Welcome to the excavation site! The “Dino Dig” Museum is a prehistoric wonder on wheels, designed for the aspiring paleontologist. Unlike our floral or cozy caravans, this unit is rugged, textured, and full of history. The exterior mimics a rocky outcrop or hardened earth, colored in a stony Taupe/Brown with irregular raised boulders along the roofline. It looks as though the caravan itself was dug out of a cliffside.

The interior is a fascinating fossil lab. The centerpiece is a magnificent, museum-quality Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton made of white yarn, standing proudly in the center. The surrounding area is cluttered with the tools of the trade: brushes, shovels, a sieve for sifting soil, and a crate full of unclassified bones. In a delightful twist of “Jurassic” magic, the corner reveals two cracked eggs with adorable green baby dinosaurs just hatching. This playset is a masterpiece of structure and detail.

This project is advanced due to the skeletal construction. To ensure the “rocky” walls are rigid enough to protect the fossils, we strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). We will use a standard hook for the rugged shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate bones and tools.

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 bone definition).

  – Stone Brown / Taupe: Exterior walls (textured).

  – Dark Earth Brown: Interior walls, floor.

  – Bone White / Cream: Skeleton, eggshells.

  – Dino Green: Baby dinosaurs.

  – Wood Brown: Crate, tool handles.

  – Grey / Silver: Shovel blade, magnifying glass, sieve mesh.

  – Black: Wheels.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the T-Rex skeleton, tools, and babies.

• Structure: 6-7 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, Craft Wire (20 gauge) is essential for the skeleton armature, tapestry needle, fabric glue.

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
• Popcorn/Bobble: Cluster stitches for roof texture.

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Part 1: The Rocky Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Earth Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Dark Earth Brown.

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. This represents the dig site floor.

2. The Rocky Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the walls and roof. We want a textured, uneven look for the exterior.

Panel A: Exterior (Stone Brown)

• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12 (Side Wall): Sc across.
• Row 13-35 (Roof Section): Here we create the “boulders”.

  Texture Pattern: *Sc 3, Bobble Stitch, Sc 2* repeat randomly. In the next row, Sc across. Stagger the bobbles/lumps so the roof looks rough and stony. Alternatively, crochet plain Sc rows and sew separate “rock mounds” on later (recommended for the look in the photo).

• Row 36-50 (Side Wall): Sc across smooth.
• Window Cutouts: Create irregular or rectangular openings on the side walls.

Panel B: Interior (Dark Earth Brown)

• Use Dark Brown for a cave-like feel. Work in smooth Sc. 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 through both layers using Stone Brown.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

3. Roof Boulders (The “Dig” Look)

If you didn’t use bobble stitches, make these separate rocks:

• Rock 1: MR 6 sc, Inc to 18, Sc 2 rounds, Dec to close. Flatten slightly.
• Rock 2: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, Sc 1 round, Dec to close.
• Make 5-6 rocks of various sizes and sew them firmly to the roof of the caravan.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

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Part 2: The T-Rex Skeleton (The Centerpiece)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook and Bone White yarn. You must use wire inside the legs and spine for this to stand.

1. The Skull

• Upper Jaw/Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds.

  Eye Sockets: Ch 3, skip 2 sc, sc in next. Repeat on other side.

  Back of Skull: Inc to 18. Sc 2 rounds. Close back.

• Lower Jaw: Ch 8. Sc back. Fold in a U-shape. Sew to back of skull.
• Teeth: Use a single strand of white thread to embroider tiny jagged teeth along the jawline.

2. The Spine & Ribs

• Spine: Cut a wire (6 inches). Crochet a tube (MR 5 sc) around the wire.
• Ribs: Ch 6. Sl st back. Make 6-8 ribs. Sew them perpendicular to the spine, curving them downwards to form the ribcage.

3. The Legs & Hips

• Hips: A small block (Ch 4, sc rows) attached to the spine.
• Thigh Bone (Femur): MR 5 sc, Sc 5 rounds. Stuff.
• Lower Leg: MR 4 sc, Sc 4 rounds.
• Feet: Ch 3 toes. Make 3 toes per foot.
• Assembly: Insert wire through hips and down into legs. Sew parts together. The T-Rex must balance on these legs and its tail.

4. The Tail & Arms

• Tail: Continue the spine tube, decreasing stitches to a point. Bend the wire for balance.
• Tiny Arms: Ch 4, sl st back. Sew to the front of the ribcage.

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Part 3: The Dinosaur Nursery

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm.

1. Cracked Eggs

• Bottom Shell: White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc 3 rounds.

  Cracked Edge: *Sc, Ch 2, Sl st in same (tiny spike), Sc* around.

• Top Shell (Hat): Smaller version of the bottom shell.

2. Baby Dinos

• Head: Dino Green. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Eyes: Tiny black beads.
• Assembly: Glue the head into the Bottom Shell. Place the Top Shell jauntily on the head. Make 2 of these.

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Part 4: The Paleontologist’s Tools

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm.

1. Excavation Shovel

• Blade: Grey. Ch 4, Sc 3 rows, Dec. (Spade shape).
• Handle: Wood Brown. Ch 8. Sl st back. Glue to blade.

2. Sifting Pan (Sieve)

• Rim: Grey. Ch 15, join. Sc around.
• Mesh: Use grey thread to sew a grid pattern inside the rim.
• Handle: Ch 5 protrusion.

3. Brush & Magnifying Glass

• Brush: Brown handle. Beige fringe yarn at tip.
• Magnifying Glass: Grey ring (MR wrapped with yarn). Black handle. Clear glue inside ring for “glass” effect.

4. Bone Crate

• Box: Wood Brown. Ch 10. Sc 8 rows. Fold up sides to make a shallow open box.
• Contents: Crochet tiny white “bones” (Ch 4, knots at ends) and fill the crate.

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Part 5: Exterior Details

1. Wheels

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

2. Hitch

• Stone Brown tube sewn to the front.

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Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Stone Brown shell is rigid. The “boulders” on the roof should give it a rugged silhouette.
2. Interior Exhibit:
   • The Skeleton: This is tricky. Pose the T-Rex in the center. Use a dab of hot glue on the feet to secure it to the floor. The tail should act as a third balance point.
   • Tool Wall: Glue the Magnifying Glass and Brush to the interior walls as if hanging on hooks.
   • Floor Scatter: Place the Crate of Bones in the back corner.
   • The Nursery: Place the two Hatching Eggs in the front right corner (the “safe” zone).
   • Tools: Lean the Shovel and Broom against the wall or the skeleton.
3. Final Inspection: Ensure the contrast between the white bones and the dark brown interior is sharp.

Congratulations! You have unearthed a prehistoric masterpiece. The “Dino Dig” Museum is a roaring addition to your collection, perfectly preserving history in crochet form.