This one is for the book lovers and crochet enthusiasts! I’m beyond excited to introduce your next favorite crochet project – the oh-so-charming Cottage Book Sleeve! Picture this: a cozy sleeve lovingly crocheted to hold your favorite books in style. But why a book sleeve, you ask? Well, it’s the ultimate protector for your reads, shielding them from scratches, spills, and the wear and tear of everyday life. And let me tell you, this one is not just practical – it’s downright adorable! With its subtle texture, delicate scalloped edge, and a tiny bow to hold it snugly closed around your book, this sleeve is as cute as it is functional.

Get ready to add a touch of handmade charm to your reading adventures while keeping your cherished books safe and snug. Let’s dive in and create something truly special for our favorite book friends!

Looking for an ad free version? You can find the PDF version on Etsy or Ravelry!

Materials:

• Approximately 280 yards/256 meters of DK/light weight yarn for main body
• Approximately 5.5 yards/5 meters of DK/light weight yarn for scallop edge
• Approximately 4 yards/3.6 meters of DK/light weight yarn for tie
• US H/5 mm Hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry Needle 
• Measuring Tape 
• Scissors

Size:

Measurements are of finished piece, closed, with nothing inside: 9.5″ wide by 6.5″ tall.

Gauge:

Pattern Stitch – 20 sts by 17 rows = 4″X4″

Swatch Pattern:

Ch 26.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (25)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 8 times. (25)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO around chain and into sc below, dc BLO, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 7 times, hdc. (25)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 8 times. (25)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO 2, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 7 times, hdc. (25)

Rows 6-21: Repeat rows 4 and 5.

Gauge is important to your project so your finished piece will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The hook size for the pattern is based on what I used, but gauge can vary from person to person and be affected by yarn. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make 4”, try using a smaller size hook; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook. The pattern also provides measurements to obtain for a specific size. Using a combination of matching gauge and measuring, as closely as possible, should get you close to the desired size.

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

• BLO – back loop only
• ch(s) – chain(s)
• dc – double crochet
• dc2tog – double crochet two together, decrease
• FLO – front loop only
• FPdc – front post double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• RS – right side
• sc – single crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet two together, decrease
• sk – skip
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• WS – wrong side

Notes:

• Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
• Stitches between the [ ] brackets are to be worked the total number of times indicated.
• Worked flat and then seamed closed.
• Stitches with the number appearing first will all be worked into the same stitch. For example, 5dc would be 5 double crochet all worked in the same stitch. Whereas, dc 5 would be one double crochet worked into each of the next five stitches.

Cottage Book Sleeve

Front Piece

Ch 50.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (49)

**Be sure to work into the back bump of your chain because you will be working into your chain again for the Back Piece.

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 16 times. (49)

Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO 2, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 15 times, hdc. (49)

Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 16 times. (49)

Row 5 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO 2, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 15 times, hdc. (49)

**Piece should approximately 9.75″ wide. Add or remove stitches in multiples of 3 to meet this measurement.

Rows 6-25: Repeat rows 4 & 5.

**Piece should measure approximately 6″ tall. Add or remove rows to meet this measurement, ending on a row 5 repeat.

Fasten off.

Back Piece

Flip your front piece upside down and with WS facing you, attach yarn to first chain on the right.

Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, sc FLO, [ch 2, sk 2, sc FLO] 16 times. (49)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO 2, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 15 times, hdc. (49)

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 16 times. (49)

Row 4 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc, dc BLO 2, [FPdc, dc BLO 2] 15 times, hdc. (49)

Rows 5-28: Repeat rows 3 & 4.

**Piece should measure approximately 12.75″ tall. Add or remove rows to meet this measurement, ending on a row 4 repeat.

Row 29: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 13 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (45)

Row 30: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 13 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (43)

Row 31: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 11 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (39)

Row 32: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 11 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (37)

Row 33: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 9 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (33)

Row 34: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 9 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (31)

Row 35: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 7 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (27)

Row 36: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 7 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (25)

Row 37: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 5 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (21)

Row 38: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 5 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (19)

Row 39: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, [ch 2, sk 2, sc] 3 times, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (15)

Row 40: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, [dc BLO 2, FPdc] 3 times, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (13)

Row 41: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, ch 2, sk 2, sc, ch 2, sk 2, sc2tog, sc2tog. (9)

Row 42: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, dc BLO 2, FPdc, dc BLO 2, dc2tog. (7)

Row 43: Ch 1, turn, dc2tog, ch 1, sk 1, dc, ch 1, sk 1, dc2tog. (5)

Fasten off.

Assemble

Fold your book sleeve with right sides together and sew rows 2-25 of the front piece to rows 1-24 of the back piece to create the pocket, leaving rows 25-43 of the back piece to become the flap closure.

Flip right side out.

Edging

With right side facing you, attach your main color to row 25 of the back piece.

Row 1: Ch 1, place sc 25 evenly in the sides of rows until you reach the last row of the flap, ch 1, sc in each st and ch of row 43, ch 1, sc 25 evenly in the sides of rows, sl st to row 25. (57)

Fasten off.

With right side facing you, attach contrasting color yarn to 5th stitch of row 1.

Row 2 (Scallops): Ch 1, sk 1, 4dc, sk 1, sl st, [sk 1, 4dc, sk 1, sl st] 11 times. (12 scallops)

**Chains at the corners from Row 1 count as stitches.

Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Bow Tie

Ch 61.

Row 1: Sl st in to 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (60)

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

You can either sew your tie into place at about row 8 of the front piece. Sew down just the middle of the tie so that you can pull each end through each one of the chain spaces left from row 43 and then tie a bow to close.

OR

You can just pull the tie through one of the FPdc along the front so that you can adjust where your tie sits depending on the size of the book you are using. You can then pull each end through each one of the chain spaces left from row 43 and then tie a bow to close.

I would love to see your Cottage Book Sleeve if you make one! Feel free to tag me in your photos on Instagram, @woodland.stitchcraft

If a video tutorial is more your speed. Check out the FULL pattern tutorial on YouTube!