Tiny Rainbow Cactus Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Tiny Rainbow Cactus is a quick, cheerful little amigurumi that fits in the palm of your hand. It is written for beginners who have just learned the magic ring, single crochet, and simple increases and decreases, and it is small enough to finish in one cozy evening. The bright green body and two little upward arms give it a classic cactus shape, while a stacked rainbow flower in six colors adds a playful 90s pop on top. At about 4 inches tall, it looks adorable on a desk, a windowsill, or clipped to a bag as a keychain, and its smooth single crochet texture feels soft and squishy.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in bright green (A), yellow (B), orange (C), red (D), purple (E), blue (F), and pink (G). Small amounts of each; less than 20 yards of green and only a few yards of each flower color.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G/6).
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, polyester fiberfill for stuffing.
• Finished size: Approx. 4 inches (10 cm) tall including the flower.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring, an adjustable loop you crochet into to start a closed circle.
• sc: single crochet.
• inc: increase, work 2 sc into the same stitch.
• dec: decrease, work 2 stitches together into 1 sc.
• rnd: round, one full circle of stitches worked in continuous spirals.
• sts: stitches.
• F/O: fasten off, cut the yarn and pull the tail through the last loop.
• [ ] x: repeat the instructions inside the brackets the number of times shown after the x.

Gauge

20 sc x 20 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. To check, crochet a small flat swatch in sc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 20, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Work in continuous spirals without joining rounds, and move your stitch marker up at the start of each round so you never lose your place.
• Stuff the body firmly but in small pinches as you go, before the opening gets too small at the top.
• Keep your tension even and tight so the stuffing does not show through; amigurumi looks best with a dense fabric.
• When changing flower colors, change on the last yarn-over of the final stitch of the round so the new color starts cleanly at the beginning of the next round.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc x6 (12 sts).

Rnds 3-12: sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 13: [sc, dec] x4 (8 sts). Stuff firmly.

Rnd 14: dec x4 (4 sts).

F/O, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the last 4 sts and pull to close.

Arms (Make 2, Color A)

Rnd 1: MR, 4 sc into the ring (4 sts).

Rnds 2-4: sc in each st around (4 sts).

F/O, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Flower (Colors B-G)

Rnd 1: With B, MR, 6 sc into the ring (6 sts).

Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x3 (9 sts). Change to C.

Rnd 3: With C, sc in each st around (9 sts). Change to D.

Rnd 4: With D, [2 sc, inc] x3 (9 sts). Change to E.

Rnd 5: With E, sc in each st around (9 sts). Change to F.

Rnd 6: With F, [3 sc, inc] x3 (12 sts). Change to G.

Rnd 7: With G, sc in each st around (12 sts).

F/O, leaving a long tail for sewing. The yellow base sits against the cactus and the pink top faces up.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the arms to the body at Rnd 6 and Rnd 8, one on each side, angling them upward. Use the long tails and a few small stitches at the base of each arm so they sit flat against the body. Sew the flower to the top of the body with the yellow round against the cactus, working around the base of the flower so no gap shows. Weave in all ends, pushing the needle through the inside of the piece to hide them. Lightly shape the cactus with your fingers and steam or mist block the flower flat if it curls; let it dry fully before displaying.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Add a small keychain ring or lobster clasp to the top of the flower for a bag charm.
• Swap the rainbow bands for a single color, or use a variegated yarn for a surprise stripe effect.
• Make a tiny terracotta pot in brown yarn and slip the cactus inside for a desk planter look.