Crochet fat plant explanation: Mammillaria

Also called "desert plant" because it is used to living in extreme conditions. The mammillaria includes many species almost all originating in Mexico. They all have the characteristic that during the flowering period they form a crown of flowers on the top of the plant.
Mammillaria is the second plant that is part of the composition of crochet fat plants.
To make the crocheted mammillaria it is necessary to prepare the cylinders of two different heights, the flowers and the buds.

Needs: cotton number 10 and number 20 - crochet 1.0 mm - scissors - needle - plasticized wire - wadding - pliers.
For the two cylinders I used cotton number 10, for the rest the number 20.

Explanation of the large cylinder

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

1st round: 24 double crochet.
2nd round: 48 double crochet.
From 3rd to 18th lap: always 48 double crochet.

Explanation of the average cylinder

Same procedure as the large cylinder but with 5 less laps.

With white cotton, sew small stitches at regular intervals to simulate the thorns.

Cut a piece of plasticized iron wire of the length and thickness appropriate to the work being carried out. Bend it into a fork, wrap a little wadding in the center and insert it into the cylinder, both medium and large. Continue filling by shaping with your hands to obtain the classic shape of the plant.

Explanation of the flower

The floret is composed of a section of petals and a small central section.

Explanation of the section of petals

Start 11 chains.

1st round: 10 single crochet. Turn the job around.
2nd round: 1 slip stitch. 4 chains and 1 double crochet at one point, 1 half double crochet and 1 single crochet at one point, 1 slip stitch. Repeat the same for a total of 5 times. Close the work keeping the cotton a little long and sew sideways with two to three stitches.

Explanation of the central section

Start 4 chains and in these do 2 single crochet, 1 slip stitch in the first chain. 3 chains and in these do 2 single crochet, 1 slip stitch in the first chain. Repeat the same for a total of 5 times. Close the job by keeping the cotton a little long.

Position the central section inside the peteli section and fix it to it with two stitches. Place the flower thus obtained near the fourth round of the large cylinder and sew it to it. Sew all the other flowers by creating the classic crown shape.

Explanation of the bud

Start 5 chains and in the first do 7 triple crochet (total 8). Close the job by keeping the cotton a little long. Place the bud near the third lap of the medium cylinder and with two or three stitches join it to it. Sew all the other buds creating the classic shape of the crown.

Shape everything with your hands. Cut off the excess of plasticized iron wire leaving about two cm that will allow the plant to be inserted in the vase.

You can of course modify and customize your mammillaria by changing the color of the flowers, the height and the quantity of cylinders to be inserted in the vase. Or make two crowns of flowers and buds in a single plant. Free space for your imagination.

As always I hope I have explained everything to the best and, wishing you good creation, I give you an appointment the next time. Hello to all.