Welcome to a little slice of European charm! The “Geranium” Window Box Caravan is a delightful project that brings the romance of a cobblestone street or a cozy balcony to life in miniature form. This unique caravan features a stunning “faux brick” exterior, reminiscent of a rustic cottage, contrasted beautifully by overflowing window boxes filled with vibrant red geraniums. It captures the essence of a sunny afternoon spent gardening on the patio.

The interior is a gardener’s workspace, practical yet beautiful. A long trough planter takes center stage, packed with the iconic round leaves and red clusters of the geranium plant. Scattered around are the tools of the trade: a vintage-style watering can with a long spout, a rustic straw broom for sweeping up soil, and a pair of cute floral-patterned gardening gloves waiting for work. On the floor, tiny pellets of slow-release fertilizer add a touch of messy realism. Outside, the scene is completed by a lazy black cat basking in the sun on the window ledge and a pink bicycle parked against the brick wall, ready for a ride to the market.

This project is structurally advanced due to the colorwork required for the brick effect. To ensure the walls stand rigid and flat like real masonry, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This is non-negotiable for the brick walls and the protruding window ledge. We will switch between a standard hook for the structure and a precision micro-hook for the delicate flowers, the cat, and the bicycle.

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 sharp color transitions).

  – Brick Red/Rust: The main color for the bricks.

  – Mortar Grey/Beige: The grid lines between bricks.

  – Geranium Red: Bright, vibrant red for the flowers.

  – Leaf Green: Mid-green for leaves.

  – Dark Brown: Soil and leaf edges.

  – Black: The Cat.

  – Pastel Pink: The Bicycle frame.

  – Blue/Aqua: Watering can.

  – Straw/Gold: Broom bristles.

  – White: Glove base.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the flowers, cat, bicycle, and gloves.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (essential for the bicycle and broom handle), fabric glue, tapestry needle, embroidery floss.

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
• Color Change: Pull the new color through the last two loops of the previous stitch.

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Part 1: The Faux Brick Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm. This requires Tapestry Crochet techniques.

1. The Patio Floor

Make 2 identical panels using a Stone Grey or Brown yarn.

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 Brick Wall Shell (U-Shaped)

The brick pattern is created by carrying the Mortar color inside the Brick color.

The Brick Stitch Pattern:

Row A (Bricks): *With Rust, Sc 3. With Grey, Sc 1* repeat across.

Row B (Bricks): Same as Row A.

Row C (Mortar Line): With Grey, Sc across the entire row.

Row D (Offset Bricks): With Grey, Sc 2. *With Rust, Sc 3. With Grey, Sc 1* repeat. This staggers the bricks.

Panel A: Exterior (Brick Pattern)

• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Start the Brick Pattern.
• Rows 2-35: Continue working the Brick Pattern logic. Ensure the “bricks” stack neatly.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create rectangular windows. You must maintain the color pattern even when skipping chains for the window (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• The Ledge: The right-side window needs a protruding ledge. Crochet a separate small brick-pattern rectangle (Sandwich) and sew it horizontally under the window later.

Panel B: Interior (Cream/White)

• Use a solid neutral color for the interior to keep it bright. Match dimensions and window gaps of Panel A.

Assembly:

• Cut plastic canvas strip (with window holes).
• Sandwich canvas between the Brick Exterior and Interior.
• Join: Sc around the perimeter using Rust yarn.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Part 2: The Geraniums (The Star Feature)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm or 1.25mm Hook. Realism depends on small stitches.

1. The Flower Boxes (Long Planters)

• Box: Use Terracotta or Dark Brown yarn (2.5mm hook).

  Ch 15. Sc 5 rows. Make a long open trough shape (Sandwich walls). Make 2: one for the interior floor, one for the exterior window ledge.

• Soil: Dark Brown strip to fit inside the top of the box.

2. Geranium Leaves

Use Green yarn (1.0mm hook).

• Pattern: MR 6 sc.

  Rnd 2: *Sc, Ch 2, Sc* in each st around to create a scalloped edge.

  Detail: Use a Dark Brown marker or embroidery thread to draw a semi-circle “zone” on the leaf surface (characteristic of zonal geraniums). Make 20-30 leaves.

3. Red Flower Clusters

Use Bright Red yarn (1.0mm hook).

• Individual Floret: MR. *Ch 3, sl st in ring* x 5. (Tiny 5-petal flower).
• Cluster: Make 5-6 florets. Sew them tightly together into a ball shape. Make 10-15 clusters.
• Assembly: Glue green floral wire stems to the leaves and flower clusters. Plant them densely into the “Soil” of the planter boxes.

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Part 3: Gardening Tools & Interior

Use Hook Size: 1.25mm.

1. Long-Spout Watering Can

• Body: Aqua/Blue. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc around. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Handle: Ch 10 loop on the back.
• Spout: Ch 12. Sl st back to make a thin tube. Sew it low on the body, angling upwards long and elegant.

2. Balcony Broom

• Handle: Glue a toothpick or small twig inside a Beige crochet tube (Ch 4 tube).
• Bristles: Straw/Gold yarn. Cut 20 short strands. Fold them over the bottom of the handle and tie firmly with yarn. Trim the bottom evenly.

3. Floral Gloves

• Glove: White. Ch 4, Sc 3 rows (Palm). Ch 2 (Thumb). Ch 2 (Fingers). Make 2 flat shapes.
• Pattern: Embroider tiny pink and green dots on the back of the hands to mimic floral print.
• Placement: Leave them “carelessly” on the ledge or floor.

4. Fertilizer Pellets

• Pellets: Use Yellow or Orange yarn. Tie simple knots and cut close. Scatter these “beads” on the floor near the pots.

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Part 4: The Exterior Scene

1. The Black Cat

Use 1.0mm Hook and Black yarn.

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

  Ears: Ch 2 tiny triangles.

  Eyes: Green embroidery or beads.

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, Sc 5 rounds (Elongated for lying down). Dec to 6.
• Limbs: Tiny tubes tucked under the body (loaf position).
• Tail: Ch 10, sl st back. Curled around the body.
• Placement: Glue the cat onto the exterior Window Ledge, basking in the sun next to the flowers.

2. The Bicycle

Use 1.0mm Hook. Requires Wire.

• Frame: Bend craft wire into a bike shape (two triangles and handlebars). Wrap the wire tightly with Pink yarn.
• Wheels:

  Tire: Black. Ch 20, join to ring. Sc around the ring to thicken.

  Spokes: Use Silver/Grey thread to sew a star pattern inside the tire.

  Attach wheels to the frame with glue/wire.

• Seat & Handlebars: Tiny Brown leather-colored bits (Ch 3 knots).
• Placement: Lean the bike against the brick wall of the caravan.

3. Wheels (Caravan)

Use 2.5mm Hook.

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

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Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Brick Pattern walls are rigid. The plastic canvas is vital so the straight lines of the “masonry” don’t warp.
2. Gardening Setup:
   • Glue the main Geranium Planter to the interior floor.
   • Glue the secondary Geranium Planter to the exterior Window Ledge.
   • Place the Watering Can and Broom inside, near the door.
   • Scatter the Fertilizer Pellets on the floor for a messy, authentic look.
   • Place the Floral Gloves on the edge of the planter.
3. Exterior Styling:
   • Secure the Black Cat on the ledge.
   • Prop the Bicycle against the side wall.

Congratulations! You have built the “Geranium” Window Box Caravan. It is a rustic, floral masterpiece that captures the joy of gardening in every stitch.