Unicorn Pencil Holder Free Crochet Pattern for Cute Accessories
Turn yarn into a cute unicorn pencil holder that keeps your desk organized while adding a touch of whimsy with this free and easy crochet pattern tutorial.
Bringing a touch of magic and charm to any desk or workspace, this delightful accessory is both practical and whimsical. The crochet unicorn pencil holder combines functionality with a fun design that’s sure to bring a smile to both kids and adults. Featuring a shiny horn, a colorful mane, and a friendly face, the unicorn becomes more than just a pencil holder, it’s a cheerful companion for study time, crochet desks, or office spaces.
Free Crochet Unicorn Pencil Holder Pattern for School Supplies
One of the best things about this project is the ability to customize it easily. You can choose from a rainbow of yarn colors to create a bright, eye-catching mane and horn, making each unicorn uniquely yours. The size can also be adjusted by using different yarn thicknesses or crochet hook sizes, so whether you want a small holder for just a few pencils or a larger one for many supplies, this pattern can accommodate those needs.
The pattern itself is approachable for crocheters of various skill levels. It mainly uses simple but important stitches, like single crochet and half-double crochet, which are fundamental in creating a neat and sturdy fabric. These stitches help maintain the shape of the holder while keeping it durable enough to hold pencils and pens without tipping or collapsing.
Beyond its practical use to organize writing tools, the unicorn pencil holder adds vibrant colors and joyful personality to any room. It makes a great handmade gift for friends, siblings, or classmates who love magical creatures or cute desk accessories. This fun project not only encourages creativity but also improves crochet skills by practicing stitch consistency and shaping.
With just yarn, a crochet hook, and a bit of patience, this adorable unicorn pencil holder comes to life as both a useful and beautiful item that brightens everyday tasks. It’s a perfect blend of imagination and function that invites creativity into any workspace.
Unicorn Pen or Pencil Tin Cover
Pattern Notes
- This project transforms a recycled tin can into a unicorn pencil holder with crochet, following amigurumi and decorative crochet techniques.
- The cover is made to fit slightly loosely around your chosen can to allow for folding the edge inward and easy removal.
- Gauge and round count will vary depending on the can you’re upcycling.
- You’ll also crochet and stitch on a unicorn horn, two ears, and five small flowers as embellishments.
- The top edging is folded inwards for comfort and safety—this is essential if your tin has a sharp rim.
- All pieces are attached using a yarn needle with long tails left for sewing.
Make a magical, upcycled unicorn pen or pencil holder! Crochet a snug yet removable cover for a recycled tin can and decorate it with a unicorn face, a 3D crocheted horn, ears, and a crown of colorful flowers. A fun, practical, and eco-friendly project—ideal for gifting or brightening up your workspace!
Skill Level
- Intermediate: Comfort with working in the round, increases, color changes, magic ring, and basic embroidery/sewing skills are recommended.
- Uses US terminology throughout the pattern.
Measurements / Sizing (Optional Schematic)
- Sizing is adjustable: Final cover must be large enough to slip over your can and fold over the rim.
- Example: Holds a standard recycled food tin (about 6–8 cm diameter, 10–12 cm tall).
- Adjust by adding/removing rounds to fit your can.
Special Stitches
- Magic Ring: Make a loop, crochet stitches into this loop, then pull tail to close tightly.
- Invisible Join/Finish: Remove the hook, pull working yarn through the last stitch, place the needle through the second stitch of the round (not the same stitch), simulate a stitch for a seamless join.
- Cluster Petal: For the flowers, a petal consists of 2 ch, 2 dc in same st, sl st in next st.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc) Horn: Gives a firmer texture to shape the unicorn horn.
Stitch Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc or hdc in one st)
- MR: magic ring
Gauge (and Stitch Pattern)
- Gauge is flexible, as fit is based on your individual tin.
- Standard: 6 sc in magic ring, then increase evenly (sc, inc) to form a flat circle the size of your can’s base.
