Crochet Tutorial: Blue Roof Hamster Pond Harvest Cottage – Free Crochet Pattern

Create a cozy crochet harvest cottage scene with a soft green garden base, a cream cottage with a textured blue roof, a front porch, a tiny door, jars on a wall shelf, a vegetable garden, a scarecrow, a white fence, a round pond, stepping stones, mushrooms, flowers, a mouse harvesting radishes, and a cheerful hamster pushing a wheelbarrow full of vegetables.

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

Skill Level

Intermediate. A confident beginner can complete this project slowly by making each section as a small separate crochet piece. Most pieces use single crochet, increases, decreases, basic shaping, sewing, and simple embroidery.

Finished Size

• Garden base: about 15 in wide by 12 in deep.
• Cottage: about 8 in wide, 5 in deep, and 7 in tall including roof.
• Hamster doll: about 4 in tall.
• Mouse doll: about 3.75 in tall when seated.
• Scarecrow: about 4.5 in tall.
• Pond: about 4.5 in wide.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in sage green, cream, denim blue, tan, brown, dark brown, light gray, white, blush pink, beige, carrot orange, tomato red, leafy green, burgundy, lavender, yellow, pale blue, black, and small scraps of purple and pink.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for dolls, vegetables, flowers, and small details.
• 3.5 mm crochet hook for base, cottage panels, porch, roof, pond, and larger flat pieces.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Plastic canvas, cardboard, or foam board for cottage walls, roof, porch, base, and wheelbarrow support.
• 6 mm black safety eyes for hamster and mouse, or embroidered eyes.
• 4 mm black beads or French knots for scarecrow face.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, sewing pins.
• Optional: craft wire for wheelbarrow handles, scarecrow arms, trellis poles, and shovel handle.

US Crochet Abbreviations

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

Gauge and Construction Notes

Exact gauge is not critical, but tight stitches are important for clean amigurumi shaping. Use a hook small enough that stuffing does not show through. The pictured scene has firm, rounded pieces with visible crochet texture, so do not work too loosely.

The cottage is built from flat crocheted panels wrapped around firm inserts. The dolls and small accessories are crocheted in continuous rounds. The base is a thick rectangular mat with a raised border, and all elements are sewn securely onto it.

Main Garden Base

Use sage green yarn and the 3.5 mm hook. Work in rows. Ch 46.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 45 sc.
2. Rows 2-38: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 45 sc.
3. Row 39: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. Do not fasten off.

Border: Ch 1. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the rectangle, placing 3 sc in each corner. Sl st to first sc. Work 2 more rounds of sc around, keeping 3 sc in each corner. FO and weave in ends.

For the raised rounded edge visible around the base, join sage green in any corner. Ch 1, work one round of reverse single crochet, or work one round of sl st loosely around the outer edge. This creates the neat corded border shown in the image.

Raised Garden Bed

Use dark brown yarn and the 3.5 mm hook. Ch 18.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 17 sc.
2. Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 17 sc.
3. Border: Sc evenly around, placing 2 sc in each corner. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the garden bed to the front left area of the base. Stuff very lightly under the center before closing the last side so it sits slightly raised like soft soil.

Garden Bed Green Rows

Make 4 small leafy rows in green. For each row, ch 12. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. FO. The strip will curl naturally. Sew two rows near the back of the bed for vines and two rows near the front for leafy vegetables.

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Tomatoes

Make 4 in red. With 3.0 mm hook, R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. R4: dec around. 6 sc. Stuff lightly, FO, close hole. For the top, use green yarn and stitch a tiny star with 5 short straight stitches.

Pumpkins

Make 4 in orange. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4: sc around. R5: sc, dec around. 12 sc. R6: dec around. 6 sc. FO and close. Wrap green yarn from top to bottom 5 times, pulling gently to make pumpkin grooves. Add a green stem with ch 4, sl st back down.

Cabbages

Make 2 in green. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. FO. Make a second layer by joining yarn to any front loop of R2, ch 2, sl st in next front loop, repeat around. Sew to the soil bed.

Trellis Poles and Climbing Vines

Use tan yarn for poles. Make 6 vertical poles. For each pole, ch 14, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. FO, leaving tails. Make 3 horizontal crossbars by ch 16, sl st across.

Sew or glue the poles in a leaning row behind the garden bed. Cross the tops slightly so they look handmade. Use green yarn to make vines: ch 18, work 2 sc in each ch across. Wrap the curly vines around poles and tack them in place with small stitches.

