Pencil Amigurumi For Back To School Gifts

Why This Pattern Is Worth Your Time

Welcome to a cozy little project that turns a simple pencil into a soft, squishable companion. This beginner-friendly amigurumi pattern uses a 3.5 mm hook and worsted weight yarn, the kind of sturdy cotton or acrylic blend that holds its shape stitch after stitch. The finished piece stands approximately 10 inches (25 cm) tall and measures 7 inches (18 cm) wide, making it a charming desk buddy that fits nicely in a pencil cup, a tote bag, or the palm of a curious child's hand. You will work in continuous rounds, building the body with single crochet stitches and simple increases and decreases that any first-time amigurumi maker can master.

The texture is smooth and tight, with clearly defined rounds that give the pencil its classic cylindrical shape and the little eraser tip its rounded cap. As you work, you will feel the yarn glide over the hook, each stitch landing neatly beside the last, creating that satisfying plumpness amigurumi is known for. The pattern calls for basic stitches only, so there is no need to worry about complex shaping or color changes. Just a steady rhythm of single crochet, a few increases to widen the body, and gentle decreases to taper the ends.

This little pencil is wonderful as a back-to-school gift, a teacher appreciation token, or a playful accent on a writing desk. It also makes a thoughtful handmade present for anyone who loves stationery, journaling, or simply the look of a handcrafted object on their workspace. One concrete reason to choose this project is its quick gratification: the worsted weight yarn works up fast on a 3.5 mm hook, so you can finish the piece in a relaxed weekend and have a charming, huggable result ready to gift or display.

Grab your hook, your yarn, and a bit of stuffing, and settle in for a calm, rewarding make. Whether you are new to amigurumi or looking for

Before You Start: Pattern Notes

This pencil amigurumi is a small, friendly project that works up quickly and rewards you with a cheerful finished piece. It suits anyone who enjoys quick makes, whether you are stitching a gift for a teacher, a back-to-school decoration, or a soft toy for a child. Because the shape is simple and the rounds are short, it is also a great way to use up left over yarn from your stash. If you have never tried amigurumi before, this pattern gives you a chance to practice the basic stitches in a for giving, low-pressure way.

For a finished size of roughly 10 inches tall and 7 inches wide, choose a worsted weight yarn in a smooth, light-colored fiber so the stitches stay even and the shape reads clearly. A classic yellow body with a pink eraser, a silver or gray ferrule, and a dark graphite tip will give you the most recognizable pencil look. If you prefer a softer palette, pastel shades work just as well, and a small face embroidered in black or brown thread adds personality without much extra work. Cotton blends hold their shape nicely, while acrylic keeps the piece light and washable for every day handling.

One common pitfall when starting amigurumi is letting the stuffing show through the stitches, which happens when loops are worked too loosely. To avoid this, keep your tension snug and check your fabric often by holding it up to the light. If you can see the stuffing peeking through, try going down a half step in tension or using a slightly smaller hook feel. Tight, even stitches will give you a smooth surface and a pencil that stands up nicely on its own.

Yarn, Hooks, and Notions

Material	Details
Yarn	worsted yarn in yellow, pink, gray, beige, black
Hook	3.5 mm crochet hook
Stuffing	Polyfill or fiberfill
Eyes	Safety eyes or embroidery thread
Extras	Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors

Gauge: Approximately 12 sc x 14 rounds = 4 inches with 3.5 mm hook. Not critical but aim for tight, even stitches, if stuffing shows through, go down one hook size.

Stitches and Abbreviations Used

Note: This pattern uses US crochet terms. All rounds are worked in bottom-up unless stated otherwise. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round.

Abbreviation	Meaning
sc	Single crochet
inc	Increase (2 sc in same stitch)
dec	Decrease (sc 2 together)

How to Crochet This Pattern

body, yellow yarn

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: inc around (12)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5: (11 sc, inc) x 2 (26)

Rnd 6: sc around (26)

Rnd 7: sc around (26)

Rnd 8: sc around (26)

Rnd 9: sc around (26)

Rnd 10: sc around (26)

Rnd 11: sc around (26)

Rnd 12: sc around (26)

Rnd 13: sc around (26)

Rnd 14: sc around (26)

Rnd 15: (2 sc, dec) x 4 (3 sc, dec) x 2 (20)

Rnd 16: (1 sc, dec) x 4 (2 sc, dec) x 2 (14)

Rnd 17: (dec) x 4 (1 sc, dec) x 2 (8)

Rnd 18: (2 sc, dec) x 2 (6)

Rnd 19: fasten off, close hole (6)

Switch to pink yarn for the eraser.

eraser, pink yarn

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: inc around (12)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: sc around (18)

Rnd 5: sc around (18)

Rnd 6: sc around (18)

Rnd 7: sc around (18)

Rnd 8: sc around (18)

Rnd 9: sc around (18)

Rnd 10: sc around (18)

Rnd 11: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 12: dec around (6)

Rnd 13: fasten off, close hole (6)

Switch to gray yarn for the ferrule.

ferrule, gray yarn

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: inc around (12)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5: sc around (24)

Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)

Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 8: dec around (6)

Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)

Switch to beige yarn for the wood.

wood, beige yarn

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: inc around (12)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: sc around (18)

Rnd 5: sc around (18)

Rnd 6: sc around (18)

Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 8: dec around (6)

Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)

Switch to black yarn for the lead.

lead, black yarn

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: inc around (12)

Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4: sc around (18)

Rnd 5: sc around (18)

Rnd 6: sc around (18)

Rnd 7: (1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 8: dec around (6)

Rnd 9: fasten off, close hole (6)

left eye, black yarn

right eye, black yarn

Use 6 mm safety eyes or embroidered eyes; place them on the upper half of the head, about one eye-width apart.

