Welcome to the pixelated world of crochet! Get ready to level up your organization game with this groovy new pattern: the Retro Arcade Console Pot. Combining the nostalgic charm of classic arcade games with the cozy art of crochet, this project is bound to bring a touch of whimsical fun to your desk or craft space. Imagine reaching for your trusty pen or pencil and finding it nestled snugly in a vibrant pastel console, evoking memories of endless hours spent chasing high scores and dodging pixelated enemies. So grab your crochet hooks and join me on this pixel-perfect adventure as we transform yarn into a playful ode to the golden age of gaming. Let’s dive into the world of retro arcade crochet and bring a touch of nostalgia to your desk!
Material – Retro Arcade Crochet
- Macramé cotton yarn – bulky
- 4 different colors of acrylic yarn – worsted – pink, purple, light pink, green.
- Cotton yarns – DK
- a 2,5 mm, 4,5 mm and a 6 mm crochet hooks
- different colors of felt fabric
- Craft stainless wire (1,5 mm thickness)
- polyester fiberfill for stuffing
- Optional: a piece of rectangular clear plastic
Abbreviations
ch : chain
sl st : slip stitch
sc : single crochet
hdc : half double crochet
inc : increase
dec : decrease
FLO : front loops only
BLO : back loops only
sc3tog : a decrease of 3 single crochet together
hdc3tog : a decrease of 3 half double crochet together
R : round / row
Retro Arcade Crochet
We will start by making the base of the pot with the macramé thread in order to make it sturdy, so grabe your 6 mm hook and your yarn and make a magic circle. Note that each round ends up with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round.
Round 1: 4 sc (4)
Round 2: 3 sc in each one of the stitch – so 3 sc x 4 (12)
R3: 1 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {2 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 1 sc (20)
R4: 2 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {4 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 2 sc (28)
R5: 3 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {6 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 3 sc (36)
R6: 4 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {8 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 4 sc (44)
R7: 5 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {10 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 5 sc (52)
R8: 52 BLO sc (52)
R9 to 19: 52 sc (52)
R20: 9 sc, (3 hdc FLO in the next stitch), 10 hdc, (3 hdc FLO in the next stitch), 31 sc (56)
R21: 9 sc, 16 hdc FLO, 31 sc (56)
R22: 9 sc, 16 hdc BLO, 31 sc (56)
R23: 9 sc, hdc3tog BLO, 10 hdc BLO, hdc3tog BLO, 31 sc (52)
R24: 9 sc, 12 hdc FLO, 31 sc (52)
R25: 8 sc, sc3tog, 9 sc, sc3tog, 29 sc (48)
R26: 6 sc, sc dec, 11 sc, sc dec, 27 sc (46)
R27: 46 sc (46)
R28: 4 sc, sc dec, 13 sc, sc dec, 25 sc (44)
R29: 44 sc (44)
Cut the yarn.
We now have to separate the square in 4 this way:
- 12 stitches for the front and 12 for the back, 10 stitches for one side, and 10 for this other side (see picture below):
We will not be working on the 12 stitches of the back at all, it will remain untouched from now on.
Join the yarn, on the 1st stitch on the right side, with a sc and go as follow (note that each row finishes with a ch1 the turn):
Row 30: 8 sc, sc dec, 12 sc, sc dec, 8 sc (30)
Row 31 to 34: 30 sc (30)
R35 to 38: 8 sc (8)
Cut the yarn, and join it back to row 34 on the other side with a sc:
R35 to 38: 8 sc (8)
Cut the yarn and weave in all ends.
The front panel – Retro Arcade Crochet
With your pink acrylic yarn and a 4,5mm hook chain 23. Then starting from the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1 to 49: 22 sc (22)
Cut the yarn and leave a tail for sewing.
We make this a little longer than the actual front of our base, in order to sew the top inside. Now proceed to sew the panel on the front of the base, making sure to mark the folds on the bump we made for our joystick and buttons.
The top rectangular prism
With your green acrylic yarn and a 4,5mm hook make a magic circle. We’ll be working amigurumi style for this – so no joining with a sl st at the end of the rounds.
Round 1: 4 sc (4)
Round 2: 3 sc in each one of the stitch – so 3 sc x 4 (12)
R3: 1 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {2 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 1 sc (20)
R4: 2 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), {4 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch)} x 3, 2 sc (28)
R9 to 23: 28 sc (28)
R24: (4 sc, sc3tog) x 4 (20)
Fill the prism with the polyester fiberfill.
