Welcome to the rugged beauty of the Highlands! The “Heather” Moorland Cottage is a tribute to the wild, windswept hills of Northern Europe, designed for the adventurous spirit. This caravan captures the moody, romantic palette of the moors with a two-tone exterior in deep “Aubergine” Purple and earthy “Moss” Green. It is the perfect retreat for a miniature hiker looking to escape the city.

The interior is a botanist’s dream, packed with pots and baskets of wild Heather. Unlike large showy blooms, these plants are recreated with hundreds of tiny knots and picots to mimic the dense, low-growing shrubbery of the hills in shades of purple, pink, and white. The living space is cluttered with essential hiking gear: a pair of muddy walking boots, a cozy tartan scarf, trekking poles leaning against the wall, and wicker baskets ready for foraging. Outside, a loyal jet-black Scottish Terrier stands guard among the gray rocks, waiting for the next walk. This project is rich in texture and atmosphere.

To ensure the caravan can withstand the rugged terrain (and gravity), we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is non-negotiable for the walls and floor. It creates the rigid, box-like structure required to support the heavy interior clutter and keeps the two-tone walls perfectly straight. We will alternate between a standard hook for the shell and a precision micro-hook for the tiny heather bells and accessories.

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 durability and definition).

  – Moss Green: Lower exterior walls, interior floor trim.

  – Dark Purple (Aubergine): Upper exterior walls, heather flowers.

  – Heather Pink & White: Heather flowers.

  – Earth Brown/Tan: Baskets, boots, interior floor.

  – Jet Black: Scottish Terrier.

  – Stone Grey: Exterior rocks, trekking pole tips.

  – Red & Green: Tartan scarf details.

  – Silver/Grey: Pole shafts.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the heather clusters, boots, scarf, and dog details.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (essential for trekking poles and plant stems), fabric glue, tapestry needle, pet slicker brush (for the dog’s beard).

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
• French Knot: Embroidery stitch used for tiny flower buds.
• Loop Stitch: Used for the dog’s fur texture.

Part 1: The Moorland Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm.

1. The Earth Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Earth Brown or Tweed yarn.

1. Row 1: Ch 28. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (27)
2. Row 2-42: Sc across. (Rectangle approx 4.5″ x 7″).
3. Fasten off Panel 1. Keep yarn attached to Panel 2.

Assembly: Cut plastic canvas to the exact size. Sandwich it between the two panels. Sc around the perimeter through both layers to seal.

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

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The color split is horizontal.

Panel A: Exterior (Green & Purple)

• Start with Moss Green.
• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-15 (Lower Section): Sc across in Green. This mimics the grassy base of the hills.
• Change to Dark Purple.
• Rows 16-35 (Upper Section): Sc across in Purple. This represents the blooming heather sky.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall sections, create rectangular windows within the Purple section.
• Fasten off.

Panel B: Interior (Cream or Light Grey)

• Use a neutral light color to help the dark accessories stand out. 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. Use Green for the bottom edge and Purple for the rest.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Green bottom, Purple top) to close the back.

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Part 2: The Heather Plants (Micro-Texture)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm Hook. Heather is not a single big flower; it is a cluster of tiny bells.

1. The Heather Sprigs

Make 30-40 sprigs in Purple, Pink, and White.

• Stem: Cut a 2-inch piece of thin green wire. Coat with glue and wrap with green thread.
• The Flowers (Technique):

  Method A (Knots): Thread a needle with Purple/Pink yarn. Make a series of bulky French Knots all along the top 1 inch of the stem.

  Method B (Crochet): Chain 10 using thread. *Sl st in next ch, Ch 2, Sl st in same ch (Picot)* repeat down the chain. Wrap this bumpy chain spirally around the wire stem.

• Foliage: Glue tiny snippets of green yarn at the base of the flower cluster to look like shrub leaves.

2. Wicker Baskets (Planters)

Use 2.5mm Hook and Tan/Beige yarn.

• Base: MR 6 sc, Inc to 18.
• Walls: BLO Sc 1 round. Work *FPsc, Sc* around for 5 rounds to create a woven wicker texture.
• Assembly: Insert a piece of styrofoam inside. Poke the Heather Sprigs densely into the foam. The basket should look overflowing.

Part 3: The Hiking Gear (Maximalism)

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm – 1.25mm.

1. Hiking Boots (Make 2)

• Sole: Black. Ch 4. Sc around to make an oval.
• Body: Brown. BLO Sc 2 rounds.

  Toe: Dec 3 times at the front.

• Ankle: Sc 2 rounds up the back half only.
• Laces: Use Black thread to stitch criss-cross laces on the front. Place them by the door.

2. Tartan Scarf

• Base: Red. Ch 40. Sc 4 rows. (Long red strip).
• Plaid Pattern: Use Green and Yellow thread. Surface slip stitch vertical and horizontal lines across the red base to create a tartan check.
• Fringe: Add tiny tassels to the ends. Drape over a basket or the floor.

3. Trekking Poles

• Shaft: Use a toothpick or stiff wire. Wrap tightly in Silver yarn.
• Handle: Wrap the top thickly with Black yarn. Add a tiny loop strap.
• Basket/Tip: A tiny black bead at the bottom. Lean them against the wall.

Part 4: Exterior & The Scottie Dog

1. The Scottish Terrier (Scottie)

Use 1.25mm Hook and Jet Black yarn. Silhouette is key.

• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 4 rounds. (Elongated snout).

  Beard: Work Loop Stitches under the chin. Cut and brush them out to make the classic Scottie beard.

• Ears: Ch 3 triangles. Sew them standing straight up.
• Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc 8 rounds. Dec to close. (Stout body).

  Skirt: Work Loop Stitches along the bottom sides of the body. Brush out to create the “skirt” of fur near the ground.

• Legs: Tiny stumps (Sc 4 rounds). Hidden by the fur skirt.
• Tail: Ch 5. Sc back. Stands straight up (carrot tail).
• Collar: Tiny red thread.

2. Moorland Rocks

Use 2.5mm Hook and Stone Grey.

• Rocks: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12… vary the increases to make irregular lumps. Sc a few rounds. Dec to close. Make 5-6 rocks of different sizes.

  Placement: Scatter them around the wheels and the front step to mimic the rugged landscape.

3. Wheels

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Green/Purple seam is straight. The walls must be rigid (sandwich method) to support the baskets leaning against them.
2. Interior Landscaping:
   • Place the large Wicker Baskets full of Heather in the corners.
   • Position the Hiking Boots near the entrance as if just removed.
   • Drape the Tartan Scarf over a basket or folded on the floor.
   • Lean the Trekking Poles against the back wall.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the Scottish Terrier guarding the front door.
   • Scatter the Grey Rocks around the base of the caravan.

Congratulations! You have built the “Heather” Moorland Cottage. This moody, atmospheric piece brings the spirit of the highlands to your home.