Crochet Tutorial: Moonlit Owl Herb Apothecary Garden – Free Crochet Pattern

This magical crochet scene features a moonlit herb apothecary built like a cozy bottle-shaped cottage, complete with a cork chimney, leafy vine roof, glowing windows, a rounded wooden door, potted herbs, hanging lavender bundles, tiny potion bottles, mushrooms, lanterns, star ornaments, a wise owl shopkeeper, a small mouse helper, and a cheerful frog visitor.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and is designed as a detailed amigurumi garden display. The finished piece is built on a flat rectangular base, with the apothecary cottage placed toward the back left and the herb shop counter placed toward the front right.

The main building has a tall rounded bottle body, a cream neck, a tan cork top, a deep green roof, and trailing ivy. The right side includes an open herb stall with shelves, hanging dried herbs, potion bottles, and a sign that reads HERB APOTHECARY.

Use tight stitches throughout so the stuffing and support pieces do not show. The design works best with cotton or cotton-blend yarn because the tiny leaves, herbs, stones, and accessories hold their shapes more cleanly.

Finished Size

• Base mat: about 11 in wide by 9 in deep.
• Main bottle cottage: about 7.5 in tall including cork top.
• Owl: about 2.4 in tall.
• Mouse: about 1.6 in long.
• Frog: about 1.8 in tall.
• Mushrooms: about 0.8 to 1.5 in tall.
• Skill level: adventurous beginner to intermediate.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton yarn in forest green, dark green, sage green, olive green, beige, oatmeal, tan, brown, dark brown, gray, cream, white, gold yellow, purple, lavender, blue, teal, red, black, and small scraps of pink.
• 2.5 mm crochet hook for amigurumi pieces.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for the base mat and cottage walls.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Small piece of plastic canvas or firm cardboard for the base and roof support.
• Optional pipe cleaners or floral wire for twisted tree branches.
• 6 mm safety eyes for the owl.
• 4 mm safety eyes or black embroidery thread for the frog and mouse.
• Black, white, and gold embroidery thread for facial details, window glow, and signs.
• Optional warm yellow felt or yarn scraps for window glow panels.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• tr: treble crochet.
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• FO: fasten off.
• st or sts: stitch or stitches.
• R: round or row.

Gauge Notes

Exact gauge is not critical, but the stitches must be tight and even. For the cottage walls, 6 sc and 6 rows should measure about 1 inch with the 3.0 mm hook. For the small animals, 7 sc and 7 rounds should measure about 1 inch with the 2.5 mm hook.

If your work looks loose, go down one hook size. If the base curls sharply, loosen your tension slightly or block the rectangle before attaching the cottage and garden pieces.

Base Mat

The base is a dark green rectangular garden mat. It should look like a grassy platform with softly rounded corners. For a sturdier display, crochet two rectangles and insert plastic canvas between them before joining.

Grass Base Rectangle

1. With forest green yarn and 3.0 mm hook, ch 46.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. 45 sts.
3. R2-R40: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. 45 sts.
4. Do not fasten off. Work a border around the rectangle.
5. Border R1: Ch 1, sc evenly around all four sides, placing 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first sc.
6. Border R2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, placing 2 sc in the center corner stitch of each corner. Sl st to first sc. FO and weave in ends.

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Make a second matching rectangle if you want a firm base. Place plastic canvas between the two pieces, then sc around the edges through both layers. This creates a neat, padded display mat like the image.

Cobblestone Path

The path curves from the front left toward the rounded door. Use gray stones in different sizes so the walkway looks handmade and whimsical. Sew the stones flat to the base before adding pots and animals.

Large Stones, Make 7

1. With gray yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4: Sc around. Sl st to finish. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Small Stones, Make 9

1. With light gray or medium gray yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc around. Sl st to finish. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Arrange the stones in two loose rows. Keep some pieces slightly overlapped to create the uneven cobblestone texture shown in the photo.

