Welcome to a desert oasis in miniature! “The Succulent Terrarium” is a crochet project that celebrates the modern love for drought-tolerant greenery. Unlike typical floral arrangements, this caravan captures the architectural beauty of cacti and succulents. The exterior mimics a sun-drenched greenhouse or terrarium, featuring a sturdy Terracotta-colored frame and airy white mesh windows that span the entire roof and sides, allowing imaginary sunlight to nourish the plants inside.

The interior is a botanical collection of textures: spiky cacti, fleshy rosettes in shades of green and purple, and adorable “bunny ear” opuntias. Furnished with a solitary wicker chair for quiet contemplation, this mobile garden is stocked with everything a plant parent needs: bags of potting soil, a hand trowel, and a trusty spray bottle for misting. This pattern is perfect for using up scrap yarns in every shade of green you own!

To support the unique “open frame” structure of this greenhouse caravan, we will rigorously apply the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn) to the Terracotta frame and floor. This ensures the caravan keeps its shape despite the large mesh windows.

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 plant definition).

  – Terracotta / Rust: Main exterior frame.

  – White: Window mesh/grid.

  – Beige / Sand: Interior floor, wicker chair, soil bags.

  – Green Palette: Olive, Sage, Forest, Lime, Mint (for various plants).

  – Purple / Lavender: Succulent rosettes.

  – Orange: Cactus flowers.

  – Dark Brown: Soil inside pots.

  – Grey / Silver: Trowel blade, wheels.

  – Black: Tires, embroidery details.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm – 1.75mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the tiny succulents, spray bottle, and tools.

• Structure: 6 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, floral wire (for tall cacti), tapestry needle, fabric glue, clear fishing line (optional for structure).

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.

Part 1: The Greenhouse Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Sandy Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Beige/Sand 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 Terracotta Frame (U-Shaped)

Unlike other caravans, this one is mostly “glass”. We will build a sturdy Terracotta frame and fill it with White mesh.

The Frame Borders (Terracotta):

• Side Frames (Make 2): Crochet a large rectangular border (like a picture frame). Ch 90 (length of wall+roof+wall). Sc 4 rows. Then work the sides down.

  Alternative Method (Easier): Make a long strip for the Left side, Roof, and Right side edges (Ch 90, Sc 4 rows). Make 2 of these (Front and Back edge).

  Then make short strips to connect them at the bottom.

  Sandwich: You must sandwich thin strips of plastic canvas inside these Terracotta borders to make them rigid arches.

The White Mesh (Glass):

• Use White yarn.
• Row 1: Ch to fit the width between your Terracotta frames.
• Row 2: *Dc 1, Ch 2, Sk 2* repeat across to create a grid.
• Row 3: *Dc in Dc, Ch 2, Sk 2* repeat.
• Make a long mesh panel that covers the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall.

Assembly:

• Sew the White Mesh panel securely to the inner edges of the rigid Terracotta Frames.
• Reinforcement: If the mesh is too floppy, you can sew a sheet of clear plastic (acetate) underneath the mesh, or cut a plastic canvas sheet into a large “U” shape with most of the center cut out (leaving just a rim) to support the frame.
• Sew the assembled U-shaped shell to the Floor Base.

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Part 2: The Succulent Collection (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm – 1.75mm Hook. The key is variety in shape and texture.

1. The “Bunny Ear” Cactus (Opuntia)

• Pads: Use Sage Green.

  Main Pad: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 12. Flatten and sew closed.

  Ears: Make 2 smaller pads (MR 6, Inc to 12, Sc 1 round). Sew to top of Main Pad.

• Pot: Terracotta yarn. MR 6, Inc to 15. BLO Sc up. Fill with Brown soil.

2. The Barrel Cactus

• Body: Dark Green. Ch 10.

  Row 1: Sc in BLO across. Turn.

  Repeat until strip is long enough to form a sphere when ends are joined. Sew sides to form a tube. Gather top and bottom closed. Stuff.

• Flower: Orange. Ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to make loop. Make 3 loops. Sew to top.

3. The Rosette Succulents (Echeveria)

Make in Purple, Pale Green, and Teal.

• Petals: Ch 15.

  Row 1: (Sc, Ch 2, Dc, Ch 2, Sc) in every 2nd chain. This creates bumpy petals.

  Roll the strip into a spiral flower shape and stitch the base.

• Pot: Grey or White. Small thimble size.

4. Tall Column Cactus

• Body: Forest Green. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. BLO Sc around for 15-20 rows. Stuff firmly (insert wire if needed).
• Arms: Make a shorter tube and sew to the side.

5. String of Pearls (Trailing)

• Vines: Light Green. Ch 15. *Bobble stitch in chain, sl st in next 2 ch*. Repeat down the chain to make “beads”.
• Drape these over the edges of pots.

Part 3: The Wicker Chair & Accessories

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm for Chair, 1.5mm for Tools.

1. Wicker Chair

Use Beige/Tan yarn.

• Seat: MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Flat circle.
• Backrest: Ch 18. Sc 10 rows. Curve it around the seat. Texture: Use *Sc, Ch 1, Sk 1* to create a woven mesh look.
• Arms: Ch 8, Sc back. Sew from backrest to seat.
• Legs: Ch 5 tight logs. Make 4. Stiffen with glue.

2. Spray Bottle (Mister)

• Bottle: White. MR 5 sc, Inc to 10. Sc 4 rows. Dec to 5.
• Nozzle: Blue. Ch 3 (Neck). Ch 2 (Nozzle tip). Ch 4 (Trigger handle). Sew to top.

3. Bags of Soil

• Bag: Beige/Burlap color. Ch 8. Sc 10 rows. Fold in half, sew sides. Stuff bottom to make it chunky.
• Detail: Use Dark Brown/Black thread to embroider the word “SOIL” on the front.

4. Hand Trowel

• Blade: Grey. Ch 4, Sc, Inc, Sc, Dec (Pointed spade shape).
• Handle: Brown. Ch 6 cylinder. Glue to blade.

Part 4: Exterior Details

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. Wheels

• Tire: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 2 rounds.
• Hubcap: Grey texture (Spokes embroidery).
• Sew to the sides of the Terracotta frame.

2. Hitch

• Terracotta tube sewn to the front.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Integrity: Ensure the Terracotta “U” frame is rigid due to the plastic canvas sandwich. The White mesh windows should be taut.
2. Interior Landscaping:
   • This is the most fun part! Arrange the pots to fill the floor space.
   • Place the Tall Cacti in the back corners for height.
   • Group the smaller Rosettes and Barrel Cacti in the front.
   • Place the Wicker Chair slightly off-center.
   • Lean the Bags of Soil and the Trowel against the wall near the door.
   • Place the Spray Bottle on the floor or a small pot rim.
3. Finishing Touches: Use a needle to adjust the leaves and petals so they face the “sun” (the mesh windows).

Congratulations! You have cultivated a low-maintenance, high-style “Succulent” Terrarium. No watering required, just admiration!