R25: (2 sc, sc3tog) x 4 (12)
R26: sc3tog x 4 (4)
Cut the yarn and close the hole with a yarn needle.
Sew it on the top of the front panel, make sure to sew the sides to it too. It should fit like a glove.
The side panels
Please note that every row ends with a ch 1 then turn.
With your purple acrylic yarn and a 4,5mm hook, chain 20. Then starting from the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1 to 20: 19 sc (19)
Row 21: sc inc, 18 sc (20)
R22: 19 sc, sc inc (21)
R23: sc inc, 20 sc (22)
R24: 20 sc, skip a stitch, 1 sc (21)
R25: skip a stitch, 20 sc (20)
R26: 15 sc, sc dec (16)
R27: 16 sc (16)
R28: 14 sc, sc dec (15)
R29 to 30: 15 sc (15)
R31: sc dec, 13 sc (14)
R32: 14 sc (14)
R33: sc dec, 12 sc (13)
R34 to 39: 13 sc (13)
R40: 13 sc, ch 7 – count them as stitches – (20)
R41: starting the 2nd loop of from the hook: 6 sc in the chain, 13 sc (19)
R42 to 47: 19 sc (19)
R48: 15 sc, sc dec x 2 (17)
Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
Grab your craft wire, and join your yarn on one of the side, at the bottom. In this process, you’ll skillfully single crochet the edges of the panel, simultaneously incorporating a craft wire to create a sturdy and solid border. (as shown in the picture below)
Make 2 panels this way then sew them on each side of the arcade pot.
Frame – Retro Arcade Crochet
With your light pink acrylic yarn and a 4,5mm hook, chain 44. Then slip stitch in the 1st loop of the chain to make a circle. Starting this same loop:
Round 1: 6 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 7 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 13 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 7 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 7 sc (52) – sl st in the 1st stitch of the round.
Round 2: 7 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 9 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 16 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 9 sc, (3 sc in the next stitch), 9 sc (62)
Cut the yarn and finish with an invisible join. Cut a piece of rectangular plastic and glue it behind the frame to make a screen. Then sew the frame on the front of the arcade pot, at the top on its right place. Leave one side untouched, don’t sew it, to allow you to slide some cute pictures inside the screen.
The Joystick and the buttons
For the joystick, pick your cotton yarn and a 2,5 mm hook, make a magic circle.
Round 1 to 3: 6 sc (6)
Round 4: sc dec x 3 (3)
R5: 3 sc (3)
Cut the yarn. Make another magic circle and make 6 sc in it. Cut the yarn. Now sew the top of the joystick in the middle of this round we just made.
For the buttons pick you cotton yarn and a 2,5 mm crochet hook, make a magic circle. Make 4 sc in it, then sl st in the 1st stitch of the round. Cut the yarn. Make 2 buttons this way.
Cut a rectangular piece on your felt fabric, then glue or sew it on the arcade pot where the buttons and joystick will be. Then glue everyting on it.
Now that the crochet work is complete, it’s time to unleash your imagination and let your creativity soar. The possibilities for decorating your Retro Arcade Console Pencil Pot are as vast as the gaming universe itself. You can choose to adorn it with colorful buttons, embroidered game characters, or even crochet pixel art inspired by your favorite arcade classics.
The beauty of this project lies in the freedom it offers to personalize and make it uniquely yours. So grab your crafting supplies, embrace your inner artist, and transform this charming pencil pot into a true masterpiece that showcases your individual style and passion for crochet. Let your imagination run wild and bring your creative vision to life!
Finish
In the pixelated world of crochet, you’ve unlocked the ultimate power-up: the Retro Arcade Console Pencil Pot pattern! You’ve embarked on a colorful quest, hooking your way through yarny adventures to create a whimsical masterpiece that radiates retro vibes and pastel charm.
But wait, there’s more! If you want to level up your crochet game and unlock even more patterns, follow me on social media (all links are on the side bar). Get ready for a feed full of yarn-spiration, tutorials, and sneak peeks at upcoming patterns. I even give away some of my paid patterns once in a while, so don’t lose out on this opportunity!
Happy crocheting!
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