3 Crochet Cactus Pin Cushion Patterns: Fun and Functional Desk Décor

Nothing brightens up your crafting space quite like a cheerful little cactus — especially one that’s soft, handmade, and doubles as a pin cushion! Crochet cactus pin cushions are a creative and practical way to add charm to your sewing room or gift a touch of handmade joy to a fellow crafter.

In this tutorial, you’ll find three unique crochet cactus pin cushion patterns, each with its own design and texture. They’re small, quick to make, and perfect for using up leftover yarn. You don’t need to be an expert crocheter — just a little patience and some love for cute crafts will do the trick.

Before we begin, let’s cover the general materials and a few notes that will help you get the best results.

General Materials You’ll Need:

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or acrylic yarn
  • Green (main cactus body)
  • Brown (soil/pot)
  • Optional: pink, yellow, or white for flowers
• Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (E) or 4.0 mm (G), depending on tension
• Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Small plant pot or ramekin (optional for display)
• Stitch marker (optional for counting rounds)

1. Round Barrel Cactus Pin Cushion

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: Approx. 3″ tall × 3″ wide (adjustable)

Notes:

This design mimics the classic rounded cactus with simple vertical ridges created by front-post stitches. It’s crocheted in continuous rounds, stuffed, and topped with a little flower.

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cactus Body

1. Start: With green yarn, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: 6 sc into the ring. (6)
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12)
4. Round 3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next st — repeat around. (18)
5. Round 4: Sc 2, 2 sc in next st — repeat around. (24)
6. Round 5–12: Sc around in BLO (back loops only) to create rib texture. (24 each round)
   • Tip: Add a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
7. Round 13: Sc 2, sc2tog — repeat around. (18)
8. Round 14: Sc 1, sc2tog — repeat around. (12)
9. Stuff firmly with fiberfill.
10. Round 15: Sc2tog around. (6)
11. Fasten off, leaving a tail. Thread tail through last stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in the end.

Step 2: Add the Flower (Optional)

1. With pink or yellow yarn, ch 2.
2. In 2nd ch from hook: (sl st, ch 1, 2 dc, ch 1, sl st) — this makes one petal.
3. Repeat 4–5 times in the same chain for a small flower.
4. Sew it to the top of your cactus.

Step 3: Attach to the Pot

• Crochet or cut a small brown circle to fit the base of your cactus (to act as soil).
• Stitch the cactus onto the soil piece.
• Insert into a small clay pot or glue lightly to the rim for stability.

Customization Tips

• Add small white yarn stitches across the body for spines.
• Use variegated green yarn for a natural color blend.
• Try a larger hook to make a bigger cactus that fits a larger pot.

2. Tall Saguaro Cactus Pin Cushion

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: 4.5″ tall × 2.5″ wide (without pot)

Notes:

This cactus has the iconic tall shape with side arms. The main body and arms are made separately, then sewn together. The surface texture comes from simple back-loop stitches.

Instructions

Step 1: Main Body

1. With green yarn, ch 11.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (10)
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BLO across. (10)
4. Repeat Row 2 until piece measures about 4.5″ long.
5. Fold in half and whip stitch the side closed to form a tube.
6. Sew one end shut, stuff with fiberfill, and close the other end.

Step 2: Arms (Make 2)

1. Ch 6.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch and across. (5)
3. Row 2–5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in BLO across. (5)
4. Whip stitch the side to make a small tube.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Bend slightly into an arm shape and sew to each side of the cactus body.

Step 3: Pot Base

1. With brown yarn, make a magic ring.
2. Round 1: 6 sc into ring.
3. Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch. (12)
4. Round 3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next around. (18)
5. Round 4–5: Sc around. (18 each)
6. Sew cactus body onto pot base and stuff tightly.

Finishing Touches

• Add a small crochet flower on top.
• Embroider small white V-stitches for spines.
• Glue cactus into a small pot or teacup for a decorative touch.

3. Cluster Cactus Pin Cushion (Three Mini Cacti)

Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate

Finished Size: 3.5″ wide cluster (each cactus about 2″ tall)

Notes:

This version combines three small cacti in one base — perfect for those who love a mini desert garden look! Each cactus is worked in the round and joined together on a shared base.

Instructions

Step 1: Make 3 Mini Cacti

Follow this formula for each:

1. Magic ring, 6 sc.
2. 2 sc in each st around. (12)
3. Sc 1, 2 sc in next st around. (18)
4. Round 4–8: Sc in each st around. (18 each)
5. Stuff firmly and close by sc2tog around until 6 sts remain.
6. Fasten off and close.

Step 2: Create the Base

1. With brown yarn, ch 2.
2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
3. 2 sc in each st. (12)
4. Sc 1, 2 sc in next around. (18)
5. Sc 2, 2 sc in next around. (24)
6. Continue increasing until base fits the three cacti (about 3.5–4″ across).
7. Work 2 rounds of sc without increases to form a shallow bowl.
8. Stuff base and sew cacti side by side on top.

Step 3: Decoration

• Crochet tiny flowers for each cactus top using pink, yellow, or red yarn.
• Optionally add a few “spine” stitches using embroidery thread.
• Place the cluster inside a small terracotta saucer for display.

Final Touches & Styling Ideas

Once your cactus pin cushions are complete, you can display them individually or as a trio in small pots. They make fantastic handmade gifts for anyone who loves sewing or décor with a touch of whimsy.

Try arranging different cactus types in one pot for a mini desert garden. You can even glue them to a cork base or wooden slice for a rustic look.

These little cacti aren’t just cute—they’re functional too! The dense stitches and fiberfill make them perfect for holding pins and needles securely while adding charm to your workspace.

Conclusion

Crocheting cactus pin cushions is a delightful project that blends creativity with practicality. Each design—from the round barrel cactus to the tall saguaro and the clustered trio—offers something unique and fun to make. They’re small, portable, and perfect for using up scrap yarn.

If you’re making them as gifts, craft fair items, or just to brighten up your own sewing corner, these crochet cactus pin cushions will bring endless charm to your handmade collection. So grab your hook, pick your favorite shade of green, and start crocheting your little desert garden today!