While browsing Etsy for inspiration I saw one shop selling lip balm cozies, and figured those would be perfect! Fast to crochet, useful (especially when you include the lip balm), and looks nice in camo.
At Target (shopping for lip balm) I couldn't resist getting the five new Magic: The Gathering 2010 Intro Packs. Although I haven't played Magic in years, I have many fond memories of summoning piles of 1/1 saproling tokens on the living room floor in the mid-1990s. If I were stuck on a deserted island* (or a desert base), it's the one card game I would bring with me.
CCG card decks need deck boxes to keep them organized, and this meant... more stuff to crochet! Because I left the card packs sealed, I folded cardboard inserts for the deck boxes and stuffed them with candy so they would keep their shape during transport.
The patterns were more or less invented on the fly. I used Bernat Camouflage Yarn in Mash and Desert Sand with a size H (5 mm) crochet hook, bachelor buttons, and split rings.
Here is a rough pattern to snugly hold a typical M:TG tournament deck package (75 cards). To get the proper fit, you'll want to have a sample box to try inserting as you work and adjust as necessary for your yarn. Case in point: even though the two yarns I used were different colorways of the same product, they were noticeably different in thickness and texture. Instructions are given for both the Mash and (Desert) yarns.
And here is how to make a lip balm cozy. Again, it is helpful to have the lip balm tube on hand to test for width and height, then adjust the pattern to fit your yarn.
* Deserted but for me and at least one other person with whom to play a card game. If I'm totally alone I want tarot cards.
Here is a rough pattern to snugly hold a typical M:TG tournament deck package (75 cards). To get the proper fit, you'll want to have a sample box to try inserting as you work and adjust as necessary for your yarn. Case in point: even though the two yarns I used were different colorways of the same product, they were noticeably different in thickness and texture. Instructions are given for both the Mash and (Desert) yarns.
Begin with the bottom "floor" of the case.
Ch 13 (15)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, 11 (13) sc, ch1, turn
Rows 2-4 (6): 12 (14) sc, ch1, turn
Row 5 (7): 12 (14) sc
Now you switch from rows to rounds to make the sides of the case.
Round 1: In the next st, 2 sc. 3 (5) sc in the spaces of the short side of the rectangle. 2sc in the corner st. 12 (14) sc in the spaces of the foundation chain. 2sc in the corner st. 3 (5) sc in the spaces of the second short side. 12 (14) sc across the final long edge.
Round 2: Working in back loops only, 38 (46) sc
Rounds 3-18 (21): 38 (46) sc. Do not join rounds.
When you get close to the top, insert the card box every few rounds to check for proper height.
To make the top flap, switch back to working in rows.
Ch 1 to start first row
Rows 1-9: 12 (14) sc, ch1, turn
Row 10: 6 (7) single dec, ch 1, turn
For Mash yarn:
Row 11: 3 single dec , ch 1, turn
Row 12: ch 5, sl st in farthest single dec to make button loop, fasten off, sew in ends
For Desert yarn:
Row 11: Single dec, 3 sc, single dec, ch 1, turn
Row 12: Single dec, sc, single dec, ch1, turn
Row 13: ch 5, sl st in farthest single dec to make button loop, fasten off, sew in ends
And here is how to make a lip balm cozy. Again, it is helpful to have the lip balm tube on hand to test for width and height, then adjust the pattern to fit your yarn.
Begin with the "floor", working in the round. Do not join rounds.Enjoy, and happy Veteran's Day!
7 (8) sc in the magic ring
Round 1: 2 sc in each st around
Round 2: Working in back loops only, 1 sc in each st around
Rounds 3-13(14): Sc around
Switch to working in rows to make the cover.
Ch 1 to start first row
Rows 1-6: 6 sc, ch 1, turn
Row 7: 3 single dec, ch 1, turn
Row 8: ch 5, sl st in farthest single dec to make button loop, fasten off, sew in ends
* Deserted but for me and at least one other person with whom to play a card game. If I'm totally alone I want tarot cards.
