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When I recently read a book, I realized that when you read certain books in public, you get starred at. I did not experience that, but I saw others having that issue. And of course, that’s why we have a book cover.
But I did not like the book covers on the market. So, I decided to make my own, but having another purpose in mind also.
I wanted the book cover to have a multipurpose function. This cover needed to be sturdy enough to also be used as a storage box for photos, crochet hooks, etc.
So I needed a crochet stitch that would allow me to do that. Therefore, I used the Thermo Stitch (aka Double Thick crochet stitch) which is traditional used for pot holders, or even blankets.
Because of the thickness of the stitch it was perfect for this crochet pattern. In addition, when using cotton yarn you can stiffen it up if you want to use it for storage rather than just a book cover.
And doesn’t it look perfect for as a bible cover?
I love this idea and am so excited to provide you this pattern for free that includes many photos and a video tutorial for the stitch. So lets get started.
You will need:
- Knit Picks Dishie yarn in colors: swan (1 skein), coffee (1 skein), and blue (1.5 skeins); this is 100% soft cotton, but feel free to use any other 100% cotton worsted weighted yarn
- 4.0mm hook
- scissors
- yarn needle
Stitches used:
- single crochet in the thermo stitch
Gauge:
5 sc as thermo stitch X 4 rows = 1 square inch
Final size:
- it fits books about 7 inches in height x 4 3/4 inches in width x 1 3/4 inches in thickness
- book cover closed: 8 1/2 inches in height x 6 inches in width x 2 3/4 inches in thickness
- book cover open: 8 1/2 inches in height x 12 inches in width x 1 1/2 inches in thickness
The size of the book cover can be adjusted to any size you need or prefer to fit any book or storage space needed.
Instructions:
Lets start with teaching how to crochet the thermo stitch (general tutorial). Be sure to watch the video below for a very clear explanation on how this stitch is made, if you don’t understand the explanation and pictures below.
1. Make a chain in the length needed and crochet 1 row of single crochet (in the back hum of the chains!), chain 1
2. Tilt the piece to the side, now insert the hook into the back loop and the parallel loop from the chain row, now do a traditional single crochet; repeat this for every stitch, chain 1 turn
3. Again insert the hook thru the back loop and this time the leftover loop (it was the front loop we ignored in the previous row) which is parallel to the back loop, crochet a traditional single crochet, chain 1
4. Repeat step 3 as long as needed
5. To finish the piece, so to crochet the very last row, insert the hook thru both loops and the parallel loop (from the previous row) so that you are going through 3 loops instead of 2 and crochet a traditional single crochet, sl st and fasten off and weave in the ends as needed
After finishing the last row, it should look like this:
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Book Cover Instructions:
Blue Cover:
1. using the blue yarn, make a chain of 36 (this can be extended for wider books), crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for rows 2-78 crochet the thermo stitch (this can be extended for larger thicker and wider books)
3. for row 79 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Book pages:
So there are 4 shorter pieces (PIECE A) for the side of the book cover, 2 larger pieces (PIECE B) for the side of the book cover and 1 middle piece (PIECE C) for the inside part (resembling the part where the book pages are glues in a normal book) which are all made with the swan yarn to resemble book pages.
Piece A
1. make a chain of 21 (this can be extended for wider books), crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for rows 2-6 crochet the thermo stitch (this can be extended longer thicker books, but remember that this is half the thickness of the book per piece)
3. for row 7 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Piece B
1. make a chain of 32 (this can be extended for larger books in height), crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for rows 2-6 crochet the thermo stitch (this can be extended longer thicker books, but remember that this is half the thickness of the book per piece)
3. for row 7 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Piece C
1. make a chain of 32 (this can be extended for larger books), crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for rows 2-14 crochet the thermo stitch (this can be extended longer thicker books)
3. for row 15 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Book Cover Closure
The closure consists of the flap and the latch where the flap goes through which are both made with the coffee yarn.
Flap
1. make a chain of 5, crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for rows 2-22 crochet the thermo stitch
3. for row 23 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Latch
1. make a chain of 11, crochet 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the rest of the chains (be sure to go in the back hump of the chains), chain 1 and turn
2. for row 2 crochet the thermo stitch
3. for row 3 (or the last row) crochet the thermo stitch as mentioned in the instructions above (step 5 of the stitch instructions)
Sewing it all together
1. To add the piece C onto the blue cover, position the piece C so it is right in the middle. To sew it onto the blue piece such that it can creates this opening as seen in the picture below, sew it onto the row that is one over in each direction. So if you count 17 rows of the rows visible (not counting the rows on the back), then sew piece C to row 16 from either side. This will make the blue part behind rounded just like a book is.
2. To make the book pages, sew 1 piece A to either side of piece B as seen on the picture below. Then position it on one side of the book cover and sew it in place such that you see a small overhang of the blue cover (like a normal book has). Also sew the piece A onto piece C (the smaller side) that when you close the book cover it is all connected. Repeat these instructions for the other side as well.
3. To sew the flap and the latch onto the book, position the latch vertically and sew it onto the front of the book cover where you would like it to be. I have it exactly in the middle about 1 inch from the edge of the book cover. Then I sewed the flap onto the back of the book.
Now you are done sewing on over part of the book cover. Be sure to weave in all the ends. And if you use this book cover as a storage box, I would recommend using liquid starch to stiffen the book cover so it is sturdier and and less soft.
I hope you enjoy using this book just as much as I do.
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