6 Stylish Crochet Pencil Case Patterns for School or Office

A handmade pencil case is both practical and personal — the right stitch, color, and closure turns a simple pouch into a favorite everyday tool. Below are six full, pattern-ready pencil case designs: Totoro Pencil Case Pouch, Scalloped Edge Striped, Floral Pearl, Gingham, Heart Granny Square, and Mosaic. Each pattern includes: skill level, finished size, materials, stitch abbreviations, a very detailed step-by-step construction guide (body, zipper/closure, lining), finishing and care tips, and variations so you can customize for your readers’ tastes.

Quick universal notes (applies to all patterns)

Recommended yarn: cotton or cotton-blend worsted or DK for structure and easy cleaning (acrylic works too but cotton gives less stretch).
Use a slightly smaller hook than the yarn label to reduce hole size (keeps pens from poking through).

I include optional fabric lining steps — lining makes a pencil case last longer and keeps pens from stressing seams.
Tools you’ll commonly need: tapestry needle, zipper (length noted per pattern), sewing pins, fabric for lining (~fat quarter), sewing needle or machine, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape.
Abbreviations (US terms): ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, inc (increase), dec (decrease), sl st = slip stitch, MR = magic ring, RS/WS = right/wrong side.

1. Crochet Totoro Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

A cute Totoro-inspired pouch (non-branded style — woodland spirit motif) with appliqué face and ears. Friendly for kids and anime fans.

Skill level: Beginner–Intermediate (basic amigurumi/appliqué + zipper insertion)
Finished size: ~9″ wide × 5″ high × 1.5″ deep (fits pencils, pens, small ruler). Adjust counts to lengthen/shorten.
Yarn & hook: Worsted-weight cotton (main grey, white, black, optional darker grey) — ~100–150 g. Hook 4.0–5.0 mm.
Zipper: 9–10″ zipper.
Lining: cotton fabric ~10″ × 12″.

Materials

Main color: light grey (body)
Accent: cream/white (belly), black (eyes, whiskers), dark grey (ear tips or belly marks)

9–10″ zipper, small piece of interfacing optional for zipper reinforcement
Tapestry needle, sewing needle, matching thread, pins, stuffing for ears (tiny amount)

Stitches/abbr.

sc, hdc, dc, sl st, MR, inc, dec

Gauge (informal)

approx 16 sc × 20 rows = 4″ in sc — adjust hook to get a firm fabric.

Pattern — pouch body (worked flat, seamed into a pouch)

Foundation chain & bottom width

Chain 44 (or chain to desired width; 44 gives ~9″ width with worsted and 4.5 mm hook). Turn.

Row 1 (base row)
2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (43 sc) Turn.

Row 2–20 (body height)
3. Ch1, sc across. Repeat until you reach ~5″ height (about 18–22 rows depending on gauge). For a deeper box base (gusset), later we’ll add side seam shaping. Finish with RS facing you. Fasten off.

Create depth (optional boxed bottom / gusset)
Option A — simple flat pouch: seam back panel to front with sc-join, leaving no gusset (flat).
Option B — boxed base for depth (1.5″): Make two identical panels (front and back) using same counts. Join three sides with sc through both layers leaving top open. For a boxed bottom, before joining the last corner, fold bottom corner to measure 1.5″ depth and sc across the triangle to create box corners.

Totoro face appliqué (make and sew on)

Eyes (make 2)

MR, 6 sc (6). Round 2: inc ×6 (12). Fasten off leaving tail. Sew small black pupils.

Belly patch

With cream: MR, ch1, 6 sc into MR, pull tight (6). Round 2: (sc, inc) ×6 → 18. Round 3: sc around until patch is about 2.5–3″ wide. Make 1. Fasten off leaving tail. Embroider belly chevron markings with dark grey yarn (3 small inverted V’s).

Ears (make 2)

MR, 6 sc, inc round → 12. Work 2–3 rows sc for height, then dec if needed and sl st close. Stuff lightly and sew to top corners.

Face details

Whiskers: using black yarn, stitch on three short lines each side.
Eyes: sew white circles and small black pupils. Optional felt for backing keeps stitches neat.

