Whimsical Castle Pattern

Hello, my fantasy crochet friends! Today, I'm thrilled to re-introduce to you a quirky project that's sure to spark joy in your crafting journey – the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag! 🏰✨

This is an OG pattern of mine from 2006 that has gotten a recent update and rewrite. It was one of the first patterns that I wrote out, so it was definitely lacking in the style department. But, I recently reconfigured it so that it has more stability and integrity and it now stands on its own. Plus, I redesigned the roof so it helps in the stability of the castle instead of being too wonky to be any good. Yay! I'm really excited about the fact that this little pattern has had the chance to have some new life breathed into it. My testers were very happy with the changes, so if you ever made this pattern when it was in its original state, I hope you are happy with the changes too.

Let's set the mood.

Regardless of your level of crochet expertise, this charming little castle-inspired bag, complete with a rippled roof and a tie closure that playfully peeks through the window, is going to be a fun and enchanting project. It works up quickly and uses very basic stitches. 

What makes this project truly magical is its versatility. While the pattern is designed for a compact size, perfect for storing small treasures or even as a cozy home for tiny characters, you can customize it to your heart's content. Want a grander castle fit for a fairy tale kingdom? Simply scale up the yarn weight, and voila! Your imagination is the only limit.

Recommendations:

Now, let's talk materials. While you can use any yarn weight for this project, I highly recommend worsted weight or bigger. Why, you ask? Well, not only does it give your castle bag a sturdy structure, but it also provides ample space for creating those adorable miniature characters to inhabit its whimsical walls. Think of it as a blank canvas just waiting for your creative touch!

With just 2 ounces of yarn needed, this project is perfect for stash-busting! Say goodbye to your leftover yarn scraps gathering dust in your closet and hello to a charming castle toy bag that's as practical as it is whimsical.

What can you use it for?

This project isn't just about crocheting; it's about spreading joy and wonder to those around you. Imagine gifting this charming castle toy bag at a baby shower for parents who adore fantasy-based toys. It's a thoughtful gesture that's sure to earn you some major brownie points – and perhaps a few requests for your next crochet masterpiece!

Here is my favorite pattern for filling this castle, but you can use any small fantasy character to put inside: 

Melissa Mall's Fairy Tale Character Finger Puppets

I just stuffed them with fiberfill and closed up the bottoms of the finger puppets. They are the PERFECT size for this castle. They were actually the inspiration for me to design this castle in the first place. I wanted to give them as a gift, but I felt like they needed something to hold them all together...hence, the castle!

Free on the blog or a PDF upgrade.

Now, here's the best part – the pattern for the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag is available for free on my blog- just scroll down! You can dive into this enchanting project without another thought. But, for those who prefer a convenient PDF format, I also offer a PDF upgrade option. You can purchase the pattern on Etsy, Ravelry, or my Website, just click a picture below:

Thank you for your support!!

We're going on an adventure!!

If you're ready to get crocheting, grab your crochet hook, raid your yarn stash, and let's embark on a magical journey together. Whether you're crafting for yourself or spreading joy to others, the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag is going to bring a touch of enchantment to your crochet adventures.

Whimsical Castle Toy Bag Pattern

Materials:

Yarn:
2 oz WW yarn (Sample used Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn, 100% acrylic, 7oz/199g, 355yd/325m)
Small amount of green yarn for the vine

You will use the same approximate amount of yarn if you use Bulky, 8ply, or Worsted Weight.

Tester's information:

Alisha- Used 2 oz worsted weight with a 4mm hook. Her finished size was 6" wide x 7" high

Mik- Used 8 ply weight with a 4.5mm hook. Her finished size was 6" wide x 7 " high

Tiffiny- Used #5 bulky weight with a 4.5mm hook. Her finished size was 6.5" wide x 7.5" high

Notions:
#7/4.5mm hook
Yarn needle
Stitch marker

Skill Level: beginner - advanced beginner

Finished Size:

            Bottom- 4-1/2” W x 3” H
            Top- 6” W x 2-3/4” H
            Total Size- approximately 6” W x 6” H

Gauge: 16sc x 17rows = 4” x 4”

Abbreviations- US Terminology

BPsc- back post single crochet
ch- chain
dc- double crochet
MR- magic ring
Rd- round
rev sc- reverse single crochet (Crab Stitch)
sc- single crochet
sk- skip
sl st- slip stitch
st- stitch

NOTES:

1                    Pattern is worked in the round unless otherwise noted.

2                    Do not join rounds unless otherwise noted.

3                    Chain 2 at the beginning of a round is not a stitch.

 

