Contents
Happy Friday!
Welcome back to the blog! I’ve decided that in order for me to provide quality patterns, I have to step back a bit to only one post per week. But don’t worry!
This week I have a back-to-school pattern for you. The C’s Monster Lunch Box crochet pattern!
This lunchbox is made using single crochets in the tapestry style. Half of it shows a geometric pattern that looks like C’s, as this is for my C who is starting pre-school this year (sob!). The other half is a graph pattern of a cute little monster!
I have included the yardage for the lunchbox as it was made, as well as for if you choose to just use the geometric pattern (perhaps for a more grown-up user) or if you choose just the monster panels.
I lined this lunch box with an insulating material as well as a cute little camping themed fabric C picked from Hobby Lobby.
I’ve included the steps I used, but if you are an experienced seamstress, you likely know a better way than how I did it. I also included some thoughts I had on what I should have done differently.
Without further ado, here’s the pattern!
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C’s Monster Lunchbox
Skill Level
Intermediate
Yarn and Hook Size
A) I Love This Cotton in Red 180 yd/164.5 m (3.5 oz. / 99 g) per skein; 100% cotton, medium weight (#4) yarn
B) I Love This Cotton in Aqua Sparkle 180 yd/164.5 m (3.5 oz. / 99 g) per skein; 100% cotton, medium weight (#4) yarn
C) Crafter’s Secret Cotton in White 120 yd/109.7 (2.5 oz/70.8) per skein; 100% cotton, medium weight (#4) yarn
D) Crafter’s Secret Cotton in Brown 120 yd/109.7 (2.5 oz/70.8) per skein; 100% cotton, medium weight (#4) yarn
E) Crafter’s Secret Cotton in Black 120 yd/109.7 (2.5 oz/70.8) per skein; 100% cotton, medium weight (#4) yarn
Yardage depends on which variation of the lunchbox you are making:
| Color | As Shown | Red and White | Monster |
| A | 106 y | 175 y | 17 y |
| B | 63.5 y | 97 y | |
| C | 74.5 y | 64 y | 85 y |
| D | 9 y | 18 y | |
| E | 3 y | 6 y |
Notions
Tapestry needle Scissors - Fabric for lining (.25-.5 yard)
- Insulating fabric (.25-.5 yard)
- Thread
Sewing machine (optional)
Note: I bought .5 yard of fabric, which was more than was needed, but due to the size of the fabric, I was able to better utilize my time cutting. Depending on your measurements, you may be able to line your lunchbox with just .25 yards, but I cannot guarantee it.
Measurements and Gauge
Finished dimensions are 3.5 inches by 8 inches by 8 inches. Gauge: 8 stitches by 8.5 rows = 2 inches by 2 inches.
Abbreviations
| blo Back Loop Only | sc single crochet |
| ch chain stitch | st(s) stitch(es) |
| rep repeat |
[] denote a group of stitches that repeats as many times as directed
Instructions
This lunchbox can be worked as show, as a monster lunchbox or as a more adult red and white lunchbox. Yardage will vary as mentioned above. To work as show, work one of each panel listed. For monster only, work only the two panels labeled “Monster” and for red and white only, work only the two panels labeled “Red and White”.
Red and White Full Panel
Ch 31
Rows 1-13: Using A, sc 30, ch 1 and turn
Row 14: sc 30. At end of row, ch 1 and sc 14 down the side, ch 1 and sc 30 down other side of foundation chain, ch 1 and sc 14 up the side, ch 1 but don’t turn
Row 15: sc 30 in blo, ch 1 and turn
Rows 16-23: sc 30, ch 1 and turn
Next row is half color changes as demonstrated in the Cuddle Rocket pattern or viewed in a video (link in Cuddle Rocket post)
Row 24: sc 2 using A, [sc 5 with A on bottom and C on top, sc 2 A], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Row 25: sc 2 A, [sc 5 C, sc 2 A], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Rows 26-28: sc 6 A, sc 1 C, sc 2 A, sc 1 C, sc 10 A, sc 1 C, sc 2 A, sc 1 C, sc 6 A, ch 1, turn
Row 29: sc 2 A, [sc 5 C, sc 2 A], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Rows 30-35: sc 30 A, ch 1, turn
Row 36: sc 1 A, [sc 1 C, sc 2 A], rep [] eight more times, sc 1 C, sc 1 A, ch 1, turn
Row 37: [sc 1 A, sc 1 C], rep six more times, sc 2 A, [sc 1 C, sc 1 A], rep [] six more times, ch 1, turn
Next row is half color changes
Row 38: sc 2 C, [sc 5 with C on bottom and A on top, sc 2 C], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Row 39: sc 2 C, [sc 5 A, sc 2 C], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Rows 40-42: sc 6 C, sc 1 A, sc 2 C, sc 1 A, sc 10 C, sc 1 A, sc 2 C, sc 1 A, sc 6 C, ch 1, turn
