Rainbow Pride Cactus

Rainbow Pride Cactus Amigurumi Decoration

Project Overview

The Rainbow Pride Cactus is a beginner-friendly crochet decoration designed by MelonCrochetShop. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished amigurumi-style cactus measuring approximately 14cm tall and 10cm wide at its widest point (arm to arm). The design celebrates pride and inclusivity, with 10% of all pattern sales supporting Mermaids UK, an organization dedicated to helping transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse children and their families.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This pattern uses fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners learning to create three-dimensional amigurumi pieces. The construction begins with a magic ring foundation, a popular method for starting circular crochet projects that creates a tight center point. The pattern employs increases and basic stitches to build the cactus body with proper shaping and structure.

Stitches Used

• Double Crochet (DC) – the primary stitch forming the main fabric of the cactus body
• Double Crochet Two Together (DC2TOG) – a decrease stitch for shaping and tapering sections
• Increase (INC) – worked as two double crochet stitches in one stitch to expand rounds
• Slip Stitch (SL ST) – used to join rounds and create seamless transitions
• Treble Crochet (TR) – included for textural variation and detail work
• Back Loops Only (BLO) – a technique creating ribbed or textured effects by working into only the back loop of stitches

Materials and Yarn Weight

This pattern is worked in DK (double knit) weight yarn, a medium-weight yarn that provides good stitch definition and allows for precise shaping in amigurumi projects. The pattern includes sections for different colored yarns to create the rainbow pride design, with specific color changes noted throughout. The tight gauge requirement ensures the finished piece maintains its shape and structure without stuffing showing through.

Pattern Notes

The pattern is written in UK crochet terminology, which uses different names for stitches compared to US terminology (for example, UK double crochet equals US single crochet). Gauge is noted as not critical for this project; instead, emphasis is placed on maintaining tight, consistent stitches throughout. The finished cactus can be sold as a completed handmade item when proper credit is given to MelonCrochetShop as the original pattern designer.