My man needed a sleeve for his new 11 inch netbook.
After searching the net for a pattern, I came to the conclusion that there really isn’t much of a pattern to making a laptop sleeve, so I tried my hand at making one free hand. Of everything I’ve ever crocheted, this is one of the easiest things I’ve ever made! 🙂
Yarn: Your choice. The thicker the better. If your yarn is thin, consider using two or three strands together. The thicker the yarn, the more padded (and protected) your beloved technology will be.
Hook: The right size for the yarn you’re using. I used 5mm hook (US 8/H, UK 6).
Tension: Firm/tight. The tighter you can make you tension, the firmer/thicker your sleeve will be, creating more protection for your item.
Stitches Required:
- Chain stitch
For a video tutorial…click here. - US Single Crochet (also called UK Double Crochet)
What is this stitch and how do I do it?…. click here. - Slip Stitch
Tutorial here if you need it.
Row 1: Chain stitch until your row is as long as the short side of the laptop.
This will become the bottom (closed end) of your sleeve.
My man didn’t want buttons/tabs etc to secure the laptop inside. He just wanted the sleeve to fit very snug, like a sock. So my chain row was as long as the short side of the laptop ONLY when I stretched it firmly.
Row 2: 1 Single crochet (sc) in second chain from hook, 1 sc in each stitch across, 2sc in last stitch.
DO NOT turn your work. You want to stay looking at the FRONT of your work. Need help knowing which is the front?… click here
Row 3: (working around the corner and into the bottom side of the starting chain row) 2sc in first stitch, 1sc in each stitch across, 2sc in last stitch. (doing 2sc in one stitch at the ends is increasing the size of your sleeve – to fit over batteries etc. Only increase at the ends, and only until the sleeve reaches the desired fit around the end of your laptop/phone. Then STOP INCREASING! 🙂
Row 4-ish to last row: 1 sc in each stitch around. simple. 🙂
Note: Before you go crazy and do lots of rows, make sure it fits the item how you want it to. Keep checking the fit every few rows.
Last Row: When your sleeve is the desired length and fit, slip stitch 2 to 5 stitches so that the last few stitches blend in. Then fasten off and weave in the loose ends. (Here’s a tutorial for that too.)
Note: I had a big battery to work around, so I decreased once at each end in the second last row. This is optional, just play around until you’re happy.
If you’re wondering how the snug fit turned out…it’s great! The laptop WILL NOT fall out, but still comes out fairly easy when pulled. I was amazed that although the yarn itself did not have any stretch in it, by doing the stitches tight, it seemed to allow for a little bit of stretch in the finished product. And the best part – my man loves it – it’s exactly what he wanted. 🙂
I have also made one of these for a friends iPhone. It took me about 2 hours. For that I used 3 strands together of my local (unlabeled) acrylic yarn, with a 6/0 hook.
Edit: I have made lots of iPhone sleeves since this post…see some photos here.
This same pattern could also be followed to make an iPod, iPad, iTouch, Kindle, camera, mobile or cell phone sleeve. You could even make one of these moleskine notebook sleeves. You could use your favorite coloured yarn or alternate row colors to make stripes….the possibilities are endless.
If you wanted to make a laptop envelope, you would make your first row as long as the LONG edge of your laptop, and the rest would be the same. Easy peasy! 🙂
Happy Crocheting. 🙂
Roses n Lilies 
I just made a cover for my Kindle. Did a similar measurement system and it came out just great, much to my surprise! I was sure it would would be a mess and I’d have to ripit. I’m so happy with it I am now going to make a cover for my IPad, but instead of crocheting it I think I am going to knit it. But, I have a question. Do you think I can knit it in the round? I want the opening to be at the at the bottom so that I can keep it on my dock, and keep it covered? Do you think this could work?
Love you work!
Hi ya,
Happy to hear your Kindle cover turned out great! 🙂
As for knitting one….that’s really not my field of expertise. You could probably try the forums at Ravelry or Craftster for someone who’s experienced with knitting. 🙂 Sorry I can’t be of more help.
You can definitely knit it in the round and then just bind one end closed. I’m not sure how loose/snug you’d want the cover to be to make slipping it on/off a breeze.