If using safety eyes, insert the posts before closing the head opening and secure the backs firmly on the inside.

If embroidering, work two small black satin stitches, then add a tiny white stitch highlight if desired.

mouth, black yarn

Embroider the mouth with black or dark brown thread after the eyes are placed.

Use a single curved satin stitch or back stitch, centered below the eyes and about 1.5 cm wide.

Switch to pink yarn for the left cheek.

left cheek, pink yarn

right cheek, pink yarn

Add the cheek detail with pale pink embroidery thread after the head is closed.

Work two or three tiny straight stitches on each side, just below and outside the eye line.

Putting the Pieces Together

1. Stuff body, eraser firmly with polyfill for stability. Shape as you go, pressing and molding to match the reference photo. Add extra stuffing to the base for a sturdy foundation.

2. Attach left eye to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.

3. Attach right eye to the head. Position on the upper half of the head, spaced about one eye-width apart. Secure firmly with embroidery thread or fabric glue. Embroider a small line below each eye for a more expressive look.

4. Sew mouth to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.

5. Sew left cheek to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.

6. Sew right cheek to the head. Pin in place before sewing to check positioning. Use whipstitch for a secure attachment.

7. Sew ferrule in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.

8. Sew wood in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.

9. Sew lead in place following the reference photo. Pin first to check positioning, then whipstitch with matching yarn, weaving in the ends securely.

10. Check all seams are secure. Gently tug each attached piece to test. Trim any loose yarn ends with sharp scissors. Weave in all remaining tails with a needle, passing through at least 3 stitches in each direction to prevent unraveling. Give the finished piece a gentle squeeze to distribute stuffing evenly and shape the final form.

Maker Tips and Keeping It Clean

These beginner-friendly tips will help you crochet a pencil amigurumi that holds its shape well and looks neatly finished. The pattern uses a 3.5 mm hook, which gives a tight fabric that keeps stuffing from showing through.

• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round and move it up as you work, because amigurumi is worked in continuous spirals and it is easy to lose track of where each round begins.
• Maintain even tension throughout the piece so your stitches sit consistently next to each other, which prevents gaps where the stuffing could peek through the finished doll.
• Check your gauge by crocheting a small swatch of single crochet before starting the body, because a fabric that is too loose will let the stuffing show and a fabric that is too tight will make the doll stiff and hard to shape.
• Stuff the pencil gradually as you close each section rather than waiting until the end, because adding small amounts of fiberfill piece by piece helps you push it into narrow areas like the tip and the eraser without lumps.
• When you decrease, work slowly and count your stitches carefully so the shaping stays symmetrical and the top of the pencil closes evenly without a pointy or lumpy tip.
• Leave a long yarn tail when you fasten off each piece, because this gives you a sturdy tail to use for sewing the parts together securely so the doll does not come apart with handling.
• Use a yarn needle with a blunt tip to sew the pieces together, because a blunt tip slides between stitches without splitting the yarn and keeps the seam looking neat.
• Weave in all loose ends on the inside of the amigurumi before final shaping, because hidden ends stay secure through washing and play and will not poke out over time.

Follow these care instructions to keep your pencil amigurumi looking its best for

Good to Know: Reader Questions

What yarn should I use for the pencil amigurumi?

Use a worsted weight yarn in your favorite pencil color, such as yellow, pink, or classic graphite gray. Worsted weight gives the pencil amigurumi a sturdy shape that holds up well as a toy or decoration. Cotton or acrylic blends both work nicely, so pick whichever feels softest in your hands.

Is this pencil amigurumi pattern beginner-friendly?

Yes, this pencil amigurumi pattern is rated Beginner, so it uses only basic stitches like single crochet and simple increases and decreases. You will work in continuous rounds, which is a great skill to practice on a small project. As long as you can hold your hook and yarn comfortably, you are ready to start.

What hook size do I need for the pencil amigurumi?

You will need a 3.5 mm crochet hook to make the pencil amigurumi at the recommended size. This hook pairs nicely with worsted weight yarn to create tight, even stitches that prevent stuffing from showing through. If your stitches look too loose, try going down a hook size; if they pucker, try sizing up.

How long does it take to crochet the pencil amigurumi?

Most crocheters finish the pencil amigurumi in 2-4 hours, making it a perfect weekend or evening project. Beginners may take closer to the full 2-4 hours, while experienced crocheters often finish in about two hours. The small size and simple shaping help keep the project moving quickly.

Can I sell finished pencil amigurumi made from this pattern?

Yes, you are welcome to sell finished pencil amigurumi made from this pattern at craft fairs, online shops, or local markets. Please credit the designer when listing or

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