Crochet Cactus Granny Square - Free Pattern

I don't want to spill the beans just yet of what the theme of this granny square afghan will be, but it obviously involves cacti!

It's no secret that I love designing crochet appliques! If you're new here, check out my Ocean Afghan and my Woodland Afghan.  Oh, and I can't forget about the Christmas Afghan we did as a crochet along last year!

So I've been around the block a time or two when it comes to granny squares and appliques. Funny because every single one of my granny squares are different patterns!

I think I've perfected the granny square this time though. This solid granny square has a circle center (which I love in a granny square!) and no seams! Perfectly perfect.

One of my favorite things about making granny squares is that you can make them during the warmer seasons without being bogged down with a large blanket in your lap!

Another favorite thing I love about making granny squares is that it's almost instant gratification! Every square is like it's own little project and it just feels so good to get just one more square finished!

There are a lot of other reasons why I love granny squares too.. like how you can work on them basically anywhere, there are endless possibilities (traditional grannies, solid grannies, small grannies, large grannies, stripes, one color, many colors!), and they're so simple and there are so many creative ways to put them together.

Okay, now that you know my undying love for granny squares.. I'll share with you the perfected granny square pattern I came up with along with the cactus applique. (Remember, there will be more appliques coming for this project! Sign up for my email list so you don't miss out when I post new patterns!)

PIN it to your Pinterest boards!

Pattern

Materials

Worsted weight yarn in green, pink, and light brown for the applique

Worsted weight yarn in white for the granny square

G/4.00mm hook (for applique)

J/6.00mm hook (for granny square)

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Notes

Cactus will be made separately from the pot.

Applique can be sewn on with matching yarn color or with needle and thread.

Dimensions: 7" x 7"

Abbreviations (US terms)

Ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc= double crochet, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch(es) dec = decrease

Cactus

Use green yarn and G/4.0mm hook

Ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across until last st, 3sc in last stitch

Continue onto the other side of the chain, sc in next 12 st, turn

Ch 1, sc in next 13 st, 3sc in next st, sc in next 13 st

Fasten off.

Attach green yarn to the 7th space up from the bottom left (see the photo for reference)

Ch 1, sc in next 4 st, turn

Ch 1, sc dec, sc, 2sc, turn

Ch 1, 2sc, sc, sc dec, turn

Ch 1, sc dec, sc, 2sc

Fasten off.

Cactus Pot

Use light brown yarn and G/4.0mm hook

Ch 12, dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, turn

Ch 1, sl st in next 3 st, ch 1, sc in same space as last sl st, sc in next 5 st, turn

Ch 1, sc dec, sc in next 2 st, sc dec, turn

Ch 2, sc across

Fasten off

Once granny square is finished, sew the cactus and the cactus pot onto the granny square. Use pink yarn and tapestry needle to embroider flower on top of cactus.

Granny Square

Use white yarn and J/6.00mm hook

Round 1: Magic ring, ch 2, 12 dc in ring, join to first dc (12)

Round 2: Ch 2, 2dc in each st around, join to first dc (24)

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as stitch), (dc, ch 3, 2dc) in same st as ch 3, dc, hdc, sc, hdc, dc, *(2dc, ch 3, 2dc) all in next st, dc, hdc, sc, hdc, dc, repeat from * around, join to beginning ch 3 (each side of square will have 9 st)

Round 4: Sl st to ch 3 space from previous row, Ch 3 (counts as st) (dc, ch 3, 2dc) all in same ch 3 space, dc across, *(2dc, ch 3, 2dc) all in ch 3 space from previous row, dc across, repeat from * around, join to beginning ch 3 (each side of square will have 13 st)

Round 5: Repeat Round 4 (each side of square will have 17 st)

Fasten off