Welcome to the brightest, sunniest spot in the garden! The “Marigold” Potting Shed is a celebration of vibrant colors and practical gardening. Known for their ability to repel pests and their distinctive scent, marigolds are the heroes of this caravan. The exterior reflects the flower’s petals, sporting a cheerful two-tone design in Bright Orange and Sunshine Yellow. It is a structure that radiates warmth and energy.

Step inside this mobile greenhouse, and you will find a gardener’s paradise. The interior is packed with seedlings and full blooms. We have rows of terracotta pots and black nursery trays filled with Marigolds featuring their signature round, curly-petaled heads in orange and yellow. The potting bench is cluttered with essential tools: a green watering can, a hand tiller, rubber gloves, and tiny seed packets waiting to be sown. A wooden sign declaring “Bug Repellent” leans against the wall, explaining the theme. Outside, an Orange Tabby Cat, perfectly camouflaged, sleeps soundly among the flowerbeds, surrounded by a rustic wooden fence.

This project creates a structural, boxy display piece. To ensure the shelves can hold the weight of the many pots and the walls remain straight, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique creates rigid, durable walls that mimic a real potting shed structure. We will switch between a standard hook for the caravan body and a precision micro-hook for the intricate flowers 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 cotton is best for the flower texture).

  – Bright Orange: Lower exterior walls, orange marigolds, cat fur.

  – Sunshine Yellow: Upper exterior walls, yellow marigolds, rubber gloves.

  – Terracotta/Rust: Flower pots.

  – Dark Soil Brown: Potting soil, flower centers.

  – Wood Brown: Floor, shelves, fence, sign, tiller handle.

  – Leaf Green: Plant stems, watering can.

  – Black: Seed trays, tires.

  – Silver/Grey: Tiller tines, hubcaps.

  – White: Seed packets.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the marigold flowers, seed trays, tools, and cat.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (for the tiller and fence stability), fabric glue, tapestry needle, orange embroidery floss (cat stripes).

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.
• Ruffle Stitch: (Sc, Ch 3, Sc) in same st (for marigold texture).

Part 1: The Potting Shed Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Wooden Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Wood 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 the exact size. Sandwich it between the two brown panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal. This creates the potting shed foundation.

2. The Orange & Yellow Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The bright colors make it pop.

Panel A: Exterior (Orange & Yellow)

• Start with Bright Orange.
• Row 1: Ch 91 (Length to cover Left Wall + Roof + Right Wall). Sc across. (90)
• Row 2-12: Sc across (Orange Bottom Section).
• Change to Sunshine Yellow.
• Row 13-35: Sc across (Yellow Top Section).
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create large rectangular windows to let the “sun” in (Ch 10, Sk 10).
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Wood Brown or Cream)

• Use Wood Brown to make it look like a timber shed interior. 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. Use Orange for the bottom and Yellow for the top.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Orange bottom, Yellow top) to close the back.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Marigolds (Maximalism)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. Marigolds are dense and textured.

1. The Marigold Flowers

Make 20-30 flowers in mixed Orange and Yellow.

• Base: Dark Brown. MR 5 sc.
• Petals (The Curly Texture): Change to Orange or Yellow.

  Round 1: Work 2 Sc in each st. (10)

  Round 2 (Ruffles): In every stitch around, work *(Sc, Ch 3, Sc)*. This creates a dense, curly, pom-pom effect.

  If you want them larger, add a 3rd round of *(Sc, Ch 3, Sc)* in the chain spaces.

• Fasten off.

2. Terracotta Pots

• Pot: Rust/Terracotta. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc around. Sc 3 rounds.

  Rim: Ch 1, turn, Sc around the top edge.

• Assembly: Stuff a tiny bit of brown yarn (soil) inside. Glue a Marigold flower on top.

3. Seed Trays

• Tray: Black. Ch 8. Sc 5 rows.

  Sides: Sc around the rectangle, working in BLO at corners to create shallow walls.

• Seedlings: Green. Crochet a tiny strip of green knots (Ch 2, sl st) and glue inside the black tray. Or fill with tiny yellow Marigold buds (just the MR part).

Part 3: Potting Bench & Tools

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm.

1. Interior Shelving

Use 2.5mm Hook and Wood Brown yarn.

• L-Shape Bench: Create two rectangular strips (Sandwich method). Glue them to the interior walls to create a workspace for the pots.

2. Green Watering Can

• Body: Green. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc around. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Spout: Ch 6. Sl st back. Sew low on the body.
• Handle: Ch 8 loop on the back.

3. The Tiller (Hand Rake)

• Handle: Wood Brown. Ch 10 tight tube.
• Claw: Silver/Grey. Ch 4. Work 3 tiny “fingers” (Ch 3, sl st back) radiating from one point. Sew to handle.

4. “Bug Repellent” Sign

• Board: Wood Brown. Ch 8, Sc 5 rows. Sandwich with canvas.
• Text: Embroider “BUG OFF” or “REPELLENT” in Black thread.
• Post: Small brown stick or crochet tube. Glue sign to post.

5. Rubber Gloves

• Glove: Sunshine Yellow. Ch 4. Sc 3 rows (Palm). Ch 2 (Thumb). Ch 2 (Fingers). Make 2. Lay them on the bench.

6. Seed Packets

• Packet: White. Ch 4, Sc 3 rows. Embroider a tiny orange square on the front.

Part 4: Exterior Scene

1. The Orange Tabby Cat

Use 1.5mm Hook and Orange yarn.

• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 6.

  Ears: Tiny triangles sewn on top.

• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc 6 rounds. Dec to close. (Oval shape for sleeping).
• Tail: Ch 12. Sc back. Sew curled around the body.
• Stripes: Use Dark Orange embroidery floss to stitch stripes on the back and tail.
• Pose: Place the cat sleeping curled up among the pots.

2. Rustic Wooden Fence

Use 2.5mm Hook and Wood Brown.

• Posts: Ch 4, join to ring. Sc 6 rounds. Make 6 posts.
• Rails: Ch 15. Sc 1 row. Make 8 rails.
• Assembly: Use wire inside the rails for stiffness. Connect posts with rails to form a perimeter fence around the caravan front.

3. Wheels

• 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 Orange/Yellow shell is rigid. The colors should meet cleanly in a straight line.
2. Interior Potting:
   • Glue the Wooden Shelves to the walls.
   • Fill the shelves with Terracotta Pots (with Marigolds) and Black Seed Trays.
   • Place the Watering Can, Tiller, and Gloves on the bench.
   • Scatter the Seed Packets.
   • Lean the “Bug Repellent” sign against the wall or shelf.
3. Exterior Garden:
   • Set up the Fence around the front entrance.
   • Place the Sleeping Tabby Cat on the ground or on a stack of trays.
   • Add a few extra potted Marigolds outside the fence for decoration.

Congratulations! You have grown the “Marigold” Potting Shed. This cheerful caravan brings the warmth of the sun and the satisfaction of a good harvest to your collection.