Your back-to-school crafting just got cuter! This no-sew amigurumi pencil is the perfect quick and quirky project for your desk, gift basket, or classroom decor.
Meet Penny Doodles, the adorable no-sew amigurumi. Yes, this is a no-sew crochet pattern! The entire piece is worked continuously from the eraser to the tip of the pencil in one seamless go. You'll use basic stitches like single crochet and increases/decreases to form the tapered tip, the body, and the eraser.
It's a beginner-friendly crochet pattern that works up quickly, making it ideal for teacher gifts, back-to-school goodies, or even as a fun desk companion. You can easily customize the colors or size by using different yarn weights and hook sizes.
What You Need / Materials
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- Light worsted (yarn weight #3) yarn shown in Hobbii Friends Cotton 8/8:
- Pink (I used Candyfloss #45)
- Grey (I used Baby Blue #75)
- Yellow (I used Dark Yellow #26)
- Off-White (I used Oatmilk #3)
- Black (I used Black #124)
- Fingering (yarn weight #1) yarn shown in Hobbii Cotton Friends 8/4:
- Black (I used Black #124)
- 3.25 mm Crochet Hook
- Safety Eyes (I used 6.0 mm)
- Polyester Stuffing of your choice
- Yarn Needle
- Stitch Markers
- Scissors
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Finished Size
- Finished amigurumi measures approximately 7.5 cm (3 inches) in height.
- Consider using a different yarn weight/category and appropriate hook size for this project to make it bigger/smaller.
Level of Difficulty
- ★★☆☆☆ Beginner / Easy
- Requires familiarity with stitches used (below), attaching plastic safety eyes, changing yarn colors, and basic embroidery.
Stitches & Abbreviations
- st/sts - stitch/stitches
- slst - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- sc inc - single crochet increase, 2 single crochets in one stitch
- sc dec - single crochet decrease, single crochet 2 stitches together
- BLO - back loop only
Pattern Notes
- This pattern is written using US crochet terms.
- Use the yarn under single crochet technique to achieve tighter, more aligned stitches.
- Learn how to seamlessly change color in crochet mid-row or round to create clean color transitions.
- Crochet in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join at the end of each round unless otherwise stated.
- Use a running stitch marker to keep your place when crocheting in rounds.
- Use the ultimate finish to neatly close up your amigurumi pieces.
- Use the invisible fasten-off method to create a smooth, knot-free edge that blends perfectly with your stitches.
- Optional: Use the invisible increase and invisible decrease to enhance the appearance of your amigurumi.
Free Crochet Pattern
Using a 3.25 mm crochet hook and pink color yarn...
Round 1: Magic Ring with a base of 6 sc (6 sts)
Round 2: Sc inc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 3: [Sc, sc inc] x 6 times (18 sts)
Round 4: [Sc, sc inc, sc] x 6 times, join with a slst to the first st of the round (doesn't count as a st) (24 sts)
Round 5: Sc BLO in each st around (24 sts)
Round 6: Sc in each st around (24sts)
Change to grey color yarn...
See the GUIDE below for photographs.
Round 7: Slst BLO in each st around (24 sts)
Round 8: Sc BLO in each st around (24 sts)
Round 9: Sc BLO in each st around (24 sts)
Change to yellow color yarn...
Round 10: Slst BLO in each st around (24 sts)
Round 11: Sc BLO of each st around (24 sts)
Round 12-16: Sc in each st around (24 sts)
Insert safety eyes between rounds 14 and 15, about 4 sts apart. Use black embroidery thread to embroider the mouth over round 16, spanning 2 sts.
Begin stuffing the amigurumi pencil and continue stuffing as you start to close up the amigurumi.
Change to off-white color yarn...
Round 17: Sc in each st around (24 sts)
Round 18: [Sc, sc dec, sc] x 6 times (18 sts)
Round 19: [Sc, sc dec] x 6 times (12 sts)
Change to black color yarn...
