Betty the Beginner Cactus Amigurumi

[All in Green]
Magic loop

Rnd 1: sc 6 into the magic loop (6)

Rnd 2: inc in each (12)

Rnd 3: [sc 1, inc 1] 6 times (18)

Rnds 4-8+: sc in each st (18 x 5+)

Add face if desired (See Section 3).

Rnd 9: [sc 1, invdec 1] 6 times (12)

Rnd 10: invdec in each (6)

Cut the yarn, leaving enough to sew closed.
Stuff fully, and sew closed.

Sew on any added sections or flowers.
(Suggested: Mini Flower)

Add spikes (See Section 4).

Embroider on a butt for good luck.

To add feet to my cactuses I suggest using 2 Bobble Stitches (aka "bo") in the last round of single crochet stitches separated by a few single crochets. This should be done in the round right before decreasing (invdec) so that they’re at the bottom of your cactus.
For this pattern, replace Rnd 8 with...
Rnd 8: sc 6, bo, sc 4, bo, sc 6 (18)

To add a face, I like to start with the mouth, then add eyes using safety eyes on either end of the edges of the mouth 1 stitch away.

Simple Smile

1. Using Black thread, insert the needle from the inside of the body and exiting where you want a smile to begin. If you made feet for your cactus, try to make the smile centered with the feet.

2. Pull to the opposite corner of where you want the smile to end, and insert your needle back into the body. This will create a straight line.

3. Insert your needle to exit the body where you want the bottom of the smile to be. Go around the straight line and insert back into the body through the same stitch you last exited.

4. Double knot the two ends on the inside of the body and cut close.

This technique is by far the quickest and easiest of the methods for spikes, however it is the least secure and over time, if handled often, you may find your spikes being pulled out or lost on the inside of your cactus.

Therefore, this is not a pet or child friendly option for spikes if you plan on giving your cactus to a child, or using it as a pet toy, since the spikes can be easily removed and therefore can be a choking hazard.

For this method, thread a long strand of yarn in White, Black, or an alternative Green onto your needle. Begin on the body wherever you want your first spike to be, and insert into the stitch. I personally like using the center of stitches by going between the V in each stitch, this gives the yarn a slightly better hold.

Exit the body from the opposite side or an adjacent stitch. Wherever you want your next spike to be. Pull the yarn through almost entirely, leaving a short end on the outside of your piece from where you initially inserted the needle.

Cut the yarn short from where you exited leaving a similar length for the cut end as the initial tail end was.

Continue this method working all the way around your body to cover the cactus entirely. You can try gluing these ends in to prevent them from pulling out by using a dab of tacky glue for each spike, but be wary, this can leave a messy outside if done improperly.

[All in Petal Color]
Magic loop

Rnd 1: [ch 2, dc 1, ch 1, slst 1] 5 times in the magic loop (5 petals)

Rnd 1: [ch 2, dc 1, ch 1, slst 1] 5 times in the magic loop (5 petals)

Cut the yarn and pull through leaving enough to sew onto the cactus. Pull this end through the center of the flower so both tail ends are on the same side.

Use the two tail ends to sew onto the cactus.

[All in Beige or Pot Color]
Magic loop

Rnd 1: sc 6 into the magic loop (6)

Rnd 2: inc in each (12)

Rnd 3: [sc 1, inc 1] 6 times (18)

Rnd 4: Working in the FLO, slst in each (18)

Rnd 5: ch 1, working in the unused BLO from Rnd 3, sc in each st (18)

Rnd 6: [sc 5, inc 1] 3 times (21)

Rnd 7: sc in each (21)

Rnd 8: [sc 6, inc 1] 3 times (24)

Rnd 9: sc in each (24)

Repeat Rnd 9 for added height if desired.

Rnd 10: Working in the FLO, slst in each (24)

Cut the yarn, pull through, and hide the end in the first slst made in Rnd 10.