Supplies:
3 different colors of Crochet Cotton Size 10 or fingering weight yarn (this is a thinner yarn than the worsted weight stuff)
crochet hook: size D
paper towel tube
small piece of sturdy cardboard
white sheet of paper (the tube shows through in parts, and white is just prettier than that brownish color)
yarn needle
Gauge:
1 square should measure approximately 1-3/4" across.
Make the circles (make 2):
Make a slip knot and chain 1.
Round 1: 8 sc in the beginning slip knot. Join with sl st to first sc. Ch 1, do not turn.
Round 2: 2 sc in joining st, and in each st around, 16 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Ch 1, do not turn.
Round 3: 1 sc in joining st, * 2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st *. Repeat from * to * all the way around, 24 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off. Ch 1 with a new color, do not turn.
Round 4: 1 sc in joining st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * all the way around, 32 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Ch 1, do not turn.
Round 5: 1 sc in joining st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st. *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st*. Repeat from * to * all the way around, 40 sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Yippee! You have finished a circle! Now make another one more for the other end of the tube.
The Circle Square (make 8):----I know it sounds funny, but I didn't know what else to call it.
Make 8 more of the circles described above. The next round will turn your circles into squares.
Round 6: Join and ch 3 with white (or some other color as desired). * Hdc in next 2 sts, 5 sc in the next 5 sts, 2 hdc in the next 2 sts, in the next st make 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc (this makes a corner) *. Repeat from * to *, 3 more times. On the last repeat, you will end with a 1 dc, ch2, and then sl st into the second chain of the beginning ch 3.
Joining:
Stack 2 squares with right sides facing.
Sc along one edge through both pieces so that you are joining the two squares together.
Repeat this step 3 more times.
Top:
Choose one of the sets to be the top. Repeat the "Joining" step on the other side of the squares to make a tube.
Turn inside out and whip stitch one of the circles to one end of the tube.
Bottom:
Repeat the "Joining" step three more times along the long edges of the joined squares to make a piece that is 2 squares across by 4 squares down.
Fold the piece in half long ways and repeat the "Joining" step along the long edge to form a long tube.
Turn inside out and whip stitch the other circle to one end of the tube.
Putting it all together:
Note: the shorter of the two crocheted tubes will be the "top" and the longer one will be the "bottom".
From the sturdy piece of cardboard, cut 2 circles (1-5/8" diameter). Insert these circles into the bottom ends of the two tubes you just crocheted.
Cut off a 1-3/4" section of the paper towel tube. Cut a piece of white paper to measure 1-3/4" x 6". Tape this white sheet to the outside of the tube.Insert the tube into the "top" crocheted piece. This may take a bit of stretching but if your piece is crocheted to gauge, it should fit nice and snug. Note: If it absolutely will not fit, don't despair! You can simply cut the length of the tube, remove 1/4" or so and re-tape it.
Cut off a 7" section of paper towel tube for the "bottom". Before covering this tube with a piece of white paper ( 6-1/4" x 6-1/4"), make sure to slice the tube along it's length and remove about 1/4". Re-tape the tube and tape on the paper. Making this piece a little narrower than the top piece ensures that the top slides easily over the bottom when closing up your needle case!
Insert the tube into the bottom crocheted section. A slight twisting motion helps if it is a little bit snug.The crocheted edge should come up to the edge of the white sheet of paper
Fill 'er up crocheters!