Round 20: Sc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 21: Sc dec in each st around (6 sts)
Cut and fasten off using the ultimate finish.
How to Crochet Smooth Stripes
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| Step 1. In the last stitch of the round, insert the hook into the last stitch and make the first part of the single crochet with Color A. |
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| Step 2. Finish off the single crochet stitch with Color B. |
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| Step 3. Insert the hook into the back loop only of the stitch |
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| Step 4. Bring up a loop. |
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| Step 5. Make a slip stitch. |
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| Step 6. Continue to make slip stitches in the back loop of each stitch in the round. |
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| Step 7. Insert hook into the back loop of the first slip stitch in the round. |
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| Step 8. Make a single crochet into the back loop of the slip stitch. |
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| Step 9. Continue making single crochets in the back loop of each slip stitch in the round. |
Prefer the PDF version?
Grab the ad-free, printable PDF pattern. Download and print at home, or view on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.Why I Made This
This adorable little amigurumi pencil is ready to tag along on all your creative adventures! Meet Penny Doodles, a mini crochet pencil who loves to draw pictures, write stories, and even solve math problems!
This is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern that was born out of a desire to create something simple, cute, and most importantly, educational. I wanted to design a project that would not only be fun to make but also help crochet beginners learn and practice a useful technique: how to create cleaner color changes in amigurumi.
Changing colors in crochet can sometimes leave jagged or uneven lines, especially in the round. So with Penny, I wanted to introduce a beginner-friendly technique using slip stitches and back loop work to help smooth out those transitions and give your project a more polished finish.
This is one of a few different methods for tackling color changes. There’s also a more advanced technique called the half-color change method, which creates even cleaner results (especially in striped patterns). But for those just starting out, I wanted to keep it approachable while still giving your stitches that extra boost of neatness.
Penny Doodles is one of the first in what I hope will become a whole series of easy, skill-building crochet patterns. Each one is designed to help you learn something new while making something totally adorable. Crochet doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right project and a little guidance, you can grow your skills one stitch at a time and have a lot of fun doing it.
Creative Uses and Ideas
- Back-to-School Buddy: Pop her into a backpack or lunchbox for a sweet surprise on the first day of school.
- Teacher Appreciation Gift: Pair her with a gift card or a handwritten note for an adorable, thoughtful present.
- Desk Decor: Add a little handmade charm to your home office, classroom, or study nook.
- Motivational Mascot: Keep her by your workspace to cheer you up during writing, crafting, or homework sessions.
- Zipper Pull or Keychain: Add a keyring or lobster clasp to turn her into a cute, functional accessory.
- Crochet Workshop Project: A quick, beginner-friendly make that's perfect for teaching color changes and working in the round.
- Pencil Case Pal: She fits perfectly inside a pencil case and loves to tag along to school or work.
You Might Also Like...
- Mini Amigurumi Tooth and Sweet Tooth: Choose between the classic version or a "sweet" one topped with icing and a cherry.
- Mini Amigurumi Sun: Bright, cheerful, and totally no-sew! This happy little sun is perfect for desk decor, keychains, or anywhere that needs a pop of sunshine.
- Crochet Leaf Sprout Accessory: This fun and functional little sprout wraps around your books, cables, and headphones for an adorable touch of greenery.
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This is an original crochet pattern written by Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio. Please do not claim this crochet pattern as your own. If you wish to share this crochet pattern, you may link to this blog post, but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for personal use, but please DO NOT sell or distribute the crochet pattern.
You may sell products made from this crochet pattern, but please credit the design to Juli Anne of Once Upon a Cheerio, and provide a link to my blog www.OnceUponaCheerio.com. Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you for understanding!
It looks like the color changes go, special change you show pink to grey. special color change grey to yellow. normal colour change yellow to buff and buff to black to give it the just sharpened look is that correct?
Hello! Yes, I didnt use the special color change on the bottom of the pencil so it gives it that sharpened look (i.e. zig zag) 😁
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