Crochet Cactus

I am so excited to share with you this fun project! I love quirky things. I also kill plants regularly. I have a black thumb. I even managed to kill the three beautiful succulents I got as a wedding favor with a tag that read "Let Love Grow"... I let love die.

Here we are at the solution to my problem. Crochet cactus'! Why not right? Below you will find the pattern for these two cacti and I am working on a couple more varieties as we speak!

Supplies:
G hook
Worsted weight yarn
Tapestry needle
Stuffing
Small terracotta pots
Hot Glue

Terms:
Ch- chain
Sc- single crochet
Dc- double crochet
BLO- back loop only
Ss- slip stitch

Tall Cactus:

Chain 27
R1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sc across. Ch 1 and turn (26)
R2-28: Sc across in BLO, chaining 1 and turning at the end of each row.
Fold in half and SS the long side together.
Using your tapestry needle, run some yarn around one open end. Pull tight like a drawstring. Tie a couple knots to secure.
Turn right side out and stuff till mostly firm.
Drawstring the other end closed.

Arm:
R1: Sc 10 into magic circle. Ss to first sc. Ch 1
R2-9: Sc around
R10-15: Sc 5, ss 5. It will get thick where the ss are, that's the way you want it.
R16-17: Once you have a right angle, continue with only sc. Tie off and use tail to attach to cactus with needle.

Cactus needles:
Using a tapestry needle and white yarn, locate the "ribs" going up the sides of the cactus. Whip stitch around them all the way to the top then back down another "rib". Make sure they are evenly spaced.
Tie off as base of cactus.

Flower:
Ch 4 and ss closed to form a circle.
*Ch 2, 2 dc into circle, ch 2*
Repeat * for 4 or 5 petals. Tie off and use tail to attach to top of cactus.

Short Cactus:

Chain 17.
R1: Dc in 2nd ch from hook. Dc across. Ch 2 and turn.
R2-13: Dc across in BLO.
Fold in half and ss long side together.
Drawstring close one end like you did before. Turn right side out.
Stuff then close the other end.

Flower outer:
R1: Sc 12 into magic circle. Pull tight.
R2: *Ch 11 and ss in next stitch*. Repeat * for 12 petals.
Tie off.

Flower Inner:
R1: Sc 6 into magic circle. Pull tight.
R2: *Ch 8 and ss in next*. Repeat * for 6 petals.
Tie off. Stitch both flower pieces to top of cactus.

Attaching cactus into pot using hot glue.

*This is a free pattern. Please do not repost or distribute pattern in whole or part. You may sell what you make from this pattern! By using my pattern and selling your items, you are also agreeing that you will give credit by adding a link to my original blog post in each individual listing, or on your tags. Please DO NOT use my photos to sell your items! Thank you!

To my fellow lazy bloggers...

Today I put the girls down for a nap (and they went to sleep right away, for once!) and got on the computer to post a crochet pattern to my blog. I found myself an hour later accomplishing nothing but staring at the screen at Pinterest post after Pinterest post on how to better my blog... make it more profitable... make it look professional.... how to master SEO... I ended up with a headache. Too long have I put time into making this blog awesome.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE blogging. In fact, I love it so much that I dream about fun projects just to share with you, my dear readers. But I have to put the mouse down and remind myself that I cant be perfect (ouch). This is reality, I have two children... two TWO YEAR OLDS. You know, the kind that poop on my ottoman and wipe boogers on my couch, and that is just today. They wont nap everyday no matter how much I try. And when they do I am afraid they will hear me and come knocking on my office door. Oh yes and I forgot to mention. I have this thing called a house. A house that seemingly is always dirty.

I just don't have time to invest my life into being an awesome blogger/computer genius. Now don't get me wrong, I seriously applaud those of you who have awesome blogs. Those of you who do creative things that inspire others. All while making that six figure income. I don't know how you do it. You are the ones I have looked up to to get my blog where I thought it should be.

I receive 60,000+ views a month. That's a whole hell of a lot! And I am so thankful! I love knowing that my fun projects catch your eye and inspire you. Having a famous blog wasn't my original intent. I started this merely to document my pregnancy and post pics of the girls to show family. But it grew into something beautiful!

I would love to make money from my passion. How amazing would it be to be able to assist my family in paying off debt (thanks school loans)? And maybe soon I will, with the launch of my totally awesome pattern line.

You may not know this, but I have my bachelors degree in Fashion Design. I love to sew. But the thing is, I love to sew for my girls. To make something sweet and original. But I simply can not seem to find the time to finish much of anything. You also may not know that I love the Lord. He knows the desires of my heart, and if he wants this blog to become something even more amazing, it will. Until then, I need to spend more time pouring love and creativity into my two amazing children who, after all, are my biggest fans. I vow, here and now, to stop the madness.

 So here we are, fellow lazy bloggers. I applaud you too. You took an idea or dream and turned it into a great outlet for yourself. Does it fill you up? My blog sure does. Even without perfection. You are doing awesome!

Marigold Top PREVIEW

Hello all! These last couple weeks have been a whirlwind! Finally I have some down time and am able to finish up some projects that I left hanging.

Isn't this little outfit the cutest? I wanted to make something super adorable yet modest and easy to play in. I have graded the pattern to fit sizes 0-5T. Now all I have to do it get my brother over here to install my Adobe Photoshop and I can digitize it for you! I hope to have that done by next week.

As a bonus, and because I love you dear readers so much, I will offer the smallest size free so you can try it out!

The bubble shorts pictured will also be available for free download and contain sizes 0-5T!

Come back soon to check it out!

Rhianna