Main Bottle Cottage Body

The cottage body is a tall rounded beige bottle shape. The lower section is wider, the upper neck is narrower, and the cork sits on top. Stuff firmly and shape the cylinder as you go.

Lower Round Cottage Wall

1. With beige yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 16 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 32 sts.
6. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 40 sts.
7. R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
8. R7: BLO sc around. 48 sts.
9. R8-R29: Sc around. 48 sts.
10. R30: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 40 sts.
11. R31: Sc around. 40 sts.
12. R32: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 32 sts.
13. R33: Sc around. 32 sts.
14. R34: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
15. R35: Sc around. 24 sts. Stuff firmly.

Insert a short cylinder of rolled plastic canvas inside the wall if you want the cottage to stand very straight. Do not overstuff the top neck area, because the roof will sit around this transition.

Cream Bottle Neck

1. Join cream yarn in the front loop of any stitch from R35.
2. R36: BLO sc around. 24 sts.
3. R37-R48: Sc around. 24 sts.
4. R49: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R50: Sc around. 18 sts. Stuff lightly.
6. R51: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. R52: Dec around. 6 sts. FO, close the hole, and weave in the end.

Cork Top

The cork is a short tan cap on top of the bottle neck. It should look rounded but flat enough to sit neatly above the cream cylinder.

1. With tan yarn and 2.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. R5: BLO sc around. 24 sts.
7. R6-R10: Sc around. 24 sts.
8. R11: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
9. Stuff lightly.
10. R12: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
11. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the cork centered to the top of the cream bottle neck.

Use dark tan embroidery stitches around the cork in short vertical lines. This gives it the textured, natural cork look seen in the image.

Green Apothecary Roof

The roof is a wide dark green cap that wraps around the cottage body and extends to the right over the herb stall. It has a softly curved edge and supports many ivy leaves and berries.

Main Roof Disk

1. With dark green yarn and 3.0 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 16 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 32 sts.
6. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 40 sts.
7. R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
8. R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 56 sts.
9. R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 64 sts.
10. R9-R11: Sc around. 64 sts.
11. R12: FLO only, sc 3, hdc, dc, hdc, sc 3, repeat around for a soft scalloped lower edge. Sl st to finish. FO.

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Cut a round opening in the center by folding the disk gently around the bottle neck. Sew the roof around the neck transition and tack the lower edge to the beige wall in several hidden stitches.

Right Stall Roof Extension

1. With dark green yarn, ch 25.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. 24 sts.
3. R2-R10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. 24 sts.
4. R11: Ch 1, sc 2, hdc, dc, hdc, sc 2, repeat to create a wavy front edge. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the extension to the right side of the main roof. Let it slope slightly downward at the front, like a tiny market awning. Add a rectangle of plastic canvas inside if it needs support.

Round Wooden Door

The front door is oval and dark brown with lighter brown stitched planks. It sits low on the bottle cottage, slightly left of center, with a tiny round window and a small knob.

1. With dark brown yarn and 2.5 mm hook, ch 9.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work along other side of chain, sc 6, 2 sc in last ch. 18 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 6, inc 3, sc 6, inc 2. 24 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 7, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 7, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 30 sts.
5. R4: Sc around. 30 sts.
6. FO, leaving a long tail.

Embroider vertical plank lines with medium brown yarn. Add a small tan circle window using 6 sc in a magic ring. Add a gold yellow cross stitch over the window. Sew a tiny beige knot as the doorknob.

Glowing Cottage Windows

The cottage has small golden windows that look warm and moonlit. Make one round window near the door and one small cross window on the right side.

Round Window

1. With gold yellow yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. Switch to cream yarn.
5. R3: Sc around. Sl st to finish. FO, leaving a tail.

Use dark brown yarn to embroider a cross through the circle. Sew the window above and slightly left of the door.

Small Cross Window

1. With gold yellow yarn, ch 5.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 4 sts. FO.
3. Make another strip the same way.
4. Cross the strips into a plus shape and sew them to the cottage wall.

