A unisex gift for all book lovers! Free book sleeve crochet pattern
Do you prefer to read physical books or from a device? This free book sleeve crochet pattern comes in 3 sizes and so will fit most physical books, tablets and kindle devices!
It makes a perfect gift for any book lover as it is unisex and can be personalised to the individual using it simply through the use of colours!
When I started my ‘reading collection’ late last year, I knew that I wanted to include a book sleeve crochet pattern. So now I have the matching reading pillow, the bookmark and the book sleeve crochet patterns!
As an aside, did you know that all three of these patterns are free on my blog posts? If you want to check them out just click on the photos above.
I am thinking that I may finish off this collection with one more pattern a little later in the year….
Designed to be used!
This crochet book sleeve pattern has absolutely been designed to be used! What do I mean by that? These sleeves were designed to be durable and long lasting as well as beautiful and practical!
Constant use of something like a book sleeve or table cover creates a lot of wear and tear on your yarn, especially in the corners. So I made my versions lined. There is a crochet lining included in the pattern, but you can equally line yours with material if you are confident enough to do that.
As an aside, if you go for the crochet lining option it also help to give extra protection to your tablet or kindle screen when not being used.
The tab and button fastening allows you to see at a glance which book you have on the go without having to remove it from its sleeve whilst keeping it securely within the sleeve.
Construction of the design
My aim of this design was to make it as simple as possible to create. I toyed with the idea of working it in rounds, but crocheting rectangular panels and simply stitching or sewing the ends together afterwards was by far the easiest way of making this one.
The lining in this one is optional. It is made separate to the outer and then stitched or sewn in before the edging around the top and the tab. You can also crochet it or if you are comfortable sewing you could add a material lining. Either option will help to keep your crochet book sleeves / tablet covers looking perfect for longer.
One point to note though – if you are going to use these for iPads etc I personally think that the crocheted lining pads the cover out more so will protect the screen that little bit more from bumps and knocks.
The Yarn
For my versions I raided my scrap bucket …. mine were all made entirely with scraps and part used skeins of Caron simply soft (with a tiny bit of Women’s institute aran thrown in there too).
The great thing about this pattern is that you can change yarn colours as often as you would like to (every row, every 2 rows, plan it out or just randomly change colour). You can use variegated yarn, solid colours or mix and match!
I have included a pattern note for where I changed colour in each version to help you visualise this.
Have you seen my testers’ versions?
Get the PDF pattern!
You can find the ad-free PDF Pattern for this one in all of my shops. There are a couple of additional figure photos in the pdf version along with the stitch multiple:
The pattern specifics:
Materials:
| 4 weight yarn of your choosing. I used Caron simply soft in the following approximate amounts: o Large – 213 yards for the outer, 188 yards for the lining o Med – 138 yards for the outside, 105 yards for the lining o Small – 96 yards for the outside, 88 yards for the lining 4mm hook Stitch markers (optional) Scissors Tapestry needle 1.25” button |
Gauge:
| Using the herringbone half double crochet stitch in the lining the gauge is 8 sts and 6 rows in 2” For the outside panel my zig zag sections were 1.75” wide with 8 sc sts per inch |
Sizing:
3 sizes – based on the outside measurements:
- – large is 8.5” wide by 11” tall (fits a tablet or standardhardback book)
- – medium is 7.5” wide by 9.5” tall (fits a standard book)
- – and small is 6” wide by 8” tall (fits a kindle)
Abbreviations used:
| · Ch(s)–chain(s) · St(s)–stitch(es) · FSC – foundation single crochet · YO – yarn over · Sc – single crochet · hdc – half double crochet · Dc – double crochet · Tc – treble crochet · FO – Fasten off · Sc2tog – single crochet 2 together · Sc3tog – single crochet 3 together · Tc2tog – treble crochet 2 together – Tc3tog – treble crochet 3 together – HHDC – herringbone half double crochet |
Other notes:
| · Written in US terms. · Ch stitches at the beginning do not count as a st unless otherwise stated. · Pattern is written for #4 weight. Where the stitch counts or instructions vary this is for the shorter length (longer length). · Where there are differences for size the pattern / stitch / row counts will be written as small (med / large) – Before you start decide how you would your colors to flow. For my large and medium sleeves I changed colors at the start of rows 3 and 5, for the small I changed colors at the start of every other row. · You will make the outside and then if you would like the lining that is made next. Note, the lining will reduce the inside space of the book sleeve by about ½” inch. · This book sleeve is make from side to side and is sewn together to be assembled. The top edging and button tab are completed last. |
The Book Sleeve Crochet Pattern:
** This is a free pattern on the blog. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**
For the outside of your book sleeve crochet pattern:
Row 1: FSC 31 (37/ 43) OR Ch 32 (38 / 44) , sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. (31 (37 / 43))
Row 2: Turn, Ch1, sc in first st, *hdc in next st, dc in next st, 3 tc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st. Rep from * to end. (41 (49 / 57) sts)
Row 3: Turn, ch1, sc2tog over 1st and 2nd st of the row, sc in next 2 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog over next 3 sts, sc in next 2 sts. Rep from * until you have 5 sts remaining. 3sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over last 2 sts. (41 (49 / 57) sts)
Row 4: Turn, Rep row 3.