White Picket Fence

Use white yarn and 3.0 mm hook. Make 7 fence posts.

1. Ch 8.
2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, sl st in last ch.
3. FO, leaving a long tail.

Make 2 rails: ch 28, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. FO. Sew the posts evenly to the two rails. Attach the fence to the front left edge of the garden bed, curving slightly like the image.

Cottage Front Wall

Use cream yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Ch 29.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 28 sc.
2. Rows 2-24: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 28 sc.
3. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Cut a piece of plastic canvas or firm cardboard slightly smaller than the wall. Sew the crochet panel around the insert later during assembly. The cream wall should look soft but straight, matching the cottage in the picture.

Cottage Back Wall

Use cream yarn. Make the same as the front wall: ch 29, work 24 rows of 28 sc. FO with a long tail.

Cottage Side Walls

Make 2 side walls in cream. Ch 21.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 20 sc.
2. Rows 2-24: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 20 sc.
3. FO, leaving a long tail.

Door

Use tan yarn and 3.0 mm hook. Ch 11.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 10 sc.
2. Rows 2-16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 10 sc.
3. Border: Sc evenly around the rectangle, placing 2 sc in each corner. FO.

Use darker tan yarn to embroider vertical lines down the door every 2 stitches. Add a tiny brown knob by making 5 sc in MR, sl st to close, FO, and sew to the right side of the door.

Sew the door to the center of the front wall, beginning 2 rows above the bottom edge. Keep it slightly rounded at the top by shaping the upper corners with small stitches.

Front Porch Platform

Use tan yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Ch 25.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 24 sc.
2. Rows 2-8: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 24 sc.
3. Border: Work 1 round of sc around, placing 3 sc in each corner. FO.

To make the porch planks, use dark tan yarn and embroider straight lines from front to back every 3 stitches. Add a second identical rectangle if you want extra thickness. Place a firm insert between the two rectangles and sew closed.

Porch Step

Use tan yarn. Ch 21.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 20 sc.
2. Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 20 sc.
3. FO, leaving tail.

Sew the step to the front edge of the porch, slightly lower than the door platform.

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Blue Roof Main Rectangle

Use denim blue yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Ch 40.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 39 sc.
2. Rows 2-34: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. 39 sc.
3. Border: Sc evenly around with 3 sc in each corner. FO, leaving a long tail.

The roof folds over the top of the cottage like an inverted V with deep overhangs. Insert firm cardboard or plastic canvas under the roof rectangle. Bend the insert gently in the middle before attaching it so the roof keeps the sloped shape.

Roof Edge Trim

Join denim blue yarn to one long edge. Ch 1, sc across the long edge, placing one sc in each row end. Repeat on the other long edge. For a rounded look, add one row of sl st along both front and back roof edges.

Roof Side Gables

Make 2 triangle inserts in cream or denim blue. Use cream if you want visible cottage side gables under the roof; use blue if you want them hidden.

1. Ch 20.
2. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 19 sc.
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 15, dec. 17 sc.
4. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 17 sc.
5. Row 4: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 13, dec. 15 sc.
6. Continue decreasing at both ends every other row until 3 sts remain.
7. Final row: Ch 1, turn, sc3tog. FO.

Sew one triangle to each side wall near the top before placing the roof.

Window Shelf With Jars

Use tan yarn for the shelf. Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. FO. Make a second identical strip and sew them together for thickness. Attach to the right of the front door.

Red Jam Jar

Use red yarn. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 10 sc. R3-R5: sc around. Change to white for lid. R6: sc around. FO. Embroider a small white label on the front with 3 horizontal stitches.

Purple Jam Jar

Use dark purple yarn. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 10 sc. R3-R5: sc around. Change to pink for lid. R6: sc around. FO. Add scallops under lid: join pink, repeat ch 2, sl st in next st around.

Milk Bottle

Use white yarn. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 10 sc. R3-R7: sc around. R8: dec, sc 3, dec, sc 3. 8 sc. R9-R11: sc around. Change to pale pink. R12: sc around. FO. Sew all jars to the shelf.

Garden Shovel

Use gray yarn for the blade. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: sc, inc around. 9 sc. R3: sc around. R4: dec, sc 5, dec. 7 sc. Flatten and sew closed. Use brown yarn for handle: ch 18, sl st back across. Sew the blade to one end and attach shovel beside the door.

Porch Basket

Use medium brown yarn and 3.0 mm hook.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 18 sc.
5. R5-R7: Sc around. 18 sc.
6. FO.