Sew appliqués to front panel: position belly centered and eyes above it; ears attach at top edge before final joining so stitches hide inside seam.

Zipper and lining

Lining

Cut fabric rectangle 9½” × 6½” (allow seam). Fold right sides together and sew two short sides and one long side leaving the top open. Turn right side out. Press.

Attach zipper to lining
2. With lining inside-out and zipper teeth up, pin zipper along the top edge of lining opening. Sew zipper to lining with machine or hand-stitch.

Insert lining into crochet shell
3. Turn crochet shell inside out (WS out) and place lined zipper (now sewn to lining) inside so zipper teeth align with shell top edge (RS to RS). Pin through both layers. Hand-sew zipper tape to crochet top edge invisibly — use mattress stitch or small whip stitches. Repeat for other side of zipper with the other pouch half.

Alternatively: sc-attach the zipper by doing sc through zipper tape and top stitches of shell (stitch holes of zipper must be suitable for thread only).

Final join and finishing

After zipper is attached, fold and line up side seams; sew side seams through both lining and crochet shell if you like (or sew only shell and leave lining loose). Weave in all ends. Turn right side out and zip closed to check alignment. Add a small charm to zipper pull for personality.

Tips, variations & care

Use safety in mind: avoid small detachable beads for kids under 3.
Variation: make larger or pencil-roll style by adjusting chain length and using a longer zipper.
Care: machine wash gentle inside a mesh bag; reshape and lay flat to dry.

2. Crochet Scalloped Edge Striped Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

Classic repeat stripes with a scalloped decorative edge. Clean, modern, and quick.

Skill level: Beginner (striping + scallop edge)
Finished size: ~9″ × 5″ (standard).
Yarn & hook: DK/worsted cotton, 2–3 colors; hook 4.0 mm.
Zipper: 9–10″ zipper.
Lining: cotton 10″ × 12″.

Materials & stitches

Colors A, B, C — choose contrasting or tonal palette

Stitches: sc, hdc (for washable structure), shell = (5 dc in same st) for scallop

Pattern — body (worked flat in rows with stripes)

Foundation

Ch 44 (or chain to desired width). Turn.

Row 1 (base color A)
2. Sc in 2nd ch and across. (43 sc) Turn.

Row 2–3
3. Ch1, sc across. Repeat once.

Row 4–5 (color change B)
4. Join color B: ch1, sc across for 2 rows. Keep carrying yarn along edge or fasten off and weave tails.

Continue stripes

Repeat stripes: 2 rows color A, 2 rows color B, 2 rows color C, etc., until total height ~5″. End on a full sc row.

Optional textured stripe

Replace one color block with hdc across rows for subtle texture. Use BLO on one row to create a ridge.

Scalloped edge

Row (scallop base)

With RS facing, join contrast color along top edge, sc evenly (work 43 sc). Turn.

Scallop round
2. Skip next 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc (shell), skip 2 sc, sl st in next sc — repeat across top edge to form scallops. Fasten off. Repeat scallop round at bottom edge (optional).

Boxed bottom (optional)

To create depth, make two panels (front & back) same as above, then sc-join three sides leaving top open and add zipper.

Lining & zipper

Same method as Totoro pattern: sew zipper to lining and stitch lining into shell. For a no-sew zipper option, sc-attach zipper directly by stitching through zipper tape.

Finishing, variations & care

Fringe or pom-pom zipper pulls look great on stripes.
Use self-striping yarn for effortless stripes.
Machine wash gentle; cotton shrinks—prewash yarn if shrinkage is a concern.

3. Crochet Floral Pearl Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

A polished pouch with crocheted floral appliqués and faux-pearl embellishments — ideal for gifting.

Skill level: Intermediate (appliqués + bead attachment)
Finished size: ~9″ × 5″ × 1″
Yarn & hook: DK cotton for crisp stitches; hook 3.5–4.0 mm.
Zipper: 9–10″ metal or plastic zipper.
Lining: cotton or satin for refined interior.