So excited to try this! I made a felted laptop case a few years back (and then had to get a new laptop which was, of course, a totally different size) but what a great idea to crochet it — this will go much faster!
Now, what kind of stylish yarn does my little Netbook need… 🙂
Out of all the covers out there, this looks like the simplest and one of the best. No wonder your man loved it. Going to survey my stash now to decide what colours to use!
I have only one question – I’m not sure what you mean by the instruction for the last row: ‘slip stitch a 3 to 5 stitches so that the last few stitches blend in.’ What do you mean, ‘slip stitch a 3 to 5 stiches’? Is there a typo in here?
thanks!
-Kristina
Glad you like the pattern! And yes, that is a typo – thanks for pointing it out to me. I’ll fix it up now. 🙂 All the best with your new crochet project!
I’m making this laptop sleeve as my first every crochet project. I’m about 25% done and its turning out great so far. Its really helping me learn the technique. Thanks for the great pattern idea.
Hello!
Im looking forward to making this sleeve for my own laptop…however I am slightly confused on the first part of the pattern. the pattern says that the first row will be the closed end of the sleeve…not sure how you did this since most of my experience with similar projects has been to make the complete work and then fold and sow the edges together…did you work in a circle around the beginning chain?
Yes, you’re exactly right. This is made in a circle or spiral, beginning with working around the top, and then the bottom of your beginning chain row. 🙂
I am very new to crochet. I still dont understand how to close in the start/bottom end. I feel silly but i really dont get it. Do i join somewhere?
That’s ok.
Think of it like your making a kind of sock.
With your hook and yarn in your hands, try the following edited version of the pattern, and I think you’ll see what’s happening. 🙂 Super important is: Do not turn your work!!! e.g. You must keep looking at the front of the stitches the whole way through the pattern – don’t be looking at the back! 😉
Ok, so, try this…
Row 1: Chain stitch 11 stitches
(These stiches are worked from left to right. This will become the bottom/closed end of your sleeve.)
Row 2: (You are now working right to left. Remember not to turn your work over to the back side.)
1 Single crochet (sc) in second chain from hook, then 1 sc in each stitch across, 2sc in last stitch.
Row 3: (You will now work around the corner and into the bottom/under side of the starting chain row, – still working right to left – and we haven’t turned the work over to the back side, so we’re still looking at same side we started on)
2sc in first stitch, 1sc in each stitch across, 2sc in last stitch.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Regards
Neesha
thank you! its turning out great 🙂 love learning new techniques
Love the pattern! Going to make one for mine, tho I think I’m going to go with the envelope style, and attempt to make a flap to complete the ‘evelope-ness’ of it. Then add some funky style buttons or something for a closure. Or maybe chain loops and use a toggle button… hmmmm…. Either way, thanks for giving me the start! 😀
I made one for my iPhone, but kept it loose enough to easily shake out my phone when it rings. I carry mine in a purse 90% of the time. To keep my phone from slipping out accidentally, I crocheted a simple chain stitch loop to one of the top edges and sewed on an attractive 1″ button with a hasp on the opposite. Match the length of the loop to the size of the button [or vice versa] so it will hold the cozy shut, but still be easy to slip the loop over the button.
‘thanks for the pattern, Neesha
Whoopsie… wish I could edit my previous post… I didn’t make it clear that the button needs to be sewn to the side of the cozy opposite the side with the loop. You don’t want the button on the top, only on the top of the side… about an inch or so down.
This is a perfect way to show off a special button with a shank/hasp.
Thanks so much for this pattern! I found yours first and then I went looking at several other computer/ipod/iphone case patterns, and I came running back to this one =). It’s so simple and versatile, and as a new crocheter, it’s perfect for me! I’ve already made an ipod cover for my mom, an iphone cover for myself (although I want to make another one because mine has a flap closure that I got from another pattern), and now I’m starting a computer cover for my husband. I love that you improvised it, too- the more I learn about stitches, the more I find myself altering patterns, and some day, I’ll be able to go free style, too! thanks again-
That’s awesome that my pattern has inspired you! All the best with your future creations! 🙂
I love the iPhone covers! Two of my grandkids have iphones and I know they’d love the covers. But since I don’t own one,how do I know what size to make them? Can anyone help me?
