Back To School: Apple Covers for Lunchboxes

These are great for lunchboxes and backpacks!  I have homeschooled my kids for about 4 years now, but I am sending them to a charter school this year.  Uniforms and sack lunches!  Yay!  (Haha)  Since kids tend to be rough with their backpacks, they often end up with bruised fruit at lunch.  This cuts down on that significantly!  Plus, it's cute!  ;)  I made these up in about 15 minutes - and that includes writing the pattern and getting my daughter a drink.  SUPER fast!

Materials:

Cotton Yarn

H Hook

Yarn Needle

Magic Circle (or ch 3 and join to make circle)
R1: Ch 2 (counts as first sc).  7 sc in center (total of 8 sc). Join with sl st.
R2: Ch 2 (counts as first sc).  1 sc in same st.  2 sc in each st around.  Join with sl st.
R3: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1).  Dc in same st.  *Sk 1 st.  Dc, ch1, dc in next st.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch 4.
R4: Sl st in next sp.  Ch 3.  2 dc in same sp.  3 dc in each space around (3dc cluster).  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.
R5: Sl st in next st (center st of a 3dc cluster).  Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1).  Dc in same st. *Sk 2 st.  Dc, ch 1, dc in next st.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch 4.
R6-R7:  Repeat R4 & R5.
R8:  Ch 2.  Sc in each st.  Do not join.  Tie off and hide ends.

Using blunt yarn needle and long piece of yarn, weave yarn under both loops of sc stitches, beginning with needle going from outside to inside of apple cover on first stitch, then inside to outside on next stitch.  Repeat this all the way around.  Leave a long tail to use to tie up when an apple is inside. 

Back to School: Pencil Case Pattern

This is a super simple pencil case, made in single crochet stitches, so it works up fast.  All you need to do is attach a zipper!

Materials:

H Hook

Caron Simply Soft yarn in your choice of color (Mine is Sage)

Zipper in your choice of color (Mine was 12 inches and black, but you could choose a longer or shorter zipper if you change the size of the case and choose a better coordinating zipper-I used what I had on hand)

Sewing needle & coordinating thread (Choose a color close to your yarn color, as some of your stitches may appear through your yarn on the outside)

Ch 32 (or close to the desired length of your bag, it will be slightly longer than this by the end)

R1: sc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch to last ch.  3 sc in last ch.  Now work on the other side of the ch's.  1 sc in ea ch to last ch.  3 sc in last ch.  Join with sl st in top of 1st sc made.

R2: Ch 2.  Sc in each st to center st of 3 sc cluster (the 2nd sc made in the last ch st).  3 sc in this st.  1 sc in each st to center st of 3 sc cluster (the 2nd sc made in the last ch st).  3 sc in this st.  1 sc in next st.  Join with sl st to top of first sc made.

R3 - R10 (or until desired height is achieved): Ch 2.  Sc in each st around case.  Join with sl st in top of first sc made.

When finished, tie off and hide ends.  Sew zipper along the inside top of the bag using a needle and thread - or a sewing machine if you prefer!

Back To School: Creamsicle Bookmark Pattern

The orange and white of this bookmark reminds me of a creamsicle!  Yum!  Since summer is coming to a close, it seemed only appropriate to join two of my favorite summer treats: ice cream and reading!  ;)  This works up quickly and can be done in TONS of color combos!

Materials:

2.00 mm steel hook

Size 10 crochet thread

Ribbon - About 1/4 inch thick

Ch 59.

R1: Tc in 5th ch from hook.  *ch 3.  Skip next 3 st.  Tc*  Repeat to last 2 ch's.  Ch 2, join with sl st in 1st ch made.  

R2: Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  Sl st in next space.  Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  *1 sc in next space.  8 dc in next space.*  Repeat to end.  Sl st, 8 dc, sl st in end space.  Now work around the other side.  Sl st in next space.  Ch 3.  7 dc in same space.  *1 sc in next space.  8 dc in next space.*  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.  Tie off and hide ends.

Weave ribbon between square spaces running up the middle of the bookmark.  Secure with glue dots or hot glue if desired.