The crochet pattern for the crochet cactus scrubby is very simple and easy to make. You will love having a darling cactus by your sink. It would make a lovely housewarming or Mother’s Day gift, or for you to keep for yourself. Enjoy this free crochet pattern! This post includes affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Over the past few years I have fallen in love with cactuses. Yes, they have been very trendy as of late, but that’s not why I love them so much. If you have followed me on Facebook, you may have seen me mention that I am terrible with plants.
Just. Terrible. Beyond terrible actually.
I’ve actually killed spider plants and succulents, the two easiest plants to care for!
When I bought myself a couple cactuses a few years ago, I didn’t have high hopes. I thought I would give plants one more try, even a spiky, albeit un-huggable one.
And something magical happened. THEY LIVED. They lived for years and years and I found my calling in the botany world. I may not ever be the caretaker to an orchid or a fiddle leaf fig, but I can have cactuses. So I am leaning into it…hard.
Do you spy a little critter? This is a bit of a strange fact about me: as a child, my grandma had a terrarium in her front room and for some reason I loved that she had put little stone creatures throughout it. I especially loved the little frog that was almost complete hidden in the corner. So now I put small little lizards or frogs in all my pots. It’s a small (admittedly weird) thing that bring me joy.
In case you are wondering, they are just plastic dollar store critters that I spray-painted with stone-colored paint.
(Fake succulents FYI. )
My crown jewel is my beautiful air plant! It’s very large, about 6″ from tip to tip. Yes, the ends are a bit crispy but it has been alive for over 3 years in my care, so I would consider it thriving.
I have themed my entry room “desert chic” and I hope to share it with you soon. I have some finishing touches to add, like some crochet tasseled wall hangings and I would like to design a couple crochet southwestern throw pillows. When it’s done I will share the room tour with you.
For now, you can add a bit of desert chic to your kitchen with these crochet cactus scrubbies! I really wanted something that was 3-dimensional, so these scrubbies are lightly stuffed with tulle, which is perfect because it doesn’t hold water and drains very quickly.
CROCHET CACTUS SCRUBBY – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
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What you need: (affiliate links)
– 5 mm Hook
– Red Heart Scrubby Cotton (redheart.com) (amazon)
– 1/4 yard mesh/tulle fabric
– Darning Needle
– 3.5″ terra cotta pot
– Small bit of extra green cotton yarn
– Small bit of pink or red cotton yarn
Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
BLO – Back Loops Only
Gauge: not important
Ch 26
1. Hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Hdc in each ch across. Turn. (25 its)
2. – 18. Ch 1. Hdc in same st. Working in BLO, Hdc in each remaining stitch, leaving last stitch unworked. Work a hdc in last st working through both loops. Turn.
Your piece should be approx. 10″ wide and 7″ tall. You can customize this size to fit the pot you would like to use though!
CROCHET CACTUS SCRUBBY CONSTRUCTION:
Fold your piece in half, with ribbing going vertical. Sl st the long edge, forming a tube.
Leave your piece with the seam on the outside. Using cotton yarn and a darning needle, sew a loose running stitch around one end of the tube. Pull the ends tight, cinching the ends closed.
Turn your piece inside-out. Cut your tulle into 2″ – 3″ strips (does not need to be precise or exact). Stuff the cactus with the tulle. Don’t over stuff, but stuff it until it holds its shape.
Once the cactus is stuffed, sew a loose running stitch around the opening with the same yarn. Cinch shut and tie a firm, small knot (this end will be the bottom).
Flower:
Using pink or red cotton yarn:
Begin with a magic ring
Ch 2.
*Dc into ring. Ch 3. Sl st into first ch* repeat 6. Join with first dc. Tie off.
Attach the flower to the top of the cactus with hot glue (make sure you put glue as far to the edge of the flower as possible).
The crochet cactus scrubby sits comfortably in your 3 1/2″ terra cotta pot by your sink.
It may be snowing outside right now, but my mind is on glorious crochet spring projects, how about you?
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I had trouble seeing the back loop if the stitch so crochet a strand of green cotton doily thread with the scrubby yarn and it made it extremely easy to see the stitch and to puck up the back loop only. You only catch glimpses of the thin strand it blends in so well when finished.
This is a great idea!!
