Welcome to the most romantic and ethereal stop on our miniature journey. The “Bleeding Heart” Shade Garden is a sanctuary of shadows and soft emotions, capturing the unique beauty of the Dicentra flower. Unlike sunny wildflower meadows, this caravan evokes the cool, mossy tranquility of a secret garden. The exterior features a sophisticated color palette with a deep Moss Green lower half, representing the shade, and a delicate Pastel Pink upper half, mirroring the blooms.
The interior is a stunning diorama of a “stone” courtyard. The centerpiece is a magnificent, gnarled tree with arching branches that drip with rows of pink and white heart-shaped flowers. The floor is carpeted in lush, textured moss. Two weathered stone benches sit quietly among romantic novels and tiny Cupid statues, creating a space for contemplation. A large fold-down patio door extends the green space outwards. The scene is completed by a rustic heart-shaped archway woven from branches and a pair of devoted Lovebirds perched nearby.
This is a complex structural project that combines architectural stability with delicate micro-crochet. To ensure the caravan walls can support the arching tree and the “stone” furniture remains crisp, 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. We will use a standard hook for the shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate flowers and birds.
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 structure).
– Dark Moss Green: Lower exterior, floor, patio flap.
– Pastel Pink: Upper exterior, flower outer petals, book covers.
– Bark Brown: Tree trunk, heart archway.
– Stone Grey: Benches, cupid statues.
– Pure White: Flower inner petals (the “droplet”), book pages.
– Lovebird Colors: Bright Green, Peach/Orange, Red (beaks).
- Hooks:
– 2.5mm (Size C/2): For the caravan shell, floor, and benches.
– 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the Bleeding Heart flowers, lovebirds, and tiny statues.
- Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
- Other: Fiberfill stuffing, strong craft wire (essential for the tree armature and archway), fabric glue, tapestry needle.
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
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.
- Loop Stitch: Used for moss texture.
Part 1: The Caravan Structure (Sandwich Method)
Use Hook Size: 2.5mm
1. The Mossy Floor Base
Make 2 identical panels using Dark Moss Green.
- Row 1: Ch 26. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (25)
- Row 2-40: Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″).
- Fasten off Panel 1. Keep yarn attached to Panel 2.
Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to the exact size. Sandwich it between the two green panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.
2. The Two-Tone Shell (U-Shaped)
This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall.
Panel A: Exterior (Green & Pink)
- Start with Moss Green.
- Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
- Row 2-12: Sc across (Green Bottom Section).
- Change to Pastel Pink.
- Row 13-35: Sc across (Pink Top Section).
- Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create rectangular window openings (Ch 10, Sk 10).
- Fasten off.
Panel B: Interior (Pink/White)
- Use Pastel Pink or White for the interior ceiling and walls. 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 Green for the bottom edge and Pink 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 (Green bottom, Pink top) to close the back.
3. The Fold-Down Patio Flap
This feature extends the garden floor outside.
- Panel: Make a sandwich panel using Moss Green (approx 3″ x 5″).
Texture: For the top layer, you can use Loop Stitch or a fuzzy yarn to simulate grass/moss.
- Hinge: Sew the long edge of this panel to the bottom front edge of the caravan floor. It should fold up to close (like a door) or lay flat to open.
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Part 2: The Bleeding Heart Tree
IMPORTANT: This is the centerpiece. Use wire for the trunk.
1. The Tree Structure
Use Bark Brown yarn and 2.5mm Hook.
- Trunk: Cut 5-6 lengths of wire. Twist them together at the base to form a trunk, then separate them at the top to form arching branches. Wrap the wire tightly with Brown yarn.
- Thickening: Crochet a tube (MR 6 sc) and slide it over the trunk base. Sew it to the floor in the center of the caravan.
- Branches: Continue wrapping yarn up the wire branches. They should arch over like an umbrella or willow tree.
2. The Bleeding Heart Flowers
Use 1.0mm Hook. Make 20-30 flowers.
- Outer Heart (Pink):
Ch 4, join to ring.
Lobe 1: (Ch 3, 2 Dc, Hdc, Sl st) into ring.
Lobe 2: (Sl st, Hdc, 2 Dc, Ch 3, Sl st) into ring.
This creates a tiny pink heart shape.
- Inner Droplet (White):
Attach White thread to the bottom center of the heart. Ch 4, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook (tiny bulb), Ch 1. Fasten off. This mimics the “droplet.”
- Hanging: Use Green thread to chain tiny stems. Sew the flowers in rows along the underside of the arching branches. They should dangle freely.
Part 3: The Stone Garden Furniture
Use Stone Grey yarn and 2.5mm Hook.
1. Stone Benches (Make 2)
- Seat: Ch 10. Sc 4 rows. Sandwich with canvas.
- Legs: Ch 4, Sc 4 rows. Make 2 slabs per bench. Glue under the seat.
- Placement: Glue one bench on each side of the tree.
2. Cupid Statues (Abstract)
Use 1.25mm Hook. Grey yarn.
- Base: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc 2 rounds.
- Body/Head: MR 5 sc, Sc 2 rounds (Body). Dec to 3 (Neck). Inc to 6 (Head). Sc 2 rounds. Dec to close.
- Wings: Ch 3, scallop edge. Sew to back.
- Bow: Tiny wire bent into a D shape.
- Placement: Place these near the tree trunk or in the corners.
Part 4: Accessories & Lovebirds
Use Hook Size: 1.0mm – 1.25mm.
1. The Lovebirds
- Body: Bright Green. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6.
- Head: Peach/Orange. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. Sc 2 rounds. Sew to body.
- Beak: Red embroidery knot.
- Wings: Darker Green. Tiny triangles sewn to sides.
- Placement: Perch them on the external Heart Arch (see below).
2. Heart Archway (Exterior)
- Core: Twist heavy wire into a large Heart shape with two legs to stand on.
- Covering: Wrap entirely with Bark Brown yarn.
- Texture: Crochet a long chain of Brown yarn and wrap it loosely around the arch to look like twisted vines.
- Stand: Insert the legs into a small green crochet base (a “grassy” mound) so it stands upright. Place this outside the caravan patio.
3. Romantic Books
- Pages: White. Ch 4, Sc 3 rows. Fold in half.
- Cover: Pink or Red. Rectangle slightly larger than pages. Glue pages inside.
- Detail: Embroider a tiny gold heart on the cover. Scatter them on the benches and the mossy floor.
Final Assembly
- Structural Check: Ensure the Green/Pink shell is sturdy. The tree inside is tall, so ensure the roof is high enough to accommodate the arching branches.
- Interior Landscaping:
- Secure the Tree Base to the center of the floor. Shape the wire branches so they fill the ceiling space.
- Glue the Stone Benches on either side of the tree.
- Place the Cupid Statues nestled in the “moss” (textured floor).
- Scatter the Books on the benches and floor.
- Exterior Scene:
- Fold down the Patio Flap.
- Place the Heart Archway on the patio or just in front of it.
- Glue the Lovebirds onto the top of the Heart Arch.
- Add the Wheels (Black tires, Grey hubcaps) to the sides.
Congratulations! You have cultivated “The Bleeding Heart” Shade Garden. This piece is a tribute to quiet romance and the delicate beauty of nature.
