Crochet Tutorial: Capybara Lily Pad Bridge Garden Cottage – Free Crochet Pattern

This crochet garden cottage scene features a round green display base with a turquoise lily pond, a curved wooden bridge, four tiny capybaras, a leafy cottage with a rounded door, stepping stones, garden beds, vegetables, mushrooms, potted plants, flowers, signs, tools, and a pastel dragonfly on the roof. The finished piece is designed as a detailed amigurumi diorama with soft shaping, layered leaves, and many small decorative pieces.

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

Finished Size

Whole display: about 12 in wide and 9 in tall when made with sport weight yarn and a 2.25 mm hook.
Cottage body: about 5 in wide and 5.5 in tall before the roof peak.
Each capybara: about 2 in to 2.5 in long depending on stuffing firmness.
Pond: about 5 in wide with a raised stone border.
Bridge: about 5.5 in long, slightly curved, with four posts and rope rails.

Skill Level

This pattern is best for confident beginners to intermediate crocheters. The stitches are simple, but the project uses many small parts, color changes, shaping rounds, and careful sewing. Work slowly, pin every piece before sewing, and keep your tension firm so the tiny accessories hold their shape.

Materials

Sport weight cotton yarn in grass green, dark green, light green, mint, cream, white, brown, tan, beige, gray, turquoise, aqua, pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, black, and small amounts of pastel blue and lavender.
2.25 mm crochet hook for most pieces.
2.0 mm crochet hook for tiny flowers, signs, and vegetable details.
Fiberfill stuffing.
Yarn needle.
Stitch markers.
Sewing pins.
Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread.
Thin cardboard or plastic canvas for the base, cottage floor, signs, and bridge support.
Optional floral wire for the bridge curve, flower stems, and garden signs.

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: stitch

Gauge and Notes

Exact gauge is not critical, but all pieces must use the same yarn weight and hook size.
Use tight stitches so stuffing does not show.
Most amigurumi pieces are worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise.
Stuff the cottage firmly but not so tightly that the round shape becomes stretched.
For the display base, use a cardboard or plastic insert so the scene stays flat.
Pin every cottage detail before sewing. This keeps the roof leaves, door, windows, and path aligned like the photo.

Color Placement Overview

The base is a large green circle with a raised edge. A turquoise pond sits on the front left, bordered with gray stones. The cottage sits in the back center with a pale cream upper wall and light green lower wall. The roof is made of layered dark, medium, and light green leaves with a pale green cone at the top.

The garden is on the right side of the base with rows of carrots, leafy greens, purple flowers, red beet-like vegetables, and small signs. A brown bridge crosses the pond on the left. The capybaras are tan-brown with small round ears, oval noses, and simple embroidered faces.

Large Round Display Base

Flat Grass Circle

Use grass green yarn and the 2.25 mm hook. Work in continuous rounds. Keep the circle flat by blocking lightly as you work. The base should be firm, wide, and slightly raised at the outer rim.

R1: 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
R2: inc around. 16 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 32 sts.
R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 40 sts.
R6: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 48 sts.
R7: sc 5, inc; repeat around. 56 sts.
R8: sc 6, inc; repeat around. 64 sts.
R9: sc 7, inc; repeat around. 72 sts.
R10: sc 8, inc; repeat around. 80 sts.
R11: sc 9, inc; repeat around. 88 sts.
R12: sc 10, inc; repeat around. 96 sts.
R13: sc 11, inc; repeat around. 104 sts.
R14: sc 12, inc; repeat around. 112 sts.
R15: sc 13, inc; repeat around. 120 sts.
R16: sc 14, inc; repeat around. 128 sts.
R17: sc 15, inc; repeat around. 136 sts.
R18: sc 16, inc; repeat around. 144 sts.
R19: sc 17, inc; repeat around. 152 sts.
R20: sc 18, inc; repeat around. 160 sts.
R21: sc 19, inc; repeat around. 168 sts.
R22: sc 20, inc; repeat around. 176 sts.
R23: sc 21, inc; repeat around. 184 sts.
R24: sc 22, inc; repeat around. 192 sts.
R25: sc 23, inc; repeat around. 200 sts.
R26: sc around. 200 sts.
R27: BLO sc around. 200 sts.
R28-R31: sc around for 4 rounds to create the raised side wall. 200 sts each round.
R32: sl st around loosely. FO, leaving a long tail for closing the rim if needed.

