Free Crochet Pattern: Veggie Pen Cozies (Asparagus, Carrot, and Lettuce/Greens)

Veggie Pens 2 - Group 2

Veggie Pens 2 - model

I came down with a funny case of spring fever after I searched the Internet for “spring vegetables” and saw so many photos of cute asparagus. What results from being inspired by asparagus? A crocheted pen cozy, of course! I also made him a couple of crisp and crunchy friends. This vegetable medley works up quickly and is a fun way to celebrate nature’s bounty and the arrival of Spring. Make a bunch and place them in a lentil-filled mason jar for a uniquely homegrown, handmade gift!

For those who don’t crochet, I also sell finished cozies in my Etsy shop!

Materials List

  • Crochet Hook, size I/5.5mm, or whatever size needed to obtain gauge
  • For 1 Asparagus: Lion Brand® Vanna’s Choice® in Fern (approx. 6 yards) and Olive (approx. 4 yards).
  • For 1 Carrot: Lily® Sugar ‘n Cream® in Hot Orange (approx. 10 yards), Lion Brand® Vanna’s Choice® in Fern (approx. 2 yards)
  • For 1 Lettuce: Lion Brand® Vanna’s Choice® in Lime (approx. 12 yards) and Fern (approx. 10 yards)
  • Plain ball point pens, like the Bic® Round Stic® or Bic® Cristal®
  • scissors or yarn cutter
  • tapestry needle for weaving in ends

 

Gauge

All yarns: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches

 

Notes

Your pen cozy should fit snugly. However, to secure it further, apply a dab of super glue between the cozy and the pen at the opening near the tip.

 

Abbreviations

ch(s) = chain(s)
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
htr = half triple crochet
rnd(s) = round(s)
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet 2 together
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)
tr = triple crochet
[ ] = repeat what is inside the brackets the number of times indicated

 

Special Stitches

“form leaf” (Asparagus pattern only): Ch 2 and sl st in 2nd ch.

sc2tog: Single crochet two together to make a decrease. [Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through one loop] 2 times. Yarn over and pull through all three loops.

 

Asparagus Stalk (Photo 1)

Veggie Pens - Pattern Photo 1

With I hook and Fern, ch 5 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Work 5 sc into ring and continue to work sc evenly in a spiral, without joining rounds, until your tube is 4 inches long. Sl st to next st to join. Break off and join Olive.

 

Asparagus Head

With Olive joined, ch 1.

Continuing the spiral, [Work 2 sc evenly. Form leaf. Work 2 sc evenly. Form leaf. Sc in next sc. Work your 2nd sc in the 1st sc of the round. Form leaf.] Keep repeating motif until Asparagus Head is approx. 2 inches and do not join rounds.

Veggie Pens - Pattern Photo 2

It might be difficult to distinguish the sc’s because they will appear small. Just remember, the 1st sc in your motif is worked right before a leaf in the previous round and the 2nd sc is worked right after that same leaf (in other words, you will skip over the leaf); then you’ll work a leaf for your current motif. The 1st sc of your next motif will be worked in the very next sc. (see Diagram 1 and Photo 2) The sc’s alternate this way so that the leaves will stagger.

Veggie Pens - Diagram 1

To finish off, work 1 sl st in each of the next 5 sc, then break off and weave in all ends.

 

Carrot (Photo 3)

Veggie Pens - Pattern Photo 3

With Hot Orange, ch 5 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Work 5 sc into ring and continue to work sc evenly in a spiral, without joining rounds, until your tube is 4 inches long.

Then work [(2 sc) in next st, and 10 sc evenly] 3 times. Then [(2 sc) in next st, and 8 sc evenly] 2 times. At this point, you should have 10 sc around. If desired, you can now stuff a little extra orange yarn into this wider end of the carrot to fill out the shape. Then work sc2tog 5 times, sl st into next st, and break off. Sew up hole. Weave in ends.

 

Carrot Top

With Fern, ch 3 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring. [Ch 5, sk 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 sl st each in next 3 chs, then sl st into ring] 3 times. Break off leaving about 12 inches of yarn to sew Carrot Top to top of Carrot. Weave in all ends.

 

Lettuce Stem (Photo 4)

Veggie Pens - Pattern Photo 4

With Lime, ch 5 and sl st to 1st ch to form ring.

Work 5 sc into ring and continue to work sc evenly in a spiral, without joining rounds, until your tube is 5 inches long.

Break off and sew the opening closed with enough room to insert your crochet hook later.

Lettuce Leaf

Rnd 1: Think of your tube as a flat rectangle. Join Lime 1.5 inches away from the closed end. You’ll be working on the surface of the tube, going up and over the closed end to create a leaf. (See Diagram 2) Work 4 sc evenly, then 2 sc in the next st as you near the end. Work 3 sc into the very top of the tube, then 2 sc in the next st to curve around to the other side of the tube. Work 4 sc evenly, then sl st to join. (15 sts)

Veggie Pens - Diagram 2

Rnd 2: Ch 1, turn. Sk the sl st. [2 sc in next st] 3 times. 2 hdc in next st. 2 dc in next st. 3 htr in next st. [3 tr in next st] 3 times. 3 htr in next st. 2 dc in next st. 2 hdc in next st. [2 sc in next st] 3 times. Break off Lime and join Fern. Sl st to next st on tube to finish round. (36 sts)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn. Sk the sl st. Work 4 sc evenly. [Work 2 sc in the next st] 4 times. 3 hdc in next st. 3 dc in next st. [Work 3 htr in next st] 3 times. [Work 3 tr in next st] 9 times. [Work 3 htr in next st] 3 times. 3 dc in next st. 3 hdc in next st. [2 sc in next st] 4 times. 4 sc evenly. Sl st into sl st, and sl st to next st on tube to join. Break off. Weave in all ends.

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For more color variation, you can use different shades of green or even purple for the tube and each round of the leaf.

14 Comments on “Free Crochet Pattern: Veggie Pen Cozies (Asparagus, Carrot, and Lettuce/Greens)”

  • Sarah Schulte

    says:

    Thank you so much for reposting these, You are the best indeed!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Aw, no problem at all! 🙂

  • Susi

    says:

    Thank you so much TwinkieChan. It’s fantastic

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      You’re so welcome!

  • Anna

    says:

    Holy cow!! Gah, I’m so excited that you have a pattern for these. omgomgomg. Gah. The problem with finding things to make at work on my lunch break is needing to wait until I get home to make them!

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      YAY! I’m glad you like them! 🙂

  • Jamia

    says:

    Does the pen just slide into the tube?

    • TwinkieChan

      says:

      Yep! So you can change out the pen when the pen runs out of ink.

  • Anonymous

    says:

    Hi
    Is it possible that there is a video for this? It would be a lot more helpful.
    Thanks.

  • Becky K

    says:

    These patterns are amazing! Thank you so much, TwinkieChan! I made one of the carrot cozies, but due to crocheting too tightly, I couldn’t fit the pen into it! 😉 I actually broke a pen trying to force it into the cozy (by pushing it against the table). I used the carrot cozy to put over the ends of my knitting needles instead, so they won’t poke holes in my bag when I carry them around. 😛

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