Welcome to the wildest, most vibrant stop on our miniature road trip! “The Tiger Lily” Spotted Van is a playful fusion of botanical beauty and animal instinct. Based on the stunning Tiger Lily flower, this caravan features a bold, bright orange exterior speckled with black dots, mimicking the petals of the bloom. The most striking architectural feature is the roof, which is designed with layered, curved panels that resemble inverted lily petals, crowning the vehicle in a floral embrace.

The interior is a maximalist explosion of orange and green. Tall ceramic vases are stuffed with realistic Tiger Lilies, their petals recurved to show off delicate stamens and fluttering anthers. The floor is dusted with “pollen” (brown French knots), and a botanical encyclopedia sits open on a table covered in a striped cloth. Long-handled pruning shears rest nearby, ready for gardening. Outside, the “Tiger” theme comes to life literally: a super cute, tiny Tiger Cub plays with a fallen lily on the grass, while a large potted specimen stands guard. This project is high-energy, colorful, and full of texture.

To ensure the bright orange walls stand vividly upright and can support the heavy, layered “petal” roof structure, we will strictly use the “3-Layer Sandwich Method” (Yarn – Plastic Canvas – Yarn). This technique is mandatory. It creates the rigid, box-like frame required for this detailed playset. We will alternate between a standard hook for the main shell and a precision micro-hook for the delicate flower stamens, the tiger cub, and the tiny 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 is best for the flower petals).

  – Bright Orange: Main exterior, roof petals, flowers, tiger cub.

  – Black: Spots, tires, tiger stripes.

  – Leaf Green: Flower stems and leaves.

  – Cream/Beige: Vases, book pages.

  – Pollen Brown: Anthers, scattered pollen detail.

  – Silver/Grey: Shears, wheel hubs.

  – Striped Palette: Scraps for the tablecloth.

• Hooks:

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

  – 1.0mm – 1.25mm (Steel Hook): CRITICAL for the lily flowers, tiger cub, shears, and book.

• Structure: 8-9 sheets of Plastic Canvas (7-mesh stiffness).
• Other: Fiberfill stuffing, craft wire (Orange or Green) for the flower petals and stems, fabric glue, tapestry needle.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• Ch: Chain
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• Tr: Treble 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.

Part 1: The Spotted Orange Structure (Sandwich Method)

Use Hook Size: 2.5mm.

1. The Base Floor

Make 2 identical panels using Brown or Beige yarn.

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 Orange Shell (U-Shaped)

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

Panel A: Exterior (Bright Orange)

• Row 1: Ch 95 (Length to cover Left + Roof + Right). Sc across.
• Rows 2-35: Sc across. Keep tension even.
• The Spots: Once the panel is complete, use Black yarn to embroider small, random French Knots or tiny “V” stitches all over the orange surface to mimic the speckled petals of a Tiger Lily.
• Window Cutouts: On the side wall (Left), cut a square window. The Right side is the open viewing area.

Panel B: Interior (Cream or Pale Orange)

• Use a lighter color to help the interior details 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 Orange.
• Shape: Bend into a U-shape arch. Sew the bottom edges to the Floor Base.
• Back Wall: Make a solid sandwich panel (Orange with spots) to close the back.

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3. The “Inverted Petal” Roof Overlay

This is the signature feature. Use 2.5mm Hook.

• Petal Panels (Make 4-5): Large, tear-drop shapes.

  Row 1: Ch 15.

  Row 2: Sc, Hdc, Dc, Tr… work towards the center, then taper back down to Sc. Work around the other side to form a wide leaf/petal shape.

  Row 3: Increase at the widest point to make it cup slightly.

  Decor: Embroider heavy Black spots on these petals.

• Assembly: Sew these petals onto the roof of the caravan, overlapping them slightly like a flower. The tips should curl upwards or overhang the edges.

