Crochet Tutorial: My Neighbor Totoro Forest Garden with Glowing Tree Lights – Free Crochet Pattern.

This crochet forest garden features a large glowing tree with clustered green leaves, hanging warm LED lights, a round grass base, Totoro-inspired forest friends, soot sprites, red mushrooms, roses, acorns, curling sprouts, pebble paths, and a sunny yellow flower canopy on the left. The finished display is designed as a detailed tabletop diorama with soft amigurumi shapes and many cute miniature garden accents.

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

Pattern Information

This pattern uses US crochet terms and is worked mostly in continuous rounds. The project is built as a full crochet scene, so make each small part first, then assemble everything onto the large green base. The design looks best when the pieces are packed closely together, just like a magical forest garden full of tiny handmade details.

• Finished size: about 13.5 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 10 inches deep when made with medium yarn.
• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Main technique: amigurumi worked in continuous rounds.
• Best yarn: worsted weight cotton or cotton-acrylic blend.
• Hook size: 3.0 mm for figures and details, 3.5 mm for the base and tree canopy.
• Gauge: 6 sc and 6 rounds equal about 1 inch with firm stuffing.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in grass green, moss green, bright green, olive green, brown, dark brown, tan, cream, gray, blue-gray, white, black, red, yellow, orange, pink, pale green, and small amounts of navy blue.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook and 3.5 mm crochet hook.
• Polyester fiberfill.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Small scissors.
• Black safety eyes: 6 mm and 8 mm sizes, or embroidered eyes for child-safe use.
• White felt or crocheted white eye circles if preferred.
• Battery-operated warm white LED fairy lights, preferably 8 to 10 bulbs.
• Thin floral wire or pipe cleaners for flower stems, leaf stems, and curved sprouts.
• Cardboard circle or plastic canvas for the base insert.
• Hot glue is optional, but sewing is recommended for a soft crochet finish.

Safety note: use only cool-touch battery LED lights. Do not use plug-in bulbs or heat-producing lights inside crochet pieces. Keep wires, lights, and small parts away from babies, pets, and anyone who may pull the display apart.

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: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loops only.
• FLO: front loops only.
• st: stitch.
• R: round or row.
• FO: fasten off.

Important Construction Notes

Use a tight tension so the stuffing does not show through. Stuff the tree trunk firmly, stuff the characters medium-firm, and stuff the leaf balls lightly so the canopy stays rounded and natural. The scene in the image has a crowded look, so do not leave large empty spaces on the base.

The large Totoro sits on the right side, the blue Totoro sits slightly left of center, and the small cream Totoro sits in front of them. The tree rises behind the characters. The yellow flower canopy and gray Totoro under it are placed on the left. Roses sit at the front left, mushrooms are spread around the front and right edges, and path stones run from the front center toward the characters.

Large Round Grass Base

Use grass green yarn and the 3.5 mm hook. Work in joined rounds if you want a flatter circle, or continuous rounds if you prefer amigurumi style. The base should be wide enough to hold all miniatures securely.

1. R1: MR, 8 sc in ring. Pull tight. 8 sts.
2. R2: inc in each st around. 16 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 32 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 40 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 56 sts.
8. R8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 64 sts.
9. R9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. 72 sts.
10. R10: sc 8, inc, repeat around. 80 sts.
11. R11: sc 9, inc, repeat around. 88 sts.
12. R12: sc 10, inc, repeat around. 96 sts.
13. R13: sc 11, inc, repeat around. 104 sts.
14. R14: sc 12, inc, repeat around. 112 sts.
15. R15: sc 13, inc, repeat around. 120 sts.
16. R16: sc 14, inc, repeat around. 128 sts.
17. R17: sc 15, inc, repeat around. 136 sts.
18. R18: sc 16, inc, repeat around. 144 sts.
19. R19: sc 17, inc, repeat around. 152 sts.
20. R20: sc 18, inc, repeat around. 160 sts.
21. R21: sc 19, inc, repeat around. 168 sts.
22. R22: sc 20, inc, repeat around. 176 sts.
23. R23: sc 21, inc, repeat around. 184 sts.
24. R24: sc 22, inc, repeat around. 192 sts.
25. R25: sc 23, inc, repeat around. 200 sts.
26. R26: sc in each st around. 200 sts.
27. R27: BLO sc in each st around to create a soft edge. 200 sts.
28. R28 to R30: sc in each st around. 200 sts.

