Use this cute heart lunchbox strap crochet pattern to put on your loved one’s lunchboxes on Valentine’s Day to show them you love them. You can also use it as a bracelet or to wrap around presents.
When my kids were younger I used to putting these elastic straps around their lunchboxes like bento boxes in Japan. So this project is inspired by that idea, however you can use it in many ways.
You can also download a FREE printable PDF version here
SKILL LEVEL
Upper beginner
ABBREVIATIONS ( US TERMS )
- st stitch
- ch chain
- sk skip
- sl st slip stitch
- sc single crochet
- hdc half double crochet
- dc double crochet
- tr treble crochet
MATERIALS
1 x. 50 g. ball in two colours C1 and C2 in either 4 ply ( fingering weight) OR 8 ply/DK cotton such as Paintbox or cotton blend yarn. I used Hobbii 4/4 rainbow cotton and Lincraft 8 ply/DK cotton, so you can mix it up!
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- Crochet hook 2.5mm and 3.0mm
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Thick elastic if using the sewing method
GAUGE
This is not a gauge sensitive project. But if tension is too loose or tight change to a hook size up or down accordingly.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
It mainly depends on the size of your own lunch box or present. Please measure accordingly and adjust the length of your initial chain
Small 81/2 inches ( 22cm) strap crochet cord 2 x 6 1/2 inches ( 17 cm)
Medium ( with elastic ) strap 15 1/2 inches ( 40 cm) plus elastic
PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS
STRAP – WITH SEWN ELASTIC
Measure your item, subtract 3 inches ( or 8cm) and make a chain of that length
I used 40ch for a small bento box and 75 ch for a medium size square lunch box using the thinner 4 ply ( fingering weight) cotton
Work 3 rows of hdc with ch 1 for turning at end of each row. Then sc around the whole piece working over the thread ( so you don’t have to weave it in!). Sc 2 at each corner, 3sc along end, 2 sc in corner, repeat. Fasten off and weave in ends.
To complete strap, measure approximately 2 1/2 inches/6 cm of elastic (or the length which allows strap to fit lunch box). Sew the ends of the elastic to the ends of the strap either by hand or by sewing machine
STRAP – NO SEW WITH CROCHET CORD
Ch 40 ( 60, 80)
Work 3 rows of hdc with 1ch for turning at end of each row
After end of 3rd row, sc2 into corner of end and 2sc along end to the middle of end
Ch 40 then sl st back into each ch to make strap
Sc 2 into other side of end to get to corner, sc along edge into each stitch. Sc 2 into corner, sc 2 along end and complete strap as previous end.
HEART
Using C1 ch 4 and sl st to make a ring ( see step by step photos in the free PDF)
Round 1: Ch1 , 8sc into ring and sl st to close ring, fasten off
Round 2: With C2 start in any stitch with a standing dc then repeat dc1, ch 1 into each sc , slst to close ring ( 8dc, 8 ch)
Round 3: Next ch 1, sc 2 into each ch space from previous row and sc 1 into each dc ( 24 sts)
Round 4: Sc around circle into the back of each stitch
Round 5: Next to make heart shape, sl st , hdc, dc 2 into next stitch, tr 3 into next stitch, dc 2 into next stitch, hdc, sc 5, hdc , dc, ch 2, dc, hdc, sc 5, hdc, dc 2 into next stitch. Then tr 3 into next stitch, dc 2 into next stitch, hdc, sl st into the underneath of first sl st and fasten off C2
Round 6 : Using C1 sc all around heart, sc 2 into each dc and tr and sc 1 into each hdc and sc. Finish with a sl st to complete round and fasten off tightly, weave in ends.
ASSEMBLY
NO SEW – use a hot glue gun to glue heart shape to top of strap and tie ends
SEW – use C1 to sew heart shape on either side of heart to the strap
Finally put onto the lunch box to show your love!! I hope you have enjoyed making your Heart lunchbox strap crochet pattern.
Find all of my crochet patterns from my etsy and Ravelry stores HERE
copyright @crochetlovemelbourne2022
Thank you!
Pattern is copyrighted to @crochetlovemelbourne and must not be reproduced in any form without my permission. You may sell items made from this pattern but please give me pattern credit, thank you.
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