Hello, fellow yarn lovers! If you are looking for a quick, playful project that brings a smile to your face, you are going to adore this corn-shaped crochet pencil case. Combining cheerful colors with clever textured stitches, this handmade accessory turns an everyday supply pouch into a whimsical work of art.
Whether you are gifting it to a favorite student, using it to wrangle your stray crochet hooks, or brightening up your desk, this project is as functional as it is fun. Let’s grab our hooks and stitch up something sweet!
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in yellow (approx. 80 yards) and green (approx. 40 yards). Cotton yarn is recommended for durability and stitch definition.
- Crochet Hook: Size US G/6 (4.0 mm) or size needed to obtain a firm fabric.
- Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, and an optional 7-inch zipper or length of coordinating yarn for a drawstring closure.
- Optional Lining: A small piece of scrap fabric and sewing thread to keep small pens from poking through.
Abbreviations & Pattern Notes
- US Terminology
- Ch: Chain
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- Sl st: Slip stitch
- Sc: Single crochet
- Hdc: Half double crochet
- Bobble: Bobble stitch (typically a 5-dc cluster in the same stitch)
- Note: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
Step-By-Step Pattern Instructions
- The Corn Cob Base: Using yellow yarn, ch 31, join with a sl st to form a ring (ensure the chain isn’t twisted). Alternatively, work foundation sc 30 and join.
- Round 1: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around. Join with sl st to the first sc. (30 sts)
- Round 2 (Kernel Texture): Ch 2, *work a Bobble st in the next st, hdc in the next st; repeat from * around. Join with a sl st. (15 bobbles, 15 hdc)
- Round 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (30 sts)
- Rounds 4–22: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 sequentially to build the textured corn cob body, ending on a sc round. Fasten off yellow, leaving a long tail to sew the bottom shut if working in the round.
- Husk Leaves: Using green yarn, ch 8. Working back down the chain, work 1 sc in each ch. Ch 1, turn. Work a few rows of sc with gentle decreases at the top to shape leaf points. Make 3 to 4 leaves.
- Assembly: Sew the bottom of the yellow corn cylinder closed. Stitch the green husk leaves securely to the lower base of the corn cob so they gently fold upward around the sides.
Finishing & Helpful Tips
- Maintain Tight Tension: Keep your stitches nice and snug so your pencils and pens won’t peek through the gaps.
- Add a Fabric Lining: For a polished finish, sew a simple fabric tube and slip it inside your crochet pouch before attaching the closure.
- Secure Your Closure: Attach a zipper along the top opening using a whipstitch and sewing thread, or simply thread a sturdy cord through the top edge to create a quick drawstring pouch.
- Block Gently: If your pencil case looks a bit wonky, lightly steam or block it to help the cylinder shape pop.
Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
Prefer visual guidance? Follow along with the complete video tutorial below: