If you’re anything like me: a certified yarn hoarder, bookworm, and lifelong admirer of whiskers; you’ll adore this cozy little project. This crochet book sleeve is more than just a crochet book cover; it’s a soft, comfy hideaway for your favorite reads, disguised as the pet you probably wish could sit on your lap while you read. Yep, we’re making a cat design crochet book sleeve that’s equal parts practical and adorable.
If you want to learn how to crochet a book sleeve that’s full of personality, then grab your hooks and let’s dive into this paws-itively fun project together. Because books deserve blankets too, and this one just so happens to purr.
Material – Crochet Cat Book Sleeve
- 68% Acrylic, 32% Nylon Yarn: I tried to find the yarn that matched mine as closely as possible, and this one seems like it will do the job. (200 gr, 183 m)
- Light pink worsted cotton yarn
- White super bulky yarn
- Black DK cotton yarn
- 7 mm, 5 mm and 4 mm crochet hooks
- 20 cm zipper
- Felt fabric and a white sewing thread
- Embroidery thread for the title of the little book
- Glue gun and some polyester fiber for stuffing
- Optional: Light Tablet and Heat Pen for embroidery
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Abbreviations
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
dtr: double treble crochet
inc: increase
dec: decrease
BLO: back loops only
R: row / round
Notes:
Every row ends with a ch 1 then turn. When working in rounds, we’ll be using the amigurumi technique, meaning we won’t join the rounds at the end.
Gauge for the main yarn and a 7mm hook: 10 cm x 10 cm : 12 hdc x 10 rows
The crochet book sleeve dimensions are: 35 cm long, 26 cm wide.
Full Crochet Tutorial – Crochet Book Sleeve
Crochet Book Sleeve Free Pattern
The Front of the Crochet Book Cover:
You need: the main yarn and the 7 mm crochet hook.
Chain 25, starting the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1: 24 hdc (24)
Row 2: 24 hdc in the 2 top loops of the previous hdc (24)
R3: 24 hdc going through the 2 front loops of the previous hdc (watch the tutorial for visual support) (24)
Alternate between repeating rows 2 and 3 until you reach row 21. This will create a defined right and wrong side for your front panel. The right side will have a smooth, flat surface without any loops protruding, while the wrong side will show the characteristic front loops of Hdc. If you need further guidance, refer back to the tutorial for more details.
R22: 2 hdc, cut the yarn, skip the 20 middle stitches and join the yarn back in the 3rd stitches before the end of the row, then make in the next two stitches: 2 hdc.
R23: 2 hdc, ch 20, 2 hdc in the 1st hdc of row 22.
The opening we made will be for the zipper.
R24: 24 hdc (making a sc in each of the previous ch 20) (24)
R25 to 27: 24 hdc (24)
R28: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 10 sc, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc (24)
R29: 1 sc, (1 hdc, 1 dc) in the next stitch, (1 dc, 1 tr) in the next stitch, 1 dtr, (1 tr, 1 dc) in the next stitch, (1 dc, 1 hdc) in the next stitch, 1 sc, 10 sc, 1 sc, (1 hdc, 1 dc) in the next stitch, (1 dc, 1 tr) in the next stitch, 1 dtr, (1 tr, 1 dc) in the next stitch, (1 dc, 1 hdc) in the next stitch, 1 sc.
Now we’ll work around the edges to smooth everything out for our crochet book cover. Start with 28 sc along the first side of the panel. When you reach the last stitch of row 1, make a sc increase, followed by 22 sc, then another sc increase. Continue with 28 sc on the other side. At the top, we’ll form the cat’s ears: 5 sc, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) in the next stitch, 20 sc, (1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 sc) in the next stitch, 5 sc. Don’t cut the yarn yet — we’ll use it to sew the front and back panels together. Be sure to make the back panel first.
The Back Panel -Crochet Book Sleeve
Chain 25, starting the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1: 24 hdc (24)
Row 2: 24 hdc in the 2 top loops of the previous hdc (24)
R3: 24 hdc going through the 2 front loops of the previous hdc (24)
Alternate between repeating rows 2 and 3 until you reach row 27.
R28: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 10 sc, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc (24)
R29: 1 sc, (1 hdc, 1 dc), (1 dc, 1 tr), 1 dtr, (1 tr, 1 dc), (1 dc, 1 hdc), 1 sc, 10 sc, 1 sc, (1 hdc, 1 dc), (1 dc, 1 tr), 1 dtr, (1 tr, 1 dc), (1 dc, 1 hdc), 1 sc.
Work the edges the same way you did with the front panel of the Crochet Book Sleeve. Cut the yarn at the end, and weave in the ends.
Sew the zipper
For the zipper, sew it to the wrong side of the front panel of our crochet book cover, in the space reserved for it.
