Welcome to the luckiest project you will ever crochet! The “Jade Plant” Money House is a caravan designed to bring prosperity, wealth, and good Feng Shui into your miniature world. Inspired by the succulent Crassula ovata (Jade Plant), which is often called the “Money Tree” due to its coin-shaped leaves, this vehicle is a symbol of good fortune. The exterior is a rich, luxurious Deep Jade Green, contrasting beautifully with its most unique feature: wheels shaped like giant solid Gold Coins.

The interior is a maximalist treasure trove, functioning as a shrine to wealth. The main focus is the botanical element: Potted Jade Plants with realistic woody brown stems and thick, glossy green leaves. Surrounding the plants are classic symbols of luck: a pink Piggy Bank, stacks of loose Gold Coins, traditional Red Envelopes (Ang Pao), and a cheerful Japanese Waving Lucky Cat (Maneki-neko). Outside, a wise Turtle with a jade-colored shell carries a gold coin on its back, slowly making its way past a small rockery. This project is not just a toy; it is a charm for abundance.

To support the weight of the “heavy” gold wheels and ensure the Jade Green walls stand tall and rigid like a safe, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is non-negotiable. It creates the sturdy, architectural box shape required for this design. We will alternate between a standard hook for the main shell and a precision micro-hook for the tiny coins and intricate charms.

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 glossy leaf and gold coin look).

  – Deep Jade Green: Main exterior walls, turtle shell.

  – Metallic Gold / Mustard Yellow: Wheels, loose coins, turtle accessory, cat charm.

  – Woody Brown: Plant stems, floor.

  – Leaf Green: Jade plant leaves (slightly lighter than the exterior).

  – Piggy Pink: Piggy bank.

  – Bright Red: Envelopes, cat collar.

  – White: Lucky Cat, interior walls.

  – Stone Grey: Rockery.

  – Black: Tires, eyes, details.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the gold coins, lucky cat, piggy bank, and leaves.

• Structure: 7-8 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (essential for the plant tree structure), fabric glue, tapestry needle, gold embroidery thread.

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
• Bobble: Used for the turtle’s feet.

Part 1: The Wealth Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm

1. The Earthy Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Dark Brown.

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 Jade Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall.

Panel A: Exterior (Deep Jade Green)

• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-35: Sc across. Ensure the tension is tight for a smooth, rich finish.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall (Left), cut a square window. The Right side is the open viewing stage.
• Decoration: Use Gold yarn to surface slip stitch a border around the window and the main opening for a gilded look.

Panel B: Interior (White or Pale Green)

• Use White to make the green plants 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 using Jade Green.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Jade exterior, White interior) to close the back.

3. The Gold Coin Wheels (Signature Feature)

Use 2.5mm Hook and Metallic Gold/Mustard. Make 2.

• Coin Face (Make 2 per wheel):

  Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.

  Rnd 2: Inc to 12.

  Rnd 3: *Sc, Inc* to 18.

  Rnd 4: *Sc 2, Inc* to 24.

  Rnd 5: *Sc 3, Inc* to 30.

  Detail: Embroider a square in the center (ancient Chinese coin style) or a “$” sign.

• Tire Tread: Black. Ch 6. Sc strip long enough to wrap around the coin.
• Assembly: Sandwich a circle of plastic canvas or cardboard between the two Gold faces. Sew the Black tread around the edge. Sew to the sides of the caravan.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 2: The Money Trees (Jade Plants)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm – 1.25mm Hook.

1. The Woody Stems

• Wire Core: Cut thick floral wire. Twist smaller wires off the main trunk to create branches.
• Bark: Coat the wire in glue and wrap tightly with Brown yarn. Make the trunk thick at the base and thinner at the tips.

2. The “Coin” Leaves

Jade leaves are thick and fleshy. Make 30+. Use Leaf Green.

• Pattern: Ch 5.

  Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch, Hdc, Dc, Hdc, 3 Sc in last ch (turn). Work down other side: Hdc, Dc, Hdc, Sc.

  Thickness: To make them look succulent, you can crochet two identical leaves and sew them together (or glue them back-to-back).

• Assembly: Glue the leaves onto the brown wire branches in pairs, opposing each other.
• Pots: Terracotta/Rust. MR 6 sc, Inc to 15. BLO Sc up. Fill with brown “soil” and insert the tree.

Part 3: Symbols of Wealth (Maximalism)

Use 1.0mm Hook.

1. The Piggy Bank

• Body: Pink. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, Inc to 18. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 12. Stuff. Dec to 6. (Plump oval).
• Snout: Pink. MR 4 sc. BLO Sc 1 round. Sew to front. Embroider nostrils.
• Ears: Ch 3 triangles.
• Feet: 4 tiny beads or knots.
• Coin Slot: Embroider a gold line on the back.

2. The Lucky Cat (Maneki-neko)

• Body: White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6.
• Head: White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Sew to body.
• Arm: White. One arm is raised (Ch 4, sew upright). Other arm holds a gold coin (Yellow French knot).
• Details: Red collar, Green bib, Black eyes/whiskers.

3. Gold Coins & Red Envelopes

• Coins: Gold. MR 6 sc. Sl st to join. Make 15-20. Scatter them everywhere.
• Envelopes: Red. Ch 4. Sc 3 rows. Fold. Embroider a gold line. Make 5.

Part 4: Exterior & The Wealth Turtle

1. The “Feng Shui” Turtle

Use 1.25mm Hook.

• Shell Top: Jade Green. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, *Sc, Inc* to 18. Sc 2 rounds.
• Shell Bottom: Beige/Yellow. Flat circle (18 sts). Sandwich stuffing between top and bottom.
• Head: Green. MR 6 sc. Sc 3 rounds. Sew to front.
• Legs: Green. Ch 3 Bobbles. Sew 4 legs.
• The Cargo: Glue a large Gold Coin (MR 6, Inc to 12) flat onto the top of the turtle’s shell.
• Placement: Position the turtle walking towards the caravan entrance (bringing luck in).

2. Small Rockery

Use 2.5mm Hook and Stone Grey.

• Rocks: MR 6 sc… increase randomly. Make 3 stones. Glue them in a cluster near the wheels.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Jade Green shell is rigid. The “Sandwich Method” is vital. Check that the Gold Coin wheels are securely attached and visible.
2. Interior Staging:
   • Glue the potted Jade Plants in the corners (Tallest in back).
   • Place the Lucky Cat facing the open side (greeting wealth).
   • Position the Piggy Bank centrally.
   • Scatter the Gold Coins and Red Envelopes on the floor and even overflowing from pots.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Place the Turtle with the coin on its back near the entrance.
   • Arrange the Rockery to frame the scene.

Congratulations! You have built the “Jade Plant” Money House. May this crochet creation bring you joy, creativity, and a touch of good fortune!