Handle: ch 16, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew ends to opposite sides of basket. Fill with tiny vegetables: make one red tomato, one orange carrot, and two green leaves using the vegetable instructions below.

Small Porch Stool

Use tan yarn. For the seat, R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4: BLO sc around. R5: sc around. FO.

For each leg, make 4: ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew under the seat evenly. Attach the stool to the right side of the porch.

Round Pond

Use pale blue yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Work in continuous rounds.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sc.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sc.
5. R5: 3 sc, inc around. 30 sc.
6. R6: 4 sc, inc around. 36 sc.
7. R7: 5 sc, inc around. 42 sc.
8. R8: 6 sc, inc around. 48 sc.
9. R9: 7 sc, inc around. 54 sc.
10. R10: 8 sc, inc around. 60 sc.
11. R11: 9 sc, inc around. 66 sc.
12. R12: Sc around. 66 sc.
13. FO, leaving a long tail.

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Sew the pond to the front right of the base. Keep it flat. The spiral center should remain visible, just like the pond in the image.

Pond Stones

Make 18 to 22 stones in light gray. Use a mix of sizes.

Small stone: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. R4: dec around. 6 sc. Stuff lightly, close.

Medium stone: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4: sc around. R5: sc, dec around. 12 sc. Stuff lightly, FO.

Sew the stones around the outside edge of the pond, alternating small and medium stones for a rounded pebble border.

Stepping Stones and Garden Path

Make 5 oval gray stepping stones from the porch to the pond. For each stone, ch 7.

1. Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side of chain, sc in next 4 ch, 2 sc in last ch. 14 sc.
2. Round 2: Inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sc.
3. FO.

Sew in a curved line from the porch toward the pond. For the wooden plank path near the hamster, make 8 tan planks: ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, FO. Sew them in a gentle curve between the cottage and wheelbarrow.

Hamster Doll

The hamster stands at the right side of the cottage with a rounded tan body, cream muzzle, small ears, pink cheeks, and a white bib-like collar.

Hamster Head

Use tan yarn and 3.0 mm hook.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sc.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sc.
5. R5: 3 sc, inc around. 30 sc.
6. R6-R10: Sc around. 30 sc.
7. R11: 3 sc, dec around. 24 sc.
8. R12: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sc.
9. Insert eyes between R7 and R8, 7 sts apart.
10. R13: Sc, dec around. 12 sc.
11. Stuff firmly.
12. R14: Dec around. 6 sc. FO and close.

Hamster Cream Muzzle Patch

Use cream yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. FO. Sew to lower front of head. Embroider a small black nose at the center and a tiny smiling mouth below it.

Hamster Ears

Make 2 in tan. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: sc, inc around. 9 sc. R3: sc around. FO. Flatten and sew to the top sides of the head. Add a few blush pink stitches inside each ear.

Hamster Body

Use tan yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sc.
5. R5-R9: Sc around. 24 sc.
6. R10: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sc.
7. R11: Sc around. 18 sc.
8. R12: Sc, dec around. 12 sc.
9. Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail.

Hamster Belly Bib

Use white yarn. Ch 9. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 8 sc. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. 6 sc. Row 4: Sc across. FO. Sew to the front of the body.

Hamster Arms and Feet

Arms, make 2 in tan: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R7: sc around. Stuff lightly, FO. Sew to upper sides of body, angled forward to hold the wheelbarrow handles.

Feet, make 2 in tan: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. FO. Flatten slightly and sew under the body.

Hamster Cheeks

Use blush pink yarn. Make 2 tiny circles: 5 sc in MR, sl st to close, FO. Sew one cheek on each side of the muzzle.

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Wheelbarrow

Use tan yarn for the basket tray. Ch 13.

1. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 12 sc.
2. Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sc.
3. Border: Sc around with 2 sc in each corner. FO.

Make 2 side panels: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across for 4 rows. FO. Sew one side panel to each long side of the tray. Lightly stiffen with a small piece of plastic canvas if desired.

Wheel: use black yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. FO. Make a second black circle and sew both together with a little stuffing. Attach to the front center of the tray.

Handles: make 2 in brown. Ch 17, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew to the back of the wheelbarrow and place them into the hamster’s hands.

Wheelbarrow Vegetables

Carrots, make 3. Use orange yarn: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R5: sc around. R6: dec once, sc 3. FO and close. Leaves: join green to top, ch 4, sl st back down, repeat 3 times.

Corn, make 1. Use yellow yarn: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 10 sc. R3-R8: sc around. R9: dec around. FO. Add two green leaf wraps by ch 8, sc back across, sew to sides.