Row 43: sc 2 C, [sc 5 A, sc 2 C], rep [] three more times, ch 1, turn
Row 44: sc 30 C, ch 1, turn
Row 45: sc 1 C, [sc 1 A, sc 2 C], rep [] eight more times, sc 1 A, sc 1 C, ch 1, turn
Row 46: [sc 1 C, sc 1 A], rep [] six more times, sc 2 C, [sc 1 A, sc 1 C], rep [] six more times, ch 1, turn
Rows 47-49: sc 30 A, ch 1, turn
Row 50: sc 30 A, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing
Red and White Side Panel
Ch 15
Rows 1-9: sc 14 A, ch 1, turn
On the last stitch of row 9, change colors, then ch 1 and turn
Rows 10-15: sc 14 C, ch 1, turn
On the last stitch of row 15, change colors, then ch 1 and turn
Rows 16-19: sc 14 A, ch 1, turn
Row 20: [sc 2 A, sc 1 C], rep [] three more times, sc 2 A, ch 1, turn
Row 21: [sc 1 A, sc 1 C], rep [] two more times, sc 2 A, [sc 1 C, sc 1 A], rep two more times, ch 1, turn
Rows 22-29: sc 14 C, ch 1, turn
Row 30: [sc 2 C, sc 1 A], rep [] three more times, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 31: [sc 1 C, sc 1 A], rep [] two more times, sc 2 C, [sc 1 A, sc 1 C], rep two more times, ch 1, turn
On the last stitch of row 31, change colors, then ch 1 and turn
Rows 32-34: sc 14 A, ch 1, turn
Row 35: sc 14 A, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing
Monster Full Panel
Rather work from a chart? Go here to find one for the monster.
Ch 31
Row 1: sc 30 A, ch 1, turn
Row 2: sc 30 C, ch 1, turn
Row 3: sc 5 C, sc 5 B, sc 10 C, sc 5 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 4: sc 6 C, sc 4 B, sc 10 C, sc 4 B, sc 6 C, ch 1, turn
Rows 5-7: sc 9 C, sc 1 B, sc 10 C, sc 1 B, sc 9 C, ch 1, turn
Row 8: sc 9 C, sc 1 B, sc 2 C, sc 6 B, sc 2 C, sc 1 B, sc 9 C, ch 1, turn
Row 9: sc 9 C, sc 12 B, sc 9 C, ch 1, turn
Row 10: sc 8 C, sc 14 B, sc 8 C, ch 1, turn
Row 11: sc 7 C, sc 16 B, sc 7 C, ch 1, turn
Row 12: sc 6 C, sc 18 B, sc 6 C, ch 1, turn
Row 13: sc 5 C, sc 8 B, sc 4 E, sc 8 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Rows 14 & 15: sc 5 C, sc 6 B, sc 8 E, sc 6 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Rows 16 & 17: sc 5 C, sc 5 B, sc 10 E, sc 5 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 18: sc 2 C, sc 26 B, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 19: sc 2 C, sc 1 B, sc 2 C, sc 20 B, sc 2 C, sc 1 B, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 20: sc 2 C, sc 1 B, sc 2 C, sc 8 B, sc 4 D, sc 8 B, sc 2 C, sc 1 B, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 21: sc 2 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 7 B, sc 2 D, sc 2 C, sc 2 D, sc 7 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 22: sc 2 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 6 B, sc 2 D, sc 4 C, sc 2 D, sc 6 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Rows 23 & 24: sc 5 C, sc 6 B, sc 1 D, sc 2 C, sc 2 D, sc 2 C, sc 1 D, sc 6 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 25: sc 5 C, sc 6 B, sc 1 D, sc 6 C, sc 1 D, sc 6 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 26: sc 5 C, sc 6 B, sc2 D, sc 4 C, sc 2 D, sc 6 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 27: sc 5 C, sc 7 B, sc 6 D, sc 7 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 28: sc 5 C, sc 20 B, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 29: sc 6 C, sc 18 B, sc 6 C, ch 1, turn
Row 30: sc 5 C, sc 1 D, sc 18 B, sc 1 D, sc 5 C, ch 1, turn
Row 31: sc 4 C, sc 3 D, sc 16 B, sc 3 D, sc 4 C, ch 1, turn
Row 32: sc 4 C, sc 3 D, sc 2 C, sc12 B, sc 2 C, sc 3 D, sc 4 C, ch 1, turn
Row 33: sc 4 C, sc 2 D, sc 4 C, sc 10 B, sc 4 C, sc 2 D, sc 4 C, ch 1, turn
Row 34: sc 4 C, sc 1 D, sc 20 C, sc 1 D, sc 4 C, ch 1, turn
Row 35: sc 30 A, fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing
Monster Side Panel
Ch 15
Row 1: sc 14 A, ch 1, turn
Row 2: sc 14 C, ch 1, turn
Row 3: [sc 4 C, sc 1 B] rep [] once, sc 4 C, ch 1, turn
Row 4: [sc 2 C, sc 1 B], rep [] three more times, sc 2 C, ch 1, turn
Row 5: [sc 1 C, sc 1 B], rep [] two more times, sc 2 C, [sc 1 B, sc 1 C], rep [] two more times, ch 1, turn
Row 6: [sc 2 B, sc 1 C] rep [] three more times, sc 2 B, ch 1, turn
Row 7: [sc 4 B, sc 1 C], rep [] once, sc 4 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 8-12: sc 14 B, ch 1, turn