Margaret
The best way to get a perfect fit is to have the same kind of phone available to as you make your sleeve. If you are an experienced crocheter, this pattern really doesnt take long to make for a phone, maybe an hour or two. So one idea is, if a friend has the same model as your grandkids, you could have a cup of tea at their place one afternoon, and use their phone to get your dimensions right. Another idea might be to make a model of the phone (maybe out of styrofoam, cardboard glued into a thick block, timber etc), cut to the exact dimensions of the phone type your making it for, and then use that as your ‘model’ to make your sleeve off.
For your reference…
iPhone 4/4S looks like this (current model)
It’s dimensions are:
Height: 115.2 mm (4.54 in)
Width 58.66 mm (2.309 in)
Depth 9.3 mm (0.37 in)
The older iPhone 3GS looks like this
It’s dimensions are:
Height: 115.5 mm (4.55 in)
Width: 62.1 mm (2.44 in)
Depth: 12.3 mm (0.48 in)
Hope that helps. 🙂
Thank you Neesha,for replying so quickly. I will have to ask around,maybe one of my friends kids or grandkids have iphones. Since you gave me the measurements, I at least have a starting point. I live in a different state from my grandkids,and although I buy stuff for them, (9 altogether),I like to add a little extra personal touch. They always ask for hats,but I’d like the idea of something not as ordinary.
Thanks for your free pattern. I’ve been wanting to make something like this and will definitely be giving this a try soon! Looks GREAT!! 🙂
Hey! Great tutorial!
I want to make one with a chunkier stitch, a half double treble I think it’s called, but am unsure how to begin with this… Do I do the first chain stich, and then spiral around it with the chunky stitch? Or do i need to first do more chain stitch rows?
Hi Amanda,
You will definately need to work Row 1 exactly as per my pattern. So, Row 1 = “Chain stitch until your row is as long as the short side of the laptop.” Then you could try (starting with Row 2) doing the chunkier stitch and see how it goes. You may still need to increase a stitch or two at the ends of your work on those early rows (as in the pattern), but otherwise it should work out fine! 🙂
Basically just replace where I have said ‘single crochet’ with your alternate stitch.
All the best with it! 🙂
Neesha.
I love it! Thanks for posting this. I just finished making one with plarn. It was hard to get the stitches tight using plarn, so mine has a basket weave look to it. Next time, I will use regular yarn with super tight stitches.
Thank you the pattern.. i never knew that making a phone case is very easy.. thanks again..
Thank you for your very helpful description! I decided to make my mum an iPad case for mother’s day (we celebrated that yesterday since we were both busy on the 13th) and your instructions were easy to follow and the tutorials helped as well. I had been looking at different patterns available and none of them made sense to me since I’m still relatively new.
Anyway, I also did colour changes for the first time. I wanted it to have a button and a pull on it so I improvised with those. The button is just sort of a maniac fastening and the pull is my two yarns on one hook, just chains. Here is an album of it http://imgur.com/a/WvtLb#0 Thank you again!
Just made one for my MY touch phone.It will be so nice to put it in my bag not worry about scratches! Now to make a few for friends. This was fun!!
Hi! Thank you so much for posting this pattern – I just began to crochet, and it was so easy and fun to do. I posted about it on my blog. If you’d like, take a peek!
http://createdtodesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-beanie-before-and-after.html
-Zach
I’m a little late to the conversation, but thanks for this pattern and your great instructions! I’m a new crocheter and made this last night- in a few hours – for my kindle! Turned out better than anything else I’ve tried:). I look forward to seeing what other patterns I can try.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the great easy pattern! Made it in “TARDIS” blue For my new ipad. The front is decorated like the TARDIS. The back, I added a Star Trek emblem– will try to post a pic on ravelry.com.
Thank you for the pattern! Mine turned out great. http://haekelmonster.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/nexus-sleeve/
I find that my Samsung tablet and my cell phone always came out with a yarn pattern on the screen when pulling out of sleeve, So I sawed in a microfiber cloth inside and it keeps the screen nice and clean. :-)Thank you for the pattern I love it!