WATERMELON
SHAPED CASE
I saw a photograph on a online purchase page for a tailored (in felt, I think) watermelon shaped pencil case, and thought one in crochet would be swell too.. so here’s what I’ve come up with.
This has been made with a pencil case in mind, but it can be used as a case for anything – from pencils, to make-up / cosmetics, travel, a First aid kit, and if you add on a strap, then a cute little bag for a little girl as well. So have fun.. let’s create.
As usual, I’m using yarns available locally in India, and here I’ve used our lovely polyester purse yarns.
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Materials used : polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle ; beads ; zipper.
The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
Skill level : Easy to Intermediate
While the stitches used are easy enough, if you decide to work the black seeds in, then there’s yarn switching and carrying, which makes it Intermediate.
Size : 9” across (the widest part) x 5”
You can make this to any size you like
Gauge : 5 dc (across) x 2 dc rows (high) = 1”
Gauge is not important
Stitches used : (Using U.S terminology)
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY
Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
dc 3-tog : Double crochet 3-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp ; yo and draw through 2 lps] 3 times (4 lps on hk) ; yo, draw through all lps on hk. One dc 3-tog made.
Double crochet 3-tog : dc 3-tog : Here is an easy video tutorial at https://youtu.be/qlnqXDB3OUM
How to change colors seamlessly : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to change from the Main color to the Contrast or second color of yarn seamlessly. View it at https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno
How to carry your yarn when using two colors : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to carry your yarn along when working with two colours.
View it at https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ
How to line your bag : Check this link below
How to attach a zipper on your bag : http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1
Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI
Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet ch : Chain
sp : Space sl-st : Slip stitch
st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
dc 3-tog : Double crochet 3-together
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement. This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.
We start with a circle of red and then working outwards, we’ll add on off-white and finally the green skin. We will work in the little black seeds as we go along.
In case you find it difficult to carry the black and red yarns along (when making the seeds), you just work in the red portion first, and then you can embroider or fill in the black seeds later as well.
So there are two ways to make this case – either you work the little black seeds in as you’re working the red watermelon part, OR you can work that in later.
Easy enough.. let’s start.
Start (using red) with a magic circle and 12 sc in that circle.
Pull lightly to close circle.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc.
Round 1 : 2 dc in the 1st sc ;
2 dc in each sc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Round 2 : 2 dc in the 1st dc ;
2 dc in each dc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Attach your black yarn in now. In the following row, we will be using both the black and red yarns alternatively. So we will carry our unused yarn along.
We will also be using a dc 3-tog.
For a “how-to”, please go to the top of this blog for informative links
All dc in this round will be done in RED , and ALL dc 3-tog will be done in BLACK, and carry unused yarn along.
Round 3 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc ;
*(using black) dc 3-tog in the next dc ;
(using red) dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep *to* 11 times ;
(using red) dc in the last 2 dc .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
The next round will be done totally in RED , so at the end of this round, remember to bring your black yarn up.
Round 4 : (using red) dc in the 1st 3 dc ;
*dc in the next dc 3-tog ;
dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Round 5 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc ;
*2 dc in the next dc ;
dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from *to* all around ;
dc in the last 2 dc
and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
We will repeat our RED and BLACK round once more to add another round of black seeds.
Round 6 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc ;
*(using black) dc 3-tog in the next dc ;
(using red) dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep *to* 14 times ;
(using red) dc in the last 2 dc .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Fasten off black yarn.
The next round will be done totally in RED
Round 7 : (using red) dc in the 1st 3 dc ;
*dc in the next dc 3-tog ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Round 8 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc ;
*2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;
rep from *to* all around ;
dc in the last 2 dc
and join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Round 9 : (using red) dc in the 1st dc ;
and in each dc all around .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Attach your off-white yarn in now.
Fasten off red yarn.
Round 10 : (using off white) dc in the 1st dc ;
and in each dc all around .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Attach your green yarn in now.
Fasten off off-white yarn.
Round 9 : (using green) dc in the 1st dc ;
and in each dc all around .
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing : Weave in all ends for each colour from the inside of your pouch.
Attach a lining, zipper and a cord as required. (“How to” links provided above)
And wow.. just look at what you’ve created.
One little kiddo is going to be mighty pleased
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