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Cut a cardboard or plastic canvas circle slightly smaller than the crochet base. Insert it under the top layer before closing the underside. Make a second flat circle from R1 to R25 only, place it under the insert, and sew both circles together through the edge stitches. This creates the thick, stable grassy platform seen in the image.

Raised Center Moss Platform

The small characters stand on a raised green mound in front of the tree. Use moss green yarn and the 3.5 mm hook.

1. R1: MR, 8 sc. 8 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 16 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 32 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 40 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 56 sts.
8. R8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 64 sts.
9. R9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. 72 sts.
10. R10: BLO sc around. 72 sts.
11. R11 to R13: sc around. 72 sts.

Stuff very lightly so the platform is raised but still flat on top. Sew it to the base, centered slightly toward the back. Leave room in front for the path stones, acorns, mushrooms, and roses.

Tree Trunk

The tree trunk is tall, narrow, and textured with vertical ridges. Use brown yarn and the 3.0 mm hook. The trunk should stand behind the Totoros and support the leafy canopy.

1. R1: MR, 8 sc. 8 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 16 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 24 sts.
5. R5 to R26: sc around. 24 sts.
6. R27: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
7. R28 to R32: sc around. 18 sts.
8. R33: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff the trunk firmly as you go. Insert a wrapped floral wire or pipe cleaner through the center if you want extra support. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the trunk to the back center of the raised moss platform and also through the large base for stability.

Bark Ridges

Use dark brown yarn. Join at the bottom of the trunk with a sl st. Work surface slip stitches upward for 26 to 30 stitches, following a straight vertical line. FO. Repeat 7 more vertical ridges around the trunk. Make some lines longer and some shorter to copy the natural bark texture in the image.

Tree Canopy Leaf Balls

The tree crown is made from many small crochet balls in different greens. This gives the rounded broccoli-like texture visible in the image. Make 34 leaf balls total: 12 moss green, 10 bright green, 8 olive green, and 4 yellow-green.

Small Leaf Ball

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R5: sc around. 18 sts.
5. R6: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
6. R7: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO and close. Make 16 small balls.

Medium Leaf Ball

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5 to R7: sc around. 24 sts.
6. R8: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
7. R9: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
8. R10: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO and close. Make 14 medium balls.

Large Leaf Ball

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6 to R9: sc around. 30 sts.
7. R10: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
8. R11: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
9. R12: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
10. R13: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO and close. Make 4 large balls.

Canopy Assembly

Sew 8 medium balls in a ring around the top of the trunk. Sew 4 large balls above them to form the high center crown. Add the remaining medium and small balls outward, making a wide cloud shape. The left and right sides should extend like soft branches. Keep the front lower edge uneven so the LED bulbs can hang beneath the leaves.

• Place darker greens in shadow areas near the trunk.
• Place bright greens on the top and front edges.
• Use yellow-green balls near the center light for a glowing effect.
• Sew through multiple balls at once to make the canopy firm.

Hanging Glowing Tree Lights

The image shows warm glowing bulbs hanging from the tree. Use a battery LED fairy light string and crochet small collars to hold each bulb. Make 8 hanging bulb collars with pale yellow or cream yarn.

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Bulb Collar

1. R1: ch 8, sl st to form a ring.
2. R2: sc 12 around the chain ring. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 12 sts.
4. R4: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.

FO with a long tail. Slide the collar over the neck of one LED bulb, not over the hot part of any non-LED light. Sew the collar to the underside of the canopy. Let bulbs hang at different lengths: 1 inch, 1.25 inches, and 1.5 inches. Hide the battery pack behind the tree or under the base if your display allows it.

Large Gray Totoro on the Right

This large gray Totoro has an oval body, wide cream belly, pointed ears, round eyes, small arms, and dark belly marks. Use gray yarn and the 3.0 mm hook.

Body and Head

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8 to R15: sc around. 42 sts.
9. R16: sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
10. R17 to R20: sc around. 36 sts.
11. R21: sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
12. R22: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
13. R23: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
14. R24: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff firmly, shaping the bottom wider and the top slightly rounded. FO and close.

Cream Belly Patch

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: ch 7, sc in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch, turn along opposite side, sc 4, inc. 14 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 28 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 28 sts.

FO with a long tail. Sew to the lower front of the body. With dark gray yarn, embroider three curved chest marks above the belly and three larger curved marks on the belly.

