Welcome to a whimsical botanical project that celebrates the unique, wind-swept beauty of the Cyclamen flower. This design, “The Cyclamen Upside-Down Van,” captures the essence of these winter blooms with their reflexed petals that look like they are being blown upwards, and their stunning heart-shaped leaves marbled with silver. This project is perfect for intermediate crafters looking to create a high-quality miniature display.

To get started, you will need to purchase specific materials. High-quality mercerized cotton yarn is essential for the delicate flower petals and the lace tablecloth; you can readily find these supplies on Amazon or at specialized craft retailers. The estimated cost to create this detailed diorama is approximately $35 to $50, depending on your existing stash of wires and plastic canvas. This guide provides a step-by-step DIY approach to building a sturdy, collectible piece.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Project Requirements & Materials

To ensure the caravan walls are rigid and the silver trim looks metallic and sharp, we will use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This is mandatory for the structure. Do not use cardboard, as it is not durable enough for the intricate assembly.

Materials Checklist

• Yarn (Sport/DK Weight for Shell):

  – Magenta / Deep Pink: Main exterior body.

  – Silver / Light Grey: Exterior trim, door frame, interior walls, lace tablecloth.

  – Dark Grey/Black: Tires, undercarriage.

• Yarn (Fine Cotton / Embroidery Thread for Details):

  – Cyclamen Pink & Purple: Flower petals (ombre or solid).

  – Dark Forest Green: Leaf base.

  – Metallic Silver Thread: Leaf veins and tablecloth details.

  – Beige/Taupe: Mice bodies.

  – Soft Pink: Mouse ears and nose.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny flowers, leaf veining, lace doily, and mice.

• Structure: 7 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Floral wire (24 gauge for stems, 18 gauge for umbrella), fiberfill, 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.

Part 1: The Magenta & Silver Shell (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm.

1. The Silver Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Silver/Grey yarn.

1. Row 1: Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (29)
2. Row 2-45: 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 Magenta Body (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The silver trim is added during assembly.

Panel A: Exterior (Magenta)

• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-35: Sc across. Ensure the fabric is dense.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall (Left), cut a square window. The Right side is the open viewing area.
• Door Cutout: On the Left wall, near the back, leave a rectangular opening for the door.

Panel B: Interior (Silver/Grey)

• Use Silver yarn for the interior to create a bright, clean background for the plants. Match dimensions and window gaps of Panel A.

Assembly & Silver Trim:

• Cut plastic canvas strip (with window/door holes).
• Sandwich canvas between Panel A (Magenta) and Panel B (Silver).
• The Trim: Join the panels by Single Crocheting around the entire perimeter using Silver Yarn. This creates the distinct metallic border seen in the image.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Magenta out, Silver in) to close the back.

3. The Side Door

• Panel: Make a sandwich panel (Magenta out, Silver in) to fit the door cutout.
• Window: Leave a small square hole in the top half. Frame it with Silver Sc.
• Handle: A tiny silver bead or knot. Sew the door to the frame so it stands slightly ajar.

Part 2: The Cyclamen Garden (Micro-Crochet)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm Hook. The beauty of Cyclamen is in the details.

1. Heart-Shaped Leaves with Silver Veins

Make 15-20 leaves. Use Dark Forest Green.

• Base: Ch 4.

  Rnd 1: Work into the first ch: 3 Tr, 3 Dc, Ch 1, Dc (point), Ch 1, 3 Dc, 3 Tr, Ch 2, Sl st into center. This creates a heart shape.

• Silver Veins (Crucial): Use Metallic Silver thread. Surface slip stitch or embroider a “Christmas Tree” pattern or a marble outline on the surface of each leaf.
• Stem: Green wire wrapped in green thread. Glue to the back of the leaf.

2. Upside-Down Cyclamen Flowers

Cyclamen petals reflex (bend backwards) fully. Use Pink/Purple shades.

• The Calyx (Center): Green. MR 4 sc.
• The Petals: Join Pink yarn to the Calyx.

  *Ch 6, Sc in 2nd ch, Hdc, Dc, Dc, Hdc, Sl st into Calyx* repeat 5 times.

  Shaping: Insert a wire stem into the Calyx. Bend the stem 180 degrees at the top like a hook, so the Calyx faces down. Then, flip the petals upwards so they stand vertical, exposing the “nose” of the flower pointing down. This is the signature Cyclamen look.

3. Potting

• Pots: Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 15. BLO Sc 4 rounds.
• Assembly: Fill with fiberfill. Plant 3-4 leaves and 2-3 flowers in each pot. Make 4 pots.

Part 3: Maximalist Interior & Mice

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm.

1. Silver Lace Tablecloth & Table

• Table: Brown/Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. BLO Sc 5 rounds (Cylinder base).
• Tablecloth (Doily): Use Silver Thread.

  Rnd 1: MR 12 Dc.

  Rnd 2: *Dc, Ch 1* around.

  Rnd 3: *Sc, Ch 3, Sk 1* (Mesh).

  Rnd 4: *5 Dc in ch-loop, Sc in next* (Shell edge).

  Drape over the table. Place a tiny ceramic vase (Beige/Blue, MR 4 sc, cylinder) on top.

2. The Tiny Interior Mouse

• Body: Beige. MR 4 sc, Inc to 8. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 4.
• Ears: Pink knots.
• Placement: Glue this tiny mouse peeking out from under the leaves of one of the pots inside.

Part 4: Exterior Scene & The Umbrella

1. The Large-Eared Mouse

Use 1.0mm Hook and Beige yarn.

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

  Snout: Pointy nose, pink tip.

  Eyes: Black beads.

• Ears (Feature): The ears should look like Cyclamen petals.

  Pink/Beige. MR 6 sc. *Ch 1, 3 Dc in next, Ch 1, Sl st* (Round and large). Sew to top of head.

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6. (Pear shape).
• Limbs: Tiny Ch 4 tubes.

  Pose: Standing or sitting outside, looking up at the van.

2. The “Blown-Out” Umbrella

This mimics the shape of the Cyclamen flower.

• Frame: Cut 6 pieces of thin wire. Twist them together at the center to form a star. Bend the spokes upwards into a cup shape (simulating an umbrella caught in the wind).
• Canopy: Pink/Lilac yarn. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. *Sc, Inc* to 24. Work rounds until it covers the wire frame.

  Detail: Stitch the canopy to the wire tips.

• Handle: Silver wire. Hook the end. Attach to the center of the canopy.

  Placement: Lay it on the ground outside as if discarded by the wind.

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. Textured spiral.
• Sew to sides.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: The Magenta walls with Silver trim must be perfectly rigid. The 3-layer sandwich is essential for the door frame and window cutouts to look sharp.
2. Interior Staging:
   • Place the Table with the Lace Cloth in the center.
   • Arrange the Cyclamen Pots around the perimeter. Ensure the silver veins on the leaves catch the light.
   • Hide the tiny mouse under a leaf.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the Large Mouse near the entrance.
   • Place the Upside-Down Umbrella nearby.
   • Scatter a single loose Cyclamen petal (Pink teardrop) on the ground.

Congratulations! You have crafted “The Cyclamen” Upside-Down Van. This botanical masterpiece, with its silver-veined leaves and wind-swept blooms, is a true work of art.