Happy Crayons
August 31, 2017
It’s back to school season, and that has me thinking about school supplies. There’s pencils, folders, glue sticks, crayons, and something that has become a tradition for me in my years as a first grade teacher – first day student gifts.
I enjoy sending a little goodie bag home with my students at the end of the first day, and I want to incorporate a homemade item this year. Something small would be nice, small enough that I can convert it into a keychain that can be clipped on their backpacks to be enjoyed all year long. That’s where these happy little guys come in…
I ordered some inexpensive key chain rings to attach, and I’m rather pleased with the resulting gift ready to be shared!
You can add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here or Pin It for later here.
Finished size: approximately 5 ½” x 1”
My Materials:
- worsted weight yarn, 1 color in 2 different shades (referred to as darker color and lighter color throughout the pattern)
- black worsted weight yarn
- 6 mm safety eyes
- fiber fill
- Hook F (3.75 mm)
- tapestry needle
- swivel lobster key chain
Abbreviations:
- BLO – back loop only
- FLO – front 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:
- Join at the top of the chain with a slip stitch to end each round.
- Do not count the join as a stitch.
- Stuff as you go.
The Pattern:
begin with darker color
Round 1: in magic ring, ch 2, sc 4, join in ch using sl st (4 sc)
Round 2: BLO ch 2, inc, sc, inc, sc, join with sl st (6 sc)
Round 3: ch 2, *inc, sc, sc* around, join with sl st (8 sc)
Round 4: ch 2, *inc, sc, sc, sc* around, join with sl st (10 sc)
Round 5: ch 2, *sc, sc, inc, sc, sc* around, join with sl st (12 sc)
Round 6: FLO ch 2, *inc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc* around, join with sl st (14 sc)
Round 7: BLO ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
change to lighter color
Rounds 8-9: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
change to black
Round 10: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
change to lighter color
Rounds 11-14: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
insert safety eyes between rows 12 and 13
Rounds 15-19: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
sew on mouth using black yarn or embroidery floss
change to black
Round 20: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
change to lighter color
Rounds 21-22: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
change to darker color
Rounds 23-24: ch 2, sc around, join with sl st (14 sc)
Round 25: BLO ch 2, *dec, sc*4 times, dec, join with sl st (9 sc)
Finish off, close stitches, and sew in any ends.
Make your favorite color or make up a whole box of crayons. They are quick to make and sure to spread cheer!
Yarnfully Yours,
