Kitten Pencil Holder Amigurumi Pattern

Introduction

Welcome to another fun and practical crochet project! This adorable kitten pencil holder is the perfect combination of cuteness and functionality for your desk or craft space. The design features a sweet kitten face with an open top that's perfect for holding your favorite pens, pencils, and art supplies. I've designed this pattern to be relatively simple with minimal color changes, making it great for crocheters with basic amigurumi experience. The finished holder is sturdy enough to stand on its own while being soft and huggable. Let's get started on this purrfect desk accessory that's sure to bring smiles every time you reach for a pen!

Materials

• Yarn:
  • Main Color (MC): 100g Light Gray Worsted Weight Yarn (I recommend Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran or Lion Brand Vanna's Choice)
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 25g Pink Worsted Weight Yarn (for inner ears)
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Small amount of Black Worsted Weight Yarn (for nose and details)
  • Contrast Color 3 (CC3): Small amount of White Worsted Weight Yarn (for face details)
• Hook: 4.0mm (US G/6)
• Notions:
  • Polyester fiberfill (small amount for stuffing the ears and face)
  • 2 safety eyes (12mm)
  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard circle (about 3" diameter) for base stability
  • Optional: Plastic canvas sheet for extra stability

Skill Level & Techniques

• Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
• Techniques Required:
  • Magic ring/adjustable ring
  • Single crochet
  • Increases and decreases
  • Working in continuous rounds
  • Basic color changes
  • Simple embroidery for face details
• Time Commitment: Approximately 3-4 hours

Abbreviations & Terms

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec: invisible decrease (decrease over 2 stitches)
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sl st: slip stitch
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only
• MC: main color
• CC1/CC2/CC3: contrast colors
• ( ): stitch count at end of round
• [ ]: repeat instructions between brackets the number of times indicated

Pattern Instructions

Base

With MC (gray):

1. Make a magic ring, ch 1
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
3. Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
4. Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
5. Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
6. Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
7. Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
8. Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times (42)
9. Rnd 8: [6 sc, inc] 6 times (48)
10. Rnd 9: [7 sc, inc] 6 times (54)
11. Rnd 10: 54 sc (54)

Body

12. Rnds 11-25: 54 sc (54) - continue working in the round without increases or decreases for 15 rounds
13. Rnd 26: [7 sc, dec] 6 times (48)
14. Rnd 27: 48 sc (48)
15. Rnd 28: [6 sc, dec] 6 times (42)
16. Rnd 29: 42 sc (42)

Face Shaping

17. Rnd 30: [5 sc, dec] 6 times (36)
18. Rnd 31: 36 sc (36)
19. Rnd 32: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
20. Rnd 33: 30 sc (30)
21. Rnd 34: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
22. Rnd 35: 24 sc (24)

At this point, insert your cardboard circle into the bottom of the pencil holder for added stability before continuing.

Ears (Make 2)

With MC (gray):

1. Make a magic ring, ch 1
2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
3. Rnd 2: [inc] 6 times (12)
4. Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
5. Rnds 4-5: 18 sc (18)
6. Fold the ear in half and sc 9 through both layers to close the bottom edge. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Inner Ears (Make 2)

With CC1 (pink):

1. Make a magic ring, ch 1
2. Rnd 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5)
3. Rnd 2: [inc] 5 times (10)
4. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly

1. Prepare the ears:

   • Sew the pink inner ear pieces onto the gray ear pieces.
   • Stuff the ears lightly at the base.
   • Attach the ears to the top sides of the pencil holder (around round 34-35).

2. Face details:

   • Attach safety eyes between rounds 32-33, about 6-8 stitches apart.
   • Using CC2 (black), embroider a small triangle nose between the eyes.
   • With CC2, embroider whiskers extending from each side of the nose.
   • Using CC3 (white), add small highlight patches under the eyes.
   • With CC2, embroider a small mouth under the nose.

3. Finishing:

   • Weave in all remaining ends.
   • If desired, spray with fabric stiffener to help the pencil holder maintain its shape.

Technical Tips

• Tension/Gauge: Work with consistent tension. The pencil holder should be firm enough to stand up on its own.
• Stuffing Technique: Only stuff the ears and the top part of the face for shaping - the main body should remain hollow to hold pencils.
• Stability: The cardboard circle will help the pencil holder maintain its shape at the bottom. You can also add a plastic canvas circle for extra stability.
• Customization: Feel free to adjust the height by adding or removing rounds in the body section to match your preferred pencil height.

Conclusion & Care Instructions

Your finished kitten pencil holder should measure approximately 6 inches tall and 3.5 inches in diameter - perfect for holding a variety of pens, pencils, and art supplies. The opening at the top is wide enough to easily access your items while the cute kitten face brings character to your workspace.

To clean your kitten pencil holder, spot clean with a damp cloth as needed. For deeper cleaning, hand wash gently with mild soap, reshape, and allow to air dry completely. Avoid machine washing to maintain the shape and structure.

Display your kitten pencil holder prominently on your desk or craft table! The neutral gray color with pink accents allows it to blend with most decor styles while still adding a touch of whimsy to your space.

© Patricia Poltera - trendydecos.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this pencil holder larger or smaller? A: Absolutely! To adjust the size, change your starting chain circle size. For a wider holder, continue the increase rounds until you reach your desired circumference. For a taller holder, simply add more rounds to the body section.

Q: My pencil holder won't stand up straight. What should I do? A: Make sure your base is worked evenly with consistent tension. Adding a cardboard circle at the bottom is essential for stability. For extra support, glue a small weighted object (like a few flat stones or washers) to the center of the cardboard base before inserting it.

Q: Can I use different yarn weights for this project? A: Yes, but this will affect the final size. Using DK weight yarn with a 3.5mm hook will create a smaller holder, while using chunky yarn with a 5mm hook will make it larger. Adjust your stitch counts accordingly if changing yarn weights.

Q: How can I make my kitten's face even cuter? A: Try adding small blush marks using pink yarn or a touch of pink fabric crayon to the cheeks. You can also experiment with different eye placements - placing them slightly closer together often increases the cuteness factor!

Q: How do I prevent my pencils from poking through the bottom? A: If you're concerned about sharp pencils, you can reinforce the base by adding a circle of plastic canvas or thin craft foam inside the bottom before inserting the cardboard circle.

Q: Can I turn this into a closed kitten plushie instead of a pencil holder? A: Yes! Simply continue the decrease rounds at the top until you have a small opening, stuff the entire kitten, and then close the opening completely.

Q: My ears look floppy. How can I make them stand up better? A: For perky ears, use slightly less stuffing and try stiffening them with a small amount of fabric stiffener or white glue diluted with water. You can also insert a small piece of pipe cleaner into each ear during assembly.

Q: How can I personalize this pencil holder? A: Add a small collar with a bell, embroider the kitten's name, or change the colors to match your favorite cat breed. You could also add small appliqué paw prints around the body.