4 Crochet Cactus Patterns for Mini Terracotta Pots

These four crochet cactus patterns make a miniature desert collection: a branching desert cactus, a tall ribbed cactus, a round barrel cactus and a prickly pear. Each sits on the same stuffed soil insert inside a small terracotta pot. The ribbed versions are worked as flat panels, while the branching shapes are crocheted in rounds.

Materials for the Four Crochet Cactus Patterns

• For each cactus, approximately 20 g brown DK yarn for the soil and 20 g green DK yarn for the plant, following the source materials list.
• Small amounts of pink, white or yellow DK yarn for optional flowers.
• A 3.5 mm hook, stitch marker, sewing needle, scissors and toy stuffing.
• A miniature terracotta pot; the source lists 6 cm × 6.8 cm × 4 cm.
• Optional folded pipe cleaners for supporting the desert cactus arms or prickly pear sections.

Stitches and Pattern Notes

US terms are used here. Ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, tr = treble crochet, MR = magic ring, inc = 2 stitches in one stitch, and dec = a decrease across two stitches. BLO means back loop only and FLO front loop only. Use invisible decreases through front loops. For the ribbed panels, ch 1 to turn does not replace a stitch: keep 23 sc for the tall version and 15 sc for the barrel version. The panel widths below are measured lengths, not fixed row counts.

Shared Stuffed Soil Insert

Make one in brown for each pot. Check the fit after the increasing rounds. The soil should sit just inside the opening; the source allows extra increases or extra height for a larger pot.

Round / step	Instructions	Count
1	6 sc in MR.	6
2	Inc around.	12
3	(sc, inc) 6 times.	18
4	Sc, (inc, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc.	24
5	(3 sc, inc) 6 times.	30
6	2 sc, (inc, 4 sc) to the final 2 stitches, 2 sc.	36
7-15	Sc around, checking the pot fit. Add stuffing as the opening narrows.	36
16	2 sc, (dec, 4 sc) to the final 2 stitches, 2 sc.	30
17	(3 sc, dec) 6 times.	24
18	Sc, (dec, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc.	18
19	(sc, dec) 6 times.	12
20	Dec 6 times. Fasten off and close.	6

1. Branching Desert Cactus

Main body

Round / step	Instructions	Count
1	Green, 6 sc in MR.	6
2	Inc around.	12
3	(sc, inc) 6 times.	18
4	Sc, (inc, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc.	24
5-19	Sc around for fifteen rounds.	24
20	Sc, (dec, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc. Leave a sewing tail and stuff firmly.	18

Two arms

For each arm, make 6 sc in MR, inc around (12), then work Rounds 3-8 with 12 sc each. For the final partial row, turn without chaining and work 8 sc. Fasten off with a long tail and stuff lightly. A folded pipe cleaner inside is optional.

Sew the body onto the soil around soil Round 3. Pin the arms on opposite sides, roughly six body rounds above the bottom. Keep the partial eighth-stitch edge facing downward so the arms curve upward. Sew firmly before bending any internal support.

2. Tall Ribbed Cactus

1. Ch 24. From the second chain, work 23 sc; ch 1 and turn.
2. Work 23 sc in BLO on every following row, ch 1 and turn. Continue until the panel measures 11 cm across the worked rows.
3. Gather one row-end edge closed with yarn. Join the foundation edge to the final row through the foundation and the back loops of the last row.
4. Stuff firmly, gather the other row-end edge closed, then sew onto the soil.

Optional tall-cactus flower: make 6 sc in MR for the center. Join a contrasting petal color. In each center stitch work sl st, ch 2, 2 tr and dc. Join to the first stitch, fasten off and sew to the top. The source calls the second shade Yarn D without listing it; use your chosen contrasting flower shade.

3. Round Barrel Cactus

Ch 16. Work 15 sc from the second chain; ch 1 and turn. Repeat rows of 15 sc in BLO until the panel measures 14 cm across the rows. Leave a long tail. Gather a row-end edge, join the foundation to the final row, stuff and gather the opposite edge. Sew the finished shape onto its soil insert.

The source also gives an hdc variation: replace the panel sc with hdc and otherwise follow the same measured-panel construction. For three small flowers, make 6 sc in MR, then in each center stitch work sl st, ch 2, tr and dc. For one large flower, use sl st, ch 2, dc, tr and 2 dc in each center stitch. Fasten off with sewing tails and arrange the flowers on top.

4. Prickly Pear Cactus

Part A: main pad

Round / step	Instructions	Count
1	6 sc in MR.	6
2	Inc around.	12
3	(sc, inc) 6 times.	18
4	Sc, (inc, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc.	24
5-10	Sc around.	24
11	Sc, (dec, 2 sc) to the final stitch, sc.	18
12	Sc around.	18
13	(sc, dec) 6 times.	12
14-15	Sc around. Fasten off with a sewing tail; stuff gently.	12

Parts B and C

For Part B: 6 sc in MR, inc around (12), then (sc, inc) 6 times (18). Work Rounds 4-7 with 18 sc. Round 8 is (sc, dec) 6 times (12), followed by Rounds 9-10 with 12 sc. Fasten off and stuff gently.

For Part C: 6 sc in MR, inc around (12), Rounds 3-5 with 12 sc, then 6 dec (6) and one round of 6 sc. Fasten off. The source allows a folded pipe cleaner laid flat inside a pad for extra support.

Make two yellow flowers: 6 sc in MR; work a petal of ch 1, dc and sc in each center stitch, using slip stitches to move between the stitches. Fasten off with sewing tails. Sew Part A to the soil, Part B at an angle near its top and Part C to the soil in front. Sew a flower to the end of Part B and place the other as desired.

Check the Collection Before Displaying

The soil should sit inside the rim without bulging. Test the balance before tightening the last attachment stitches, especially for the tall cactus and the angled prickly pear. Keep the stuffing even and use the reference photos to compare the four silhouettes. No fixed finished cactus heights are stated in the source, so avoid treating the panel widths as finished plant heights.

More Crochet Projects

For another project, try our crochet bluebell flowers or explore a wired crochet lily with buds.

Pattern and Photo Credits

The supplied Cactus bundle: Desert Crochet Cactus, Tall Crochet Cactus, Round Barrel Crochet Cactus and Prickly Pear Crochet Cactus. The designer is not identified in the supplied file. This is an editorial adaptation of the supplied pattern, with the original designer credited. Reference photographs show the source project.