Step into the idyll of the English countryside with “The Hollyhock” Cottage Garden. This crochet project captures the essence of a summer day in a rustic village. The vehicle itself is a unique, tall-bodied design, specifically engineered to house the majestic, towering hollyhocks that define the cottagecore aesthetic. The exterior features a charming combination of Cream upper walls and textured Wood Paneling on the lower half, reminiscent of a vintage garden shed or wagon.

The interior is a vertical garden masterpiece. Unlike other caravans with low ceilings, this model features a high, hinged canopy roof that opens up to reveal towering stalks of Hollyhocks in shades of soft Pink, deep Crimson, and pure White. A rustic wooden picket fence separates the flower bed from the gardening tools. You will find a vintage “Zinc” watering can, a pair of miniature gardening gloves casually tossed aside, and a woven basket filled with fresh eggs. Outside, a friendly Badger—an iconic resident of the British woods—stands gazing up at the flowers, next to a little wagon cart filled with fresh potting soil. This playset is a tribute to height, growth, and nature.

This project creates a structure that is taller than it is wide. To ensure the tall walls remain rigid and the heavy lid functions correctly, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is non-negotiable for this pattern, as it creates the necessary “hard box” feel of a wooden structure. We will use a standard hook for the wagon body and a precision micro-hook for the delicate flowers and the badger.

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 structure and flower definition).

  – Cream / Off-White: Upper exterior walls, interior walls.

  – Wood Brown / Tan: Lower exterior paneling, fence, floor, egg basket.

  – Leaf Green: Hollyhock stems and leaves.

  – Flower Colors: Pastel Pink, Deep Crimson, White, Yellow (centers).

  – Zinc Grey / Silver: Watering can.

  – Badger Colors: Dark Grey/Black, White.

  – Soil Brown: Wagon contents.

  – Black: Tires, badger nose.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.5mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the hollyhock flowers, gloves, egg basket, and badger.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, green floral wire (essential for the tall plant stems), 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 (Essential for the wood paneling texture)
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Picot: Ch 3, sl st in first ch.

Part 1: The Tall Cottage Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Garden Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Wood Brown 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 the exact size. Sandwich it between the two brown panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

2. The Two-Tone Tall Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Back Wall, and Right Wall. It needs to be taller than a standard caravan to fit the plants.

Panel A: Exterior (Wood & Cream)

• Start with Wood Brown.
• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Back + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-15 (The Wood Paneling): Work in BLO (Back Loop Only) for every row. This creates horizontal ridges that mimic wooden siding.
• Change to Cream.
• Rows 16-45 (The Upper Wall): Work in standard Sc (both loops). This needs to be high to create the “High Canopy” effect.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create tall, rectangular windows.
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Cream/Brown)

• Match the color changes of the exterior (Brown bottom, Cream top) but use standard Sc stitches for a smooth interior finish. Match dimensions and window gaps.

Assembly:

• Cut plastic canvas strip (with window holes).
• Sandwich canvas between Panel A and Panel B.
• Join: Sc around the perimeter through both layers.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape (square corners). Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.

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3. The Hinged Canopy Roof

This is a separate “lid” that allows you to see the tall plants.

• Top Panel: Cream. Sandwich panel the size of the floor footprint.
• Lip: Create a small rim (3 rows of Sc) around 3 sides of the lid so it fits snugly over the walls.
• Hinge: Sew the back edge of the roof to the top edge of the Back Wall.

Part 2: The Hollyhocks (The Centerpiece)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.5mm Hook. Hollyhocks grow on tall, central stalks. You MUST use wire.

1. The Stalks & Leaves

• Wire Frame: Cut 3-4 pieces of floral wire (approx 5-6 inches long). Wrap them tightly with Leaf Green yarn.
• Large Base Leaves: Green. Ch 8. Work Sc, Hdc, Dc, Hdc, Sc along the chain. Work 3 Sc in the tip, and repeat down the other side. Make the edges wavy by adding (Sc, Ch 2, Sc) in every 3rd stitch. Make 3 large leaves per plant.
• Small Stem Leaves: Smaller versions of the above.
• Assembly: Glue the large leaves at the very base of the wire stems.

2. The Flowers

Make 6-8 flowers per stalk in Pink, Crimson, and White.

• Pattern:

  Rnd 1: MR 5 sc.

  Rnd 2: Inc to 10 sc.

  Rnd 3: *Ch 3, 2 Dc in next st, Ch 3, Sl st in next st* repeat 5 times. This creates a cup-shaped, 5-petal flower.

  Center: Sew a tiny Yellow French knot in the middle.

• Buds: Green. MR 4 sc. Sc 2 rounds. Stuff with a tiny bit of petal color yarn showing at the top.

Planting: Glue the flowers vertically up the wire stem. Place open flowers at the bottom and buds at the very top. “Plant” these wires into a foam or clay base hidden under a crochet “soil” mound in the caravan floor.

Part 3: Gardening Interior Details

Use Hook Size: 1.5mm.

1. Picket Fence

• Posts: Wood Brown. Ch 6. Sc back. Make 6-8 posts.
• Rails: Ch 30 (width of the caravan). Sc 1 row. Make 2 rails.
• Assembly: Glue posts onto the rails. Glue this fence inside the caravan to separate the plants from the storage area.

2. Zinc Watering Can

• Body: Grey. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc around. Sc 5 rounds.
• Spout: Ch 8. Sl st back to create a long tube. Sew low on the body.
• Handle: Ch 10 loop on the back.
• Rose: Tiny grey circle sewn to the spout tip.

3. Miniature Gloves

• Glove: Beige/Cream with Green cuff.

  Ch 4. Sc 3 rows (Hand). Ch 2 (Thumb).

  Cuff: Change to Green. Sc 2 rows across the wrist. Make 2.

4. Egg Basket

• Basket: Wood Brown. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc 3 rounds. Handle: Ch 8 arch.
• Eggs: White/Brown. Tiny French knots or beads glued inside.

Part 4: The Badger & Wagon

1. The Badger

Use 1.5mm Hook. Colors: Grey/Brown mix, Black, White.

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

  Stripes: Embroider two thick Black stripes from nose to ears.

  Nose: Black bead.

• Body: Grey/Brown mix. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc 8 rounds (Stout, heavy body). Dec to close.
• Legs: Black. Ch 4, Sc back. Make 4 short legs.
• Pose: Make the badger standing on hind legs (using wire inside) or looking up.

2. Potting Soil Wagon

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Cart Body: Wood Brown. Ch 10. Sc 10 rows.

  Sides: Sc around the rectangle, working BLO at corners to build walls.

• Wheels: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Make 4. Glue to sides.
• Handle: Grey wire wrapped in yarn.
• Soil: Dark Brown. Create a textured rectangle (Bobble stitch) to fit inside the wagon.

3. Wheels (Caravan)

Use 2.5mm Hook.

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the tall U-shell is stable. The wood paneling texture (BLO) should be on the outside bottom. Test the roof hinge.
2. The Garden Bed:
   • Secure the Hollyhock stems into the back of the caravan floor. They should reach near the roof.
   • Glue the Picket Fence in front of the stems.
3. Interior Decor:
   • Place the Zinc Watering Can and Egg Basket on the floor in front of the fence.
   • Leave the Gloves casually on the floor or fence.
4. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the Badger standing near the door, looking up at the hollyhocks.
   • Place the Wagon full of soil behind the badger.
   • Add a small hitch to the front of the caravan.

Congratulations! You have cultivated “The Hollyhock” Cottage Garden. This piece is a towering tribute to the beauty of the English countryside.