Ears

Make 2 in gray.

1. R1: MR, 4 sc. 4 sts.
2. R2: sc around. 4 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice. 6 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 6 sts.
5. R5: sc 2, inc, repeat twice. 8 sts.
6. R6: sc around. 8 sts.
7. R7: sc 3, inc, repeat twice. 10 sts.

Do not overstuff. Sew ears to the top of the head, angled outward.

Arms

Make 2 in gray.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
3. R3 to R8: sc around. 9 sts.
4. R9: flatten and sc through both layers, 4 sc.

Sew arms to the sides of the body, slightly downward. The right-side Totoro in the image has arms resting close to the body.

Eyes and Face

Make 2 white eye circles.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.

Sew the eye circles high on the face. Add black 6 mm safety eyes or embroider black pupils. Embroider a small dark gray nose and a short straight mouth. Add one tiny red stitch on one cheek if you want to match the cute red dot detail in the image.

Blue Medium Totoro in the Center

The blue Totoro is shorter and rounder, with long ears, a cream belly, blue belly marks, and a tiny red nose. Use blue-gray yarn.

Body

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6 to R12: sc around. 30 sts.
7. R13: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
8. R14: sc around. 24 sts.
9. R15: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
10. R16: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

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Stuff firmly. FO and close.

Belly Patch

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: ch 6, sc in second ch from hook, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side, sc 3, inc. 12 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 3, inc 2 times. 18 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 18 sts.

Sew to the front lower body. Embroider three small blue curved marks on the belly.

Ears

Make 2 in blue-gray.

1. R1: MR, 4 sc. 4 sts.
2. R2: sc around. 4 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice. 6 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 6 sts.
5. R5: sc 2, inc, repeat twice. 8 sts.
6. R6 to R8: sc around. 8 sts.

Sew ears tall and slightly spread apart. Add white eye circles using R1 only with 6 sc in a magic ring. Add black pupils, a tiny red nose, and short whisker stitches if desired.

Small Cream Totoro in Front

This little cream Totoro sits at the front center, shaped like a small pear with tiny green arms or leaf-like side details.

Body

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R8: sc around. 18 sts.
5. R9: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
6. R10: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff firmly and close. Shape the bottom round and the top slightly narrow.

Ears

Make 2 in cream.

1. R1: MR, 4 sc. 4 sts.
2. R2: sc around. 4 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice. 6 sts.
4. R4: sc around. 6 sts.

Sew to the top. Embroider two tiny black eyes, a small red mouth, and a soft curved smile. Sew a small green leaf stem beside the body to copy the garden detail in the image.

Left Gray Totoro Under Yellow Flower Canopy

The left character is tucked inside a yellow basket-like swing under a yellow and white flower canopy. Make a smaller gray Totoro using the same pattern as the blue Totoro body, but use gray yarn and stop at R15. Add a cream belly, white eyes, black pupils, and dark gray belly marks.

Yellow Basket Seat

Use yellow yarn and the 3.0 mm hook.

1. R1: ch 18, sl st to form a ring.
2. R2: sc around the chain ring, placing 24 sc evenly. 24 sts.
3. R3: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
4. R4 to R7: sc around. 30 sts.
5. R8: BLO sc around. 30 sts.
6. R9: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.

Stuff the bottom lightly. Place the small gray Totoro inside and sew the lower body to the basket so it looks seated.

Blue Canopy Poles

Make 3 poles with navy blue yarn. For each pole, ch 22. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 21. FO. Insert thin floral wire behind each strip and whipstitch around it, or crochet around the wire with 21 sc. Sew the poles to the basket edge and angle them upward to support the flower canopy.

Yellow Flower Canopy Balls

Make 12 yellow balls and 8 white balls using the small leaf ball pattern. Make 5 orange balls using the same pattern but stop after R6 for a slightly smaller size. Sew the balls into a half-dome above the blue poles. Put yellow balls on top, white balls around the front edge, and orange balls near the lower sides.

Soot Sprites

The scene has small black soot sprites with big eyes. Make 4 sprites: one in front of the small Totoro, one near the right Totoro, and three tiny ones on a green stem near the back right.

Round Soot Sprite

Use black yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 12 sts.
4. R4: dec around. 6 sts.

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Stuff lightly and close. For each eye, make a white French knot or sew a tiny white circle with 5 sc in MR. Add black pupils with thread. Brush the black yarn gently to create a fuzzy look.

