Crochet Friendly Monster Tissue Box Cover – Free Pattern

This crochet monster tissue box cover brings a practical handmade detail to Halloween. Removable plum rectangular tissue-box cover with a counted top dispensing slit, four joined panels, lime triangular teeth beside slit and two embroidered sleepy eyes; bottom completely open. The instructions below describe the construction in US crochet terms. Choose yarn for the fabric structure rather than color alone, and compare each checkpoint with your own swatch before continuing.

Two plum top panels meet along a long center line, with a gap left for tissues. Four rectangular plum side panels make an open-bottom box sleeve. Lime triangle teeth lie on the front top panel beside the slit, while sleepy eyes are embroidered on the long front wall. The cover lifts off for replacing tissues and contains no stuffing, eyes or fasteners.

Pattern Details

• Hook Size: 3.5 mm starting point, adjust after washing
• Finished Size: Planning cover approximately 9.6 x 4.7 x 3.8 inches before seam adjustment; example box up to about 9 x 4.3 x 3.5 inches
• Gauge: 20 sc and 24 rows = 4 inches, washed
• Estimated Time: 6-8 hours
• Construction: Two 48-sc x 14-row top panels, two 48-sc x 23-row long sides, two 23-sc x 23-row short sides; four 6-to-1 teeth
• Skill level: Intermediate

Why You’ll Love This Project

The decoration is part of a useful, deliberately shaped project rather than a generic motif added to an unrelated pattern. Separate construction stages make counting manageable, while the limited palette keeps the silhouette readable. You can pause between components and check the measurements before committing to final assembly.

Materials

• Planning allowance: 300 yards plum DK cotton, 15 yards lime matching cotton, 5 yards charcoal embroidery yarn, plus swatching allowance
• 3.5 mm hook, yarn needle, six markers, ruler, scissors and actual rectangular tissue box

Gauge, Measurements, and Planning

Measure the actual box length L, width W and height H. Aim for top length L+0.6 inch, top width W+0.4 inch and side height H+0.3 inch to allow seams without compression. At five stitches and six rows per inch, choose top/long-side stitch count A=round(5*(L+0.6)), each half-top row count B=round(3*(W+0.4)), short-side stitch count C=round(5*(W+0.4)), and side row count D=round(6*(H+0.3)). The example uses A=48, B=14, C=23, D=23. Replace the factors with your washed gauge when different. Half-top rows run across half the width; two halves give 28 row ends along each short edge. Compare washed panels to the actual box before sewing. Do not shrink a panel around a box or promise the example fits every tissue brand.

Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only
• inc: 2 stitches in one stitch
• sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• sp: space

Special stitch guidance: All panels use sc through both loops with uncounted ch 1 and turns. Sc2tog: pull up one loop in each of two successive stitches, yarn over and pull through all three loops. Teeth have one decrease at each end until two stitches remain, then one final sc2tog. Count row ends separately from stitch tops: the 28 top row ends must be eased onto 23 short-side stitch tops.

Important Notes

• Pattern development note: stitch arithmetic and written construction have been reviewed computationally; this design has not been physically sample-tested. Gauge, yardage and finished measurements are planning targets, not a tested guarantee. Swatch and check fit before making a gift.
• Beginning ch 1 or ch 2 and joining slip stitches never count as stitches. Mark the first counted stitch of each round and move the marker after completing the round.
• On flat rows, turn after each row and work the first stitch into the last stitch of the previous row. On joined rounds, join to the first counted stitch and do not turn unless specifically instructed.
• Change color on the final yarn-over of the stitch before the new color is needed. Leave a 6-inch tail and weave it back and forth through same-color stitches after construction.
• Use the written stitch counts for structure and your washed gauge for dimensions. Do not silently add shaping increases to correct a measurement; make a fresh swatch with a different hook first.
• Images are AI-generated design illustrations, not stitch charts or photographs of a physically tested sample. Follow the written counts and your measured gauge.