Radish or beet, make 1 in red or burgundy: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3-R4: sc around. R5: dec around. FO. Add green leaves at top.

Mouse Doll by the Pond

The small mouse sits near the pond holding two burgundy radishes. It has a beige head, cream body, floppy ears, a long pink tail, and soft pink feet.

Mouse Head

Use beige yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sc.
5. R5-R8: Sc around. 24 sc.
6. R9: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sc.
7. Place eyes between R6 and R7, 6 sts apart.
8. R10: Sc, dec around. 12 sc.
9. Stuff firmly.
10. R11: Dec around. 6 sc. FO and close.

Mouse Snout

Use beige yarn. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: sc around. R3: inc, sc 4. 6 sc. FO. Stuff lightly and sew to the lower front of the face. Embroider a tiny dark brown nose at the tip.

Mouse Ears

Make 2 outer ears in beige: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc around. FO. Make 2 inner ears in blush pink: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: sc, inc around. 9 sc. FO. Sew pink inner ears to beige outer ears. Attach ears low on the sides of the head so they droop beside the face.

Mouse Body

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4-R8: Sc around. 18 sc.
5. R9: Sc, dec around. 12 sc.
6. Stuff. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the head to the body. Tilt the head slightly downward toward the pond to match the peaceful seated pose.

Mouse Arms, Legs, and Tail

Arms, make 2 in cream: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R6: sc around. FO. Sew to front of body so they hold radishes.

Legs, make 2 in cream: R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3-R4: sc around. FO. Sew to lower front of body in a seated position.

Tail: use blush pink. Ch 18, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew to back of body, curving it to the left side.

Mouse Radishes

Make 2 in burgundy. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 10 sc. R3-R5: sc around. R6: dec around. FO. Add green tops with ch 5 leaves. Sew both radishes between the mouse’s hands.

Scarecrow

The scarecrow stands near the garden bed with a straw hat, blue overalls, brown shirt, straw hands, and a tiny bird perched on one arm.

Scarecrow Head

Use beige yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4-R7: sc around. R8: sc, dec around. 12 sc. Stuff. R9: dec around. FO. Embroider small black eyes and a stitched smile.

Scarecrow Hat

Use brown yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sc.
3. R3: Sc, inc around. 18 sc.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 18 sc.
5. R5-R6: Sc around. 18 sc.
6. R7: FLO 2 sc in each st around. 36 sc.
7. R8: Sc around. FO.

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Sew the hat to the head. Add a tan band with surface stitching around R5.

Scarecrow Shirt and Body

Use rust brown yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4-R8: sc around. Change to denim blue. R9-R12: sc around. Stuff. R13: sc, dec around. 12 sc. FO.

For overall bib, use denim blue. Ch 8. Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. 7 sc. Rows 2-4: sc across. FO. Sew to front. Add two straps with ch 9 each and sew from bib to back shoulders.

Scarecrow Arms

Use rust brown. Make 2: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R8: sc around. FO. Add straw cuffs by tying short tan yarn pieces to the ends. Sew arms straight out from body.

Scarecrow Legs

Make 2 in denim blue: R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R8: sc around. FO. Add straw at the bottom with short tan yarn pieces. Sew under the body. Attach scarecrow to base with hidden stitches behind the garden bed.

Tiny Bird

Use cream and brown scraps. Body: 5 sc in MR, R2 sc around, FO. Wing: ch 3, sl st back. Beak: one tiny orange stitch. Sew the bird on the scarecrow’s raised arm.

Log Beside the Pond

Use brown yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: BLO sc around. R4-R13: sc around. Stuff as you go. R14: BLO dec around. FO. Use tan yarn to embroider spiral rings on both ends. Add small cream mushroom spots or knots on the top with French knots.

Turtle

Use olive green for shell. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4-R5: sc around. R6: sc, dec around. 12 sc. Stuff lightly, FO.

Head: use pale yellow. R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R3: sc around. FO. Legs, make 4: 4 sc in MR, sl st close. Tail: ch 3, sl st back. Sew head, legs, and tail under shell. Place the turtle beside the pond stones.

Mushrooms

Make 5 mushrooms in pastel pink, lavender, and pale blue. Use white for stems.

Mushroom Stem

R1: 5 sc in MR. R2-R5: sc around. Stuff lightly, FO.

Mushroom Cap

R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4: sc around. R5: BLO sc, dec around. 12 sc. Stuff lightly and sew to stem. Add tiny white spots with embroidery.