Sprite Flower Stem

Use green yarn and a 5-inch floral wire. Ch 18 around the wire or sc 18 over the wire. Make one small leaf: ch 5, sc in second ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sl st to stem. Sew 3 tiny soot sprites to the top leaf cluster.

Red Mushrooms with White Spots

Make a mix of mushroom sizes. The image shows many red caps with white dots, including a tall mushroom on the right and several small mushrooms around the front.

Small Mushroom Stem

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2 to R5: sc around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO.

Small Red Cap

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
5. R5: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Sew the cap to the stem. Embroider white spots using small straight stitches or tiny French knots. Make 10 small mushrooms.

Tall Mushroom on the Right

Use pale pink for the tall stem.

1. R1: MR, 7 sc. 7 sts.
2. R2 to R14: sc around. 7 sts.
3. R15: sc 1, inc, repeat around, ending sc 1. 10 sts.
4. R16: sc around. 10 sts.

Stuff firmly. Make a red cap as follows.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: BLO sc around. 24 sts.
6. R6: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.

Sew cap to stem. Add 6 white embroidered dots. Sew the tall mushroom to the right side of the base beside the large gray Totoro.

Pink Rose Pot at the Front Left

The front left has a pale yellow garden pot filled with pink roses and green leaves. Use pale yellow yarn for the pot.

Pot

1. R1: MR, 8 sc. 8 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 16 sts.
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 24 sts.
5. R5 to R9: sc around. 24 sts.
6. R10: FLO only, sc 2, inc, repeat around. 32 sts.
7. R11: sc around. 32 sts.

Stuff the pot halfway. Cut a small circle of cardboard to fit inside the top so rose stems can stand upright. Sew or glue a green crochet disk over the opening.

Pot Handles

Make 2. Ch 10, sc in second ch from hook and across. Sew one handle to each side of the pot. Add a small spiral decoration to the front by chaining 12, then working 2 sc in each chain to curl.

Rose Spiral

Make 7 roses: 4 light pink and 3 dusty pink.

1. R1: ch 21.
2. R2: starting in second ch from hook, work 2 hdc in each ch across. 40 hdc.

FO with a long tail. Roll the strip into a rose, keeping the center tight and the outer petals loose. Sew the bottom through all layers. Attach each rose to a green stem made by crocheting 10 sc over floral wire.

Rose Leaves

Make 10 leaves in green. Ch 6, sc in second ch, hdc, dc, hdc, sc. FO. Sew leaves around the roses. Place the pot at the front left edge of the base.

Acorns and Pebbles

Brown acorns and small stones fill the ground around the characters. Make 8 acorns and 7 tan path stones.

Acorn Body

Use tan yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3 to R5: sc around. 12 sts.
4. R6: dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly and close.

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Acorn Cap

Use dark brown yarn.

1. R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 12 sts.

Sew the cap over the top of the tan acorn body. Add a tiny stem by chaining 4 and slip stitching back down the chain.

Flat Path Stone

Use tan or golden beige yarn.

1. R1: ch 7, sc in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch, work opposite side, sc 4, inc. 14 sts.
2. R2: inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 20 sts.

FO with a long tail. Do not stuff. Sew 3 larger stones in a path from the front center toward the cream Totoro. Sew 4 smaller stones around the garden floor.

Green Sprouts, Ferns, and Berry Clusters

The forest floor has curling sprouts, leafy stems, and round green berry clusters. These pieces add the cute miniature garden texture that makes the display look full.

Curling Sprout

Use light green yarn.

1. R1: ch 18.
2. R2: work 2 sc in each ch across.

The strip will curl naturally. Make 6 curls. Sew them near the front and right edges of the base.

Simple Leaf Stem

Use green yarn. Ch 12. Sl st in second ch and next 2 ch, then make a leaf by ch 5, sc, hdc, dc, hdc back along the chain. Sl st down the main stem. Make 8 leaf stems and sew them around the mushrooms.

Green Berry Cluster

Make 4 clusters. For each cluster, make 7 mini balls.

1. R1: MR, 5 sc. 5 sts.
2. R2: inc around. 10 sts.
3. R3: sc around. 10 sts.
4. R4: dec around. 5 sts.

Close each mini ball. Sew 7 balls together in a grape-like cluster. Place clusters near the front center and lower right side.

