
Transport yourself to the streets of Paris with this luxurious “French Perfume Atelier” Caravan. This exquisite playset features a blush pink and gold exterior with a stunning shell-shaped canopy that opens to reveal a maximalist interior. Inside, you will find glass shelves lined with designer perfume bottles, a mixing station with test tubes, and dried rose petals scattered on the table. The scene is completed with an elegant white Poodle wearing a gold bow tie, sniffing a giant rose.
This is an advanced pattern that focuses on structural integrity and minute details. To ensure the caravan walls and the unique shell roof hold their shape perfectly and look flawless inside and out, we use a 3-Layer Sandwich Method (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique hides the stiffener completely, providing a high-end finish.
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 works best for the “glass” and gold effects).
– Color A: Dusty Rose / Blush Pink (Base of caravan).
– Color B: Pale Pink (Upper walls).
– Color C: Gold / Mustard Yellow (Trim, shelves, hardware).
– Color D: White (Poodle).
– Pastels: Lavender, Mint, Baby Blue, Peach (Perfume bottles).
– Deep Pink/Red: Rose petals.
- Hook: 2.0mm or 2.25mm (Essential for tight, gap-free stitches).
- Structure: 4 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh).
- Other: Fiberfill, tapestry needle, hot glue (for tiny bottles), thin wire (optional for flower stem), stitch markers.
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
- BLO: Back Loop Only
- FLO: Front Loop Only
- FPdc: Front Post Double Crochet (used for shell ridges)
- Sl st: Slip Stitch
Part 1: The Caravan Structure (Sandwich Method)
We will construct the floor and the U-shaped wall unit. Each part consists of an Outer Panel, a plastic canvas core, and an Inner Panel.
1. The Floor Base
Make 2 identical panels using Dusty Rose.
- Row 1: Ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (20)
- Row 2-36: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (20)
- Goal: A rectangle approx 4″ x 6.5″.
- Fasten off Panel 1. Do not fasten off Panel 2.
Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to fit (trim corners slightly). Sandwich it between the two panels. Sc around the entire border through both layers to seal.
2. The U-Shaped Walls
This long strip forms the Left Wall, Back Wall, and Right Wall. It features a window on the Right Wall side.
Panel A (Exterior Shell):
- Start with Dusty Rose (Bottom half).
- Row 1: Ch 101. Sc in 2nd ch and across. (100)
- Row 2-12: Sc across. (100)
- Change to Gold yarn (The Waistline Trim).
- Row 13: Sc across in BLO (creates a ridge).
- Change to Pale Pink (Top half).
- Row 14-20: Sc across.
- Row 21 (Window Gap): Sc 10, Ch 12, Skip 12, Sc remaining 78. (This creates the window opening near one end).
- Row 22: Sc 10, Sc 12 into the chain space, Sc remaining 78.
- Row 23-32: Sc across. Fasten off.
Panel B (Interior Lining):
- Repeat the exact same instructions as Panel A. Use Pale Pink for the entire piece if you want a solid colored room, or match the exterior colors. Ensure the window gap aligns perfectly with Panel A.
Assembly:
- Cut plastic canvas to match the long strip, including cutting out the window rectangle.
- Sandwich the canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
- Using Gold yarn, Sc around the window opening first to seal the layers together there.
- Sc around the entire outer perimeter through both layers.
- Shaping: Fold into a U-shape. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
Part 2: The Scallop Shell Canopy
The roof is the centerpiece. It resembles a seashell with ridges, hinged at the back.
The Shell Roof (Outer)
Use Pale Pink. This piece uses Front Post stitches to create the fan ridges.
- Row 1: Start with a MR, Ch 3 (counts as dc), 12 dc into ring. Pull tight but do not join. Turn. (13)
- Row 2: Ch 3, *FPdc around next st, Dc in space between sts* repeat across. (Increases the width while keeping ridges).
- Row 3: Ch 3, *FPdc around the FPdc of previous row, 2 Dc in the space* repeat across.
- Row 4-15: Continue expanding the fan shape by adding Dc stitches between the FPdc ridges. The piece should look like a widening semi-circle or fan.
- When the fan is wide enough to cover the caravan, work 5 rows of plain Sc along the straight edge (the back hinge area).
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The Shell Roof (Inner Lining)
Use Pale Pink.
- Crochet a flat semi-circle using standard increases (standard Sc or Dc half-circle) to match the dimensions of the Outer Shell exactly.