- Measure the base against your can often!
- Main body in rounds of sc.
Materials
- 100% cotton yarn (sport/DK weight):
- Gray (main base)
- Pink (top body, ears, horn, flowers)
- Blue (flowers)
- Bright pink (optional: also for flowers/horn)
- 3.0 mm crochet hook (match to yarn size for firm fabric)
- Tapestry/yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Recycled tin can (clean and with any sharp edge filed down)
- Black embroidery thread/yarn for facial features (eyelashes)
- Optional: extra colors for flower variety
The Crochet Pattern!
1. The Can Cover/Base
Base:
- With gray yarn, make a magic ring (MR).
- Round 1: 6 sc into MR. (6)
- Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
- Round 3: [sc 1, inc] around. (18)
- Round 4: [sc 2, inc] around. (24)
- Continue in this style, increasing evenly (add 1 regular sc per round before each inc), until your base matches the can’s diameter.
- When the base fits (it should slightly overhang, not tightly hug), stop increasing.
Body:
8. Work sc in each st around (marking the first st of each round), no increases.
- Continue in rounds until cover reaches about one quarter the height of the can.
- Fasten off gray yarn with an invisible finish. Weave in end.
You now have the bottom and partial body – check the fit by placing on your can.
Color Change:
11. Join white yarn in a stitch away from the color change join. Ch 1, sc in same st, mark as first st.
- Continue sc in each st around. At end of round, ensure last st is not mistakenly skipped at color change join.
- Continue sc in each st, marking first st each round, until the body is almost the height of the can.
Top Edge/Fold:
14. For safety and a neat finish, work an extra 4 rounds of sc, to create a fold-over edge. This will be turned inside the can for a smooth lining.
2. Small Flowers (Make 5: 3 pink, 2 blue)
Each Flower:
- With pink or blue yarn, make a magic ring.
- 5 sc into ring.
- Pull ring closed.
- First Petal: In first st, ch 2, 2 dc in same st, sl st in next st.
- Repeat from * in each sc, making 5 petals (ch 2, 2 dc, sl st).
- At end, sl st in first petal. Ch 1, cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.
3. Unicorn Horn
- With pink (or white or light pink) yarn, make a magic ring.
- 5 hdc into ring. Pull closed.
- Join with sl st to first st.
- Round 2: [sc 1, inc] around. (7–8 sts total; it's fine if count fluctuates.)
- Rounds 3–7: Work hdc in each st around (no increases) for 5 rounds.
- Finish with sl st, ch 1. Leave a long tail for sewing.
Horn should be long, slightly conical, and firm. Stuff if desired for extra firmness.
4. Ears (Make 2)
- With white yarn, make a magic ring.
- 6 sc into ring, pull closed.
- Round 2: [sc 1, inc] around. (9)
- Rounds 3–6: Sc in each st around. (no increase) — total 4 rounds.
- Finish with sl st in next st. Ch 1, leave long tail for sewing.
Ears should be small, cupped, and sturdy.
Embroidering the Face
- Thread black yarn or embroidery floss on needle.
- Refer to the white portion of the body, just above halfway up, as the “face” area.
- Mark where the eyelashes will go; begin on one side, insert and bring needle out at the eyelash starting point.
- For each eye, embroider 3 lashes:
- Stitch a curved line, then two shorter diagonal lines branching from the main line.
- Secure and weave in ends at the back.
Assembly & Finished Size
- Attach horn to center front, two rows below top edge, stitching through both horn and cover securely.
- Sew ears symmetrically on either side of horn.
- Sew three pink flowers across the top, next to each other, overlapping horn and ears.
- Add two blue flowers—one on each side of flower crown, near ears.
- Weave in all yarn ends inside cover.
- Place finished cover over can, fold top edge inward for comfort and safety.
- Optionally, stuff horn for extra firmness before sewing.