Complete Instructions for Crochet Friendly Monster Tissue Box Cover

Make the Six Plum Panels

1. Top half A: ch 49. Row 1: sc in second chain and each remaining chain. (48 sts) Rows 2-14: ch 1, turn and sc in all 48. (48 sts) Fasten off with a 24-inch tail. Make top half B exactly the same. Mark Row 14 on both panels as the center-slit edge; the foundation edges become the outside long edges.
2. Long sides: make two. Ch 49, then Row 1: sc in second chain and each remaining chain. (48 sts) Rows 2-23: ch 1, turn, sc in all 48. (48 sts) Fasten off. Mark one as FRONT, using a loose thread tag that will be removed later.
3. Short sides: make two. Ch 24, then Row 1: sc in second chain and each remaining chain. (23 sts) Rows 2-23: ch 1, turn, sc in all 23. (23 sts) Fasten off. Keep long sewing tails on one edge of each panel.
4. Wash and dry the six panels flat. Stack like pieces and match dimensions. The top halves each need roughly 9.6 x 2.3 inches; sides should meet the planned box height without touching the table in a heap. Compare with the box now, not after closing every corner.

Form the Tissue Slit and Embroider the Front

1. Lay both top halves RS up with Row 14 edges touching. With plum whipstitch matching stitch pairs 1-9 at one end. Stop and secure that tail. With a separate tail join matching pairs 40-48 at the other end. Leave positions 10-39 completely unsewn: the dispensing opening is 30 positions, about six inches long.
2. Sew two extra passes through the last joined stitch at each end of the slit to reinforce its ends. Do not sew into the thirty opening positions. Test drawing a tissue through the gap while holding the panel on the box; the two lips can spread apart. If the actual cardboard aperture is wider, lengthen the gap symmetrically while keeping at least six joined pairs at each end.
3. On the front long-side panel, mark two eye centers at stitch columns 16 and 33 of Row 16, counting from the same edge for both. Embroider each sleepy eye as a shallow downward curve across five columns using four short black backstitches. Add two short diagonal eyelashes at each outer end.
4. Anchor every black tail on the WS with several direction changes without pulling the fabric inward. There is no stuffed eye, plastic part or glued felt. Remove the eye markers and check orientation: the eyes should face upright when the marked top edge of this panel meets the top.

Join the Box Cover with Its Bottom Open

1. Set top and front panel WS together, aligning the front panel last-row edge with the front top foundation edge. Whipstitch one matching stitch top/foundation pair at each of 48 positions. Repeat for the back long side. Both long walls should hang down on opposite sides of the top.
2. For each short side, match its 23 top stitches to the 28 top row ends along that end. Work from one corner to the other. At short-side stitches 5, 9, 14, 18 and 23, catch two consecutive top row ends together with that stitch. At every other short-side stitch catch just one top row end. This distributes 18 single joins plus five double joins = 28 top row ends across 23 stitches.
3. For a custom size, distribute exactly 2B top row ends over C short-side tops. Number side tops i=1..C; join top row-end numbers floor((i-1)*2B/C)+1 through floor(i*2B/C) to side stitch i. Verify no row end is omitted or used twice. If this gives empty groups, use a short-side hook/gauge closer to the example before seaming.
4. Fold all walls down and join adjacent vertical edges at four corners. Each edge has 23 row ends in the example: match one row end to one row end, using small flexible whipstitches. Do not sew any bottom edges together or attach the cover to the cardboard box.
5. Slide the open-bottom cover over the actual box. The top should rest on the box, not pull tightly across its aperture. If corners strain, undo the affected seams and adjust panel sizing. Reach under the bottom to remove the box; replacement must not require cutting crochet.

