Paris Pink Macaron Measuring Tape Cover Free Crochet Pattern

Paris Pink Macaron Measuring Tape Cover: A Free Beginner Crochet Pattern

Introduction

If you have never held a crochet hook before, this little project is the perfect place to begin. The Paris Pink Macaron Measuring Tape Cover is a tiny, sweet accessory that hides a plain measuring tape inside a soft, Parisian-inspired macaron. It is worked almost entirely in single crochet, the very first stitch most beginners learn, so there are no complicated techniques to worry about. When finished, it looks like a plump pink macaron with a cherry red scalloped ruffle around its middle, about the size of a real macaron you would find in a Paris bakery. It feels soft and slightly bumpy in your hand, and it turns a boring sewing tool into something you will be happy to leave out on your craft table.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Fine (2) weight cotton yarn. Paris pink (main color): approximately 25 yards. Cherry red (accent color): approximately 5 yards. Total approximately 30 yards.
• Crochet hook: D/3 (3.25 mm)
• Stitch marker (one is enough)
• Tapestry needle (a large blunt needle with an eye big enough for yarn)
• Scissors
• Small amount of fiberfill stuffing (or a small plastic bag) to hold the shape
• Finished size: Approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches tall, sized to fit a standard 2-inch measuring tape.

Abbreviations and Beginner Glossary

• ch - chain. Make a loop of yarn on your hook, then pull the yarn through the loop. Each loop you pull through is one chain.
• sc - single crochet. Insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop of yarn (you now have 2 loops on your hook), then pull the yarn through both loops at once. One loop remains.
• 2 sc in next st - work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch. This makes an increase, which widens your work.
• sc2tog - single crochet two stitches together. Insert your hook into the first stitch, pull up a loop, insert your hook into the next stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), then pull yarn through all three loops. This makes a decrease, which narrows your work.
• sl st - slip stitch. Insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop, and pull it straight through the loop already on your hook. This makes a very short, flat stitch.
• dc - double crochet. Yarn over (wrap yarn around hook), insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
• st / sts - stitch / stitches.
• magic ring - an adjustable loop of yarn that you crochet into, then pull tight to close the center hole. If you prefer, you can chain 2 and work your first round into the first chain instead.
• round - one complete circle of stitches worked in the round (in a spiral).
• row - one straight line of stitches worked back and forth.
• fasten off - cut the yarn, pull the tail all the way through the last loop, and tighten to secure.
• whipstitch - a simple sewing stitch: bring the needle up through both layers, wrap the yarn over the edge, and go back down through both layers, repeating along the seam.

Gauge

6 sts x 6 rows = 1 inch in single crochet.

Gauge means how many stitches and rows fit into one inch of your fabric. It matters because it decides whether your finished cover will actually fit a measuring tape. If your stitches are too loose, the cover will be too big and the tape will rattle around; if too tight, the tape will not fit inside.

How to make a gauge swatch: Chain 13. Work single crochet into the second chain from the hook and in each chain across (12 sts). Work 12 rows of single crochet. Lay the swatch flat and measure a 1-inch square in the middle. Count the stitches across and the rows up. If you have more than 6 stitches in an inch, your stitches are tight, so try a larger hook. If you have fewer than 6, your stitches are loose, so try a smaller hook.

Beginner Tips Before You Start

• Use a stitch marker. Because this pattern is worked in a continuous spiral, there is no seam to tell you where a round begins. Place your marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up every time you start a new round.
• Do not pull the yarn too tight. Beginners often tug each stitch snug, which makes the fabric stiff and too small. Keep your tension relaxed and even.
• Count every round. The stitch count in parentheses at the end of each round is your safety net. If your count is wrong, fix it before moving on.
• Work the magic ring loosely at first. It is much easier to crochet into a loose ring than a tight one. Pull it closed only after Round 1 is complete.
• Keep your place in the scallop row. The scalloped edge uses a repeating group of stitches. Say the group out loud as you work it until it feels natural.

Step-by-Step Instructions

NOTE: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise stated. Do not join rounds. Move your stitch marker up each round.

Base (Paris pink)

Round 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] around. (24 sts)

Round 5: [Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] around. (30 sts)

Rounds 6–8: Sc in each st around. (30 sts)

Round 9: [Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog] around. (24 sts)

Round 10: [Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] around. (18 sts)

Round 11: [Sc in next st, sc2tog] around. (12 sts)

Stuff the cover lightly with fiberfill or a small plastic bag to hold its shape.

Round 12: [Sc2tog] around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close.

Flat Top (Paris pink)

Round 1: Make a magic ring, work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. (18 sts)

Round 4: [Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] around. (24 sts)

Round 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff. Set aside.

Scalloped Edge Appliqué (Cherry red)

Row 1: Ch 12. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (11 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. [Sl st in next st, ch 2, dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st] repeat across to end. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Assembly and Finishing

Step 1 - Sew the top to the base. Thread the long tail from the flat top onto your tapestry needle. Hold the flat top against the open top of the stuffed base, aligning the edges. Using a whipstitch, bring the needle up through both layers, wrap the yarn over the edge, and go back down through both layers. Repeat all the way around, but leave a small opening (about half an inch) unsewn so you can insert the measuring tape later.

Step 2 - Attach the scalloped edge. Thread the long tail from the cherry red appliqué onto your tapestry needle. Wrap the appliqué around the middle of the base so the scallops face outward and the straight edge is hidden against the fabric. Stitch it securely in place with small whipstitches, working all the way around.

Step 3 - Weave in the ends. Thread each remaining yarn tail onto the tapestry needle and pass it in and out through the inside of the cover for about an inch, then trim close to the fabric. Do not knot; weaving hides the tail securely.

Step 4 - Blocking. Lightly mist the finished cover with water and gently shape it with your fingers into a round macaron shape. Let it dry completely on a flat surface. Cotton holds its shape well after this simple blocking.

Step 5 - Insert the tape. Push a standard 2-inch measuring tape through the opening. The cover should fit snugly. Adjust the stuffing if needed.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Change the colors. Swap Paris pink for lavender or mint, and cherry red for cream, to make a whole box of macarons in different flavors.
• Adjust the size. For a larger measuring tape, add one more increase round to both the base and the flat top (for example, Round 6 becomes [Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] around for 36 sts), then add matching plain rounds to reach the height you need.
• Substitute yarn. Any fine (2) weight cotton works well. Avoid fuzzy or slippery yarns, which make the small stitches harder to see for a beginner.
• Make a keychain version. Sew a small ribbon loop to the top before closing, and you have a charming bag charm or gift topper.