Welcome to the coziest season of all! “The Maple Leaf” Autumn Cabin is a tribute to the crisp air, falling leaves, and warm flavors of fall. This project captures the essence of a woodland retreat during peak foliage. The exterior is a rich, inviting “Burnt Orange,” featuring unique windows shaped like the iconic maple leaf. It radiates warmth before you even look inside.

The interior is a celebration of the harvest and the forest. The cabin is built around a central feature: a realistic, barren tree trunk with branches spreading across the ceiling, adorned with vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves. The floor is scattered with these fallen leaves, bringing the outdoors in. On a rustic wooden chest, a breakfast feast awaits: a stack of fluffy pancakes topped with butter and a bottle of amber maple syrup. A bundle of dry firewood and a cozy wool scarf complete the scene. Outside, a goofy Moose with magnificent antlers plays in a massive pile of leaves, adding a touch of humor and wilderness charm. This pattern is rich in texture and warm earth tones.

To support the weight of the interior tree structure and ensure the distinct leaf-shaped windows hold their form, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is non-negotiable. It creates the rigid, architectural walls necessary for this playset to endure. We will alternate between a standard hook for the cabin shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate food items 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 leaves).

  – Burnt Orange/Rust: Main exterior walls.

  – Foliage Palette: Deep Red, Golden Yellow, Pumpkin Orange, Brown (for leaves).

  – Dark Wood Brown: Tree trunk, floor, firewood.

  – Moose Brown: The moose body.

  – Beige/Tan: Antlers, pancakes.

  – Amber/Gold: Maple syrup.

  – Cream/White: Interior walls.

  – Black: Tires, eyes.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the maple leaves, syrup bottle, pancakes, and antlers.

• Structure: 8-9 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (essential for the tree branches and moose antlers), fabric glue, tapestry needle.

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
• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch (used for leaf points).

Part 1: The Burnt Orange Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm.

1. The Forest Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Dark Wood Brown.

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 panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Autumn Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall.

Panel A: Exterior (Burnt Orange)

• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Row 2-35: Sc across. Ensure consistent tension for a smooth finish.
• The Maple Leaf Windows:

  On the side wall (Left), you need to create the illusion of a leaf-shaped window.

  Technique: Cut a standard square hole in the crochet (Ch 10, Sk 10). Later, we will glue a crocheted “Leaf Frame” over this hole to give it the specific shape, as crocheting a negative space leaf is very difficult.

• The Right side is the large open viewing area.

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Panel B: Interior (Cream or Light Tan)

• Use a neutral Cream color to make the colorful leaves inside pop. 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 using Burnt Orange.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Orange out, Cream in) to close the back.

3. Maple Leaf Window Frame

Use 1.25mm Hook and Dark Brown/Rust yarn.

• The Shape: Crochet a large Maple Leaf outline (follow the leaf pattern in Part 2 but work only chains and slip stitches to make a hollow frame). Glue this frame over the square window hole on the exterior.

Part 2: The Interior Tree & Foliage

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm – 1.25mm Hook.

1. The Maple Leaf (Make 50+)

Make these in Red, Orange, Yellow, and Brown.

• Center: MR 5 sc. Sl st to join.
• Points (Work into the ring):

  1. (Sc, Hdc, Dc, Ch 2, Sl st in 2nd ch, Dc, Hdc, Sc) all in next st. (Bottom lobe).

  2. (Sc, Dc, Tr, Ch 3 Picot, Tr, Dc, Sc) all in next st. (Side lobe).

  3. (Sc, Dc, Tr, Dtr, Ch 3 Picot, Dtr, Tr, Dc, Sc) in next st. (Top Point).

  4. Repeat step 2 (Side lobe).

  5. Repeat step 1 (Bottom lobe).

• Stem: Ch 4, Sl st back.
• Scattering: Glue individual leaves all over the interior floor to look like they have blown inside.

2. The Indoor Tree

• Armature: Twist 4-5 strands of craft wire together to form a trunk and spreading branches.
• Bark: Coat wire in glue. Wrap tightly with Dark Wood Brown yarn. Make the trunk base thicker.
• Foliage: Glue about 20 of your crochet leaves to the wire branches.

  Placement: Glue the base of the trunk to the interior floor (back corner) and the branch tips to the ceiling/walls for support.

Part 3: The Cozy Breakfast Details

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm.

1. Stack of Pancakes

• Pancake: Beige. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Flat circle. Make 3.
• Stacking: Sew them together in a stack.
• Syrup: Amber/Gold. Ch 4, Sc, Hdc, Dc. Sew this “drip” onto the top pancake.
• Butter: Yellow. Ch 3, Sc 2 rows. Square. Glue on top.

2. Maple Syrup Bottle

• Base: Amber yarn. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. BLO Sc 3 rounds.
• Neck: Dec to 5. Sc 2 rounds.

  Handle: Tiny chain loop on the side.

  Label: Tiny white paper rectangle glued to front with a maple leaf drawn on it.

3. Dry Firewood Bundle

• Log: Dark Brown/Grey mix. Ch 6. Sc 6 rows. Roll tightly and sew to make a cylinder. Make 5 logs.
• Assembly: Stack them in a pyramid. Tie with a piece of twine. Place near the tree trunk.

4. Wool Scarf

• Scarf: Striped Red/Orange/Yellow. Ch 40. Sc 2 rows.

  Fringe: Add tiny yarn tassels to ends. Drape over a firewood log or the floor.

Part 4: Exterior & The Moose

1. The Goofy Moose

Use 2.5mm Hook (Body) and 1.25mm Hook (Antlers).

• Head: Moose Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds.

  Snout: Inc to 15 (bulge). Sc 2 rounds. Dec to close. Embroider large nostrils.

• Body: Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc 6 rounds. Dec to close. (Pear shape).
• Legs: Brown. Ch 6 tubes. Make 4. Hooves in Black.
• Antlers (The Critical Part): Beige.

  Main Beam: Ch 6, wire inside.

  Palms: Crochet a flat triangular piece (Ch 4 base, decrease to point). Work picots along the top edge to make the antler points. Sew to the main beam. Make 2 large antlers. Sew to head.

• Expression: Give him googly eyes or wide embroidered eyes for a “goofy” look.
• Leaves: Glue 2-3 colorful maple leaves onto his antlers as if he walked through a bush.

2. The Leaf Pile

• Base: Crochet a “lump” using Brown yarn (MR 6, Inc to 24, Sc 3 rnds). This acts as the volume.
• Covering: Glue 15-20 crochet Maple Leaves (from Part 2) all over the lump until the base is hidden. Place this pile outside the caravan.

3. Wheels

Use 2.5mm Hook.

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Burnt Orange shell is rigid. The 3-layer sandwich is vital. The leaf-shaped window frames should be neat.
2. Interior Staging:
   • Secure the Tree. This is the main event.
   • Scatter leaves on the floor.
   • Place the Pancakes and Syrup on a small wooden crate or chest (Brown cube).
   • Place the Firewood and Scarf in the corner.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the huge Leaf Pile near the front.
   • Place the Moose sitting in or next to the leaves, perhaps with one leg “kicking” the pile.

Congratulations! You have crafted “The Maple Leaf” Autumn Cabin. This vibrant, cozy playset perfectly captures the joy of the fall season.