Crochet and Secure Four Lime Teeth

1. Make four teeth. With lime ch 7. Row 1: sc in second chain and each remaining chain. (6 sts) Ch 1, turn. Row 2: sc2tog, sc in next 2, sc2tog. (4 sts) Ch 1, turn. Row 3: sc2tog twice. (2 sts) Ch 1, turn. Row 4: sc2tog. (1 sts) Fasten off and weave the pointed-tip tail back into the triangle.
2. Place the six-stitch base of each tooth beside the front lip of the tissue slit, over columns 12-17, 19-24, 26-31 and 33-38 of that lip. Point the triangles away from the opening, down across the solid front half-top toward its outer front edge. No tooth may bridge or cover the actual slit.
3. Sew all six base positions of each tooth to the solid plum panel twice, then add a small hidden tack at its tip to the same solid panel. This keeps the green pieces flat and prevents them snagging tissue. Catch only the near plum panel, not the opposite lip or the cardboard box.
4. Pull several tissues through, one at a time, and test that the cover stays removable and the teeth do not catch. Check all corner seams and embroidery tails, remove every marker and wash only with the cardboard box and tissues removed. Dry completely before replacing the box.
5. This is adult household decoration, not a toy, mask or dispenser for food. Keep yarn and tissue away from flame and heaters, and keep loose tissues and small craft components out of reach of young children. Do not claim the crochet is hygienic protection; wash it when soiled and follow the yarn label.

Assembly and Shaping

Decorate the front side before sewing. Join only nine stitches at each end of the two top center edges, leaving the middle thirty paired positions unsewn. Sew four side tops around the top perimeter, then join four vertical corner seams. Keep the entire bottom open. Attach green teeth only to the solid front half-top, never across the tissue passage.

Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.

Finishing

1. Fasten off with a 6-inch tail; weave through three separate groups of stitches, changing direction twice.
2. Damp-block gently according to the fiber label, check the intended shape, and dry fully before assembly or use.
3. Inspect both sides, all joins, and every decorative attachment; resecure a loose stitch before gifting.
4. Include the fiber content and washing instructions with the finished item. Keep the item away from candles and other heat sources.

For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.

Helpful Tips

• Count in small marked sections instead of counting an entire dark-colored edge repeatedly.
• Use a pale working surface behind black yarn so both loops of the stitch remain visible.
• Keep a row tally and record your swatch measurements beside the size you selected.
• If shaping ripples or pulls, stop at that checkpoint and compare counts and gauge before progressing.

Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the colors?

Yes. Keep the yarn weight and fiber behavior consistent and use enough contrast for the decorative detail. Make a washed swatch with every major yarn substitution.

Is this pattern physically tested?

No physical sample test is claimed. The stitch counts are computationally checked and the written construction is reviewed. Make a gauge swatch, use the measurement checkpoints, and test fit or assembly before gifting.

Can a beginner make this?

This is an intermediate project because shaping and assembly require careful counting. Practise the named special stitches in a small swatch before working the main piece.

Conclusion

Keep the completed measurements and your yarn details with your pattern notes. The finished piece should match the described construction before it is styled or gifted. If a checkpoint does not match, correct the underlying count or gauge instead of concealing the difference during finishing.

BabyYarnie Printable Crochet Pattern Card

BabyYarnie — easy-to-follow crochet for everyday makers.

Project: Crochet Friendly Monster Tissue Box Cover

Skill level: Intermediate   Hook: 3.5 mm starting point, adjust after washing   Yarn: DK cotton

Finished size: Planning cover approximately 9.6 x 4.7 x 3.8 inches before seam adjustment; example box up to about 9 x 4.3 x 3.5 inches

Card Materials

• Planning allowance: 300 yards plum DK cotton, 15 yards lime matching cotton, 5 yards charcoal embroidery yarn, plus swatching allowance
• 3.5 mm hook, yarn needle, six markers, ruler, scissors and actual rectangular tissue box

Card Instructions

1. Make the Six Plum Panels: Two top halves 48 x 14 rows, two long sides 48 x 23, two short sides 23 x 23.
2. Form the Tissue Slit and Embroider the Front: Join 9 pairs at each end of the top, leave 30 open; embroider two sleepy eyes on the front side.
3. Join the Box Cover with Its Bottom Open: 48-to-48 long seams, 28-row-end to 23-stitch short seams, four 23-pair corner seams; no bottom.
4. Crochet and Secure Four Lime Teeth: Four teeth each decrease 6, 4, 2, 1; sew flat outside the slit and test dispensing.

Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.