Potted amigurumi, a barrel cactus, a couple of classic plant-shaped versions, and one granny-square take on the whole idea: six different directions on the same plant, worth comparing before you settle on one.
1. Cactus Amigurumi by StringyDingDing
StringyDingDing’s cactus stands about 10.5 inches tall and is worked as one continuous piece for the cactus and the soil, with the pot and arms shaped from separate parts. It uses medium weight (#4) yarn on a 4 mm hook and 12 mm safety eyes. The interesting step is the cardboard insert: you trace the bottom of the soil on cardboard and cut it so the base and top of the pot sit flat. She says she is no green thumb, so she crocheted a cactus that needs even less water. Open the pattern.
2. Cactus Amigurumi by Loops & Love Crochet
Loops & Love Crochet’s cactus is about 7 inches tall, made in worsted weight (#4) yarn, about 130 yards in total (the sample used WeCrochet/Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Freesia, White, Rouge, Cornflower, Espresso and Peapod), with 10 mm safety eyes and black embroidery thread for the mouth. You crochet the pot first, finishing it with brown rounds for the soil, then work the main cactus and sew it onto the pot. Cotton or acrylic yarn both work. It is rated intermediate because of the tapestry crochet on the pot. Open the pattern.
3. Crochet Cactus by Virkadia
Virkadia’s Barrel Cactus Cutie is about 5.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches wide, in medium weight (#4) yarn with an H-8 (5 mm) hook. Gauge is 18 single crochets by 21 rows over 4 inches, and the pattern uses eight colors (Red Heart Super Saver in the sample). An optional mid-round color change technique emphasizes the vertical ribs, and you can make it larger or smaller by changing yarn weight or hook size. Open the pattern.
4. Lily Sugar’n Cream Crochet Cacti by Yarnspirations
Lily Sugar’n Cream’s Crochet Cacti is a free download from Yarnspirations, rated easy, with two versions (a prickly pear and a classic cactus). The kit lets you pick colors such as Warm Brown, Dark Pine and Sunshine, and the pattern requires at least a ball of some colors. It is designed for standard terracotta pots, so buy those before you start, and it is worked in Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton on a 4 mm hook. Open the pattern.
5. Crochet Cactus Granny Square by Raffamusa Designs
Raffaella first designed the cactus granny square for her Desert Lullaby set of five squares (a sun, rainbow, llama, cactus and rain cloud), then updated it for her Valentine’s Day granny squares and shared the free pattern on her blog. It uses DK (3, light) yarn with a 4 mm (G/6) hook and a 3.5 mm (E/4) hook, and the page notes there are two versions, so pick the cactus you like best. It is a granny square, so it can be joined into a blanket or a bag. Open the pattern.
6. Heart Shaped Cactus
Julia at Little World of Whimsy crochets two heart halves in single crochet, joins them over a stuffed base, then adds a small crocheted pot and flower. It finishes at about 2 by 3 inches. It’s worked in sport-weight yarn with a 3.25mm (C) hook – dropping to 2.5mm for the flower – and stays beginner-friendly throughout, using only magic rings, whip stitching, and a crab stitch edge around the pot.
Furls’ heart-shaped cactus is a small amigurumi in sport weight yarn using less than one skein each of green, brown, light brown and coral, a 3.25 mm (C) Streamline metal hook, safety eyes and black embroidery floss. Furls recommends metal hooks for amigurumi because they help you keep tension tight. You crochet two heart halves, join them over a stuffed base, then add a small pot and flower. It finishes at about 2 by 3 inches. Open the pattern.