Outline the small cross window with dark brown straight stitches. Place it on the lower right side of the cottage wall, under the roof edge.

Open Herb Apothecary Stall

The stall is attached to the right side of the cottage. It has two brown posts, a back wall, a low counter, shelves, herb bundles, jars, and the owl standing inside as the shopkeeper.

Back Wall Panel

1. With beige yarn and 3.0 mm hook, ch 22.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 21 sts.
3. R2-R18: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 21 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Side Posts, Make 2

1. With dark brown yarn and 2.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2-R18: Sc around. 6 sts.
4. Stuff lightly or insert a pipe cleaner. FO, leaving a tail.

Counter Front

1. With medium brown yarn, ch 24.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 23 sts.
3. R2-R8: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 23 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Counter Top

1. With dark brown yarn, ch 25.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 24 sts.
3. R2-R4: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 24 sts.
4. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew the counter top to the counter front, then attach both to the base in front of the back wall. Sew the posts at the left and right front corners. Attach the roof extension above the posts.

HERB APOTHECARY Sign

1. With tan yarn, ch 17.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 16 sts.
3. R2-R5: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 16 sts.
4. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

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Embroider HERB APOTHECARY with dark brown thread using tiny straight stitches. Sew the sign to the front of the counter.

Wise Owl Shopkeeper

The owl has a round cream belly, brown head, pointed ear tufts, large white eyes, dark outlines, and a calm apothecary expression. It stands behind the counter with its book and potion bottles.

Owl Body

1. With cream yarn and 2.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. R5-R11: Sc around. 24 sts.
7. R12: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
8. Stuff firmly.
9. R13: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
10. R14: Dec around. 6 sts. FO and close.

Owl Head

1. With medium brown yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
6. R5-R9: Sc around. 24 sts.
7. R10: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. R11: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
10. FO, leaving a tail. Sew head to body.

Owl Ear Tufts, Make 2

1. With medium brown yarn, ch 4.
2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in last ch.
3. FO, leaving a tail. Sew one tuft to each top side of the head.

Owl Eyes, Make 2

1. With white yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. Switch to light tan yarn.
5. R3: Sl st around. FO, leaving a tail.

Insert or embroider black pupils in the center of each eye. Sew both eyes close together on the face. Add small dark brown stitches around the eyes for the round framed look.

Owl Wings, Make 2

1. With medium brown yarn, ch 7.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, hdc 2, dc in last ch. FO.
3. Sew one wing to each side of the body, angled slightly downward.

Owl Beak and Chest Texture

Use gold yellow yarn to embroider a tiny triangle beak between the eyes. With brown yarn, make small V stitches on the cream belly. Keep the stitches neat and evenly spaced so the owl looks soft and handmade.

Open Spell Book

The book sits on the counter in front of the owl. It is small, flat, and open, with cream pages and a purple cover edge.

1. With purple yarn, ch 12.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 11 sts.
3. R2-R4: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 11 sts.
4. Switch to cream yarn.
5. R5: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 11 sts.
6. R6-R8: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 11 sts.
7. FO, leaving a tail.

Fold the piece gently at the center. Embroider a center line and two short page lines on each side with gray thread. Sew the book to the counter top.

Potion Bottles and Jars

Make several tiny bottles for the counter and shelves. Vary the colors so the apothecary feels full and magical. The image includes purple, green, blue, and red bottles.

Tiny Bottle, Make 6

1. With bottle color yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 10 sts.
4. R3-R5: Sc around. 10 sts.
5. R6: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
6. Switch to cork tan yarn.
7. R7-R8: Sc around. 8 sts.
8. FO, close the top, and weave in the end.

Use one purple bottle and one green bottle near the mouse. Place blue and red bottles on the shelves. Add tiny white highlight stitches to make the bottles look glossy.

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Hanging Herb Bundles

The stall roof displays lavender, rosemary, sage, and green herb bundles hanging from strings. These are made with small chains, picots, and grouped leaves.

