Easy Striped Crochet Pencil Case Pattern

September 11, 2026

This striped crochet pencil case is a simple way to turn basic single crochet into a useful, structured zipper pouch.

The finished case works for much more than pencils. Use it for crochet hooks, small notions, makeup, travel accessories, sewing supplies, chargers, or everyday items.

The rectangular pouch style is easy to customize because the zipper determines the usable opening while simple crochet panels determine the height and depth.

This version uses a straightforward panel construction with a separate zipper top, so the dimensions are easy to understand and resize.

Pattern at a Glance

Skill level: Advanced beginner
Terminology: US crochet terms
Finished size: Approximately 8″ wide × 3¼” high × 3″ deep
Yarn: Sport / Category 2 cotton
Hook: 3.5 mm
Main stitch: Single crochet
Construction: One-piece front/bottom/back + 2 side gussets + 2 zipper bands
Zipper: 8-inch zipper
Colors: Dusty rose, blush, cream

Materials

You will need:

approximately 175–225 yards sport-weight cotton yarn
3.5 mm crochet hook
8-inch zipper
yarn needle
sewing needle
strong matching polyester sewing thread
scissors
stitch markers
measuring tape
pins or sewing clips

Optional:

lightweight cotton fabric for lining
fabric marker
small awl if your zipper tape is unusually stiff

Yarn Colors

For the striped version:

Color A

Dusty Rose

Color B

Warm Cream

Color C

Soft Blush

You can also make the entire case in one color.

Cotton is especially useful for this project because it creates a firm fabric with clear stitches and very little stretch.

Gauge

In single crochet:

22 sts × 24 rows = 4 inches

Gauge matters more than usual because the crochet needs to fit the zipper.

If your gauge differs, adjust the number of stitches rather than forcing an incorrect-size panel onto the zipper.

Finished Measurements

Approximately:

8 inches long

3¼ inches high

3 inches deep

The zipper runs along the center of the top.

Abbreviations

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sts = stitches
RS = right side
WS = wrong side

Important Stitch Rule

The turning chain does not count as a stitch.

At the end of every row:

Ch 1, turn.

Then work the first sc into the first actual stitch.

Always count:

44 sc

across the main body and zipper bands.

Keeping this count consistent is what gives the pencil case straight edges.

PART 1 — MAIN BODY

The main body forms:

front → bottom → back

as one continuous rectangle.

Using Color A:

Ch 45.

Row 1

Sc in second ch from hook.

Sc in every chain across.

44 sc.

Ch 1, turn.

Place stitch markers at both ends of Row 20.

These markers indicate the first fold line.

PART 2 — BOTTOM OF THE CASE

Continue directly from the front panel.

The bottom is slightly deeper than the height of each zipper band so the finished case has a roomy rectangular shape.

Rows 21–24

Color A.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 25–28

Color C.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 29–32

Color B.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 33–36

Color A.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 37–38

Color C.

Sc across.

44 sc.

The bottom section contains:

18 rows.

Place another stitch marker at each end of Row 38.

This marks the second fold line.

PART 3 — BACK PANEL

The back should match the front in height.

Rows 39–42

Color B.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 43–46

Color A.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 47–50

Color C.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 51–54

Color B.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Rows 55–58

Color A.

Sc across.

44 sc.

Fasten off.

You now have one long rectangular piece containing:

20-row front
18-row bottom
20-row back

Total:

58 rows.

Check the Main Piece

Lay the rectangle flat.

Fold at:

Row 20

and:

Row 38

The fabric should naturally form a U shape:

front wall → bottom → back wall

Do not sew anything yet.

PART 4 — SIDE GUSSETS

Make 2 identical pieces.

Each gusset fills one end of the pencil case.

Using Color A:

Ch 19.

Row 1

Sc in second ch from hook and across.

18 sc.

Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2–20

Sc in every stitch across.

18 sc.

You can make the gussets solid-colored or repeat the stripe sequence from the main pouch.