Place three mushrooms near the front left fence and two smaller mushrooms beside the scarecrow.

Flowers and Bushes

Make small flowers around the cottage edges and garden corners. For each flower center, use yellow: 5 sc in MR, sl st close. Petals: join pink, white, lavender, or purple. Repeat ch 3, sl st in next st around 5 times. FO.

Leaves: use green. Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next, dc in next, sc in last. FO. Sew leaves under flowers. Cluster flowers near the right wall, around the pond, and along the fence for the full garden look.

Watering Can

Use pale blue yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. R2: inc around. 12 sc. R3: sc, inc around. 18 sc. R4-R7: sc around. R8: sc, dec around. 12 sc. Stuff lightly. R9: dec around. FO.

Spout: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Sew to side of can and angle upward. Handle: ch 12, sl st back across, sew to opposite side. Top knob: 5 sc in MR. Sew the watering can near the porch flowers.

Small Cottage Side Flowers

For the full cottage garden effect, make 10 tiny flower buds. Use pink, yellow, lavender, and white. For each bud, work 5 sc in MR, sl st to close, FO. Sew each bud onto a green stem made from ch 5. Place them along the right side wall and behind the hamster.

Assembly of the Cottage

1. Wrap each wall panel around its matching insert. Use whipstitch around the edges to close the crochet over the insert.
2. Sew the front wall to the two side walls with cream yarn. Keep the bottom edges even.
3. Sew the back wall to the side walls, forming a firm rectangular cottage box.
4. Attach the cream triangular gables to the two side openings at the top.
5. Fold the blue roof in half lengthwise and place it over the cottage. It should overhang the front, back, and sides.
6. Sew the roof along the top ridge and tack it to the upper wall edges. Leave the bottom overhang soft and rounded.
7. Sew the porch platform directly in front of the door. Add the small porch step to the front edge.
8. Sew the whole cottage to the back center of the green base.

Scene Placement Guide

Place the cottage near the back center of the mat, leaving enough green space in front for the pond and path. The roof should be the largest visual element, with the blue rectangle sloping down toward the front.

• Attach the garden bed to the front left corner.
• Place the trellis along the back edge of the garden bed.
• Sew the white fence to the front left side of the garden.
• Place the scarecrow just behind or beside the garden bed.
• Sew the pond to the front right area.
• Place the mouse at the top-left edge of the pond, facing inward.
• Place the log near the lower-left edge of the pond.
• Place the turtle near the right pond stones.
• Sew the hamster to the right side of the base, holding the wheelbarrow handles.
• Arrange the tan plank path between the cottage and hamster.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use long sewing tails and small hidden stitches to secure every piece. The project includes many tiny details, so pin all pieces first before sewing. Check the balance from the front, top, and side.

For faces, keep the embroidery simple and cute. Use black yarn for eyes if you do not use safety eyes. Add tiny blush stitches to the hamster cheeks and mouse cheeks. Keep noses small so the dolls stay soft and gentle.

For the scarecrow, add a few tan yarn strands at the wrists, ankles, and under the hat brim. Trim them evenly. This creates the straw detail visible in the scene without making the doll look messy.

Care Notes

This crochet cottage scene is decorative and contains many small parts. It is not suitable for babies or pets. Display it on a shelf, craft table, nursery shelf, or seasonal harvest display where the details can stay protected.

Keep the cottage away from direct sunlight for long periods, especially the blue roof and pastel flowers. Strong light may fade yarn colors over time.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Roof is centered and overhangs evenly.
• Door, jars, porch, basket, shovel, and stool are firmly attached.
• Garden bed includes tomatoes, pumpkins, cabbages, trellis, vines, and fence.
• Pond is flat with a full pebble border.
• Mouse is seated and holding two radishes.
• Hamster is standing with the wheelbarrow handles in its paws.
• Scarecrow has hat, overalls, straw cuffs, and tiny bird.
• Flowers, mushrooms, log, turtle, watering can, and path are placed as shown.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Clean gently with a soft lint roller or a dry microfiber cloth. For dust in small areas, use a clean soft paintbrush and brush outward from the cottage walls, roof texture, flowers, and vegetables.

Do not machine wash the assembled scene. If a small area becomes dirty, spot clean with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap. Blot carefully and let the piece air dry completely.

Store the finished cottage in a breathable box when not on display. Place tissue paper around the roof, dolls, trellis, and wheelbarrow so the tiny shapes do not bend or flatten.