Lavender Bundle

1. With green yarn, ch 10. FO, leaving both tails long.
2. Join purple yarn to the lower half of the chain.
3. Make 5 small bobbles along the chain: ch 2, 3 unfinished dc in same spot, pull through all loops, ch 1.
4. FO and use the green tails to tie the bundle to the stall roof.

Rosemary Bundle

1. With dark green yarn, ch 12.
2. Working back along the chain, sl st in first ch, ch 4, sl st in next ch, repeat down the chain.
3. FO, leaving a long hanging tail.

Sage Bundle

1. With sage green yarn, ch 8.
2. In 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in remaining chains.
3. Make 3 more small leaves from the same starting tail if desired.
4. Wrap the top with tan yarn to look tied.

Hang the bundles under the right roof extension. Keep them at slightly different lengths so they look natural and full.

Ivy Vines for Roof and Cottage

The leafy vines are one of the most important visual details. They trail from the roof, climb around the bottle neck, and drape over the stall roof with purple berries.

Long Vine, Make 6

1. With olive green yarn and 2.5 mm hook, ch 28.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st 3.
3. Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st back into main chain.
4. Sl st 4 along the main chain.
5. Repeat the leaf step 3 to 4 more times along the vine.
6. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Small Ivy Leaves, Make 18

1. With sage or olive yarn, ch 5.
2. Sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, 5 dc in last ch.
3. Work down the other side: dc, hdc, sc. Sl st to finish.
4. FO, leaving a tail.

Purple Berries, Make 20

1. With dark purple yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. R2: Sc around. 5 sts.
4. FO, pull tight, and leave a tail for sewing.

Sew vines across the green roof and down the beige wall. Add clusters of purple berries near leaves. Keep some vines loose at the ends to create the magical overgrown look.

Potted Herb Plants

The front left garden area has small terracotta pots filled with leafy herbs and purple berries. Make three pots in different heights for a lively arrangement.

Terracotta Pot, Make 3

1. With rust yarn and 2.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
5. R4: Sc around. 12 sts.
6. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 15 sts.
7. R6-R7: Sc around. 15 sts.
8. R8: FLO sc around to form the rim. Sl st to finish. FO.

Pot Soil Insert

1. With dark brown yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 15 sts.
5. FO, leaving a tail. Sew into the pot opening.

Leaf Sprigs for Pots

1. With green yarn, ch 8.
2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
3. Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, sc, sl st into main chain.
4. Repeat 2 more leaves along the chain. FO.

Make 3 to 5 sprigs for each pot. Sew them into the soil insert. Add small purple berries to one or two pots to match the image.

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Succulent Plant

The pale green succulent sits near the center front. Its leaves are rounded and layered like a tiny rosette.

1. With light green yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. Sl st to close.
3. Petal round: Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sl st into next stitch of MR. Repeat 6 petals total.
4. Second layer: Join yarn behind the first layer. Ch 4, sc, hdc, dc back down the chain, sl st between petals. Repeat 6 petals.
5. FO and sew the succulent into a terracotta pot or directly to the base.

Mouse Helper

The small mouse is gray with a brown hood or head patch, long tail, big round ears, and a curious pose near the counter. It helps make the apothecary feel alive.

Mouse Body

1. With gray yarn and 2.5 mm hook, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3-R7: Sc around. 12 sts.
5. R8: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 9 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.
7. R9: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 6 sts.
8. FO and close.

Mouse Head

1. With brown yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 10 sts.
4. R3-R4: Sc around. 10 sts.
5. R5: Dec around. 5 sts.
6. FO, leaving a tail. Sew to the front of the gray body.

Mouse Ears, Make 2

1. With gray yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. Sl st to finish. FO.
3. Sew one ear to each side of the head.

Mouse Tail

1. With pink yarn, ch 14.
2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across.
3. FO, leaving a tail. Sew to the back of the body.

Embroider tiny black eyes and a small nose. Sew the mouse in front of the counter, angled as if it is carrying herbs or inspecting a potion bottle.

