Granny Square Book Sleeve - Free Pattern

I am a big reader, I always have at least one book, normally 2 or 3, on the go at any one time. Usually, I read books on my Kindle. It's so light to hold, I can read in bed at night without needing a light on and it's super convenient for taking with me when I leave the house however over the last few months I have been picking up more and more physical books.

I love this for me as I have so many physical books on my bookcases that are just begging to be read. The only problem is that whenever I want to take my book out and about with me it ends up getting so beat up in my bag. I knew that I needed to make a special sleeve for it just like I did for my Kindle. I love my Daisy Delight Kindle Sleeve (You can find a the free pattern here) but I knew for this that I wanted to try something that was super easy but still looks really cute and could accomodate books of varying thicknesses.

Cue the super simple Granny Square Book Sleeve!

The beauty of using a granny square is that you can use any yarn and hook combo that you choose and simply work the square until it is large enough to accomodate your desired reading material. I made mine to fit standard UK paperbacks as this is what I tend to read most but you can absolutely make it larger to keep your favourite hardbacks cosy, or even make a slightly smaller version to hold a Kindle.

Whilst you can use any yarn you like along with a corresponsing crochet hook, I will be referring to the yarn, hook and measurements releveant to the book sleeve that I made. Simply use this as guidance when making your own.

Let's get to the pattern!

Before you begin:

You will need:

• 1 ball of Yarnsmiths Bizarre DK - I used approximately 52g per book sleeve in shades Splendiferous (brights) and Shennanigans (neutrals)

• A 4mm crochet hook

• Scissors

• Tapestry needle

• Button or toggle

• Try to have a book to hand for checking the sizing!

Stitch Abbreviations

(US Terms)

SC - single crochet

DC - double crochet

Cluster - granny stitch/ 3DC worked into the same space

Sp - space

Sl st - slip stitch

Ch - chain

Gauge:

Gauge is not especially important for this pattern as you will work to the measurement of your book or device using whichever yarn you choose. However, for reference after completing 3 rounds of my granny square it measured 7cm in width.

Pattern Notes:

• Ch3 at the start of a round does count as a stitch unless stated otherwise.

• Round 1 will be the right side (RS) of your work.

• You will turn your work at the end of each round.

• I did not change colour at all for my book sleeve but you could opt to change colour every round, have a contrast border etc whatever is most appealing to you.

• I am assuming some knowledge of crocheting a granny square, if you would like a more indepth tutorial for this you can find one here.

The Pattern:

Making the Granny Square

Make a magic circle (or you can chain 4 and sl st to join and create a circle)

Round 1 (RS):

Into the magic circle, ch2 (counts as a stitch here and throughout). Work 2 DC and ch1. Then work *3DC, ch1* repeating from *to* 2 more times. Sl st to top of ch2 to join.

Ch2 and turn.

Note: At the end of this round you will have 4 clusters of 3DC and 4 ch1 spaces. The ch1 spaces are your corner spaces.

Round 2 (WS):

Work 2 DC into the chain space at the base of the ch2.

[3DC, ch1, 3DC] into each of the next 3 ch1 corner spaces.

3DC into the final corner space (where you worked your initial ch2, 2DC) and ch1. Sl st to top of ch2 to join.

Ch2 and turn.

Round 3 (RS):

Ch2 and work 2 DC into the chain space at the base of the ch2. *3DC into the space between clusters from previous round and work [3DC, ch1, 3DC] into the corner space* Repeat from* to* 2 more times.

3DC into the space between the clusters from the previous round. 3DC into the final corner space and ch1. Sl st to top of ch2 to join.

Ch2 and turn.

Repeat round 3 until you have a total of 16 rounds, or however many rounds are required for you to be able to fold three corners together to meet across your book (see photo).

For my granny square to snuggly fit a standard paperback is measured approximately 41cm across diagonally from corner to corner.

Fasten off leaving a tail of about 30cm.

Joining

Once your granny square is the appropriate size for your chosen book or device, you will need to seam the three flaps together to join and create. the envelope style we are after (see photo).

The seam will be done with the RS of your work facing you.

Note: As we have been turning our work with each round there is technically no right or wrong side to

our granny square however I always count round 1 as the RS. I had 16 rounds for my granny

square, meaning that I ended on a WS round and need to turn my work before beginning the

seams.

Try to orientate your granny square so that one of your seams can be done with the tail you left when fastening off - it saves an extra end to weave in!

I simply seamed the two edges together by working through both loops of the stitch on one side and the corresponding stitch on the other. If you have a preferred seaming method then feel free to use that here.

You will need to attach yarn to seam along the second join, work this in the same direction as seam one to ensure a neat finish.

Fasten off.

Border

I like to add a simple SC border around the opening of the book sleeve to neaten the edges and add a little bit of extra strength.

With the RS facing you, attach your yarn to the centre point of the sleeve opening on what will be the inside (where you just completed the joins).

SC into each st around the opening. When you reach the ch1 corner space, work 2SC into the ch-sp and then continue around. Sl st to first SC to join and fasten off.

Fastening

Sew on your chosen button or toggle to the 'inside" of your book sleeve, ensuring that it is in a position where it can be reached by the top flap of your sleeve.

We have not intentionally created a buttonhole for our sleeve as the fastening will go through the ch1-sp of the remaining corner. It's a good idea to check that your chosen fastening will fit before you sew it on!

Weave in all of your ends and your Granny Square Book Sleeve is complete!

I really hope that you enjoyed making your very own Granny Square Book Sleeve! I think these would make great gifts for the book lovers in your life or even as quick makes for selling at markets or craft fayres! I'm always happy for you to sell items made with any of my patterns, I just ask that you direct people to the pattern should they ask ☺️

I'd love to see your versions so please do tag me in your posts on social media @Brambles.and.Hart and use the hashtags #BHFreePatternMakes #BramblesandHart

If you are not already following me on social media then what are you doing?! I'd love to see you over on Instagram @Brambles.and.Hart, and do subscribe to my YouTube Channel which is currently undergoing a little revival!

If you would like to support me further and help me to keep creating free patterns and tutorials to share with you then do consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi!

Happy crocheting!

Shelley ♡