Assembly
- Cut plastic canvas in a semi-circle shape. You may need to score/bend the plastic slightly to follow the curve of the shell.
- Sandwich the canvas between Outer and Inner shells.
- Gold Trim: Using Gold yarn, Sc around the entire curved edge, placing 3 Sc at the ridge points to accentuate the scallop shape.
- Attach the straight edge of the roof to the top of the Back Wall. You can sew it firmly so it stays “propped” open, or add a small wire hinge.
Part 3: Interior Furniture
1. Gold Perfume Shelves
Make 2 units using Gold yarn.
- Base: Ch 16, sc across for 4 rows.
- Backing: Ch 16, sc across for 4 rows.
- Stiffen with small pieces of cardboard. Glue them together at a 90-degree angle and glue to the back wall.
2. The Mixing Table
Use Cream/Beige for the top, Gold for legs.
- Tabletop: Ch 12. Row 1: Sc across. Row 2: *Sk 1, 5 dc in next (Shell), sk 1, sc* repeat across to create a “lace” edge. Row 3-6: Sc in BLO (center), Shell stitch (edges).
- Legs (Make 4): With Gold, Ch 4, Sc in 2nd ch and across. Glue to the bottom of the table.
Part 4: The Perfume Collection
The beauty is in the variety. Use a 1.5mm hook if possible for these tiny items.
Bottle A: The “Chanel” Square
- Use Mint or Baby Blue yarn.
- Rnd 1: MR 4 sc.
- Rnd 2: 3 sc in each st (12). (Creates corners).
- Rnd 3-5: Sc in BLO (to sharpen corners) and work up.
- Lid: Switch to Gold. MR 4 sc, Sc around for 2 rounds. Stuff lightly.
- Detail: Sew a tiny square of white felt on the front for the label.
Bottle B: The “Miss Dior” Round with Bow
- Use Lavender or Pink yarn.
- Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
- Rnd 2: Inc around (12).
- Rnd 3-5: Sc around.
- Rnd 6: Dec around (6).
- Lid: Ch 2 with Gold, sl st.
- Bow: Ch 3 with Silver/Grey, sl st in 1st ch. Sew to the neck of the bottle.
Bottle C: The Atomizer (Puffer)
- Use Peach yarn.
- Make a standard round bottle (like Bottle B).
- The Puffer: With Gold, Ch 4 (tube). With Pink, MR 4 sc, sc around (ball). Sew the ball to the tube, and the tube to the bottle.
Part 5: Accessories
Test Tube Rack & Tubes
- Rack: With Brown/Gold, Ch 10, join. Sc around for 2 rows to make a small loop/holder.
- Tubes: With White yarn, Ch 4, sl st back down. Make 3. Glue them into the rack.
Dried Rose Petals
- With Deep Red yarn: Ch 2, 3 dc in 1st ch, sl st. Make 10-12 of these tiny confetti pieces. Glue them scattered across the table.
Part 6: The Poodle & The Rose
The Noble Poodle
Use White Yarn.
- Head: MR 6 sc, Inc around (12), Sc around (12), Dec around (6).
- Fur (Top knot & Ears): Surface crochet on top of the head using *Ch 3, sl st in same st* to create loop stitches (curly fur). Do the same for long floppy ears.
- Body: Ch 6, sc around to form a tube. Inc at chest.
- Paws: Make 4 small tubes. Add “fur” cuffs using the loop stitch at the ankles.
- Tail: Ch 4. Add a “pom pom” of loop stitches at the tip.
- Bow Tie: With Gold, MR, (Ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) x 2. Glue to neck.
The Giant Rose
Use Pink variants (Dark center, lighter edges).
- Petal Strip: Ch 30.
Row 1: Sc across.
Row 2: *Ch 2, 4 Dc in next st, Ch 2, Sl st in next* repeat across. This creates a long strip of scallops.
- Assembly: Roll the strip tightly. Sew the base together. The petals will layer outward.
- Stem (Optional): Wrap green yarn around a piece of wire and insert into the base of the flower.
Final Assembly
- Structural Check: Ensure the U-shaped walls are firmly attached to the floor and the plastic canvas core is doing its job holding the walls straight.
- Roof: Attach the shell canopy. Ensure the gold piping is visible.
- Interior: Glue the shelves. Arrange the perfume bottles (use tweezers for precision). Glue the table in the center. Scatter the petals.
- Exterior: Position the Poodle sitting outside sniffing the large rose.
Congratulations! You have created a miniature masterpiece. The French Perfume Atelier is ready for display.