This happy house napkin holder is a delightful and practical way to add a touch of charm to your dining table. Its colorful, whimsical design mimics the look of a cozy house, complete with a roof, windows, shutters, and even a chimney with “smoke.” The felt details enhance the character of the piece, making it a fun and unique addition to your home decor.This pretty house napkin holder is a delightful and practical way to add a touch of charm to your dining table. Its colorful, whimsical design mimics the look of a cozy house, complete with a roof, windows, shutters, and even a chimney with “smoke.” The felt details enhance the character of the piece, making it a fun and unique addition to your home decor.
Originally designed as part of a mid-century crochet collection, this project showcases the creativity and attention to detail characteristic of that era. This modernized version maintains the vintage charm while ensuring the instructions are clear and accessible for today’s crafters. With size 10 crochet thread and a few scraps of felt, you can create this eye-catching napkin holder to suit any kitchen or dining room.
This pattern is a great way to practice shaping and decorative crochet techniques. It’s perfect as a housewarming gift or as a conversation piece for your own table. Customize the colors to match your decor or to create a festive holiday version for seasonal dining!
This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats & Clark’s Quick Tricks to Crochet Book No. 326 (1956). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are ©Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2024. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.
Happy House Napkin Holder
Key Details
- Type: Crochet decorative napkin holder cover resembling a house.
- Gauge: 5 single crochets = 1 inch; 5 rows = 1 inch.
- Yarn Size Equivalent: Size 10 crochet thread (today’s standard for fine mercerized cotton).
- Features: Colorful house design with felt accents for windows, doors, shutters, and chimney.
Materials
- Yarn:
- 1 ball each of size 10 crochet thread in the following colors:
- Brown (Fudge Brown or equivalent)
- Yellow (Canary Yellow or equivalent)
- Red (Spanish Red or equivalent)
- Scraps of green thread (Hunter’s Green or equivalent).
- 1 ball each of size 10 crochet thread in the following colors:
- Crochet Hook: Steel Crochet Hook No. 2/0 (double zero).
- Napkin Holder Base: Square metal napkin holder.
- Felt Scraps: White, yellow, green, red, and grey for decorative accents.
- Other Tools: Scissors, sewing needle, and thread for attaching felt pieces.
Pattern
Front
- Foundation Chain:
- With Canary Yellow, chain 28.
- Rows 1–12:
- Single crochet (sc) in the 2nd chain from the hook and across. Chain 1, turn. Repeat for a total of 2¼ inches.
- Rows 13–24:
- Attach Fudge Brown and continue in single crochet for 2 inches. Fasten off.
Balcony
- Attach Hunter’s Green to the first stitch of the last row of Canary Yellow.
- Chain 3, skip the next stitch, double crochet (dc) in the following stitch, then dc in the skipped stitch.
- Repeat from * across, ending with a double crochet in the last stitch. Fasten off.
Back
- Work as for the front using Fudge Brown only, stopping at 2¾ inches. Fasten off.
Roof (Make 2)
- Foundation Chain:
- With Spanish Red, chain 30.
- Rows 1–4:
- Sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and across. Chain 1, turn.
- Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning and end of each row until 4 rows are complete.
- Edging:
- Attach thread to the first row and sc evenly along one side, working 3 sc in the corner.
- Sc across the top edge and the opposite side, with 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off.
- Border Expansion:
- Reattach thread and work 2 additional rows, increasing 1 sc in the first and last stitches of each row.
Assembly
- Position the roofs so they overlap the top of the house by ¼ inch. Sew securely in place.
- Felt Decorations:
- Cut and sew the following pieces:
- 3 white felt pieces (¾ x 1 inch) for windows.
- 4 yellow felt pieces (½ x ¾ inch) for shutters on upper windows.
- 2 green felt pieces (½ x ¾ inch) for shutters on the lower window.
- 1 green felt piece (1 x 1¾ inches) for the door.
- 1 red felt piece (½ x ¾ inch) for the chimney.
- 1 grey felt strip for smoke to attach to the chimney.
- Cut and sew the following pieces:
- Sew the assembled crochet house cover to the napkin holder, securing all pieces.
This charming napkin holder transforms a simple utility item into a decorative centerpiece. With its vibrant colors and whimsical design, this project brings a touch of nostalgia and creativity to any table setting. Perfect as a gift or to brighten your own dining space with decorative flair, making it a great gift or personal project. With its structured design and timeless appeal, this case is sure to be a favorite addition to your collection!
