Crochet succulents

Some people like to fill the house with plants: they have plants in the living room, plants in the bathroom, plants on the balcony. Plants do need light, however, and if you keep your windows closed all day, they will get too little. Crochet succulents are a nice solution to this problem. Handmade crochet
can not replace 100% the satisfaction of taking care of a living plant, of course. On the other hand, it is a convenient hobby for those who take long train journeys or have many dead moments in the day. On the one hand you relax and clear your mind, on the other you decorate the house. Comfortable, no Amigurumi, the new frontier of handmade crochet
Maybe you are wondering what crochet succulents are. Let’s talk about doilies or the classic crochet mother-in-law pillow
Not really: crochet succulents are three-dimensional sculptures made with cotton of different colors, usually filled with wadding. In jargon they are called “amigurumi”, which in Japanese means “crocheted toys”.
The creation of amigurumi is a practice that comes from Japan , in fact. It was born as a technique to create puppets of different shapes and sizes, to be used as toys or as simple decorations. Although it is a fairly recent technique for us Westerners, the first testimonies of handmade crochet dollsthey date back as far as 1100 AD It is thought that the samurai of the Edo period used similar techniques to make accessories for their swords.
Classic amigurumi have the shape of little animals or funny “kawaii” creatures, that is adorable. Nonetheless, three-dimensional works with unusual shapes are spreading today. There are crochet cacti , bucolic or city landscapes, crib pendants and even jewelry . In short, the only limit is the imagination. Why Throw Yourself On Crochet Succulents
We mentioned it at the beginning: creating crochet succulents has a double function.

• Manual work helps psychological well -being , as it involves both the body and the mind. Crocheting and following a pattern helps you get into “flow”, the condition in which you are completely engrossed in what you do. This helps you forget worries, reduces anxiety and stimulates concentration .
• If you want to add a pop of color to your home and don’t know how to do it, amigurumi are a great way. They require little maintenance and are affordable, 100% customizable, and more fun than the mother-in-law’s crochet pillow.

Crochet succulents come in many shapes, colors and sizes. Once you have chosen the patterns you like best, you can decline them in smaller or larger versions, experiment with new materials and original colors. Above all, you can combine them in order to obtain the plants you like and best suited to the context of your home.How to make your own crochet succulents
To make your own succulents or other amigurumi , you only need the basics of crochet:

• chain;
• low point;
• increases

Nothing else. Forget the doilies – these require advanced techniques. To master the techniques necessary for crochet succulents , however, a video tutorial on YouTube and an hour of practice are enough. The first few experiments will be a little lopsided, but you will improve with practice.
As for materials, get:

• A set of crochet hooks of various sizes , which can be purchased for a few euros. You don’t need professional kits worth tens of euros.
• Yarns of different colors . Cotton is the most classic choice, but synthetic yarns are fine too. The important thing is that they are free of lint and easy to wash.
• Synthetic wadding for stuffing , such as used for stuffed toys and pillows. Natural wadding is not good: the filling is less regular and more difficult to wash. You can also find 500 gram or 1 kilo bags on the internet.
• Buttons, ribbons, new jars and iron wires. Everything you need to complete your crochet cactus .

Tricks for always perfect amigurumi
The first experiments with handmade crochet are always a bit unhappy: you are acquiring the necessary manual skills and you do not know how to move. For best results, apply these tips.

1. Follow a pattern , at least until you are good enough to improvise. The best site in this regard is Ravelry , full of free and paid patterns. On YouTube you will also find videos that explain step by step how to do it.
2. Always start from the ” magic circle “, the magic circle. Roll the end of the thread around your finger and work the first few stitches around it. Once you have the desired number, pull one end of the thread and tighten the circle.
3. Use a half millimeter or one millimeter smaller crochet hook . The yarns give indications on which knitting needles and which crochet hooks to use, often designed for clothing. With a smaller crochet size you will get more compact work.
4. Mark where the tour ends . Place a piece of different colored thread between the first and last stitch, then work normally. Arrived at the thread, place one end of it between the two new points and continue. At the end of the work, pull the thread and remove it from the work.
5. Avoid cotton pads : they tend to get squashed and a little pressure is enough to ruin the shape of the plant.

Where to Place Decorative Plants
Once you have completed your crochet succulents, you can place them right where you would put real seedlings. Use them as a centerpiece , instead of the classic doily. Place them on the shelves or in the bookcase , to add color and make them less monotonous. If, on the other hand, you love to dare, try one of these ideas.

• Make a crochet garden to keep on your windowsill or table. You will need a rectangular box and some medium / large stones, as if you were preparing a real mini garden. Design the composition and make the crochet succulents you need. At this point, put it all together.
• Hang the plants as if they were kokedama. To do this, you’ll need to make a kokedama holder and a crochet plant with a hemisphere-shaped base.
• Create an artificial wall garden . On the market you will find supports in faux fabric or plastic, equipped with pockets in which to insert the plants. For the project in question, storage pockets for the bathroom will also work well. Pick a black one or a color that matches the room and fill the pockets with your crochet plants .

How to keep your crochet cactus clean Amigurumi
tend to get dirty easily, being made of fabric. To keep your crochet cacti clean , be sure to give them a periodic clean using at least one of these methods.

• “Dry” cleaning. When dusting, wipe the amigurumi with a damp rag and place them to dry in a well-ventilated corner. If needed, put a drop of soap in the used water; rinse everything with a rag dampened with clean water.
• Hand washing, to be avoided if you have inserted wire in the creation. Dip the plants in a basin of warm soapy water and massage them slowly. Soak them in clean water and leave them there for 15 minutes . Squeeze gently and leave to dry, preferably not in the sun. It will take several days.
• Machine wash, with the above clause. Place the plant in a closed pillowcase and use a gentle wash . Let it dry for a few days.

Also, avoid placing your crochet succulents in direct sun so they don’t discolour. If you have a dust allergy, use non -allergenic yarns and padding , avoiding hairy materials that attract dirt. That said, have fun decorating your home!