Part 2: The Tiger Lilies (Micro-Crochet)

IMPORTANT: Switch to 1.0mm Hook. Realism is key here.

1. The Flower Head

• Petals (Make 6 per flower): Orange.

  Ch 8. Sl st, Sc, Hdc, Dc, Dc, Hdc, Sc. (Elongated oval).

  Wire: Crochet a very thin copper/orange wire into the edge of each petal. This is mandatory so you can bend the petal backwards (recurved) later.

  Spots: Use a black pen or fine thread to dot the inner part of the petal.

• Stamens: Cut 6 pieces of wire. Wrap with Green thread. Dip tips in Brown paint or glue on a tiny Brown knot (Anther).
• Assembly: Bundle the stamens. Arrange the 6 petals around them. Wrap the base in Green yarn to form the stem. Bend the petals completely back towards the stem.

2. Ceramic Vases

• Vase: Cream/Beige. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. BLO Sc 8 rounds (Tall cylinder).

  Rim: (Sc, Ch 1) around.

  Assembly: Fill with fiberfill/glue. Insert 3-4 Tiger Lilies. Place in the corners of the van.

Part 3: Maximalist Interior Details

Use Hook Size: 1.0mm.

1. Botanical Encyclopedia

• Cover: Dark Green. Ch 8. Sc 5 rows.
• Pages: White. Ch 6. Sc 5 rows. Fold.
• Detail: Embroider a tiny orange flower on the cover. Glue open on the table.

2. Pruning Shears

• Blades: Silver. Ch 4. Sl st back. Make 2.
• Handles: Red. Ch 5 loops attached to the blades. Join with a silver knot (screw).

3. Striped Tablecloth

• Table: Brown. Ch 12. Sc 6 rows. Legs: Ch 5 tubes.
• Cloth: White base. Work rows changing colors (Orange, Green, Yellow) to create stripes. Drape over the table.

4. Scattered Pollen

• Detail: Use Brown yarn to make loose French Knots. Glue them randomly on the table and floor under the vases to simulate dropped pollen.

Part 4: Exterior & The Tiger Cub

1. The Tiger Cub

Use 1.0mm Hook. Tiny and Amigurumi style.

• Head: Orange. MR 6 sc, Inc to 12. Sc 3 rounds.

  Ears: White/Orange. Tiny semi-circles.

  Face: White muzzle. Black nose. Embroider stripes on forehead.

• Body: Orange. MR 6 sc, Inc to 15. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 6.

  Stripes: Surface slip stitch Black lines across the back.

• Limbs: Orange. Ch 4 tubes. White paws.
• Tail: Orange. Ch 8. Sc back. Black tip.
• Pose: Sew in a playful crouching pose. Glue a single, loose Tiger Lily flower between its paws.

2. Large Potted Tiger Lily

Use 1.5mm Hook.

• Pot: Terracotta. MR 8 sc, Inc to 24. BLO Sc 6 rounds.
• Plant: Make a larger version of the interior flowers (longer stem, more leaves). Plant it firmly in the pot.

3. “Tiger Lily” Sign

• Plate: Beige. Ch 10. Sc 3 rows.
• Text: Embroider “Tiger Lily” in black. Glue to the side of the van near the wheel.

4. Wheels

Use 2.5mm Hook.

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

Final Assembly

1. Structural Check: Ensure the Orange shell is rigid (Sandwich Method). The Roof Petals should be arranged symmetrically and curl up slightly.
2. Interior Staging:
   • Secure the Tall Vases in the back corners.
   • Place the Table with the Encyclopedia and Shears.
   • Scatter the Brown Pollen knots on the floor.
3. Exterior Scene:
   • Position the Large Potted Plant near the door.
   • Place the Tiger Cub playing with the flower in the foreground.
   • Ensure the “Tiger Lily” sign is visible.

Congratulations! You have grown “The Tiger Lily” Spotted Van. This project is a roaring success, blending the wildness of nature with the coziness of home.