Whether you're at school or at work, there's always writing to be done. And where there's writing there's pens, pencils, rulers and other stationery – so why not keep it all in one place with this cute DIY pencil case?
Created by Jo Allport for Simply Knitting magazine issue 187, this adorable doggy design will bring a smile to your face each time you reach for your pens, and it's a fun, speedy knit too. A brilliant back to school gift, you could finish this DIY pencil case in a weekend, ready to use on Monday morning.
There are dozens of shades available in Hayfield Bonus DK, just begging you to get creative and recreate a beloved family pet in yarn! You could even use Swiss darning to add extra details if you wish…
To make this DIY pencil case you will need:
- Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 50g/140m) 1 ball of each: Yarn A Chocolate (947), Yarn B Signal Red (977)
- A pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles
- 2 toy eyes
DIY pencil case knitting pattern
Tension
24 sts and 34 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stocking stitch using 3¼mm needles
Pencil case measurements
Length 18cm
Diameter 8cm
Dog pencil case
Our standard knitting abbreviations are used in this pattern.
Pencil case body
Cast on 46 sts using 3¼mm needles and Yarn A.
Work in st st until work measures 25cm, ending with a WS row.
Pencil case ends
(Make 2)
Cast on 11 sts using 3¼mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [13 sts]
Row 3 Pfb, P to last st, pfb. [15 sts]
Row 4 Kfb, K to last st, kfb. [17 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Rep the last 2 rows three times more. [23 sts]
Work straight in st st for 8 rows.
Row 18 (RS) Ssk, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [21 sts]
Row 19 Purl.
Rep these 2 rows three times more. [15 sts]
Row 26 Ssk, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [13 sts]
Row 27 P2tog, P to last 2 sts, p2tog tbl. [11 sts]
Knit one row.
Cast off.
Pencil case ears
(Make 2 in Yarn A, and 2 in Yarn B)
Cast on 11 sts using 3¼mm needles.
Row 1 (RS) Knit.
Row 2 Purl.
Row 3 K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. [13 sts]
Row 4 Purl.
Row 5 Knit.
Row 6 Purl.
Rep the last 4 rows twice more. [17 sts]
Work straight in st st as set for 6 rows.
Work the following decs:
Row 21 (RS) K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [15 sts]
Row 22 Purl.
Rep the last 2 rows until 7 sts remain, ending with a RS row.
Next row (WS) P2tog, P3, p2tog tbl. [5 sts]
Cast off.
Sew one Ear in Yarn A to one Ear in Yarn B so that the st st is on the outside. Repeat for the other pair of Ear sides.
Pencil case eye patch
Cast on 4 sts using 3.25mm needles and Yarn B.
Row 1 (WS) Purl.
Row 2 (RS) K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. [6 sts]
Row 3 Purl.
Row 4 K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1. [8 sts]
Row 5 Purl.
Row 6 Knit.
Row 7 Purl.
Row 8 Ssk, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [6 sts]
Row 9 Purl.
Row 10 Ssk, K to last 2 sts, k2tog. [4 sts]
Row 11 Purl.
Cast off.
Finishing the pencil case
Sew zip to the cast-on and cast-off edges of the Body. Sew one end to the Pencil Case End, where the zip fob is when the zip is closed.
Sew Eye Patch to other End. Place Ears so that their open ends are inside the seam between the End and the Body. Sew in place. Use the image for guidance. Attach toy eyes.
Tail
Cast on 9 sts using 3¼mm needles and Yarn A.
Work in st st until work measures 7cm, ending with a WS row.
Work decs as follows:
Next row (RS) (K1, k2tog) 3 times. [6 sts]
Next row Purl.
Next row (RS) (K1, k2tog) 2 times. [4 sts]
Next row Purl.
Next row (K2tog) twice. [2 sts]
Next row P2tog and fasten off this stitch leaving a 50cm long tail. Use this tail to seam down the back of the Tail and thread it through the zip fob to secure.
Download the DIY pencil case pattern
Get a PDF version of this pattern here: DIY pencil case knitting pattern
More children's knitting patterns
Little ones will love these adorable animal patterns – and you'll love knitting them too!