Frog Visitor

The frog stands at the front right holding a small purple basket or jar. It is bright green with round eyes and a friendly garden expression.

Frog Body

1. With bright green yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4-R8: Sc around. 18 sts.
6. R9: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff firmly.
8. R10: Dec around. 6 sts. FO and close.

Frog Head

1. With bright green yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4-R7: Sc around. 18 sts.
6. R8: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff lightly. FO, leaving a tail. Sew to body.

Frog Eyes, Make 2

1. With green yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. R2: Sc around. 5 sts.
4. FO, leaving a tail. Sew both eyes on top of the head.

Embroider black pupils and a curved smile. Add two small green arms with ch 7, sl st back across each chain. Sew the arms around a tiny purple basket.

Purple Basket

1. With purple yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3-R5: Sc around. 12 sts.
5. Handle: Ch 10, sl st to opposite side of basket.
6. FO and sew basket to frog hands.

Mushroom Cluster

The right side has glowing blue and purple mushrooms. Use several cap colors and different heights. Add tiny white dots to each cap.

Mushroom Stem, Make 6

1. With cream yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
3. R2-R5: Sc around for small stems, or R2-R8 for tall stems.
4. Stuff lightly. FO, leaving a tail.

Mushroom Cap, Make 6

1. With blue, teal, or purple yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
5. R4: Sc around. 18 sts.
6. R5: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
7. FO, leaving a tail. Sew cap to stem.

Embroider small white dots on each cap. Sew the mushrooms in a cluster beside the stall and frog. Place the tallest mushroom at the back and smaller mushrooms in front.

Lanterns

The image has warm hanging lanterns near the cottage and stall. Make two small lanterns using brown frames and gold centers.

Lantern Body, Make 2

1. With gold yellow yarn, ch 6.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Turn. 5 sts.
3. R2-R5: Ch 1, sc across. Turn. 5 sts.
4. FO.

Lantern Frame

1. With dark brown yarn, join to one corner of the gold square.
2. Sc evenly around all four sides, placing 2 sc in each corner.
3. Ch 8 for a hanging loop, sl st back to the top corner.
4. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one lantern under the roof near the left side of the counter. Sew the second near the cottage door or right shelf. Keep the loops visible for a handmade hanging effect.

Branch Trees and Hanging Stars

The display includes bare twig-like branches with hanging stars. They frame the apothecary and add a moonlit fairy garden feeling.

Twisted Branches

1. Cut two pipe cleaners or floral wires about 8 in long.
2. Wrap each with dark brown yarn, securing the yarn with small stitches or knots.
3. Twist smaller wire pieces around the main branch to form crooked side limbs.
4. Sew or anchor one branch on the left side of the cottage and one behind the right mushrooms.

If you prefer a fully crocheted branch, ch 28 with brown yarn and sl st back across. Make side branches by joining yarn at different points, chaining 8 to 12, then slip stitching back.

Hanging Star, Make 4

1. With cream, gray, or gold yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 10 sc in MR. Sl st to close.
3. Point: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip 1 st on circle, sl st in next st.
4. Repeat until 5 points are made.
5. FO, leaving a hanging tail.

Tie or sew the stars to the branch tips using tan yarn. Let them hang at different heights, just like the stars in the image.

Shelves Inside the Stall

The back wall has simple shelf lines holding bottles and jars. These shelves can be crocheted as thin strips and sewn horizontally to the stall wall.

1. With dark brown yarn, ch 18.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 17 sts.
3. FO, leaving a long tail.
4. Make 2 shelves total.
5. Sew shelves across the back wall, one near the middle and one lower behind the owl.

Sew small potion bottles onto the shelves before closing the stall area completely. This keeps the tiny pieces secure and prevents them from shifting while displayed.

Small Blue Bucket

A tiny blue bucket sits near the hanging herbs. It adds a useful garden-shop detail and balances the purple and green colors.

