Celebrate the arrival of spring and the spirit of womanhood with the “Mimosa” Yellow Puff Van. Inspired by the tradition of gifting Mimosa flowers on International Women’s Day in Italy and Russia, this project is a vibrant explosion of joy. The caravan itself acts as a dark, elegant backdrop, designed in a deep Forest Green that allows the bright yellow blossoms to pop visually. It is not just a vehicle; it is a mobile bouquet.

The interior is a celebration of texture and festivity. The cabin is overflowing with Mimosa branches, characterized by their fern-like, silver-green foliage and thousands of tiny, fluffy yellow pom-pom blooms. On the floor, you will find gifts wrapped in vintage “newspaper” style paper tied with yellow ribbons, a greeting card, and a magnificent two-tier cake decorated with edible mimosa sugar pearls. Outside, a bright yellow Canary sings from a branch, and a pristine white park bench invites you to sit and admire the view. This pattern requires patience for the hundreds of tiny flowers, but the result is a stunning, tactile masterpiece.

To ensure the dark green walls remain perfectly flat and the doors can swing open without flopping, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is essential for the structural integrity of this boxy, open-roof design. We will switch between a standard hook for the van body and a precision micro-hook for the delicate mimosa clusters and the canary.

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 definition).

  – Forest Green: Main exterior walls, door exterior.

  – Mimosa Yellow: The flowers, ribbon, canary, cake decoration.

  – Silver/Sage Green: Mimosa leaves.

  – Beige/Off-White: Interior panels, newspaper wrapping, floor.

  – White: Bench, cake base.

  – Black: Tires, bird eyes, newspaper print (embroidery thread).

  – Brown: Tree branch.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.25mm – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the mimosa flowers, leaves, bird, and cake details.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, green floral wire (24 gauge for stems), fabric glue, tapestry needle, embroidery 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
• Bobble St: (Yarn over, insert, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2) x 3, yarn over pull through all loops. (Used for the yellow flowers).

Part 1: The Forest Green Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Interior Floor

Make 2 identical panels using Beige/Tan yarn.

1. Row 1: Ch 28. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (27)
2. Row 2-42: Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4.5″ x 7″).
3. Fasten off Panel 1. Keep yarn attached to Panel 2.

Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to the exact size. Sandwich it between the two beige panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Green Van Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof Arch (or open top rim), and Right Wall.

Panel A: Exterior (Forest Green)

• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Back + Right). Sc across.
• Row 2-30: Sc across.
• Door Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create large rectangular openings for the double doors. (Ch 12, Sk 12).
• Roof Opening: Since the mimosas burst out the top, we will leave the roof largely open. Crochet a “frame” for the roof rather than a solid panel, or create a solid roof and we will cover it entirely in flowers later. Let’s make a solid roof base for stability.
• Row 31-50 (Roof Section): Sc across.
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Beige)

• Use Beige yarn to keep the interior neutral. Match dimensions and door gaps of Panel A.

Assembly:

• Cut plastic canvas strip (with door holes).
• Sandwich canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
• Join: Sc around the perimeter using Forest Green.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Green out, Beige in) to close the back.

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3. The Double Doors (Make 2)

• Panel A (Exterior): Forest Green. Ch 12. Sc 15 rows.

  Detail: Surface slip stitch a rectangle on the front for paneling.

• Panel B (Interior): Beige. Ch 12. Sc 15 rows.

  Decoration: Before assembly, sew a Beige “pocket” on the lower half. Stuff with a spray of Mimosa flowers (see Part 2). Add a Yellow ribbon bow.

• Assembly: Sandwich plastic canvas between A and B. Sc around. Sew hinges (yarn loops) to the van frame so doors can swing open.

Part 2: The Mimosa Explosion (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.25mm – 1.5mm Hook. The fluffiness is key.

1. Mimosa Leaves (Fern-like)

Make 30-40 leaves using Silver/Sage Green.

