free pattern: Lip Balm Holder
Never lose your lip balm again (or have it melt in your pocket) with this stylish holder! Clip it to your keyring, to your bag, or even to your belt loop and you’ll always have lip balm at hand when you need it. Quick and easy to crochet, just pop a lip balm inside and you have a perfect little gift!
You’ve probably seen simple lip balm holder patterns before, but not like this one! Why?
- It’s worked in a fine yarn/thread with a small hook, so it looks subtle and elegant, not bulky and only appropriate for kids (although it’s great for kids too!)
- Don’t be put off by the tiny size: this pattern is designed to be easy on the hands! Only the base is worked in single crochet; the sides are worked into chain-spaces, so it’s much easier to insert your hook to begin each stitch.
- The sturdy hanging loop will keep your holder safe*.
*In case you’re wondering about that ‘sturdy hanging loop’ part, I know what I’m talking about! I first made myself lip balm holders from crochet thread in 2006. They lasted well, but I’d attached each to a metal ring by crocheting the ring to the top of the holder:
After prolonged use, the strands of thread attached to the ring frayed through, as you can see, so I determined to give my new design a sturdy loop so the thread isn’t stressed at any one point.
I tested this pattern using 4 different thicknesses of thread and yarn, so you can see how versatile it is. L-R: size 5 crochet thread, size 8 pearl cotton, size 10 crochet thread, fingering weight yarn (Bernat Baby).
It works up very quickly, and if you add a yummy flavoured lip balm inside, it’ll make a perfect stocking stuffer gift!
This is a donationware pattern, and I’ve changed things slightly this time by adding some additional info that you’ll only find in the PDF version (which you’ll receive as a thank you for your donation):
- A modification to make the holder slightly wider (in case you crochet tightly or have a non-standard-width lip balm tube)
- A simpler edging (in case you don’t get along with reverse single crochet)
- Tips for attaching the various types of hardware that you see in my photos
But, as always, the pattern is free for your use and donations are entirely optional 🙂
Enjoy!
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Jana said
This is great, June. I like how yours differs from others out there in the way you made the loop for hanging! Good idea. This looks like something I can whip up 20+ of in no time for the teachers at school. Though half of them are Muslim and don’t celebrate Christmas, everyone likes getting a gift! 🙂
Stocki said
Thanks for this June… How did you know my lipbalm always melts in my pocket? Also.. this might stop me including it in the washing in my trousers…only to find a big oily patch on my clean trousers :)x
CrochetBlogger said
Great pattern idea and so glad to hear that it’s an “easy on the hands” pattern even though it’s a small item.
June said
It was a requirement for me! My first holder (made in 2006) used size 20 thread, a teeny-tiny steel hook, and hundreds of miniscule single crochet stitches – my hands would hurt far too much if I tried to do anything like that now! But I made all these samples (the pictured 4, plus the prototype) without any pain at all 🙂
tuome said
oh my, what a wonderful idea ^^
PurpleJ3nn said
Thank you for this pattern; I am adding it to my collection of “chemo gifts” patterns/ideas.
I like being able to give a small gift to random fellow-chemo patients, on my numerous visits to Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
I will have to stock up on yummy lip balm and get to work on a few of these awesome holders.
Again, Thank You!
PurpleJ3nn
June said
Oh, that’s a lovely idea, Jenn! I’m so glad my pattern will be put to good use.