1. With teal blue yarn, make MR.
2. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
3. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
4. R3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
5. R4-R6: Sc around. 12 sts.
6. R7: Sl st around. FO.
7. Handle: Join yarn to one side, ch 10, sl st to opposite side. FO.

Place the bucket near the right interior of the stall or beside the shelf. Add one short green sprig inside if desired.

Leafy Roof Edge

To create the dense leafy edge seen across the roof, sew small leaves along the front roof line. Use two green shades to keep the texture natural.

1. Make 20 small leaves using the small ivy leaf pattern.
2. Sew leaves in overlapping rows across the front edge of the roof.
3. Angle some leaves downward and some sideways.
4. Add 8 purple berries between leaf clusters.
5. Use hidden stitches so the roof still looks soft and clean.

Assembly Order

Follow this order for the cleanest finish. The display has many tiny parts, so attach the large pieces first and save delicate details for the end.

1. Sew the cobblestone path to the base mat, beginning at the front left corner and curving toward the cottage door.
2. Sew the bottle cottage body to the back left section of the base. Use several firm stitches through the lower wall and base.
3. Sew the door and windows to the cottage before adding extra vines over the wall.
4. Attach the main green roof around the bottle neck. Sew the roof extension to the right side.
5. Sew the stall back wall to the base and to the cottage side. Attach side posts and counter.
6. Add shelves, potion bottles, hanging herbs, lanterns, and the apothecary sign.
7. Sew the owl behind the counter. Place the open book in front of the owl.
8. Attach potted plants along the front left and center of the base.
9. Sew mushrooms and frog to the right side of the base.
10. Sew mouse near the counter, angled toward the potion bottles.
11. Add branches behind the cottage and right garden edge. Hang stars from the branch tips.
12. Sew roof vines, berries, and loose trailing ivy last.

Optional Moonlit Glow Details

To make the piece look more like the photo, add gold yellow stitches inside windows and lanterns. A few small blue or purple stitches on mushroom caps can suggest a magical glow without using lights.

• Add gold straight stitches around the window crosses.
• Add white dots on blue mushrooms for a soft fantasy effect.
• Add tiny lavender knots around herb bundles.
• Add short dark green stitches on the roof to deepen the leaf texture.
• Add cream highlights to the owl eyes for a bright, alert expression.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Owl face: Keep both eyes level and close together. Add a tiny yellow beak between them and several small V stitches across the belly. The owl should look wise, gentle, and focused on the apothecary counter.

Mouse face: Embroider two tiny black eyes, a soft nose, and short whisker stitches. Sew the ears slightly forward so the mouse looks curious.

Frog face: Add round black pupils, a small curved smile, and two tiny cheek stitches if desired. Hold the purple basket close to the frog body.

Display shaping: Steam lightly from a distance if the base edges curl. Do not press the animals flat. Shape leaves and vines with your fingers while damp, then allow everything to dry fully.

Care Notes

Keep the apothecary garden as a decorative piece rather than a toy. Many details are small and firmly sewn, but tiny leaves, berries, bottles, and stars may not be safe for very young children.

Spot clean only with cool water and mild soap. Avoid soaking the full display because the base, roof support, and shaped branches may soften or lose structure.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The cottage stands straight and is firmly attached to the base.
• The roof sits around the bottle neck without twisting.
• The door, windows, and lanterns are securely sewn.
• The owl, mouse, and frog faces are neat and balanced.
• All tiny bottles, herbs, berries, and mushrooms are attached tightly.
• The sign is centered on the counter front.
• The vines trail naturally without covering the owl’s face or the main doorway.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust the piece gently with a soft brush. Work from the top down, beginning with the cork, roof vines, and branches, then move to the counter, animals, mushrooms, and base.

If a leaf or herb bundle bends, reshape it with slightly damp fingers and let it air dry. Store the display in a box with tissue around the branches and hanging stars so they do not flatten.

Keep the crochet apothecary away from direct sunlight for long periods. Strong light may fade the greens, purples, and gold window details. A shaded shelf or craft display cabinet is ideal.