This is so cute! I am gonna give it a try after my loveys I have to make for baby sowers LOL
Thank you Cathy! I have a few of those I am making too :D
Thank you for your answer have a great night
I have a problem making the souls for sandals and other shoes they never come out the right size or length I don’t know what I’m doing wrong I don’t know if you can help me thank you
Are you making a gauge swatch before you begin?
How many cacti can you get out of one ball of scrubby?
You can get 2 for sure, possibly 3 and maybe even 4.
What color of the scrubby cotton did you use? I don’t see it on Red Heart or Amazon. Thank you, these are adorable. I would love to make a few as gifts. You are very creative.
Thank you Julie! It’s called “Jade”. It looks a bit darker on the website.
Thank you. I gave one to my aunt and one to a friend as hostess gifts, and they were very well received! They loved them! Your pattern was easy to follow. I used “Green Tea” instead of “Jade” because that’s what I found in the store, and it looked fantastic. Thanks again!
That is perfect! You are very welcome. Thank you for your kind words :)
I have friends that have “critters” in their plants- the grandkids love to see where they are hiding when they go to visit- they move them around so the kids look forward to seeing who’s where- like the tulle idea- plan to make some👍🌵
This is so sweet! I don’t remember if my grandma moved it or if I just thought it might be in a different place, haha! I love that idea, so magical :D
Beth..I just wanted to say how beautiful your sister’s babies are! I’m so excited for her, and I don’t even know her. This June, it will be 30 years since I had my twins..(boy and girl) and it was and still is the best thing that could ever of happened to me in my lifetime (I’m 60 now..🙄) I also went through the infertility thing and after several failures, I gave up. So discouraged and heartbroken. The moment I stopped the shots, I became pregnant..lol..AND with twins. I didn’t have kids before them, and I never tried again after. I was quite happy with my little family. I had them a week early and just to be different, I had the first one naturally, and the second one by c-section (1hour apart). So, I always thought they were special right from day one..lol..Anyways..congrats to your sister! (Gee..I’m almost getting teary eyed writing this..lol…)
Oh wow! That is amazing :) You experienced it all at one time! That is so special, how wonderful. Than you for sharing with me <3
I can relate. The only plant I didn’t kill was a Jade plant–another succulent! I had it for several years, but it was damaged in a move and I couldn’t revive it. It’s a miracle that my son made it to adulthood! Your cactus scrubby as really cute–love the idea of using tulle for stuffing.
Hahaha! I will have to try a jade! I am on the lookout for other “hardy” plants. Good thing children are quite hardy, lol!
This is my kind of cactus. It’s not only adorable but they serve a purpose….. double duty. 😀
looks so lifelike,, and your real ones are great. thanks for the pattern
regards Julia
These are so very cute! I’m in the process of remodeling the bathroom. The design is black, grey and white but I’ve been thinking of crocheting cacati as little spots of colour. These are perfect for a bathroom. Now if I can only find the scrubby yarn in New Zealand!
Oh that would be darling! Darn, I hope you can find it.
How cute. Stuffing with tulle is a great idea. Love your real cactus.
Thank you!
Oh my word these are so darn cute! As Tracy suggested, such awesome gifts! Back to Michaels I go!
Thank you Beth for all your great patterns. I made 2 sets of the plaid booties & 1 Trapper hat as baby gifts, they were a hit! You have great talent.
Thank you Jayne! You are so welcome!
I love these! Great job!
Thank you!
Such a cute idea! Never had much thought about making a scrubbier but this is too cute to pass up!!
I agree with you, I have never made one either, haha! I hope you like this one!
SO clever to be “stuffed”! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Cat!
I love these they are adorable. I can’t wait to make some for my son who lives in Arizona. I’ll need one here in Iowa, to pretend it’s nice outside 😅.
Love this pattern! What colour did you use? I live in Canada & sometimes the colours just aren’t available here but I’m not averse to ordering online! Thanks!
Thanks Val! I used “Jade”. It looks a bit darker online.
Aww..so unique! You don’t really use them as a kitchen scrubby, do you? I think they are too pretty to use!
Yes I do, haha! But it could be decorative ;)
Very cool. I think I will make a few as gifts. They will look so cute next to the sink in their little pots!! Thank you :)
I love your cactus scrubbies so cool. I also like your cactus houseplants too. I collect succulent houseplants. I also have an air plant. Keep up the good work!!!! Really cute pattern🙂
Thank you! I hope to be able to keep a succulent alive some day. More reading and research and maybe I will try this summer!