Cactus Applique

By Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!"

Ideas on how to use this appliques...
*These would be great to apply to any project.
*You can add them to beach towels,
*turn them into a keychain or fridge magnet.
*You can also make several and make a garland.
*Attach a ribbon to make them into bookmarks.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
approx. size: 3"height x 3"length
...but can vary based on yarn and hook size.

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 3.5mm (E)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: Green of your choice (5yds) & color of choice for the pot (4yds)
*Tapestry Needle
*Embroidery Floss: color of choice

PATTERN NOTES - must read...
 Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round/row indicate the total number of stitches.
 Always use stitch markers to mark your rounds.
 There's no need to sl st and/or ch when going to the next round unless stated to do so.
 Always do the 1st stitch where you slip stitch from the previous round.
 The chain, in the beginning, does NOT count as one stitch unless stated otherwise.
 You slip stitch on the first sc, not on top of the chain 1.

SPECIAL STITCHES
 Half Triple Crochet (htr) - Y/O hook twice, insert hook into stitch & pull up a loop (4 loops remaining), Y/O hook & pull thru 2 loops (3 loops remaining), Y/O hook & pull thru the 3 remaining loops.
 Triple Crochet (tr) - Y/O hook twice, insert hook into stitch & pull up a loop (4 loops remaining), Y/O hook & pull thru 2 loops (3 loops remaining), Y/O hook & pull thru 2 loops (2 loops remaining, Y/O hook & pull thru the 2 remaining loops.
 Other side of the foundation chains - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.
 Invisible join - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.

** Cactus Idea #1 **

BIGGER BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, 5htr in next ch other side of the foundation chains dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next 2 chs (15)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

MEDIUM BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, 4dc in next ch other side of the foundation chains hdc in next ch, sc in next 2 chs (10)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

Note: when you see a + sign it means all those stitches are supposed to be done in that one particular stitch.
SMALL BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc+hdc+sc in next ch other side of the foundation chains sl st in next 2 chs (7) 
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

POT with color of your choice
  Row 1: ch6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch1, turn (5)
  Row 2: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (5)
  Row 3: sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog, ch1, turn (3)
  Row 4: sc in next st, sc2tog, turn (2)
  Row 5: sl st in each st around the entire pot, join to 1st st with the invisible join
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.


ASSEMBLE
     I recommend pinning the pieces in place before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people like to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I personally like to use matching thread).
     BRANCHES...sew the branches in the position you like best or like shown in the picture.
     CACTUS to POT...sew the cactus to the pot.
     FLOWERS...these can be done however you like and in the position, you like best. I use pink embroidery floss and a 3.5mm (E) hook by attaching the embroidery floss to the back loops.
*ch5, sl st in same st you attach, ch5, sl st in same st, ch5, sl st in same st*
Follow these steps on the other 2 branches.
     POT...using any color of embroidery floss, embroider a zigzag design across the middle of the pot or any design you like the possibilities are endless.

** Cactus Idea #2 **

BIGGER BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch8, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, htr in next 2 chs, 6tr in next ch, other side of the foundation chains htr in next 2 chs, dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next 2 chs (18)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

RIGHT BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 3sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, 4dc in next ch, other side of the foundation chains hdc in next ch, sl st in next 2 sts (12)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

Note: when you see a + sign it means all those stitches are supposed to be done in that one particular stitch.
LEFT BRANCH with the green of your choice
  Rnd 1: ch4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc+hdc+hdc+sc in next ch other side of the foundation chains 3sc in next ch, sl st in next ch (10)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

POT with any color of choice
  Row 1: ch9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch1, turn (8)
  Row 2: sk 1st st, sl st in next st, sc in next 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch1, turn (6)
  Row 3: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (6)
  Row 4: sc in each st across, turn (6)
  Row 5: sl st in each st around the entire the pot, join to 1st st with the invisible join
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.


ASSEMBLE
     I recommend pinning the pieces in place before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people like to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I personally like to use matching thread).
     BRANCHES...sew the branches in the position you like best or like shown in the picture.
     CACTUS to POT...sew the cactus to the pot.
     POT...using any color of embroidery floss, embroider a zigzag design across the middle of the pot or any design you like the possibilities are endless.

GLOSSARY:

ch/s:chain/s || sc: single crochet || hdc: half double crochet || dc: double crochet || htr: half triple crochet
tr: triple crochet || sl st: slip stitch || st/s: stitch/es || sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
sk: skip || rnd: round || f/o: finish off

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Have a nice crochet time!
- Janet

This pattern is an original pattern by Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!" (July 2019). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint/repost it on your site. You may print and keep a copy for your own personal use. Please do not resell or distribute it.