How to Crochet Stylish Book Covers

This is an extremely easy project for everyone and allows you to show off your favorite pattern or stitch. Beginners can get a lot of practice making stitches, and the more advanced can get really creative. It's a good chance to test out your filet or cross stitch pattern, or use your favorite open work and stitches. Then you can add embellishments; buttons, beads, lace, ribbon, tassels to mark your page, a strap for holding your book closed, a shoulder strap for easy luggage of your favorite book or journal. There are nearly limitless possibilities here. I imagine you could even make standard book sizes and sell them.

All you really need to do is measure your book's length from front cover around to the back with the book closed, or from the bottom to the top, and add about a quarter of an inch. Chain to match your measurement and crochet a block of your chosen stitch or pattern to fit the entire outside cover. Then you'll want to make two more smaller blocks for the insides, from one half to three quarters the width of the cover page. The bigger you can make the insides the snugger the fit; so that when you open your book to use it the outside stays flush with the cover. Then you can stitch them together with evenly spaced single crochet, slip stitch, or whip stitch... whichever you prefer. You could even try a sequence of buttons or tie's for easy access, and if your crafty enough you could use them to make it adjustable for thicker books. Slip it on and you've got an easy, stylish, one-of-a-kind book cover.

Here are instructions for the pattern I used on the book in the photograph:

Materials used: Sage colered Simply Soft worsted weight yarn and a size G hook.

To Work: Chain seven plus multiples of five to desired length. [Foundation Chain]

Row One: One single crochet in second chain from hook, and next two chains [three sc made] * Chain three, treble crochet in third chain from hook, chain three, single crochet in third chain from hook, and next four chain spaces [five sc made]. Repeat from * across to last three chain spaces. One single crochet in last three spaces. Chain one and turn.

Row Two: One single crochet in second chain from hook and next [two sc made]. * Chain three, single crochet in fourth chain from hook and next two [three sc made]. Repeat from * across to last two. One single crochet in last two. Chain six and turn.

Row Three: One single crochet in fourth stitch from hook and the next four [five sc made]. * Chain three, one treble crochet in fourth chain from hook, chain three, single crochet in fourth stitch from hook and next four [five sc made]. Repeat from * across, ending with one treble in last stitch of the row. Chain one and turn.

Row Four: One single crochet in second chain from hook and next [two sc made]. * Chain three, single crochet in fourth chain from hook and next two [three sc made]. Repeat from * across to last two. One single crochet in last two. Chain one and turn.

Row Five: One single crochet in first three * Chain three, treble crochet in third chain from hook, chain three, single crochet in third chain from hook, and next four chain spaces [five sc made]. Repeat from * across to last three. One single crochet in last three spaces. Chain one and turn.

Row Six: One single crochet in second chain from hook and next [two sc made]. * Chain three, single crochet in fourth chain from hook and next two [three sc made]. Repeat from * across to last two. One single crochet in last two. Chain six and turn.

Row Seven: One single crochet in fourth stitch from hook and the next four [five sc made]. * Chain three, one treble crochet in fourth chain from hook, chain three, single crochet in fourth stitch from hook and next four [five sc made]. Repeat from * across, ending with one treble in last stitch of the row. Chain one and turn.

Repeat rows four to seven to desired length ending with a row four or six for best look.