Sew the front and back panels together
Place the front panel on top of the back panel of the Crochet Book Sleeve, aligning them with wrong sides facing each other. Join them by working sc around, going through the stitches of both panels at the same time to sew them together.
The hands
Chain 6, starting the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1 to 8: 5 sc (5)
At the end of row 8, ch 4, then starting the 2nd loop frop the hook:
Row 9: 8 sc (8)
R10 to 12: 5 sc (5)
R13: sc dec, 1 sc , sc dec (3)
R14: sc decrease of 3 stitches (1)
Make two panels for each hand. For one panel, cut the yarn after row 14 and weave in the ends. For the other panel (the top of the hand), don’t cut the yarn. Just like with the main part, join the panels by working sc around the edges, stitching through both layers at the same time. Note: start the edging on the left side for the left hand, and on the right side for the right hand. Once finished, cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Repeat the process for the second hand.
Right hand: sc along the side up to the thumb, 2 sc on the thumb, then (3 sc in the next stitch). On the bottom of the thumb, work (2 sc in the next stitch), followed by 2 sc. Continue working sc around, making an increase at both corners of the bottom of the hand.
For the left hand, follow the same steps but in reverse (watch the tutorial to see me making the edges for the left hand).
The Feet
Make a magic circle.
Round 1: 6 sc (6)
Round 2: sc inc x 6 (12)
R3: (1 sc, sc inc) x 6 (24)
R4: (2 sc, sc inc) x 6 (30)
R5: 3 sc, 1 hdc, hdc inc, 3 hdc, (3 dc in the next stitch), 1 sc, (3 dc in the next stitch), 1 sc, (3 dc in the next stitch), 1 sc, (3 dc in the next stitch), 3 hdc, hdc inc, 1 hdc, 4 sc (34)
R6: 34 sc blo (34)
Cut the yarn and leave a tail for sewing/ Make 2 feet this way.
Sew the hands and feet
Sew the bottom edges of the hands to the sides of the front panel of the crochet book cover, ensuring they are positioned to face each other. Only stitch along the edges, leaving the rest of the hands unattached to the panel. This will allow the hands to remain loose, making space for a book to slide into the sleeve. (Refer to the pictures below for guidance.)
For the feet, sew them onto the bottom of the front panel and lightly stuff them with polyester fiber for added dimension. Cut 8 small circles and 2 larger shapes from white felt to create the cat’s paw pads, then sew them onto both feet.
Take this opportunity to cut triangular pieces for the cat’s ears and a small piece for its nose, all from white felt fabric. Sew each piece in place. Then, use black cotton yarn to embroider the details of the cat’s face.
The book cover – Crochet Cat Book Sleeve
You need: the light pink yarn and the 4 mm hook.
Chain 25, starting the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1 to 37: 24 sc (24)
Ch 1, then sl st around the edges. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
The resulting rectangle measures 17.7 cm by 10.8 cm.
The pages – Crochet Cat Book Sleeve
You need: the white yarn and the 5 mm hook.
Chain 12, starting the 2nd loop from the hook:
Row 1 to 12: 11 hdc (11)
Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
The resulting rectangle measures 8.8 cm by 9.9 cm.
Fold the book cover in half, place the pages inside, and glue them together to seal it shut.
Add a title to your book – Crochet Cat Book Sleeve
This part’s totally optional, but oh-so-fun if you’re in the mood to give your little book a proper title. Just type out your chosen name in any text app (make sure it fits your book’s size!), print it out, and get ready to work a little lettering charm.
Place the paper over your felt and, using a light tablet or window trick, trace the title onto the fabric with a heat-sensitive pen. Now, bring it to life with some embroidery thread, nice and slow, stitch by stitch. Once you’re done, snip it out neatly and glue (or sew) it onto your crochet book cover like the final touch on a masterpiece.
And as for any leftover pen marks? A quick wave of gentle heat and — poof! — they vanish like they were never there.
Final Step – Crochet Cat Book Sleeve
Using a piece of worsted white yarn, stitch small lines to create the cat’s claws. At the same time, sew the book onto the tips of both hands, making sure to attach it only at the tips. This way, when you slide a book into the sleeve, the hands will have enough room to stretch, allowing the book to fit inside.
With this we have finished our cute crochet book sleeve cat design. If you have any difficulty with the written pattern, the video tutorial is here to help! Don’t hesitate to refer back to it anytime you need it.
If you liked this crochet book sleeve free pattern, be sure to save my website for more creative and fun designs coming soon! In the meantime, check out my other patterns, and find inspiration for your next crochet project. There’s always something new to explore!
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Looking forward to seeing your creations! Happy crocheting until we meet again!
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