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Base Insert and Bottom Cover

Cut a circle of cardboard or plastic canvas slightly smaller than the base. Crochet a second flat circle through R25 only, using the same grass green yarn. Place the insert between the two circles, then sew the top and bottom together along the BLO edge of R27.

Raised Outer Rim

Use dark green yarn. Join to any stitch on the outer side wall of the base.

R1: Work 200 surface sc around the top outer edge.
R2: ch 1, reverse sc around for a corded border. FO and weave in the end.

Turquoise Lily Pond

Pond Oval

The pond sits on the front left of the green base. It is an oval patch with a smooth turquoise center. Use turquoise yarn.

Ch 26.
R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 23, 3 sc in last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain, sc 23, inc in final ch. 52 sts.
R2: inc, sc 23, inc 3 times, sc 23, inc 2 times. 58 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc, sc 23, sc 1, inc; repeat 3 times across the curve, sc 23, sc 1, inc; repeat twice. 66 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc, sc 23, sc 2, inc; repeat 3 times, sc 23, sc 2, inc; repeat twice. 74 sts.
R5: sc 3, inc, sc 23, sc 3, inc; repeat 3 times, sc 23, sc 3, inc; repeat twice. 82 sts.
R6: sc around. 82 sts.
R7: sl st around. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the pond to the front left of the base. Position it so the lower curve is about 1 in from the front edge and the upper edge sits partly under the bridge.

Gray Pebble Pond Border

Make 32 small gray pebbles. Use gray yarn.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc around. 12 sts.
R4: dec around. 6 sts.
Stuff lightly, close the opening, and FO.

Sew the pebbles around the pond edge, alternating light gray and medium gray if desired. Place them close together like a soft stone border. Leave a small open space where the stepping-stone path meets the pond.

Water Details

Lily Pads

Make 5 lily pads in light green and medium green. Use the 2.0 mm hook for a tighter shape.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
Cut a small V shape by working: ch 1, turn, skip 2 sts, sl st into the next st. FO.

Embroider one center vein from the middle to the V notch. Sew three lily pads flat on the pond and leave two slightly raised at the edges.

Water Lily

Make one large pink water lily for the lower left pond area.

Center: with yellow, 6 sc in MR, sl st to close. FO.
Petal: with pink, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc 2, hdc, sc. FO.
Make 8 petals.
Sew petals around the yellow center in two layers, four petals underneath and four petals above.

Tiny Orange Fish

Make 3 tiny fish with orange yarn.

Ch 5.
Sc in 2nd ch, hdc, sc, sl st in last ch.
Ch 3, sl st into the same last ch to form a tail loop.
FO and sew onto the pond with a single black stitch for the eye.

Tiny Frog

Use bright green yarn. The frog sits on a lily pad near the center of the pond.

Body R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc around. 12 sts.
R4: dec around. 6 sts. Stuff lightly and close.
Eyes: make 2 bumps, 5 sc in MR, sl st closed. Sew on top of the head.
Legs: ch 5, sl st back along chain. Make 2 and sew to the lower body.

Embroider tiny black eye dots and a short smile. Sew the frog to the lily pad, facing the bridge.

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Curved Wooden Bridge

Bridge Deck

The bridge is brown, slightly arched, and placed across the left side of the pond. For a stable curve, insert a thin strip of plastic canvas or floral wire inside the deck.