Yellow Flower Bud Hanging from the Tree

The image includes a small green curved stem with a yellow-orange bud hanging near the left side of the tree. Make one curved stem with green yarn crocheted around wire.

1. Stem: crochet 24 sc over a 6-inch floral wire. Bend the stem into a soft curve.
2. Bud R1: with yellow, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
3. Bud R2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
4. Bud R3 to R5: sc around. 9 sts.
5. Bud R6: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 6 sts.

Stuff the bud lightly. Add 3 orange straight stitches at the lower edge. Sew the bud to the curved stem and attach the stem behind the blue Totoro, leaning toward the flower canopy.

Small White Daisy Accent

Make one small white daisy near the center, behind the cream Totoro. Use yellow for the center and white for the petals.

1. Center: with yellow, MR, 6 sc, sl st to close.
2. Petals: join white, ch 4, sl st in second ch, sc, hdc, sl st into next center stitch. Repeat 6 times.

Sew the daisy to a green stem made with ch 12 and sc back across. Place it slightly behind the cream Totoro so it peeks out like the flower in the image.

Layout and Sewing Order

Before sewing permanently, place every finished piece on the base. This step is important because the scene depends on balanced spacing. The tree should feel tall and glowing, while the characters should remain clearly visible in front.

1. Sew the raised moss platform slightly behind the center of the large base.
2. Sew the tree trunk to the back center of the moss platform.
3. Build and sew the tree canopy to the top of the trunk.
4. Attach the LED bulb collars under the canopy and arrange the lights at uneven heights.
5. Sew the large gray Totoro to the right side of the moss platform.
6. Sew the blue Totoro to the center-left front of the platform.
7. Sew the cream Totoro at the front center, slightly lower than the blue Totoro.
8. Sew the yellow basket and left gray Totoro to the left side.
9. Add the blue poles and yellow flower canopy above the basket.
10. Sew the rose pot to the front left edge.
11. Place red mushrooms in groups around the front, right side, and near the yellow basket.
12. Add acorns, green berry clusters, leaf stems, ferns, and path stones last.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use pins to hold each figure before sewing. The large gray Totoro should face slightly forward and left, while the blue Totoro faces straight forward. The cream Totoro sits in front like a tiny guide. Keep the faces simple: round white eyes, black pupils, small noses, and soft stitched mouths.

For the large Totoro belly, sew the cream oval smoothly and add dark gray curved marks. The blue Totoro uses blue curved belly marks. The soot sprites need oversized eyes to create the cute forest spirit look. Add tiny white highlights with embroidery thread if you want the eyes to sparkle.

After all faces are finished, gently squeeze and shape the stuffed pieces. Flatten the base with your hands. Adjust the tree canopy so it spreads wide and low enough to frame the glowing lights.

Care Notes

• Remove the LED battery pack before cleaning or storing if possible.
• Do not wash the project with lights attached.
• Keep the display away from candles, heat, and direct sunlight.
• Use a lint roller or soft brush to remove dust from the crochet surface.
• Store upright in a box so the tree canopy and stems do not bend.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Base: round, firm, flat, and wide enough for all pieces.
• Tree: trunk is straight, canopy is full, and lights hang evenly.
• Characters: large gray Totoro on right, blue Totoro center, cream Totoro front, small gray Totoro left.
• Garden details: roses, mushrooms, acorns, stones, sprouts, berries, and soot sprites are spread naturally.
• Faces: eyes are level, noses are centered, and belly marks are neat.
• Safety: only cool-touch battery LED lights are used.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For regular cleaning, turn off the LED lights and gently dust the whole scene with a soft makeup brush or clean paintbrush. Work from the top of the tree downward so dust does not settle again on finished areas. Avoid pulling on the small flowers, mushrooms, and wire stems.

For small stains, use a barely damp cloth with mild soap and dab only the stained area. Do not soak the base, characters, or tree. Let the project air dry completely before turning the lights back on. Never place the crochet scene in a washing machine or dryer.

To preserve the shape, store the diorama in a tall box with tissue paper around the tree canopy, flower canopy, and tall mushroom. Keep the battery compartment open or remove batteries during long storage. This prevents battery leakage and keeps the glowing forest garden ready for display.

Finishing Note

Your My Neighbor Totoro forest garden is complete when the tree lights glow warmly above the tiny characters, the mushrooms and flowers fill the base, and every small forest detail feels balanced. The finished piece should look like a soft handmade woodland scene with a magical glowing tree at the center.