Materials

Base color + petal color(s) + leaf green
Tiny faux pearls (flat-back or seed beads) — secure with thread or craft glue (if flat-back, glue on after sewing). For safety, sew-on beads are preferred.
Sewing supplies, interfacing optional to give structure.

Pattern — base pouch

Work a simple sc rectangle as in previous patterns (ch 44; sc rows to 5″ high). Make two panels if you want a boxed pouch; or one wide panel folded and seamed for slim pouch.

Flower appliqués (make 3–5 small flowers)

Small layered flower

MR, ch1, 6 sc in MR; pull tight. (6)
Ch3, sl st into next st around to create loops for petals.

Into each ch3 loop: (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc). Fasten off. Make 3–5 in various sizes.

Leaves (make 2–3)

Ch6; sc 2, hdc, dc, hdc, sc in last ch, sl st to base. Fasten off and shape.

Attach beads

If using seed beads for centers, thread beads onto fine needle and sew through center of flower securing knot inside flower. For flat pearls, sew a tiny shank or use a few passes through holes (if drilled) — avoid hot glue in case of wear. Keep beads very small to avoid heavy earrings or catching.

Placement & sewing

Arrange flowers on front panel, pin or baste. Sew each flower securely to panel with matching thread. Sew leaves beneath flowers. Add a bead to each flower center with secure back-knot.

Lining & zipper

Construct lining and sew zipper as earlier. Because pearls can snag lining, position them where they won’t rub the zipper or interior fabric; if necessary, sew a small felt circle on back of each pearl to protect fabric.

Finishing & gift styling

For a luxe gift, use satin lining and a branded tag. Include a small fabric care note warning about pearls—hand wash recommended.

4. Crochet Gingham Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

Clean graphic gingham (checkerboard) — looks tailored and modern.

Skill level: Intermediate (colorwork / mosaic or intarsia style)
Finished size: ~9″ × 5″
Yarn & hook: DK or sport cotton in two colors (A=light, B=dark); hook 3.5–4.0 mm.
Closure: 9–10″ zipper recommended.

Construction methods (choose one)

A — Mosaic crochet (easier to carry color)

Mosaic uses single-color rows and slipped stitches to build checker effect without carrying floats.

B — Intarsia/tapestry (for exact squares)

Use bobbins or short yarn lengths to avoid long floats; work in sc and carry unused yarn along WS with careful tension.

Pattern (mosaic checkerboard approach — 1″ squares approx)

Repeat block

Decide square size: 2 sc × 2 rows per square is tidy. For 9″ width and 1″ squares, need about 9 squares across (so chain ~9×2 + 1 = 19? test gauge — easier route: chain to desired stitch count and work squares visually).

Mosaic method (concept)

Work rows in color A using sc and slipped stitches over previous row’s color to create overlay squares. Follow a simple mosaic chart:
- Row 1 (A): sc across.
- Row 2 (B): sc color B across, slip-stitch in positions where A-square should appear.
- Continue alternating rows with shifted slip placements so checkerboard emerges.

Because mosaic patterns are best illustrated, I recommend making a small 5×5 test and mapping squares by stitch/row number before committing to full pouch—this ensures accurate checker alignment.

Body & finishing

Work one panel to desired height; repeat for back if making boxed pouch. Seam and add zipper/lining as earlier. For a thin pouch you can make one piece and sc-join sides leaving top open then attach zipper.

Variations & care

Make gingham in bold brights for school or neutral tones for office. Machine wash gentle; mosaic tension keeps holes compact.

5. Crochet Heart Granny Square Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

A charming case constructed from a single (or multiple) granny squares with a heart motif—great for making a patchwork of hearts.

Skill level: Beginner–Intermediate (granny + appliqué hearts)
Finished size: For single-square pouch ~8″ × 8″ (use 2 squares for wider case)
Yarn & hook: worsted cotton; hook 4.0–5.0 mm.
Zipper: 8–9″ (or top flap + button closure).

Materials

Contrasting colors: main background + heart color + border color
Granny square pattern (classic) or solid square worked in dc clusters.