With brown yarn, ch 28.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 27 sts.
Rows 2-8: ch 1, turn, sc across. 27 sts.
Row 9: ch 1, turn, sc across in BLO to create a plank ridge. 27 sts.
Rows 10-16: ch 1, turn, sc across. 27 sts.
FO, leaving a long tail.

Fold the rectangle lengthwise with the insert inside. Sew the long edges together. Shape it into a gentle arch. Surface crochet 6 vertical plank lines across the top using darker brown yarn.

Bridge End Supports

Make 2 small supports in dark brown.

Ch 9.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 8 sts.
Rows 2-4: ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts.
FO and sew one under each end of the bridge.

Bridge Posts

Make 4 posts in tan brown. They stand at the corners of the bridge.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2-R9: sc around. 6 sts each round.
Stuff lightly with yarn scraps.
R10: dec around until closed. FO.

Sew two posts on each side of the bridge. Angle them slightly outward, about 10 degrees, like the photo.

Rope Rails

Use cream yarn. Make 2 ropes.

Ch 34 tightly.
Sl st in each ch across.
FO, leaving tails for sewing.

Sew one rope along each side, connecting the tops of the bridge posts. Add a lower short rope between each pair of posts if you want the thicker rail effect shown in the image.

Leafy Garden Cottage

Round Cottage Body

The cottage is a round amigurumi house. The bottom half is soft green, and the upper half is cream. Use firm stuffing so the wall stays smooth and rounded.

With light green yarn, R1: 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
R2: inc around. 16 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 32 sts.
R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 40 sts.
R6: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 48 sts.
R7: sc 5, inc; repeat around. 56 sts.
R8: sc 6, inc; repeat around. 64 sts.
R9: sc 7, inc; repeat around. 72 sts.
R10: sc 8, inc; repeat around. 80 sts.
R11-R17: sc around. 80 sts each round.
Change to cream yarn.
R18-R27: sc around. 80 sts each round.
R28: sc 8, dec; repeat around. 72 sts.
R29: sc around. 72 sts.
R30: sc 7, dec; repeat around. 64 sts.
R31: sc around. 64 sts.
R32: sc 6, dec; repeat around. 56 sts.
R33: sc 5, dec; repeat around. 48 sts.
Start stuffing firmly.
R34: sc 4, dec; repeat around. 40 sts.
R35: sc 3, dec; repeat around. 32 sts.
R36: sc 2, dec; repeat around. 24 sts.
R37: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 16 sts.
R38: dec around. 8 sts. FO and close.

Sew the cottage to the back center of the base. The door should face forward, slightly toward the pond path. Flatten the bottom gently before sewing so the house sits securely.

Brown Rounded Door

The door is tall, rounded at the top, and placed at the front center. Use dark brown yarn.

Ch 13.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 12 sts.
Rows 2-12: ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sts.
Row 13: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 8, dec. 10 sts.
Row 14: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 6, dec. 8 sts.
Row 15: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. 6 sts.
Row 16: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec. 4 sts.
Sc evenly around the edge. FO.

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Use cream yarn to make the door frame. Join at the lower left edge of the door opening, surface sl st around the door shape, then make a second round of sc around the same outline. Sew the brown door inside the cream frame.

Door Planks, Hinges, and Knob

Use medium brown yarn to surface crochet 5 vertical lines on the door.
Use tan yarn to embroider two short horizontal hinge stitches on the left side.
For the knob, make 5 sc in MR with golden tan yarn, sl st closed, and sew to the right side of the door.

Round Windows

Make 3 windows: one on the left front wall, one on the right front wall, and one slightly visible on the right side. Each window has a cream ring and brown crossbars.

Window Ring

With cream yarn, 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
R2: inc around. 16 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 32 sts.
Cut the center open carefully if needed, or crochet as a ring by leaving the center loose.
FO with a long tail.

Window Inner Circle

With beige yarn, 8 sc in MR. 8 sts.
R2: inc around. 16 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
FO.