Fasten off after Row 20.

Make a second identical gusset.

Gusset Measurements

Each side panel should measure approximately:

3 inches wide × 3¼ inches high

before assembly.

The:

18-stitch edge matches the bottom depth
20-row side edges match the front and back height

PART 5 — ZIPPER BANDS

The two zipper bands create the top of the pouch.

Make two identical pieces.

Using your preferred color:

Ch 45.

Row 1

Sc in second chain from hook and across.

44 sc.

Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2–9

Sc across.

44 sc.

Fasten off.

Make a second identical band.

Each strip should measure approximately:

8 inches long × 1½ inches wide

Together, the two strips form most of the 3-inch-deep top.

Check the Zipper Before Sewing

Place the zipper between the two crochet bands.

The zipper teeth should run straight between them.

The zipper opening should be approximately the same length as the:

44-stitch crochet edge.

A small difference is fine.

Do not stretch the crochet to fit a zipper that is substantially longer.

PART 6 — ATTACH THE ZIPPER

Lay the first crochet band flat with its right side facing upward.

Place the zipper along one long edge.

Position the zipper so:

teeth remain completely exposed
crochet does not interfere with the slider
approximately the same amount of zipper tape shows along the entire length

Clip or pin in place.

Sewing the First Side

Thread a sewing needle with strong matching thread.

Beginning near one zipper stop:

Sew the zipper tape securely to the crochet band using small backstitches or whipstitches.

Catch the crochet fabric without pulling it out of shape.

Continue to the other end.

Secure the thread.

Second Zipper Band

Place the second band along the opposite side of the zipper.

Make sure:

both crochet bands begin at the same position
both end at the same position
the zipper remains centered
the bands are not twisted

Sew the second band in place.

Test the Zipper

Before continuing:

Open and close the zipper several times.

It should move freely without catching the crochet.

If the slider catches:

Move the crochet edge slightly farther away from the zipper teeth before assembly.

Optional Yarn-Sewn Zipper Method

If you prefer the handmade appearance of visible yarn stitching, you can sew the zipper tape with matching cotton yarn.

Mark evenly spaced points approximately:

¼ inch apart

along the zipper tape.

If the tape is soft enough, use a sharp needle.

If necessary, carefully make small holes with an awl before sewing.

Do not punch holes too close to the zipper teeth or outer edge because this can weaken the tape.

PART 7 — ATTACH THE ZIPPER TOP TO THE BODY

Your zipper and two bands now form one rectangular top panel.

Place the long outer edge of one zipper band against the top edge of the front panel.

Both edges should contain:

44 stitches.

With right sides facing each other, whipstitch the edges together through corresponding stitches.

Work:

1 joining stitch per stitch

across.

Secure the yarn.

Attach the Back

Repeat with the remaining zipper band and the top edge of the back panel.

Again:

44 sts matched to 44 sts.

When finished, the pouch should begin to resemble a rectangular tube with open ends.

Check the Orientation

Before sewing the sides, make sure:

zipper faces outward
stripe pattern is correctly oriented
front and back are not twisted
zipper opens normally

This is much easier to correct now than after the gussets are installed.

PART 8 — ATTACH THE FIRST SIDE GUSSET

Keep the pouch wrong side out.

Take one 18 × 20 gusset.

Position it at one open end.

Match one 20-row gusset edge to the 20-row side of the front panel.

Pin or clip.

Seam 1 — Front

Whipstitch through corresponding edge stitches from top to bottom.

Keep the seam firm but not tight enough to gather the crochet.

Seam 2 — Bottom

Turn the corner.

Match the gusset’s:

18-stitch bottom edge

to the 18-row side edge of the bottom panel.

Sew across.

Seam 3 — Back

Turn the next corner.

Sew the second 20-row edge of the gusset to the side of the back panel.

PART 9 — CLOSE THE TOP OF THE GUSSET

The final 18-stitch edge of the gusset meets the short end of the zipper-top section.

