I went to grab a few things from the store today and saw all the Back-To-School stuff lining the aisles. What? Already? How? The Boy is entering Kindergarten this year, I am trying to decide how I feel about it. I am excited for him. I remember the first days of school, the anticipation and excitement. But I am not excited for me. No more snuggling on the couch in the mornings, or big, easy breakfasts. Sis, I think, will be rather lonely without him to play with, and I will decidedly get less work done. I originally posted one crochet cactus pillow on Darice’s blog (the saguaro one). I decided to add a pattern for the dark crochet cactus pillow as well, as I have a similar one growing happily in my office window! They make quite a cute set. 

 

 

 

These crochet cactus pillows work up pretty quick because they are made with chunky yarn. I do love a quick project! The pink flower is made of different chunky yarn that I had on hand, but it worked perfectly as a finishing touch. 

Crochet Cactus Pillows

What you need: (affiliate)
-5 Balls of Darice All Thing You Bulky(2 Spearmint, 3 Sweet Grass)
(+ Extra pink yarn)
– 9 mm hook

Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch

 

Get it on Ravelry
Get it on Etsy

 

Saguaro Crochet  Cactus Pillow:

(make 2)
Trunk:
Ch 30.
1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc 27. Sc 4 in last st. Working across opposite side of ch, sc 28. Turn. (60 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc 28. 2 sc in next 4 sts. Sc 28. Turn. (64 sts)
3. Ch 1 Sc 28. *Sc. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (68)
4. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 2. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (72)
5. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 3. 2 Sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (76)
6. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 4. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (80)
7. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 5. 2 Sc in next st* Work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (84)
8. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 6. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn (88)
9. Ch 1. Sc 28. *Sc 7. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 28. Turn. (92)
Tie off.

Arm:
Turn so the round end is to the left. Start 15 sts in from the flat end. Join yarn.
1. Ch 1. Sc 8. Turn. (8)
2. – 9. Ch 1. Sc 8. Turn. (8 sts)
10. Ch 1. Sc 6. Sc2tog. (7 sts) Turn.
11. Ch 1. S2tog. Sc 5. (6 sts).
12. Sc 2 more in last st. Turn 90 degrees counter-clockwise. You will be working across the side of the arm you just made to make the shape go upwards. Sc 6. Turn.

13. – 17. Ch 1. Sc 8. turn. (8 sts)
18. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc 4. Sc2tog. (6 sts)
19. Ch 1. Sc2tog. Sc 2. Sc2tog. (4 sts).
20. Ch 1. Sc2tog twice. Tie off.

Flip your piece and orient it so the arm is at the bottom and the round part is to the left. Join yarn 9 sts in from the flat side. Repeat arm instructions.

Optional: You can add some “spines” by trying bits of yarn on the front piece of the cactus. Be sure to do this before you sew the two pieces together. Cut several strips of Fleece-colored yarn. Pull one end through and tie a double knot (similar to tying a quilt). Once they are all tied, you can trim them down a bit. It looks a bit messy when they are long.

Short Crochet Cactus Pillow:

(Make 2)
Ch 20 
1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc 17. Sc 4 in last ch. Sc 18. (40 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc 18. 2 sc in next 4 sts. Sc 18. Turn. (44 sts)
3. Ch 1. Sc 18.  *Sc. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (48 sts)
4. Ch 1. Sc 18. *Sc 2. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (52 sts)
5. Ch 1. Sc 18. *Sc 3. 2 Sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (56 sts)
6. Ch 1. Sc 18. *Sc 4. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (60 sts)
7. Ch 1. Sc 18. *Sc 5. 2 Sc in next st* Work 4 times. Sc 18. (64 sts)
8. Ch 1. Sc 18. *Sc 6. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (68 sts)
9. Ch 1. Sc 18.  *Sc 7. 2 sc in next st* work 4 times. Sc 18. (72 sts)
10.  – 12. Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Turn. (72 sts)
Work 2 more sc in last st for 3 total (forming a corner). Sc across bottom of pieces. Tie off ONE. Leave the second attached. 
Line the two pieces up and beginning where you left off, sc all around the pieces, sewing them together. When you reach the bottom, pause and fill the pillow with Polyfil. Once it stuffed, finished sewing the pillow together with sc. Tie off.

Flower: 
Start with a magic ring. 
1. Ch 1. Sc 8 into ring. Join with a sl st. (8 sts)
2. Ch 1. 2 sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (16 sts)
3. *Ch 5. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next ch. Dc in next ch. Dc in last ch. Sk next st on circle, sc in next st.*work 8 times for 8 petals. Join at the base of the first petal.

Attached the flower using hot glue all around the edges of the middle circle. 

 

Enjoy your last few weeks of summer!

 

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