Sew the beige circle behind the cream ring. Embroider four brown spokes from the center to the ring, forming a simple cross window. Sew the windows evenly on the cottage wall, level with the top of the door.

Layered Leaf Roof

The roof is the most important cottage detail. It is made from many separate leaves sewn in overlapping rows. Use darker leaves at the lower row, medium green in the middle, and lighter green near the top.

Large Lower Leaves

Make 16 large leaves using dark green and medium green yarn.

Ch 13.
Work along the chain: sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc 3, hdc 3, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch.
Continue on the opposite side: sc 3, hdc 3, dc 3, hdc, sc.
Sl st to first st.
Ch 1, surface sl st through the center chain line to make a vein.
FO with a long tail.

Medium Middle Leaves

Make 14 medium leaves using medium green and light green yarn.

Ch 11.
Sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc 2, hdc 3, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch.
Continue on the opposite side: sc 2, hdc 3, dc 2, hdc, sc.
Sl st to join, then surface sl st along the center vein.
FO with a long tail.

Small Upper Leaves

Make 10 small leaves in light green and pale green.

Ch 9.
Sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc 2, hdc 2, sc, 3 sc in last ch.
Continue on the opposite side: sc, hdc 2, dc 2, hdc, sc.
Sl st to join and surface sl st the center vein.
FO with a long tail.

Roof Assembly

Pin the 16 large leaves around the cottage where cream wall begins to curve inward.
Overlap each leaf by one-third of its width so the row looks dense.
Sew only the upper half of each leaf. Leave the pointed lower tips slightly free.
Pin the 14 medium leaves above the first row, offset between the lower leaves.
Sew the medium leaves the same way.
Pin the 10 small leaves near the top, forming a tight crown around the roof peak.

Pale Green Roof Cone

The cone rises from the center of the leafy roof. Use pale green yarn.

R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
R2: sc around. 5 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat twice, sc 1. 7 sts.
R4: sc around. 7 sts.
R5: sc 2, inc; repeat twice, sc 1. 9 sts.
R6: sc around. 9 sts.
R7: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 12 sts.
R8: sc around. 12 sts.
R9: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 15 sts.
R10: sc around. 15 sts.
R11: sc 4, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R12: sc around. 18 sts.
Stuff lightly and sew to the center top of the roof.

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Pastel Dragonfly

The dragonfly sits on the upper right side of the leafy roof. Use pink for the body and pastel blue or lavender for the wings.

Body

With pink yarn, ch 9.
Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across. 8 sl sts.
Make the head by working 5 sc in the last stitch. Sl st closed.
FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Wings

Make 4 wings.

Ch 7.
Sc in 2nd ch, hdc, dc 2, hdc, sc.
FO.

Sew two wings to each side of the body. Embroider tiny black eyes on the head. Sew the dragonfly at a diagonal angle on the right roof leaves.

Capybara Pattern

Make four capybaras. The main shapes are the same, but their positions and accessories differ. One sits on the bridge holding a flower basket, one waters the garden, one stands by the pond with a tiny flower, and one rests on a lily pad in the water.

Capybara Body

Use tan brown yarn. Work the body as a soft oval.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
R6-R10: sc around. 30 sts each round.
R11: sc 8, dec, sc 10, dec, sc 8. 28 sts.
R12: sc around. 28 sts.
R13: sc 5, dec; repeat around. 24 sts.
R14: sc 2, dec; repeat around. 18 sts.
Stuff firmly, shaping into an oval.
R15: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
R16: dec around. 6 sts. FO and close.

Capybara Head

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4-R7: sc around. 18 sts each round.
R8: sc 4, dec; repeat around. 15 sts.
R9: sc 3, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
Stuff lightly.
R10: dec around. 6 sts. FO and close.

Capybara Muzzle

With slightly darker tan yarn, ch 5.
R1: sc in 2nd ch, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch, continue on other side, sc 2, inc. 10 sts.
R2: sc around. 10 sts.
FO, leaving a tail.

Sew the muzzle to the lower front of the head. Embroider a small dark brown triangle nose at the center and one short vertical line below it.

Capybara Ears

Make 2 ears for each capybara.

R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
R2: sc around. 5 sts.
FO, flatten, and sew to the upper sides of the head.

Capybara Legs

Make 4 tiny legs for each standing capybara. For the capybara resting on the lily pad, make only 2 visible front feet.

R1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
R2-R3: sc around. 5 sts each round.
FO and leave unstuffed.

Face Details

Sew or embroider black eyes between R4 and R5 of the head, about 5 stitches apart.
Use one tiny straight stitch for each eyebrow if desired.
Keep the face simple and calm, matching the gentle capybara look in the image.

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Capybara Assembly

Sew the head to the front upper body at a slight downward angle.
Sew the ears to the top sides of the head.
Sew the legs under the body so each capybara can sit or stand securely.
For the bridge capybara, angle the body upright with the head facing forward.
For the watering capybara, angle the head toward the vegetable patch.
For the pond capybara, sew the body near the lower right pond edge.
For the lily pad capybara, make a smaller body by stopping the body pattern at R13, then close as written.

Mini Flower Basket

The bridge capybara holds a small basket full of flowers. Use tan yarn for the basket.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
R4-R6: sc around. 12 sts each round.
R7: sl st around. FO.
Handle: ch 14, sl st back across. Sew each end to the basket sides.

Basket Flowers

Make 5 tiny flowers in pink, yellow, and white.

R1: 5 sc in MR, sl st closed.
Petals: ch 2, sl st in next st; repeat 5 times.
FO and sew into the basket.

Watering Can

The watering can is pale blue and sits near the garden capybara.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4-R6: sc around. 18 sts each round.
R7: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
R8: sc around. 12 sts.
FO and stuff lightly.

Spout and Handle

Spout: ch 8, sl st back across, sew to the front side at an upward angle.
Handle: ch 14, sl st back across, sew to the opposite side in a curved loop.
Top knob: 5 sc in MR, sl st closed, sew to the top.

Garden Beds

The garden beds sit on the right side of the base. Make two brown soil rectangles: one long vegetable row and one flower row. Use dark brown yarn.

Long Soil Bed

Ch 26.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 25 sts.
Rows 2-7: ch 1, turn, sc across. 25 sts.
Sc evenly around the rectangle. FO.

Small Soil Bed

Ch 18.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 17 sts.
Rows 2-6: ch 1, turn, sc across. 17 sts.
Sc evenly around. FO.

Sew the long bed along the right edge of the base. Sew the smaller bed slightly in front of it, near the pond path.

Carrots

Make 8 carrots. Use orange for the root and green for the leaves.

With orange, R1: 4 sc in MR. 4 sts.
R2: sc around. 4 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat twice. 6 sts.
R4: sc around. 6 sts.
R5: sc 2, inc; repeat twice. 8 sts.
FO and lightly stuff.
Leaves: join green to the top, ch 4, sl st back; repeat 3 times. FO.

Sew the carrots in two neat rows near the small white garden sign labeled carrot.

Leafy Cabbages and Lettuces

Make 6 round leafy vegetables in light green.

Center: 6 sc in MR, sl st closed.
Leaf layer 1: ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, sc, sl st into next center st; repeat 6 times.
Leaf layer 2: work behind the first layer, ch 5, sc, hdc 2, sc, sl st to next back loop; repeat around.
FO and curl the leaves slightly with your fingers.

Sew the cabbages in a cluster near the watering can and basket.

Purple and Red Garden Flowers

Purple Rose Heads

Make 5 purple rose heads.

Ch 18.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, hdc in next, 2 dc in next; repeat this sequence across.
FO with a long tail.
Roll the strip into a rose and sew through the base to secure.

Red Beet Flowers

Make 5 red bulb vegetables or flower bulbs.

With red yarn, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc around. 12 sts.
R4: dec around. 6 sts. Stuff lightly and close.
Leaves: join green at the top, ch 5, sl st back; repeat 3 times.

Sew the purple roses and red bulbs into the front flower bed. Keep them in tidy rows like a small cottage garden.

Yellow, White, and Purple Flower Cluster

The tall flower cluster sits behind the mushrooms on the right side. Use thin floral wire inside the stems if you want them upright.

Stems

With green yarn, ch 10 to 16 for varied stem heights.
Sl st back across each chain.
Make 12 stems total.

Small Daisy Flowers

Center: 5 sc in MR with yellow or purple. Sl st closed.
Petals: join white, yellow, lavender, or pink. Ch 3, sl st in next st; repeat 5 times.
FO and sew one flower to each stem.

Sew the stems together in a bouquet shape. Attach the bouquet to the right side of the cottage, behind the red mushrooms and near the potted plants.

Red Mushrooms

Make 5 mushrooms in different sizes. Use white or cream for stems and red for caps.

Mushroom Stem

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2-R5: sc around. 6 sts each round.
FO and stuff lightly.

Mushroom Cap

With red, R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
R5: sc 1, dec; repeat around. 12 sts.
Stuff lightly and sew to the stem.

Embroider small white dots on the red caps. Sew the mushrooms in a curved group near the right wall of the cottage.

Potted Plants

Make 4 small pots for the right side of the cottage. Use warm brown yarn.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
R4-R5: sc around. 12 sts each round.
R6: FLO sl st around for the pot rim. FO.

Plant Leaves

For each pot, join green yarn to the top.
Ch 5, sc in 2nd ch, hdc, sc, sl st into pot center.
Repeat 5 to 7 times to make a leafy plant.
For flowering pots, sew one tiny yellow or white flower to the top.

Garden Signs

Make one larger sign for the left side reading Lily Pea Garden and four small vegetable signs on the right. If you do not want to embroider letters, use tiny straight stitches to suggest writing.

Large Lily Pea Garden Sign

With beige yarn, ch 13.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 12 sts.
Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sts.
Sc around the rectangle. FO.
Post: with brown, ch 10, sl st back across. Sew behind the sign.

Embroider Lily Pea Garden with short dark green stitches. Sew the sign to the left back area near the bridge and cottage.

Small Vegetable Signs

Make 4 small signs.

With cream yarn, ch 8.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. 7 sts.
Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 7 sts.
FO.
Post: ch 8 with brown yarn, sl st back across.

Embroider short labels such as carrot, greens, flowers, and garden. Sew each sign along the vegetable bed, leaning slightly like the photo.

Stone Path and Cottage Steps

Round Stepping Stones

Make 22 small stones in light gray and medium gray.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sl st around. FO.

Sew the stones from the door down toward the pond and bridge. Place them in a curved path. Vary the angle slightly so the path looks handmade and natural.

Cottage Steps

Make 3 stacked gray step pieces.

Large step: ch 12, sc in 2nd ch, sc across. Work 4 rows. FO.
Middle step: ch 10, sc in 2nd ch, sc across. Work 3 rows. FO.
Small step: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch, sc across. Work 3 rows. FO.

Sew the three pieces together in a small stack. Attach them directly in front of the brown door before sewing the stepping stones.

Tiny Blue Rain Boots

Make 2 tiny boots and place them near the cottage path.

With blue yarn, ch 5.
R1: sc in 2nd ch, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch, continue on other side, sc 2, inc. 10 sts.
R2: sc around. 10 sts.
R3: BLO sc around. 10 sts.
R4-R6: sc around. 10 sts each round.
R7: sl st around. FO.

Shape the lower front into a small toe with your fingers. Sew both boots upright beside the steps.

Picnic Blanket

A small pastel blanket rests near the cottage and bridge. Use white, pink, and blue yarn for a simple checkered look.

