Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about back to school makes? We go back really early here (August 1!!) so I definitely start thinking back to school once we pass the Fourth of July. So today I’m bringing you my first back to school project – the Fox Pencil Case!
I am a teacher and I really enjoy my summers off, but there is something special about that back to school time. The excitement of a new school year. The (seemingly endless) school supply shopping.
Hey, when you have four kids with lists, it takes a long time to buy school supplies. Not to mention two teacher parents!! We kinda dig school supplies in this house.
I created this little case to hold pens, pencils, and markers with ease and to have them easily accessible. It has a zipper to keep everything in, especially important since I have four elementary age and younger. Here is the oldest:
We had a great time taking the photos for this project. We headed to school and spent some time on the playground and around the building. I think he is ready to go back and get a break from his brothers. 😉
I would love to see pictures if you make your own Fox Pencil Case! You can tag me on Instagram or shoot me an email at amanda@lovelifeyarn.com!
Fox Pencil Case
What You’ll Need
Yarn:
Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted (75% Acrylic, 25% Wool; 200 yards [183 meters]/100 grams): #0456 Harvest (MC), 1 skein; #0217 Black (CC1), 1 skein; #0208 White (CC2) 1 skein.
Hooks: US size H/8 (5.0 mm)
Notions: Tapestry needle; fiberfill; 7” zipper in Rust; stitch markers
Skill Level: Easy
Size: Approximately 12” long
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc
PATTERN NOTES
Each round is worked without joining. Use a st marker to mark first st of each round.
PATTERN
Head
With CC2, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook – 4 sts.
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st – 8 sts.
Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 12 sts.
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 16 sts.
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 20 sts.
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 24 sts.
Rnd 7: With MC, sc in next 8 sts, change to CC2, sc in next 16 sts.
Rnd 8: With MC, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, change to CC2, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in last st – 30 sts.
Change to MC
Rnds 9-13: Work even in sc.
Rnd 14: *Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 24 sts.
Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 18 sts.
Rnds 16-17: Work even in sc.
Stuff with fiberfill.
Rnd 18: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 24 sts.
Rnd 19: Work even in sc.
Rnd 20: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 30 sts.
Rnd 21: Work even in sc.
Rnd 22: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 36 sts.
Fasten off.
Body
Join MC 1 st to left of center top st.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 35 sts, leaving last st unworked, turn – 35 sts.
Rows 2-30: Ch 1, sc in each st, turn.
Ch 1, join with sl st to first st – 36 sts.
Row 31: *Sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 30 sts.
Row 32: *Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 24 sts.
Row 33: *Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 18 sts.
Row 34: *Sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 12 sts.
Row 35: *Sc2tog; rep from * to end – 6 sts.
Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Draw yarn through remaining sts and pull tight to close.
Weave in ends.
Front Ear (make 2)
With CC2, ch 4.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, turn – 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc3tog – 1 st.
Turn sideways where both yarn tails are at bottom.
Border
Join MC at bottom corner.
Ch 1, 2 sc up side of ear, 3 sc in top corner, 2 sc on opposite side.
Fasten off.
Back Ear (make 2)
With MC, ch 4.
Rows 1-2: Work same as Front Ear.
Turn sideways where both yarn tails are at bottom.
Work Border same as Front Ear.
Slip stitch Front and Back Ear together, leaving bottom edge open.
Tail
With CC2, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook – 4 sts.
Rnd 2: Work even in sc.
Rnd 3: Work 2 sc in each st – 8 sts.
Rnd 4: Work even in sc.
Rnd 5: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 12 sts.
Rnd 6: Work even in sc.
Change to MC
Rnds 7-15: Work even in sc.
Rnd 16: *Sc in next st, sc2tog; rep from * to end – 8 sts.
Rnd 17: Work even in sc.
Fasten off.
Leg (make 4)
With CC1, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook – 6 sts.
Rnd 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * to end – 9 sts.
Rnds 3-10: Work even in sc.
Change to MC
Rnds 11-12: Work even in sc.
Finishing
Stitch zipper in Back.
Embroider Eyes and Nose with CC1
Sew Ears, Tail, and Legs in place, using photo as guide.
That’s it! I hope you’ve enjoyed this free pattern for the Fox Pencil Case. Be sure to check out my other free crochet patterns, too!
Toni Watson
When you list Plymouth Yarn Encore for the Fox Pencil Case, do you mean the Encore worsted weight ? Plymouth makes a few different yarns called Encore. Thanks for your help. Its a very cute pattern.
amanda
Yes, this is the worsted weight. Thanks for pointing that out Toni! I forgot that Encore came in different weights. 🙂