  – Wood Brown: Trays, bulb roots, mouse body.

  – Tulip Colors: Bright Red, Canary Yellow, Magenta, Purple.

  – Green: Stems and leaves.

  – Grey/Silver: Zinc watering can, mouse.

  – Beige/Tan: Mesh bags.

  – Yellow: Wooden clogs (shoes).

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny tulips, clogs, and gardening tools.

• Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, embroidery floss (Brown/Black for windmills), craft wire (for fence and tool handles), tapestry needle, fabric glue.

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
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Popcorn: 4-dc popcorn stitch (for the tulip bulb shape).

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Part 1: The Dutch Station Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Light Blue (Ice Blue) or Grey to mimic a cool, clean workspace floor.

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 Dutch Blue & White Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The color split is key to the Dutch aesthetic.

Panel A: Exterior (Navy & White)

• Start with Dark Navy Blue.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12: Sc across (Navy Section – Bottom).
• Change to Bright White.
• Row 13-35: Sc across (White Section – Top & Roof).
• Window Cutouts: In the White section on the side walls, create rectangular windows (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Windmill Embroidery: Before assembly, use Brown or Black embroidery floss to stitch small windmill silhouettes (a triangle base with an ‘X’ shape for blades) on the white section of the side walls.
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (White)

• Use White yarn for the entire piece to keep the shed bright and clean. 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 Navy for the bottom and White for the top. Sc inside the window frames.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

3. The Swinging Doors (Back/Front)

Make 2 doors using the Sandwich Method.

• Design: Split color matching the walls (Navy bottom, White top).
• Size: Each door is half the width of the opening. Include a small window in the top white section.
• Hinges: Sew the outer edges to the main shell so they can swing open.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Part 2: The Tulip Nursery (Interior)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. The tulips must be tiny and defined.

1. The Wooden Nursery Trays (Make 4)

Use Wood Brown yarn.

• Base: Ch 15. Sc 6 rows.
• Sides: BLO Sc around the perimeter. Work 3 rows of Sc to create depth.
• Contents: We need to create a “soil” insert. Crochet a brown rectangle that fits inside the tray. Do not sew it in yet; we will plant the tulips into this soil piece first.

2. The Tulip Bulbs & Flowers

We need rows of these. Make batches in Red, Yellow, Purple, and Pink.

The Bulb (Root):

• Use Light Brown/Beige. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff lightly. This is the bulb that sits on the soil.

The Stem & Leaves:

• Use Green. Ch 6 (Stem).

  Leaf: Ch 5, sl st back down. Make 2 leaves attached to the base of the stem.

  Sew the Stem to the top of the Bulb.

The Tulip Head:

• Use Flower Color (Red/Yellow/etc).

  Rnd 1: MR 5 sc.

  Rnd 2: Inc to 10.

  Rnd 3-5: Sc around.

  Rnd 6: *Sc, Ch 2, Sl st in same st (Petal tip), Sc* repeat around.

  Stuff lightly. Sew to the top of the stem.

Planting: Sew the bottom of the Bulbs onto the “soil” insert of the trays in neat rows (3×3 or 2×4). Then glue the soil insert into the Wooden Trays. Place trays on the floor and stacked on simple shelves.

3. Mesh Bulb Bags

• Bag: Beige thread. Ch 4, join to ring. *Ch 3, sc in ring* to start mesh. Continue working spiral chain loops to make a net bag.
• Fill: Stuff with 3-4 loose “Bulbs” (just the brown bulb part from above). Tie the top with string. Hang on the interior walls.

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Part 3: Dutch Accessories

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm

1. Tiny Wooden Clogs (Klompen)

Make a pair for display and a bigger pair for the mouse. Use Bright Yellow.

• Toe: MR 5 sc. Inc to 10. Sc 3 rounds.
• Curve: Sc 5, turn. (Leave heel open). Sc 5, turn. Sc 5.
• Heel: Ch 3 to bridge the gap, join to other side. Sc around the opening.
• Shape: Use a tapestry needle to pull the toe upwards slightly for that classic Dutch clog curve. Paint a tiny red design on the toe if desired.

2. Zinc Watering Can

• Body: Silver/Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc around. Sc 5 rounds.
• Spout: Ch 6. Sl st back. Sew to base.
• Handle: Ch 10 long arch over the top.

3. Hand Shovel

• Blade: Silver. Ch 4, Sc rows, Dec to point. Curve slightly.
• Handle: Wood Brown. Ch 6 cylinder. Glue to blade.

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Part 4: The Exterior Scene

1. The Mouse Gardener

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm (Body) and 1.5mm (Clogs).

• Head: Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to close.
• Ears: Pink/Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Large round ears. Sew to head.
• Body: Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 12. Sew to head.
• Outfit: Crochet tiny blue overalls (pants) to fit the mouse.
• The Clogs: Follow the Clog pattern above but adjust size (start with MR 6 or 8) so the mouse’s feet fit inside. Glue the shoes to the mouse’s legs so he stands.

2. The White Picket Fence

Use White yarn and 2.5mm Hook.

• Pickets: Ch 6, Sc back. Make 4 points. Make 8-10 pickets.
• Rails: Ch 20. Sc back. Make 2 long rails.
• Assembly: Glue the pickets vertically onto the rails. Create a corner section. Place it around the “tulip beds” (the trays) if you place them outside, or just framing the caravan.

3. Exterior Signage

• Banner: White. Ch 25, Sc 4 rows.
• Text: Embroider “THE TULIP BULB SHED” in thin black thread. Sew above the caravan opening (on the front/side).

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Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Navy/White sandwich shell is firmly attached to the floor. The walls must be rigid to look like a proper shed.
2. Interior Organization:
   • Glue shelves (simple brown blocks) to the back wall.
   • Place the Trays of Tulips on the shelves and floor. Create a gradient of color.
   • Hang the Mesh Bags of bulbs on the walls.
   • Place the Zinc Watering Can and the Spare Clogs near the door.
3. Exterior Arrangement:
   • Set up the Picket Fence in front of the caravan.
   • Position the Mouse Gardener standing proudly in his big yellow clogs, holding the hand shovel.
   • You can place one Tray of Tulips outside the fence as a display.

Congratulations! You have cultivated a beautiful piece of the Netherlands. The “Tulip” Bulb Shed is a vibrant, joyous celebration of spring and Dutch culture.