Happy Pencils

September 1, 2018

Back to school season is here again! Last summer I created my first day student gifts and enjoyed giving them each a Happy Crayon key chain at the end of the day. I decided to play around with last year’s design, tweaked a few things along the way, and am so pleased with this year’s resulting first day student gift…

I still had some keychain rings left over from last summer’s order, and since this Happy Pencil is similar in size to my Happy Crayons, they will make a wonderful addition to the project!

My pack of pencils is steadily growing as I hook up these friendly little squishies, and I look forward to getting them in the hands of my students!

You can add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here or Pin It for later here.

Finished size: approximately 5” x 1”

My Materials:

  • worsted weight yarn in the following colors (Red Heart Super Saver used in the sample):
    • Charcoal (Color A)
    • Aran (Color B)
    • Bright Yellow (Color C)
    • Flamingo (Color D)
  • black worsted weight yarn
  • 8 mm safety eyes
  • fiber fill
  • Hook F (3.75 mm)
  • tapestry needle
  • swivel lobster key chain

Abbreviations:

  • BLO – back loop only
  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • dec – (decrease) single crochet the next 2 stitches together
  • inc – (increase) work 2 single crochets into the next stitch
  • * – work directions between the 2 * on repeat, as stated for that round

Notes:

  • To end each round, join with a slip stitch to that round’s first stitch.
  • Do not count the join or the beginning chain as a stitch.
  • When completing the first stitch in each round, place the stitch in the same place as your slip stitch join.
  • Stuff as you go.

The Pattern:

Begin with Color A

Round 1: in magic ring, ch 1, sc 4, join in first stitch using sl st (4 sc)

Round 2: ch 1, sc around, join (4 sc)

Round 3: ch 1, inc, sc, inc, sc, join (6 sc)

Change to Color B

Round 4: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc* around, join (8 sc)

Round 5: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc, sc* around, join (10 sc)

Round 6: ch 1, *sc, sc, inc, sc, sc* around, join (12 sc)

Round 7: ch 1, *inc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc* around, join (14 sc)

Change to Color C

Round 8: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Rounds 9-20: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Insert safety eyes between rows 17 and 18, leaving 3 stitches between the eyes. Sew on mouth using black yarn or embroidery floss.

Change to Color A

Round 21-22: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Change to Color D

Rounds 23-25: ch 1, sc around, join (14 sc)

Round 26: BLO ch 1, *dec, sc*4 times, dec, join (9 sc)

Finish off, close stitches, and sew in any ends.

 

Yarnfully Yours,

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in…

Happy Crayons, which can be found here.