Arrange the edge so:

approximately half sits against the end of the front zipper band
the zipper end remains centered
the other half sits against the back zipper band

Ease the stitches evenly across the top.

Sew securely.

Pay extra attention around the zipper end.

That area experiences more stress during use.

PART 10 — SECOND SIDE

Repeat the exact assembly on the opposite end using the second gusset.

Before completing the final seam:

OPEN THE ZIPPER.

This is important.

Once the pouch is fully sewn, the open zipper is what allows you to turn everything right side out.

TURN THE CASE RIGHT SIDE OUT

Reach through the open zipper.

Gently pull the pouch through.

Push out:

four bottom corners
four upper corners
zipper ends

Use your fingers rather than a sharp object.

Shape the case into a rectangular box.

Finished Structure

Your case should now have:

flat rectangular front
flat rectangular back
approximately 3-inch bottom depth
matching side gussets
centered zipper
slightly rounded crochet corners
firm rectangular shape

Optional Topstitching

For a more structured zipper edge, work a line of surface slip stitches along the crochet immediately beside each zipper band.

This can make the top look slightly more polished.

Do not work so tightly that the zipper edge puckers.

Optional Fabric Lining

A lining is especially useful if you plan to store:

pens
makeup
small crochet hooks
tapestry needles
scissors
stitch markers

Simple Lining Pieces

Cut:

2 rectangles

Approximately 8½ × 3¾ inches

for front and back.

1 rectangle

Approximately 8½ × 3½ inches

for bottom.

2 rectangles

Approximately 3½ × 3¾ inches

for sides.

Add approximately:

¼-inch seam allowance

around each piece.

Because crochet stretches, measure your actual finished pouch before cutting fabric.

Assemble the Lining

Sew:

front to bottom
back to opposite bottom edge
side panels into each open end

Leave the lining wrong side out.

Insert it inside the finished crochet pouch.

Fold the raw upper edge inward.

Hand-sew the lining to the inside of the zipper tape.

Do not sew through the zipper teeth.

Optional Pencil-Safe Lining

If using the case for sharpened pencils, pens, or small scissors, a lining is strongly recommended.

The fabric prevents pointed objects from pushing through the crochet stitches.

How to Make the Case Wider

The zipper determines the length.

For a different zipper, make a gauge swatch first.

Count how many sc you need to match the length of the zipper opening.

For example, if your gauge is:

5½ stitches per inch

and your zipper is:

10 inches

calculate:

10 × 5.5 = 55 stitches

Start with approximately:

56 chains

to produce 55 sc.

Check the crochet directly against the zipper before continuing.

How to Make the Case Deeper

The depth comes from:

bottom rows
side gusset width
zipper-band width

For a deeper pouch, increase all three proportionally.

For example, for approximately:

4 inches deep

make the bottom section about:

22 stitches/rows wide

and make each zipper band approximately:

2 inches wide.

The side gussets should also be about 4 inches across.

How to Make the Case Taller

The height comes from:

front-panel rows
back-panel rows
gusset height

Increase these together.

For example:

If you add 6 rows to the front, also add:

6 rows to the back
6 rows to each side gusset

Do not alter the bottom simply because you increased the height.

Small Crochet Hook Case

For a slim crochet-hook pouch, try approximately:

8″ long × 2½” high × 2″ deep

Use the same construction but:

reduce front/back rows
reduce bottom depth
reduce gusset width
make narrower zipper bands

It is ideal for carrying a few favorite hooks and stitch markers.

Makeup Bag Version

Use:

10–12-inch zipper
deeper gussets
slightly taller walls
washable cotton yarn
fabric lining

A lining is especially useful for cosmetics because it can be cleaned separately and prevents small items from catching in stitches.

Travel Pouch Version

Make the case approximately:

12 × 6 × 4 inches

and use it for:

charging cables
travel crochet tools
toiletries
small craft supplies

A heavier cotton or cotton-acrylic yarn will give the larger version better structure.