Pattern:

Bottom:

Rd 1- MR, 6 sc in ring. (6 sc)

Rd 2- 2 sc in each sc.(12 sc)
Rd 3- (sc in 1 sc, 2sc in next) around. (18 sc)
Rd 4- (sc in 2 sc, 2sc in next) around. (24 sc)
Rd 5- (sc in 3 sc, 2sc in next) around. (30 sc)
Rd 6- (sc in 4 sc, 2sc in next) around. (36 sc)
Rd 7- (sc in 5 sc, 2sc in next) around. (42 sc)
Rd 8- (sc in 6 sc, 2sc in next) around. (48 sc)
Rd 9- (sc in 7 sc, 2sc in next) around. (54 sc)
join with sl st to first sc.

Sides: (join all rounds w/sl st unless noted)
Rd 1- ch1, BPsc around each sc. (54 BPsc)
Rd 2- ch1, sc in join and each BPsc around.  (54 sc)
Rd 3- Repeat row 1
Rd 4- Repeat row 2
Rd 5- Repeat row 1
Rd 6- ch2, dc in join and each BPsc. (54 dc)
Rd 7- ch1, sc in join and each dc leaving last 4 dc unworked. do not join. (50 sc)
Rd 8- ch1, turn, sc in each sc. (50 sc)

Rd 9- ch1, turn, sc in each sc, ch4, sk open st and join with first sc. (50 sc, 4 ch)
Rd 10- ch1, sc in join and each sc, 4sc around ch4, join with first sc. (54 sc)
Rd 11- Rev sc around. Finish off and weave in ends.

Vine trim: With green. Sl st & ch a trellis up the join openings and around the window on the side of the castle base. (Pictures below)

 

Top:

Rd 1- MR, 5sc in ring.
Rds 2 & 3- sc in each s. (5 sc)

**After Rd 3, pop the right side of your work out of the cone created by the last 3 rounds and continue with Rd 4.

Rd 4- 2 sc in each sc. (10 sc)
Rd 5- sc in each sc. (10 sc)
Rd 6- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around. (15 sc)
Rd 7- sc in each sc. (15 sc)
Rd 8- 2 sc in each sc. (30 sc)
Rd 9- sc in each sc. (30 sc)
Rd 10- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around. (36 sc)
Rd 11- (sc in 8sc, 2sc in next) around. (40 sc)
Rds 12 & 13 - sc in each sc. (40 sc)
Rd 14- (sc in 7sc, 2sc in next) around. (45 sc)
Rd 15- (sc in 8sc, 2sc in next) around. (50 sc)
Rd 16- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around. (60 sc)
Rd 17- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next) around. (70 sc)
Rd 18- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around. (84 sc)
Rd 19- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next) around. (98 sc)
Rd 20- Join with sl st to 1st sc. Reverse sc. Finish off, weave in ends.

YOU WANT A SLIGHTLY RIPPLED LOOK TO THE TOP WHEN DONE.


Tie for closure: do in roof color or green

ch30, choose a side of your roof to be the “front”, at about row 15, on the underside of the roof- attach with a sl st around a post of sc and Ch 30, cut off. secure ends. (pictures below)

 

ch 30 and attach to a post around Rd 15

 

 ch 30 and finish off.

 

Assembling your Castle (attaching the top to the bottom):

1.     


Fold your roof in half with the tie centered- locate the opposite side of the roof and mark it with a stitch marker. (pictures 1-3 below)

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

2.      On the bottom piece, locate the opposite side from the window and mark it with a stitch marker. (See picture 4 below)

Picture 4

3.   


Attach the marked side of the roof to the marked side of bottom piece with a whipstitch or other sewing technique. Use your stitch markers to help you hold your pieces together by marking the first and last stitches you want to attach through. You only want to attach through about 6 stitches of the top and bottom. This will act as your “hinge” to open and close the roof. (Pictures 5-8 below)

Picture 5: Match up your stitch markers.

Picture 6: Use your stitch markers to hold your pieces together marking them about 6 stitches apart.

Picture 7: Whipstitch your pieces together. Work through the wrong side of the roof and around the top of the bottom piece between the two stitch markers. 

Picture 8: When you get to the end of the six stitches tuck your ends in securely and cut your yarn. Make sure to remove the stitch markers as well. This will act as the roof "hinge" for when you open the bag.

4. Use the ties through the window to hold your castle closed.

Tip: This is where using green might help the "vine" look be extended. 

You're all done! Have fun with your fantasy-filled castle!

© Bizzy Crochet and Design, 2006/updated 2024