Celebrate the golden season of autumn with “The Corn Harvest Wagon,” a texture-rich project that pays homage to the abundance of the fields. This caravan is not just painted to look like corn; it is structurally crocheted to mimic the tactile experience of a maize cob. The exterior uses the dimensional Popcorn Stitch to create rows of plump, Turmeric Yellow kernels, nestled within a base of protective Green husks. It is a sensory delight that looks good enough to roast.

The interior is a rustic barn scene dedicated to the harvest. Inside, you will find tall corn stalks growing right out of the floor, reaching for the ceiling. The pantry is stocked with shelled cobs showing off their golden seeds and brown silk, a bowl of fluffy white popcorn for snacking, and a block of farm-fresh yellow butter. Tiny “Corn Husk” dolls made of beige yarn sit on the benches, adding a touch of folklore. Outside, a curious Crow wearing a cozy scarf perches on a bright orange pumpkin, while a miniature Scarecrow stands guard. This project is a masterpiece of texture and fall colors.

Because the Popcorn Stitch is heavy and consumes a lot of yarn, the walls can become heavy and floppy. To ensure the wagon maintains its boxy shape and the walls stand straight up, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is mandatory for this pattern. It creates the rigid, architectural frame needed to support the textured exterior. We will alternate between a standard hook for the shell and a precision micro-hook for the tiny kernels, the crow, and the scarecrow details.

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 slight sheen of corn).

  – Turmeric Yellow / Goldenrod: Main exterior kernels, butter, corn cobs.

  – Husk Green: Lower exterior walls, stalks, leaves.

  – Beige/Cornsilk: Interior walls, corn husk dolls, sack.

  – Dark Brown: Corn silk, crow’s eyes, interior floor.

  – Black: Crow, tires.

  – Pumpkin Orange: Pumpkin.

  – White: Popcorn bowl contents.

  – Scarecrow Colors: Denim blue, straw yellow, plaid scrap.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the crow, scarecrow, individual popcorn kernels, and husk dolls.

• Structure: 8-9 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (essential for the corn stalks and scarecrow spine), 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
• Popcorn St: Work 5 Dc in the same stitch. Drop the loop from the hook. Insert hook into the top of the first Dc made. Pick up the dropped loop and pull it through. (Creates a large bump).

Part 1: The Corn Cob Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm. This is the most important part for the look.

1. The Barn Floor Base

Make 2 identical panels using Dark Brown.

1. Row 1: Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (29)
2. Row 2-45: 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 Textured Shell (U-Shaped)

This forms the Left Wall, Roof, and Right Wall. The texture changes from husk to kernel.

Panel A: Exterior (The Corn Texture)

• Start with Husk Green.
• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-10 (The Husk Base): Work in Sc. You can work in BLO to create vertical ridges mimicking the veins of the husk.
• Change to Turmeric Yellow.
• Rows 11-35 (The Kernels): We now start the texture.

  Row 11 (RS): Sc across.

  Row 12 (WS): *Sc 1, Popcorn St, Sc 1* repeat across.

  Row 13: Sc across (securing the tops of the popcorns).

  Row 14: *Popcorn St, Sc 1, Popcorn St* (Offset the kernels so they nestle like real corn).

  Repeat this pattern until you reach the other side’s green section.

• Change to Husk Green.
• Rows 36-45: Sc in Green (Husk on the other side).
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall (Left), chain and skip stitches to create a square window frame amidst the popcorns.

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Panel B: Interior (Beige)

• Use plain Beige yarn (Standard Sc) to keep the interior neutral and smooth. 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 Green for the bottom and Yellow for the top edges.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel using the same Kernel pattern to close the back.

Part 2: The Harvest Interior

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm – 1.25mm Hook.

1. Corn Stalks (Vertical Garden)

• Core: Cut a 5-inch piece of wire. Wrap heavily with Green yarn to thicken it.
• Leaves: Green. Ch 15.

  Row 1: Sc, Hdc, Dc across middle, Hdc, Sc.

  Row 2: Sc around to smooth the edge. Make 6-8 long leaves.

• Assembly: Glue leaves to the wire stem, curving them outwards. “Plant” these stalks in the back corners of the wagon.
• Silk: Glue tiny tufts of Brown thread at the top of the stalk.

2. Shelled Corn Cobs

• Cob: Turmeric Yellow. MR 5 sc.

  Rnd 2-10: *Popcorn St, Sc* around. Keep it tight. (Small bumpy cylinder).

• Husk: Green. Ch 6, leaf shape. Sew 3 leaves to the base, peeling back.
• Silk: Glue brown thread to the tip. Make 3-4 cobs.

3. Corn Husk Dolls

Traditional style made from Beige yarn.

• Head: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff.
• Body/Dress: Ch 15. Sc back. Make 10-12 strips.

  Bundle the strips and tie them tightly around the “neck” of the head.

  Tie again at the “waist”. Flare out the bottom strips to make a skirt.

• Arms: A braided piece of beige yarn inserted through the body. Place them sitting on a bench.

4. Harvest Food

• Popcorn Bowl: Blue/White. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Cup shape.

  Popcorn: White. Make many tiny French Knots or *Ch 2, Sl st* crumbs. Fill the bowl.

• Sliced Butter: Yellow. Ch 5. Sc 4 rows. Make a small rectangular prism. Place on a tiny plate.
• Seed Sack: Burlap Color. MR 6 sc, Inc to 18. Sc up for 1 inch. Tie with string. Embroider “SEEDS” in black.

Part 3: Exterior & Characters

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm – 1.5mm.

1. The Pumpkin & Crow

• Pumpkin: Orange. Ch 15.

  Row 1-20: Hdc in BLO (creates ribs).

  Sew sides together to make a tube. Cinch top and bottom holes tight. Stuff.

  Stem: Green. Ch 4 tube.

• The Crow: Black.

  Body: MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6.

  Head: MR 6 sc. Sew to body.

  Beak: Grey. Ch 2, Sc. Tiny cone.

  Scarf: Tiny strip of striped yarn. Wrap around neck.

  Pose: Sew the crow standing on top of the pumpkin.

2. Tiny Scarecrow

• Body: Denim Blue. Ch 4 legs (make 2). Join. Sc up for body.
• Arms: Wood Brown (stick) or Blue yarn. Stick out straight.
• Head: Beige sack shape. Embroider stitched mouth and eyes.
• Hat: Brown pointed hat.

  Straw: Tie yellow yarn scraps at the cuffs and ankles to look like stuffing coming out.

3. Wheels

Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Tire: Black. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12, (1, Inc) to 18. Sc 2 rounds.
• Hubcap: Yellow (like a corn slice). MR 6 sc.
• Sew to sides in the Green husk section.

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Popcorn Stitch wall is standing straight. The sandwich method is vital here. The kernels should be popping out.
2. Interior Staging:
   • Secure the tall Corn Stalks in the corner.
   • Place the Burlap Seed Sack and the Shelled Cobs on the floor.
   • Position the Corn Husk Dolls on a bench or the floor.
   • Set the Popcorn Bowl and Butter on a crate or table.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Place the Pumpkin with the Crow near the open side, “peeking” in.
   • Stand the Scarecrow near the front hitch.

Congratulations! You have harvested the “Corn” Harvest Wagon. This project is a textural masterpiece that celebrates the golden warmth of autumn.