Say hello to the Crochet Kawaii Pencil! This adorable pencil is the perfect little beginner-friendly project that would be so fun as a thank you for teachers and friends, or add a keychain and hang it from your favorite bag!
Read on to learn more about my inspiration and yarn choice for the Crochet Kawaii Pencil or scroll down to the bottom to find the free pattern.
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The Inspiration
I typically love this time of year when all the new school supplies hit the shelves. The rows of fresh new pencils, pens, crayons, markers, notebooks, and folders. The list can, of course, go on and on, but you get the point. Get it, pencils, points. Okay, too punny? All the same, this project is adorable and a perfect way to celebrate back to school!
In all honesty, I must say that this year going back to school will look a lot different due to Coronavirus, with the kids physically at school some days and at home doing school work the others, to reduce the number of individuals in the school.
I’m not feeling quite the same excitement as I typically do. In fact, my youngest won’t be able to go back until this is all cleared up due to potential health issues, so my work schedule will also need to be adjusted.
But in life we all learn to pivot, right? I hope that you are finding that you can adjust to the things that you are facing. Please take care of yourself.
Maybe because of all the changes it’s fun to see the things that are little joys. School and office supplies are definitely a weakness of mine and these Crochet Kawaii Pencils check the boxes for fun, cute, and quick, making them the perfect project for sharing handmade kindness!
Now let’s grab some scrap yarn and make a few for ourselves and for sharing! I know that you’re going to love them!
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 Pencil works up beautifully in both worsted weight acrylic and cotton yarn. During the design process, I worked the 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) Ballet Pink/Color 653, used approx. 4 yds, Color (B) Stormy Grey/Color 605, used approx. 4 yds, Color (C) Daffodil Yellow/Color 622, used approx. 9 yds, Color (D) Vanilla Cream, used approx. 4 yds, Color (E) Granite Grey/Color 607, used approx. 1 yd
Gauge
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 3 rounds of the eraser top measure approximately 1 1/8 inch in diameter.
Finished Measurements
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the Kawaii 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 Pencil!
The Crochet Kawaii Pencil is made from the top of the eraser 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)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 4 times. (16sts)
- Rnd 4: In blo: sc in each st around. (16sts)
- Rnds 5-6: Sc in each st around. (16sts for 2 Rnds)
Switch to Color (B)
- Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (16sts)
- Rnd 8: In blo: sc in each st around. (16sts)
Switch to Color (C)
- Rnd 9: In blo: sc in each st around. (16sts)
Begin to firmly stuff and shape the pencil and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnds 10-14 : Sc in each st around. (16sts for 5 Rnds)
If using safety eyes, insert them now. Suggested placement is between Rnds 12 and 13 approximately 2sts apart.
- Rnds 15-17 : Sc in each st around. (16sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (D)
- 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 (E)
- 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 (stitching the loops from the inside of the piece to the outside) 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 Pencil Into a Keychain!
I think that the Crochet Kawaii 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 (A)
- 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.
Looking for more great patterns?
These may be of interest! 1. Crochet Puppy Dog 2. Ridged Crochet Feathers in Four Sizes 3. Cottage Garden Crochet Bunny
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!
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