Row 5: Turn, Ch4, sk the first st tc in next st (counts as a tc2tog), *dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, hdc in next st, dc in next st**, tc3tog over next 3 sts, Rep from * across ending the last repeat at ** At this point you will have 2 sts remaining. Tc2tog. (31 (37 / 43))
Row 6: Turn, ch1, sc in first and every st across (31 (37 / 43))
Row 7: Rep row 6.
Rows 8 – 36 (42 / 54): Rep rows 2-7 Note: you will end with row 6 for all sizes
FO and weave in ends.
For the lining panel:
Row 1: FSC 29 (35/ 41) OR Ch 30 (36 / 42) , sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. (29 (35 / 41))
Row 2: Turn, Ch1, HHDC in first st and each st across. (29 (35 / 41))
Rows 3 on: Rep row 2 until your lining panel is half an inch shorter than your front panel.
Leave a long tail for sewing and FO.
Assembly:
Step 1: Take your front panel and lay it flat right side facing you
(the photos below show you the right and wrong sides)
Step 2: Fold your panel in half.
Step 3: Sew or stitch the side and bottom of your panel together.
Step 4: Turn your panel so that the right sides are facing you. You may want to poke out the corners and edges a little so it lays nicely.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1-3 for the lining section. Do NOT turn your lining right side out.
Step 6: Insert your lining into the front panel, making sure that the open sides are both at the top and your seams are either together or at opposite sides
Step 7: Attach your yarn on one of the sides. Ch1, and HDC evenly around the top of your sleeve making sure to work into BOTH the front and back panels.
Note: I worked 45 (52 / 68) hdc around my versions – if you work too few it will reduce the size of the opening of your sleeve, too many and it will flare a little.
SS to join.
Step 8: Ch1, HDC in each st around. SS to join and FO.
Step 9: Lay your book sleeve flat and work out where the center 8 sts are.
Mark the first and last of these 8 sts with a stitch marker.
Making the Tabs:
Row 1: Attach yarn in the stitch marked with the first stitch marker. Ch1, HDC in same
st and each of the next 7 sts (8)
Row 2: Turn, Ch1 (does not count), hdc in same st and each of the next 7 sts (8)
Rows 3- 4 (6, 8): Rep row 2.
Row 5 (7, 9): Turn, Ch1, hdc in same st and next st, ch 4, sk 4 sts, hdc in last 2 sts.
(4 hdc, Ch4, 4 sk sts)
Row 6 (8, 10): Turn, CH1, hdc in first and second sts, 4hdc in ch4 sp, hdc in last 2 sts.
Row 7 (9, 11): Rep row 2.
Edging (optional) :
I finished off my book sleeves by working a sc into each st across the top of the tab, sc evenly down the sides of the tab and then a sc in each st around the top of the book sleeve.
FO and weave in ends.
Don’t forget to tag me in your book sleeve crochet pattern makes!!
Hello Spring Event
On 3rd March 2023 this pattern featured in the Hello Spring Event.
The fantastic bundle for this event is still available to purchase! You can get all of the patterns that are included in this event for one fantastic price – $14.99!
That works out at less than $0.49 per pattern.
This means that you dot have to worry about missing your favourite patterns and can start making your favourites now.
Just click the buy the bundle button below (there is no obligation to buy if you just want to check out the bundle).
