Here is a quick, easy pencil case pattern and a fun felting project, too! This handy little case is the perfect size for pencils, hooks, or just about anything.
Before you begin, make sure to choose a yarn that will felt. See my post Felting Knitting & Crochet for a list of fibers that felt. I used a 100% wool yarn (make sure to not use “superwash” wool!). I used Cascade 220 for this project.
Since all yarns felt differently, I worked up a little test swatch with the yarn I chose to see how much my piece would shrink. This gave me the information I needed to calculate how large I would need to make my case to achieve the size I wanted after felting.
I wanted my finished case to be about 9 in wide by 4 in deep. So, using the measurements of my test swatch and the formula I showed you in my Felting Knitting & Crochet post, I determined that I would need to work up a square of about 10¾ in wide and 10½ in long to achieve my desired measurements once felted.
Then I got to work crocheting the case …
Felted Pencil Case Pattern
Here’s what you will need:
- approx. 100 yds of 100% wool yarn – not “superwash”! (shown here in Cascade 220)
- US H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook
- yarn needle and scissors
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, U.S. to U.K. Crochet Conversion Chart, Felting Knitting & Crochet.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry library.
Ch 38.
Foundation Row: Work 1 dc in 4th ch from hook and each ch across — 36 sts.
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as st), work 1 dc in each st across — 36 sts.
Rows 2 through 19: Repeat Row 1.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Fold the piece in half so that the top and bottom rows line up on top of each other (this will be the top opening of your case). Working along the sides, work 1 sc through both layers to join sides.
Now it is time to felt your case. For a felting refresher, see my Felting Knitting & Crochet post. Once I was happy with how much the case had felted, I rolled it between two towels to remove the excess water. Then I shaped my case the way I liked it and crumbled up a plastic bag to keep its shape.
Once the case is dry, sew on a zipper, and you’re all set.
I even dressed mine up with a little needle-felting design… I love how this came out!
Check out more of my felted crochet and knitting projects!
is the design also felted
Yes, but not like the rest of the case … it is needle felted.
Do you have instructions (hopefully with video) for the needle felting. I think the applique is what makes this project. I found written instructions but I am a visual person. If you don’t have the instructions, can you tell me where to go to find them. Thanks,
love the felting I am going to try it thanks for pattern
My pleasure! Good luck 🙂
Amazing post….!!!!! really i appreciate it..
Just wonderful! I also love the needle felting! It looks so super elegant and fancy that way. I agree, the zipper sewing stresses me out a bit–but this would make a fun project to try that out on! Thanks for sharing!
very cute like it
Beautiful!! I LOVE the way it turned out and the needle felting on it is perfect! I agree with Jill a CAL would be SO much fun! Ya know in all your free time. 😛
it’s beautiful! Only the sew the zipper-part gives me the creeps (i’m not good at that sewing and all…)
This is absolutely adorable!! I love the felted look. And the needle felting design is the perfect accent! You need to do a crochet along so I can learn all this fun stuff!!
Pretty look and another way of felting.
Hi Kara !
Very nice pencil case !
Have a great day !
Anna