How to crochet a Opuntia

A fatty plant of ancient origins whose family is also part of the most famous fig tree of India. Its origin is Mexico but has for centuries been acclimated to our Mediterranean. This is the third fatty plant

crochet that is part of the composition. Easy to make, it's simply composed of 2 blades (leaves) of different sizes and flowers with their "goblets".
Required: cotton number 20 - 1.0mm crochet hook - scissors - needle - plasticized iron wire - wadding - pliers.

Explanation of the big blade

Start 4 little chains and in the first make 11 double crochet (total 12).

1st round: 24 double crochet.

2nd round: 48 double crochet.

3rd round: 60 double crochet (increase 12 points, 1 every 3).

Lap 4: 75 double crochet (increase 15 points, 1 every 3).

From the 5th to the 14th lap: always 75 points high.

Lap 15: 60 double crochet (decrease 15 points, 1 every 3).

Lap 16: 48 double crochet (decrease 12 points, 1 every 3).

Lap 17: 39 double crochet (decrease 9 points, 1 every 3).

18th and 19th round: 39 double crochet. Close the job.

Cut a piece of plastic wire and bend it to the fork. Put it inside the blade and stuff it with cotton wool or cotton. Model with your hands to give it the right shape. Hold about 2 cm (2 cm) of extra iron wire that will allow the blade to be inserted into the jar.

Explanation of the media blade

Start 4 little chains and in the first make 11 double crochet (total 12)

1st round: 24 double crochet.

2nd round: 48 double crochet.

3rd round: 60 double crochet (increase 12 points, 1 every 3).

From the 4th to the 7th lap: always 60 double crochet.

Lap 8: 50 double crochet (decrease 10 points, 1 every 4).

Lap 9: 42 double crochet (decrease 8 points, 1 every 4).

Lap 10: 35 double crochet (decrease 7 points, 1 every 4).

11th and 12th lap: 35 double crochet. Close the job.

Stuff and shape with your hands. Sew to the big shovel.

With brown cotton, sew the spines on the blades in no particular order.

Explanation of the "chalice"

Start 4 chains and in the first make 11 double crochet (total 12).

1 lap: 24 double crochet.

2 and 3 laps: 24 double crochet.

Close the work and hold the cotton a bit long to sew it to the shovel.

Now let's go to the explanation of the flower that is composed of 4 different sections.

Explanation of the pistil

Start 4 chains and in the first one make 6 double crochet (total 7), put the crochet in the first double crochet and make a slip stitch. Close the work by holding the cotton a bit long.

Explanation of the yellow central section

Start 5 chains and close them in circle.

1 turn: 7 chains and a single crochet in the circle. Repeat for a total of 12 arches.

Explanation of the Purple Central Section

Start 4 chains and in the first make 11 double crochet (total 12).

1 lap: 24 double crochet.

2 lap: a single crochet, a half double crochet and a double crochet at one point, a double crochet, a half double crochet and a single crochet at one point. Repeat equal to a total of 6 times.

Explanation of the middle flower

Start 6 chains and close in circle.

1 lap: 12 single crochet.

2 lap: 2 double crochet at one point for 2 times, turn the job.

3 lap: a double crochet, 2 double crochet at one point for 2 times, a double crochet, turn the job.

4 lap: half double crochet, 2 double crochet at one point, 2 triple crochet in a point 2 times, 2 double crochet at one point, half double crochet.

Get off with a slip stitch at the bottom of the single crochet and resemble the same for a total of 6 times.

Explanation of the big flower

Start 6 chains and close them in the circle.

1 lap: 12 single crochet.

2 lap: 2 triple crochet in one point for 2 times, turn the job.

3 lap: a triple crochet, 2 double triple crochet in one point for 2 times, a triple crochet, turn the job.

4 lap: one double crochet, two triple crochet at one point, two double triple crochet times in one point for 2 times, two triple crochet in one point, one double crochet.

Get off with a slip stitch down to the bottom of the points and resume the same for a total of 6 times.

Now put in the needle the pistil cotton that you held a little long and then insert the needle first in the yellow section then in the purple, then in the middle flower and finally in the big one. Take it for a moment and hang up with a bit of wadding the goblet in half. Now put the needle in the center of the wool and let it come out from below the chalice, tend to insert the flower inside and with 4-5 points under the goblet stop the work. If it is necessary to sew the flower on the sides of the cup.

Now you can sew the cup to the shovel.

Make all the flowers and blades you need for your composition and place the seedlings in a single jar or together with a composition with other fat plants. I hope as always that I have explained to you all to the best and have given you an extra idea to realize your creations.

Hi everyone to the next.