Pencil Case Version

The written 8-inch case comfortably holds standard:

pens
pencils
erasers
small ruler
highlighters

For longer art pencils, use a:

9- or 10-inch zipper

and adjust the 44-stitch width to match.

Stripe Ideas

Soft Romantic

dusty rose
cream
blush

Retro

mustard
rust
cream
olive

Coastal

navy
pale blue
white

Neutral

oatmeal
cream
taupe

Scrap Yarn

Make every 3–4 rows a different color.

Because the entire case uses single crochet, this is an easy project for using small leftover cotton yarn balls.

Cleaner Color Changes

When changing colors:

Work the final sc until two loops remain on the hook.

Drop the old color.

Yarn over with the new color.

Pull through both loops.

Ch 1.

Turn.

The new color is now ready for the next row.

Weaving in Ends

For a pouch that will receive frequent use, do not simply crochet over short yarn tails and trim them immediately.

Use a yarn needle.

Weave each tail:

horizontally through several stitches
change direction
weave through several more stitches

Then trim.

This gives the seams and stripes much better durability.

Why Is My Pouch Wider Than the Zipper?

Your stitch gauge is looser than expected.

Do not gather the crochet dramatically to force it onto the zipper.

Instead:

remove a few foundation stitches
use a smaller hook
or choose a longer zipper

The zipper band should lie flat when attached.

Why Is the Zipper Wavy?

Usually the crochet was stretched while the zipper was sewn on.

Lay both pieces completely flat before pinning.

Do not pull the crochet lengthwise.

Sew from one end to the other while checking frequently that both layers remain relaxed.

Why Are My Sides Puckering?

Check whether the gusset dimensions match the body.

You need:

gusset height = front/back height
gusset depth = bottom depth

If one section has substantially more stitches than the other, the seam will gather.

Why Are My Corners Rounded?

Single crochet fabric naturally creates slightly softer corners than sewn canvas.

For sharper corners:

use cotton yarn
work at a firm gauge
keep seams tight and even
lightly block the individual pieces before assembly

You can also add a removable plastic canvas insert between the crochet and lining for extra structure.

Why Doesn’t My Case Stand Up?

The yarn may be too soft or your gauge too loose.

Try:

cotton instead of soft acrylic
smaller hook
fabric lining
interfacing behind the lining

For a pencil case, a little softness is completely fine.

Can I Crochet Directly Into the Zipper?

Yes, but it isn’t necessary.

Some crocheters pre-punch evenly spaced holes in the zipper tape and crochet directly through them.

For this pattern, sewing the zipper to separate crochet bands is easier to control and makes replacing a damaged zipper much simpler.

Can I Use Worsted Yarn?

Yes.

Try a:

4–4.5 mm hook

and recalculate your stitch count to match the zipper.

Because each stitch will be larger, you’ll need fewer than 44 stitches for the same 8-inch zipper.

Can I Use a Smaller Hook?

Yes.

A slightly smaller hook creates a denser pouch.

That can be useful for:

pens
crochet notions
makeup
small accessories

Just make sure the fabric is still flexible enough to sew comfortably.

Useful Crochet Project for Beginners

This project is particularly good for practicing:

foundation chains
single crochet
straight edges
color changes
counting rows
simple seaming
zipper installation
basic shaping through separate panels

And unlike a practice swatch, the finished piece becomes something you can actually use.

Final Thoughts

A zipper pouch doesn’t require complicated crochet shaping.

For this construction, remember the five pieces:

front + bottom + back

2 side gussets

2 zipper bands

Once those pieces fit one another, assembly becomes straightforward.

The zipper establishes the length, the gussets establish the depth, and the number of front and back rows determines the height.

That also means the same pattern can become a slim pencil case, crochet-hook pouch, makeup bag, travel organizer, or larger notions case simply by changing a few measurements.

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