This crochet pencil case pattern is a fun way to add a handmade touch to back-to-school supplies. The simple striped design is easy to customize with your child’s favorite colors, school colors, team colors, or whatever combination you like.
Made with worsted-weight yarn and basic single crochet stitches, it’s also a great scrap-yarn project. The case is crocheted around two sections of a cardboard tube, which gives it structure, then finished with a hinged top and button closure.
I used a cardboard paper towel tube for mine, but readers have also shared that they’ve successfully made the case using sturdy wrapping-paper tubes and even PVC pipe for extra durability.
Crochet Pencil Case Pattern
Pattern Details
Skill level: Easy
Yarn: Worsted-weight yarn
Hook: 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
Finished size: Approximately 8 in. (20 cm) tall
Construction: Worked in joined rounds around two sections of a cardboard tube, then assembled with a hinged top and button closure.
Materials
- Cardboard paper towel tube
- Small amounts of worsted-weight yarn in your choice of colors
- 4 mm (US G-6) crochet hook
- ⅝ in. (16 mm) button
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Crochet Abbreviations
ch – chain
rep – repeat
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
This free crochet pattern is written in U.S. crochet terms and abbreviations. Stitch counts are provided throughout the pattern to help you keep on track.
New to crochet abbreviations? Visit my Crochet Abbreviations reference for help. You can also see my Magic Ring tutorial and U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart for additional help with this pattern.
Pattern Instructions
Cut the cardboard paper towel tube into two pieces: one 6 in. (15 cm) long and one 2 in. (5 cm) long. Discard the remaining section.
Bottom
Make a magic ring. Alternatively, ch 4 and join with a sl st in the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and throughout), work 6 sc in ring, join — 6 sts.
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 12 sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next, *2 sc in next, 1 sc in next, rep from * around, join — 18 sts.
Round 4: Ch 1, working in back loops only, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Rounds 5 and 6: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Using the long length of the cardboard tube, check your fit. I prefer to keep the tube in place and continue crocheting around it from here on.
Rounds 7–26: Repeat Round 5 until the cardboard tube is completely covered, ending at approximately Round 26 — 18 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a tail approximately 6 in. (15 cm) long.
Top
Using the smaller section of cardboard tube, repeat Rounds 1–11 of the bottom, or continue until the tube is completely covered.
Last Round: Sl st in same st as join and in each of the next 8 sts, ch 5 to create the button loop, sl st in each of the next 9 sts — 18 sts and one ch-5 space.
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approx. 6 in.
Finishing
Line up the joining seams and yarn tails of both pieces. Using a tapestry needle and the long tails, sew the top and bottom together across 5 sts to create a hinge. Line up the ch-5 button loop on the top with the button and sew the button into place on the bottom section. Weave in ends.
Want to customize the basic design even further? I used this crochet pencil case pattern as the starting point for my Crochet Minion Pencil Case, which adds character-inspired colorwork, a crocheted eye, and a different button closure.
More Crochet Patterns for School & Office
- Crochet Pencil Case Pattern – Back to School Crochet
- Adorable Apple Cozies
- Pretty Flower Paper Clips
- Crochet Lace Bookmark
- Flower Push Pins
- Colorful Pencil Cozies
This is so cute. I see it storing my crochet hooks. Thank you so much for sharing.
I made one for myself for that purpose too! 😉
Would love to have the pattern for the minion pencil case holder. Can you provide that?
Thanks so much!!! <3
Hi Betty 🙂 Here you go …
Here’s what you need:
cardboard paper towel tube
worsted weight yarn, small amounts of black, blue, yellow, white, and gray
G hook
½ in. black button
tapestry needle, scissors
Cut cardboard paper towel tube into two pieces, one piece 6 in. long and the second piece 2 in. long. Discard remaining section.
Bottom
With black, make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and throughout), work 6 sc in ring, join — 6 sts.
Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join and in each st around, join — 12 sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, work 2 sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next, *2 sc in next, 1 sc in next, rep from * around, join — 18 sts.
Round 4: Ch 1, working in back loops only, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Round 5: Join blue, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Using the long length of cardboard tube, check your fit. I prefer to then keep the tube placed and continue crocheting around it from here on.
Rounds 6 through 15: Repeat Round 5 — 18 sts.
Round 16: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join, 1 sc into the next st changing to yellow on last yarn over, work 1 sc in each of the next 5 sts changing to blue on last yarn over of fifth st, 1 sc in next 4 sts changing to yellow on last yarn over of 4th st, work 1 sc in each of the next 5 sts changing to blue on last yarn over of fifth st, 1 sc in next 2 sts around, join — 18 sts.
Rounds 17 and 18: Repeat Round 16 — 18 sts.
Round 19: Ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each of the next 6 sts changing to yellow on last yarn over of the sixth st, work 1 sc in each of the next 4 sts changing to blue on last yarn over of fourth st, 1 sc in next 7 sts, join — 18 sts.
Round 20: Join yellow, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Rounds 21 through 26: Repeat Round 20 — 18 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approx. 6 in.
Top
Using the smaller length of tube and yellow yarn, repeat Rounds 1 through 10 of bottom.
Round 11: Join black, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around, join — 18 sts.
Fasten off, leaving a tail of approx. 6 in.
Eye
With white, make a magic ring but do not close up the whole.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 12 sc in ring, join — 12 sts.
Round 2: Join gray, ch 1, work 1 sc in same st as join and each st around — 12 sts.
The center of the eye (the magic ring) is also the buttonhole. Make sure to test the size with your button. The button should go through easily but without slipping through. Use the tail of your yarn to adjust the size of the ring for your button. Once you get the correct size, use a tapestry needle to weave the tail back and forth through the backs of your stitches to secure it.
Finishing
Line up the joining seams and tails of both parts. Using a tapestry needle and the long tails, sew top and bottom together along 5 sts only forming a hinge on which the top will open. Find the center of your front and sew the button on Round 11 of the top piece. Line up the buttonhole (the eye) with the button and sew the bottom of the eye to the bottom piece. Weave in ends.
To make arms, join yellow to center yellow stitch of Round 17 of bottom, chain 17, join to center yellow stitch at other side of Round 17. Using a tapestry needle and black yarn, make a few overlay stitches to secure the arms to the front of the case.
hi!
i am writing this from Japan!
I want to know how to make the one’s of the Minions.
i wantyoutoreplyme.
please!
(I am 13.i want to make it in this summer)
this English might be weird but sorry.
i am Japanese.
I did use the pvc pipe, makes the case very sturdy. I also put tacky glue on the pipe as I put the cover on, does’ t slip or twist. Thank you for the fun pattern. Rita Wright
Would also work well with dp knitting needles: one case for each size!
Thanks so much for featuring me!!
This is so so cute, and cool . This would also be a good idea for putting all kinds of candies in it and, giving it to someone for a holiday gift. Great Job!
Wrapping paper rolls are thicker and would work too.
Great idea, Jade!
LOVE THIS! I need to make one today…lol My only question is, do you have any issues with the paper towel roll bending, being smooshed etc. They are pretty thin and flimsy and I would worry about that. I guess, it would be easy enough to switch them out as needed, just curious. I thought about possibly using some PVC for a more permanent case 🙂
Did you use any glue to secure it to the cover?
Nope, I just made sure the crochet part was a little snug around it.
I was wondering how they would hold up too. So far so good. I think the fact that it is filled with pens and pencils keeps the tube from collapsing. I figured I can always switch it out if it gets too bad, but your PVC is a good idea!
I LOVE this idea! Can’t wait to get started on one for my daughter! Thanks for the pattern.:)