Crochet Your Own Adorable Capybara Pouch: The Free "Carpinchera" Pattern

Hello, crochet friends! Is there anything more “chill” than a capybara? These gentle giants have taken the internet by storm, and for good reason—they are the masters of relaxation! Today, I am so excited to share a project that combines that capybara cuteness with a bit of practical magic. We are making a Carpinchera!

The “Carpinchera” (a clever mix of Carpincho, the Spanish word for capybara, and Cartuchera, meaning pencil case) is an adorable, functional pouch designed by the talented Cintia Boquin for CBM tejidos. It’s the perfect size for holding your favorite pens, crochet hooks, or even little treasures.

This project is a wonderful way to practice your amigurumi skills while creating something you can actually use every day. Whether you’re making it as a special “back-to-school” treat for a child or as a self-care project for your own desk, this capybara is sure to bring a smile to your face.

What makes this pattern special is how the different parts come together. We’ll be working on a rectangular body for the pouch and adding a shaped head, tiny ears, and little paws to bring our capybara friend to life. So, grab your favorite light brown yarn, and let’s get stitching!

Crochet Your Own Adorable Capybara Pouch: The Free "Carpinchera" Pattern!

🧶 Materials & Tools

To create your Carpinchera, gather these cozy supplies:

Yarn (Cotton 8/6):
- Light Brown: About 75g
- Dark Brown: About 10g
Hooks: Size N° 3 and N° 3.5
Eyes: Black macrame thread for embroidery
Stuffing: 30g of fiberfill (Vellón)
Zipper: A brown zipper, 20 cm long
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, sewing needle, and sewing thread to match the pouch

📝 Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring (Anillo)
ch: Chain (cad)
sc: Single Crochet (mp)
sl st: Slip Stitch (pd)
hdc: Half Double Crochet (mv)
inc: Increase (aum)
dec: Decrease (dism)
3-sc inc: Triple increase (aumT – 3 stitches in one base)
V: Round/Vuelta
H: Row/Hilera

✨ The Carpinchera Pattern

1. The Pouch (Cartuchera)

Use Light Brown yarn and the 3.5mm hook.

Foundation: Chain 51. Turn and work starting in the 2nd chain from the hook.
Note: At the end of every row, ch 1 and turn.
Rows 1 – 48: 50 sc.
Rows 49 – 50: 4 sc.
Finish: Fasten off. Skip 42 stitches from Row 48 and repeat Rows 49-50 on the other side.

2. The Head (Cabeza)

Start with Dark Brown yarn and the 3mm hook.

Foundation: Chain 7. Work starting in the 2nd chain from the hook.
Note: Close each round with a sl st and ch 1 before starting the next.
V1: 1 inc, 4 sc, 4 sc in the last chain. Turn to work along the bottom of the chains: 4 sc, 1 inc in the same chain as the first. (16)
V2: [1 sc, 3-sc inc, 4 sc, 3-sc inc, 1 sc] x 2. (24)
V3: [2 sc, 3-sc inc, 6 sc, 3-sc inc, 2 sc] x 2. (32)
V4: [3 sc, 3-sc inc, 8 sc, 3-sc inc, 3 sc] x 2. (40)
Switch to Light Brown yarn.
V5: 1 sl st, 39 sc. (40)
Note: From here, continue working in a spiral without closing rounds.
V6 – V8: 40 sc.
V9: 18 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc, 2 inc, 1 sc, 1 inc, 16 sc. (44)
V10: 44 sc.
V11: 18 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 3, 1 inc, 16 sc. (48)
V12 – V21: 48 sc (10 rounds total).
V22: [3 sc, 1 dec, 3 sc] x 6. (42)
V23: [5 sc, 1 dec] x 6. (36)
V24: [2 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc] x 6. (30)
V25: [3 sc, 1 dec] x 6. (24)
- Start stuffing and shaping the head.
V26: [1 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc] x 6. (18)
V27: [5 sc, 1 dec] x 6. (12)
V28: 6 dec. (6)
Finish: Stuff firmly, fasten off, and weave in the end.

3. The Ears (Make 2)

Use Dark Brown yarn and the 3mm hook.

V1: 5 sc in a MR. (5)
V2: 1 sc, 1 sc-inc, 1 3-hdc-inc, 1 sc-inc, 1 sc. (9)
Finish: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

4. The Legs (Make 4)

Start with Dark Brown yarn and the 3mm hook.

V1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
V2: 6 inc. (12)
V3: [1 sc, 1 inc] x 6. (18)
Switch to Light Brown yarn and work in a spiral.
V4: 1 sl st, 17 sc. (18)
V5 – V6: 18 sc.
V7: [7 sc, 1 dec] x 2. (16)
V8: 16 sc.
V9: [3 sc, 1 dec, 3 sc] x 2. (14)
V10: 14 sc.
V11: [5 sc, 1 dec] x 2. (12)
Finish: Stuff lightly (only halfway). Flatten the opening and close with 6 sc across both sides.

✨ Assembly & Finishing Touches

Face: Use black thread to embroider the eyes between Rounds 10 and 14 of the head. Space them about 9 stitches apart at the top and 13 stitches apart at the bottom for a cute, wide look.
Ears: Sew the ears to Round 19 of the head, leaving about 11 stitches between them.
Pouch Body: Fold your pouch rectangle. Sew the 4-stitch “tabs” from Row 50 to the first and last 4 stitches of Row 1 to form your pouch tube.
Zipper: Carefully sew the 20 cm zipper into the opening using matching thread.
Final Assembly: Attach the head and the four legs to the body.

And you’re done! Your very own Carpinchera is ready to go on an adventure (or just keep your desk very organized).

Happy Crocheting