Many of us don't have outside space of our own, or the time to tend indoor plants. But we do have crafting skills! We love the idea of a no-maintenance, handmade garden, and this knitted cactus pattern from Simply Knitting issue 109 has us feeling inspired.
Make a knitted cactus
These wonderful woolly cacti will last much longer than the real thing, and they're also perfectly prickle-free – ideal if you have kids or pets!
Designer Lucille Randall’s three knitted cactus patterns are fun to knit. Your finished cactus pincushion will make a fantastic gift for a sewing fan, or remove the pins and give it as a house-warming present to brighten up a friend's home.
“If you’re new to knitting in the round, this is a great first project, as it really doesn’t matter if your cactus ends up knobbly," says Lucille. "It will just add to the charm." You could experiment with different shapes, or use some super chunky yarn and 8mm needles to make a mega-sized knitted plant.
The cactus is finished with little crochet flowers, made using three basic stitches: slip stitch, chain stitch and treble crochet. Pop it in a plant pot and your knitted cactus will bloom all year round. Plus you know it’ll never die of neglect!
Feel free to try out different shapes. After all, no two cacti are the same – or is that snowflakes?
Lucille Randall, designer
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Knitted cactus shopping list
- Rowan, Pure Wool DK (100% wool, 50g/130m) 1 ball of each: Parsley (020) and Pine Needle (050)
- Rowan Pure Wool DK has been discontinued since this pattern was published, so alternatively you could try King Cole Merino Blend DK in Bayleaf (3088) and Sage (853) Buy it from Lovecrafts
- Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% mohair, 30% silk, 25g/210m) 1 ball of: Jelly (597) Buy it from Lovecrafts
- A set of 3½mm double-pointed needles Buy them from Amazon
- A 3½mm crochet hook Buy it from Amazon
- Toy stuffing Buy it from Lovecrafts
- Mini flower pots Buy them from Amazon
- A stitch holder Buy it from Amazon
Knitted cactus pattern
This pattern uses our standard knitting abbreviations and crochet abbreviations. It's written in UK metrics but it's really easy to convert – just check out our yarn weight conversion chart and guide to knitting needle sizes.
TENSION
Yarn used knits as DK yarn to this tension: 28 sts and 26 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern using 3½mm needles (See our guide to knitting tension squares.)
SMALL ROUND CACTUS
Cast on 48 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round. (Learn about knitting in the round and how to knit with double pointed needles with our guides.)
Round 1 (K1tbl, P1); to end of round. Repeat round 1 for 30 rounds.
Break off yarn leaving a long tail and thread tail through your darning needle. Pass the needle through all of the stitches on the DPNs, dropping them off as you go. Pull tight to close the hole at the top and fasten off. Weave in loose end. Stuff with fibre fill and sew up the bottom end.
TALL CACTUS
Cast on 30 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round.
Round 1 (K1tbl, P1); to end of round. Repeat round 1 for 30 rounds.
Join in mohair and continue to work with both yarns together for a further 20 rounds.
Break off yarn leaving a long tail and thread tail through your darning needle. Pass the needle through all of the stitches on the DPNs, dropping them off as you go. Pull tight to close the hole at the top and fasten off. Weave in loose end. Stuff with fibre fill and sew up the bottom end. Tease out the fibres of the mohair yarn to create a fluffy cactus.
BOBBLY CACTUS
Each piece is made individually and worked in moss stitch.
LARGE BOBBLE Cast on 39 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round.
Round 1 (K1, P1); to end of round.
Round 2 (P1, K1); to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds to create the moss stitch pattern.
Work 30 rounds in moss stitch.
* Break off yarn leaving a long tail and thread tail through your darning needle. Pass the needle through all of the stitches on the DPNs, dropping them off as you go. Pull tight to close the hole at the top and fasten off. Weave in loose end. Stuff with fibre fill and sew up the bottom end.**
MEDIUM BOBBLE 1
Cast on 27 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round.
Round 1 (K1, P1); to end of round.
Round 2 (P1, K1); to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds to create the moss stitch pattern.
Work 20 rounds in moss stitch.
Finish off the same as Large Cactus, * to **.
MEDIUM BOBBLE 2
Cast on 21 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round.
Round 1 (K1, P1); to end of round.
Round 2 (P1, K1); to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds to create the moss stitch pattern.
Work 20 rounds in moss stitch.
Finish off the same as Large Cactus, * to **.
SMALL BOBBLE
Cast on 15 stitches using 3½mm DPNs. Divide evenly over 4 DPNs and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Join into a round.
Round 1 (K1, P1); to end of round.
Round 2 (P1, K1); to end of round.
Repeat these 2 rounds to create the moss stitch pattern.
Work 16 rounds in moss stitch.
Finish off the same as Large Cactus, * to **.
MAKING UP
Using a matching thread, sew the 2 medium and small bobbles to the large bobble. Use the main picture as reference.
Crochet flowers add a splash of colour, and are great for using up scraps of yarn. Use the yarn tails to sew them in place.
Simply Knitting magazine
CROCHET FLOWERS
To make these flowers you will need to know how to start a crochet chain, how to crochet a slip stitch and how to treble crochet.
Using a 3½mm crochet hook, ch4 and join with a ss to form a ring.
Into the centre hole: (tr3, ss) 4 times into the ring.
On last ss break off yarn and pull through ss loop.
Fasten off and weave in loose end. Thread the other tail through your needle and sew flower onto your cactus.
Now you’re ready to pop your knitted cactus into its plant pot. A strip of double-sided tape on the inside of the rim will help to secure it in place.
Download the knitted cactus pattern
To download your free cactus knitting pattern, click on this link and it will open in a new window: Free knitted cactus pattern PDF
More cactus craft ideas
Our knitted cactuses would make a great present for a green-fingered friend! Why not whip up some gift wrapping to match with our cactus cross stitch pattern?
Make your own knitted cactus
No more neglected houseplants! These cactuses never need watering or re-potting, and they're cute, cuddly and prickle-free too. We think they make a great alternative to the real thing.
Whip up a few today and sit them on your windowsill or office desk, and they're guaranteed to brighten up your day.
Find floral knits with Gathered
Add to your knitted plant collection with our guide to the best free knitted flower patterns. You'll soon have a whole handmade garden to admire!
