Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil

Can you choose a favorite Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil? I stopped at seven colors but the options are as endless as your yarn supply. And might I add that this beginner-friendly project is also great for stash busting!

Read on to learn more about my inspiration and yarn choice for the Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.

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The Inspiration

Once I made the Crochet Kawaii Pencil I knew that I also wanted to make colored pencils as well. Sure it would have been easy enough to just change out the color of the pencil along with the lead color, but I wanted something a little different.

So the Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil was born! It was a lot of fun stitching on the different faces, giving them unique personalities. I opted not to add colored cheeks as I did on the Crochet Kawaii Crayons, but this is definitely an option too. I’m excited to see what you will do!

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The Yarn

For this design, I chose to use Paintbox Yarns in Cotton Aran. It is a gorgeous, soft cotton yarn that comes in a wide variety of shades and works up beautifully. Because cotton doesn’t stretch as readily as other fibers it also provides great stitch definition.

I purchase Paintbox Yarn through Lovecrafts.com. One thing to note is that when purchasing this yarn there are a few options. It can be purchased by the individual skein colors that are each 1.8 oz or in a variety of combinations of 5 and 10 pack bundles with each skein being approximately 1.7 oz each.

I originally discovered Paintbox Yarns about a year ago and at the time chose to purchase a few of the 10 pack bundles because they offered the opportunity to stock up and try a variety of colors with a single purchase.

Since then I have returned to buy more colors in the cotton and have also tried the Paintbox Simply DK in acrylic as well. I’ll definitely be grabbing more colors in each of these and trying out some of the other Paintbox yarn blends that they carry. The worsted Simply Aran in acrylic will be a must-try for me too.

Yarn Substiutions

The Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil works up beautifully in both worsted weight acrylic and cotton yarn. During the design process, I worked the colored pencils up in both Red Heart Super Saver and Paintbox yarn. I feel that other brands would work as well.

Both the acrylic and the cotton versions were extremely cute. Ultimately I chose the cotton yarn because of the added stitch definition that it provided. In the end, I really think that it comes down to personal preference, and to be honest, in the future I will be making more as gifts in both yarn options.

The Pattern

Difficulty

Beginner

Materials

• Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) 
• Stitch Marker(s)
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Safety eyes, 6 mm (optional)
• Embroidery Floss, Black (optional)
• Embroidery Needle (optional)
• Keyring (optional)
• Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
• Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran (aran, 4-Medium, 100% cotton, 93 yds/85 m, 1.7 oz/50 g), Color (A) – Main Color, used approx. 13 yds, Color (B) Vanilla Cream/Color 608, used approx. 7 yds
  • Main Colors Pictured in Design: Rose Red/Col. 614, Bubblegum Pink/Col.651, Seville Orange/Col. 619, Buttercup Yellow/Col. 623, Grass Green/Col. 630, Sailor Blue/Col. 640, Pansy Purple/Col. 648

Gauge

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 3 rounds measure approximately 1 1/8 inch in diameter.

Finished Measurements

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the Kawaii Colored Pencil measures approximately 3.5 inches long, 4 inches in circumference, and 1 1/8 inch in diameter at the widest point. 

Design Notes

• The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
• The pattern is written in rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round. 
• At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
• Further design notes will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
• Caution! If using safety eyes take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouth as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand embroidered eyes are a great alternative!

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• blo – Work in the back loop only
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – Single crochet
• sc2tog – Single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
• st(s) – Stitch(s)
• [ ] / ( ) – Work instructions between brackets as many times as directed
• magic circle/adjustable ring

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Let’s Make An Adorable Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil!

The Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil is made from the top down to the lead in one continuous piece. 

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 4 times. (16sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 4: In blo: sc in each st around. (16sts)
• Rnds 5-9: Sc in each st around. (16sts for 5 Rnds)

Begin to firmly stuff and shape the colored pencil and continue to do so as the pattern progresses. The top should remain flat so don’t overstuff causing it to bulge too much. Pressing down the top while stuffing helps.

• Rnds 10-17 : Sc in each st around. (16sts for 8 Rnds) 

If using safety eyes, insert them now. Suggested placement is between Rnds 14 and 15 approximately 2sts apart. 

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 18: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 4 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 20: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 3 times. (9sts)

>Design Tip: Remember to add additional stuffing before the hole gets too small!

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 21: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 3 times. (6sts)
• Rnd 22: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 2 times. (4sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops of the 4sts until the hole pulls nicely closed forming the point of the pencil. Secure and weave in the end.
• Using embroidery floss and needle stitch on the mouth, and any other desired facial features.

Easily Turn the Kawaii Colored Pencil Into a Keychain!

I think that the Crochet Kawaii Colored Pencil is absolutely adorable as is, but I couldn’t help but think how cute it would also be as a keychain!

They’d be perfect hanging from a backpack or a purse, or perhaps added as a special decoration on a gift bag. Seriously, so cute!

Making a Crochet Loop for the Keychain

Using Color (B)

• Leave a starting tail long enough to weave in later, make a slip knot and insert the hook, insert the hook under a stitch at the desired place for the loop, sl st, ch6, sl st into the same space, fasten off leaving a tail long enough to weave in. Weave in the ends.
• Add the keyring to the crocheted loop.

>Design Tip: If the keychain is too fiddly to attach to the loop after the loop is made, try this technique. Follow the steps above until right before the last sl st. Cut the yarn, remove the hook, put the chain through the keychain hole, insert the hook back through the working yarn loop and make the final sl st, and fasten off. Weave in the ends.

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Looking for more great patterns?

These may be of interest! 1. Small Animal Collection: Zebra 2. Cottage Garden Cabbage 3. Crochet Gnome

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Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!

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Copyright and Use Policy

This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!