• Stem: Ch 15.
• Leaflets: Working back down the chain: *Ch 4, Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, Sl st in next 2 ch, Sl st into the main stem chain*. Repeat this down both sides of the main chain.
• Result: A fern-like, feathery leaf. Stiffen with spray starch or run a thin wire through the center spine.

2. Mimosa Flowers (Yellow Puffs)

Make 50+ clusters. Use Mimosa Yellow.

• Technique: You need tiny yellow balls.

  Option A (Crochet Bobbles): Ch 4. In the 4th ch from hook, make a Bobble St (3 dc cluster). Ch 3, Sl st in same ch. (One ball made). Ch 3, make another Bobble. Repeat to make a chain of yellow balls.

  Option B (Puff St): *Ch 2, Puff Stitch, Ch 1 to lock*. Repeat.

• Assembly: Twist the chains of yellow balls together with the Green Leaves. Glue them to wire branches.
• Placement: Fill the interior back wall, the roof, and the door pockets. It should look like a yellow cloud.

Part 3: Interior Celebration Details

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm.

1. Vintage “Newspaper” Gifts

• Box: White/Off-White. Ch 6. Sc 6 rows. Make 6 squares. Sew into a cube. Stuff firmly.
• Print Effect: Use single strands of Black embroidery floss. Stitch tiny, jagged horizontal lines across the box to mimic text. Stitch one “Headline” in thicker thread.
• Ribbon: Yellow yarn. Wrap around the cube. Tie a tiny bow on top. Make 3-4 gifts of different sizes.

2. Mimosa Cake

• Base Tier: White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 24. BLO Sc 3 rounds. (Flat cylinder).
• Top Tier: White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc 3 rounds. Sew on top of Base.
• Decoration: Use Yellow yarn to make French Knots all over the top surface (mimicking the crumbled sponge cake look typical of Mimosa Cake). Add tiny green leaf stitches.
• Stand: Brown button or crochet circle.

3. Greeting Card

• Card: White. Ch 5. Sc 3 rows. Fold in half.
• Front: Embroider a tiny yellow dot flower.

Part 4: Exterior & The Canary

1. The Yellow Canary

Use 1.25mm Hook and Bright Yellow.

• Beak: Orange thread. Ch 2, Sc. (Tiny).
• Head/Body: Yellow. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds (Head).

  Inc to 15. Sc 4 rounds (Body). Dec to 6. Stuff.

• Tail: Ch 6. Sc back. Sew to rear.
• Wings: Ch 4, Sc, Hdc, Sc. Sew to sides.
• Legs: Tiny wire pieces wrapped in orange thread.
• Perch: Place the bird on a brown wire “branch” extending from the van or the bench.

2. White Park Bench

Use 2.5mm Hook and White yarn.

• Seat Slats: Ch 15. Sc 1 row. Make 4 slats.

  Glue them onto two perpendicular support beams (crochet tubes or popsicle sticks wrapped in yarn).

• Backrest: Ch 15. Sc 1 row. Make 3 slats. Glue to upright supports.
• Legs: Ch 4 tubes. Make 4. Or use bent wire wrapped in white yarn for a wrought-iron look.

3. Wheels

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Green shell is rigid. The 3-layer sandwich is vital because the roof opening makes the walls vulnerable to bending.
2. Floral Arrangement (The Fun Part):
   • Glue the massive Mimosa branches to the interior ceiling/roof frame so they spill upwards and outwards.
   • Stuff the door pockets with leaves and flowers.
3. Interior Staging:
   • Stack the “Newspaper” gifts on the floor.
   • Place the Cake on a small table or directly on the gifts.
   • Lean the Greeting Card against a gift.
4. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the White Bench next to the open doors.
   • Attach the Branch with the Canary to the side of the van or the bench backrest.

Congratulations! You have created the “Mimosa” Yellow Puff Van. This piece is a ray of sunshine and a beautiful tribute to spring.