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