I’m a bit succulent and cactus obsessed, but sadly I’ve come to accept that I’m a plant hospice… I care for them fervently and tenderly before sending them off to the big garden in the sky.

This is what makes a knitted cactus so frikkin’ cool.

I also love the punniness of putting spikes in a cactus, and that made a cactus pincushion an inevitability in my craft area.

This is a quick little pattern that really won’t take long to make – which also makes it a great gift for fellow crafters! Whether they knit, sew or crochet.

You can save the pattern on Ravelry.

You will need

• A small terracotta pot
• Scraps of a chunky yarn; I used Vinnis Toris in Sage (420). It’s a bulky cotton-bamboo blend that works perfectly for a little cactus
• 4mm DPNs (needles a size smaller than your yarn to keep the stuffing in tight)
• Toy stuffing
• Fabric glue

To make

1. C/on 30 sts, divide evenly amongst the needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
2. Start 2 x 2 rib and knit until cactus is desired length (I kept testing mine in the pot until it was the size I wanted – keep in mind that you’ll stuff the bottom of the pot with toy stuffing to keep the cactus up).
3. When you’re ready to finish the pincushion:
   1. K2tog, P2tog to end of row.
   2. K1, P1 to end of row.
   3. K2tog all round. Repeat until there are less than 10 sts remaining.
   4. Cut yarn, thread it on a yarn needle and thread yarn through the remaining sts. Pull tight, and weave in ends on the wrong side.
   5. Stuff the cactus firmly with toy stuffing, and stitch the bottom end together.
4. Fill the bottom of the pot with toy stuffing, and squirt fabric glue around edge of the pot. Place the knitted cactus in the pot, and leave to dry.

Easy, and really cute in any sewing room!