Row 13: [sc 4 B, sc 1 D}, rep [] once, sc 4 B, ch 1, turn
Row 14: [sc 2 B, sc 1 D], rep [] three more times, sc 2 B, ch 1, turn
Row 15: [sc 1 B, sc 1 D], rep [] two more times, sc 2 B, [sc 1 D, sc 1 B], rep [] two more times, ch 1, turn
Row 16: [sc 2 B, sc 1 D], rep [] three more times, sc 2 B, ch 1, turn
Row 17: [sc 4 B, sc 1 D], rep [] once, sc 4 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 18 & 19: sc 14 B, ch 1, turn
Row 20: [sc 4 B, sc 1 D], rep [] once, sc 4 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 21 & 22: sc 2 B, sc 1 D, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 D, sc 2 B
Rows 23 & 24: sc 2 B, sc 1 D, sc 1 C, sc 1 B, sc 1 D, sc 1 C, sc 1 C, sc 1 D, sc 1 B, sc 1 C, sc 1 D, sc 2 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 25 & 26: sc 2 B, sc 1 D, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 C, sc 2 B, sc 1 D, sc 2 B, ch 1, turn
Row 27: [sc 4 B, sc 1 D], rep [] once, sc 4 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 28-33: sc 14 B, ch 1, turn
Row 34: sc 14 C, ch 1, turn
Row 35: sc 14 A, fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing
Handle
Attach yarn 4 sts in on one shorter side
Rows 1-10: sc 6 A, ch 1, turn
Rows 11-30: sc 6 B, ch 1, turn
Rows 31-40: sc 6 A, ch 1, turn (Fasten off on final row)
Sew to other shorter side, starting 4 sts from edge. Be sure you wait until you have attached the liner before working the handle.
Sewing the Lining
Measuring
The first step to any sewing project is measuring and cutting your fabric. I began by measuring my completed lunch box and adding 1/2″ seam allowance for each side (so 1″ total per side).
This made my measurements 9″x 9″ for the full panels and 4.5″x 9″ for the side and bottom panels. However, I knew that I wanted to fold the printed fabric over the top of the insulating material so it would not show, so I added an additional inch to the height for that.
Cutting
I used a rotary cutter to cut everything out- which I highly recommend! I’ve never cut all of my fabric so quickly!- and began lining everything up to begin sewing. If you use a rotary cutter, be sure to use a mat of some sort underneath so you don’t cut anything else.
Lay Out Your Pieces
If you’re new to sewing, make sure that you put everything right side together. I used two layers of insulating material, since I had plenty, and one layer of printed fabric. First, lay the fabric right side showing on top of the insulating material.
Now choose the two pieces you are going to sew together and lay them right sides facing each other and run through the sewing machine, making sure to keep your seam allowance. Pins can be very helpful here, but you need to be careful if you run them through the machine, as it can damage or break the needle if you hit one with it.
Sew
Here’s where I messed up first. I began sewing the side panels to the bottom panel. I think I should have started by making the box and then sewing it to the bottom panel so everything would be a little more even. But you live and learn!
I sewed the side panels to the bottom first, then the full panels. I was aiming for a half-inch seam allowance, but due to the bulkiness of the two layers of insulating material, I missed that in a few places, which required some trimming. Again, this could possibly have been avoided if I knew how to sew.
Once I was finished sewing all of my pieces together, I placed the box into the crocheted lunch box and ran each side through the sewing machine again to anchor the lining into the lunch box. Make sure that you DO NOT crochet the handle until you have completed this step!
All in all, I ‘m really proud of myself. I used a sewing machine all on my own, without an experienced seamstress nearby to help when I became unsure or needed to troubleshoot something and I didn’t break it or ruin my project. Success!
I also love the design and so does C. He can’t wait to go to school!
If you have any littles that need a lunch box, or if you just want to “Treat Yo’self!”, this really is a quick project, even if you have little to no experience with a sewing machine. I can’t wait to see your projects!
Comment below with any questions or just drop a picture of your finished object, or tag me on Instagram @boymomcrochetlife