With white, ch 14.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch, sc across. 13 sts.
Rows 2-10: ch 1, turn, sc across, changing colors every 3 to 4 stitches to create soft blocks.
Sc around the edge with pink yarn. FO.

Embroider a few diagonal blue and pink lines across the blanket. Sew it flat beside the bridge, near the front of the cottage.

Garden Tools

Rake

Handle: with beige yarn, ch 24, sl st back across.
Rake head: ch 8, sl st back across.
Teeth: join gray to the rake head, ch 4, sl st back; repeat 5 times.
Sew the rake diagonally near the flower beds.

Small Basket

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
R4-R5: sc around. 12 sts each round.
R6: sl st around. FO.

Place the basket near the watering capybara or beside the garden bed.

Small Lily Pad Boat Capybara

The pond capybara sits on a green lily pad or tiny leaf boat. Make a larger lily pad using medium green yarn.

R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
R2: inc around. 12 sts.
R3: sc 1, inc; repeat around. 18 sts.
R4: sc 2, inc; repeat around. 24 sts.
R5: sc 3, inc; repeat around. 30 sts.
Work the V notch: ch 1, turn, skip 3 sts, sl st into the next stitch.
FO and sew to the pond.

Sew the smallest capybara on top of this large lily pad, facing slightly toward the front. Add a tiny embroidered nose and calm eyes.

Placement Guide

Cottage: back center of the round base, door facing forward.
Pond: front left, with stones all around.
Bridge: across the upper-left side of the pond, angled from left front to center back.
Bridge capybara: seated on the bridge with flower basket in front.
Watering capybara: right center, next to the pale blue watering can.
Pond capybara: front center near the water edge, holding or facing a tiny flower.
Lily pad capybara: small version resting on the large lily pad in the pond.
Vegetable beds: right side of the base.
Mushrooms and flowers: right side of the cottage wall.
Boots and blanket: near the cottage door and path.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the cottage to the base first. Make sure it is centered and stable.
Add the door, windows, steps, and stone path before attaching roof leaves.
Sew the roof leaves from bottom to top so each row overlaps naturally.
Add the roof cone and dragonfly last so they stay clean while you handle the project.
Sew the pond, bridge, stones, garden beds, and large accessories to the base.
Add vegetables, flowers, pots, signs, tools, boots, basket, and blanket.
Sew the capybaras in place only after all large scenery pieces are attached.
Use black thread to embroider tiny eyes if safety eyes feel too large.
Use dark brown thread for noses, mouth lines, and small paw details.

For the most accurate look, keep every face simple. The capybaras should look peaceful and gentle. Do not make the eyes too large. A tiny black stitch on each side of the muzzle is enough to match the calm garden style.

Care Notes

Spot clean only with a slightly damp cloth.
Do not machine wash because the base insert, signs, bridge, and small sewn pieces may bend.
Keep away from heavy moisture, direct sunlight, and pets.
If the roof leaves flatten, gently lift them with your fingers and reshape the tips.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

The cottage is firmly sewn to the base.
The door is centered with the steps directly below it.
The roof leaves overlap in visible layers.
The bridge is slightly curved and securely attached.
The pond has gray stones, lily pads, flowers, fish, and frog details.
All four capybaras have ears, muzzle, eyes, nose, and correct placement.
The garden beds include carrots, leafy greens, purple flowers, red bulbs, and signs.
The dragonfly is attached to the right side of the roof.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft makeup brush or clean paintbrush to remove dust from the roof leaves, flowers, vegetables, and bridge rails. Brush gently from top to bottom so small petals and leaves do not pull loose.

For small stains, touch the area with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak the cottage or base. Press with a dry towel afterward and let the piece air dry completely before storing.

Store the finished garden cottage in a clear display box or on a covered shelf. Place tissue paper around the bridge and flower stems if you need to transport it. Avoid stacking anything on top of the roof because the layered leaves and dragonfly can bend.