Pattern — heart granny square (single large square approach)

Make a granny square background

MR, ch3, 2 dc, ch2, 3 dc, ch2 3 times, join (classic 4-corner granny). Continue rounds adding 3-dc clusters into side ch-1 spaces and corners as (3 dc, ch2, 3 dc) until the square measures ~8″ across.

Heart appliqué (flat)

Make a small heart motif separately (written pattern example):
- MR, ch1, 6 sc (6). Round 2: ch3, sl st into next st around to make loops for petals. Round 3: in each loop (sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) to make petals. Shape into a heart by making 2 petal clusters together and tapering bottom with short rows and decs. Alternatively use a simple 3-row heart chart: row1 ch, row2 3 dc, row3 petal clusters — many heart tutorials exist; adapt size to square center.
Center heart on granny square and sew with small stitches.

Assemble pouch

Use two identical squares (front & back). If you want a skinny pencil case, seam with sc through both layers leaving top open; insert zipper sewn to lining. For wider cases, make 2 squares front/back and a long strip for side gusset (foundation sc chain to length of perimeter minus top edge).

Lining & zipper

Sew separat lining and attach zipper to lining as previous patterns; sew lining into crochet shell. For envelope style, sew flap and add button on heart center.

Finishing touches

Add a little tassel on zipper made from one of the granny colors for a coordinated finish. Gift with a matching mini notebook.

6. Crochet Mosaic Pencil Case Pouch Pattern

Sharp geometric mosaic panels — ideal for intermediate crocheters who love charts.

Skill level: Intermediate — mosaic crochet following chart (slip-stitch mosaic)
Finished size: standard 9″ × 5″ or adjustable
Yarn & hook: DK cotton in 2–3 contrasting colors; hook 3.5–4.0 mm.

Materials & method

Choose 2 or 3 colors. Mosaic crochet builds colorwork by working sc rows in single colors and using slipped stitches to create the pattern; you only work with one color per row (you still change colors each row but never carry more than one active color in a block). This makes tidy, compact fabric without floats.

Pattern concept & example motif

Block size & charting

Decide tile size: e.g., 2 sc per tile horizontally × 2 rows per tile vertically. Map a 9 × 5 inch canvas and design mosaic motif (diamond, chevron, tiny diamonds). Draw a 9×5 grid and color squares accordingly.

Mosaic basics

Row (color A): sc in each st across, but when the motif requires a color B square in that position, work sl st instead in the previous color that formed it; the chart shows which stitches to work vs slip. Many mosaic guides exist and a simple sample chart often fits best in images; for written form, follow a 2-color diamond repeat:

Example 2-color diamond repeat (very simplified)

Row 1 (A): sc across.
Row 2 (B): sc across but where Row1 had an A-square to form the diamond point, sl st instead of sc to anchor A through B — continue per chart.

Because mosaic patterns are chart-driven, I recommend including a chart for your readers (you can create a 12×8 pixel grid and color it) — the written steps then follow the chart row-by-row.

Construction, lining & zipper

Make two mosaic panels and add a solid side gusset or join panels with a sc border and then sc-join sides leaving top for zipper. Attach lining and zipper as before.

Finishing & care

Press panel flat; mosaic tends to be stiff — block lightly. Machine wash gentle in mesh bag for cotton; avoid high heat.

Conclusion

These six pencil case patterns cover kawaii fan favorites (Totoro-inspired), classic stripes and gingham, polished pearl-accented florals, charming granny hearts, and sharp mosaic geometry. Each design can be scaled, lined, and finished with a zipper or flap to suit school supplies, art tools, or everyday carry.

Final practical tips for your readers

Measure twice: chain-to-measure — always check width with your chosen yarn/hook before committing.
Zipper length: choose a zipper slightly longer than your finished width and trim it (keeping the zip stop) rather than forcing a shorter zipper — it’s easier to attach.

Lining trick: sew zipper to lining first (RS of lining to zipper RS) — this makes it much easier to attach the lining+zipper to the crochet shell.
Seams: mattress stitch for invisible joins; sc-join for a decorative ridge and extra strength.
Durability: reinforce zipper ends with a tiny fabric/interfacing patch inside to prevent holes where the zipper is sewn.