Keep your favourite reads safe and stylish with my easy crochet book cover. Inspired by classic tartan fabric, the Lennox Book Cover makes a thoughtful unisex present for any book lover — and it’s perfect for using up small amounts of yarn from your stash.
The pattern is beginner-friendly, worked flat in single crochet with surface slip stitches to create the vertical lines, and it comes together quickly — ideal for last-minute makes.
Whether you’re crocheting for yourself or creating something special for someone else, this relaxing project combines colour, texture and function in one. It’s easy to customise for any size book, tablet or e-reader!
If you love books as much as crochet, take a look at my fiction book reviews for your next great read.
The full free pattern is shared below, so you can start crocheting right away. If you’d like a convenient, ad-free PDF to print or store offline, you can find the Lennox Book Cover pattern in my Etsy, Ravelry, and LoveCrafts shops.
Jump to: Measurements | Materials | Free Crochet Pattern
Skill Level
Beginner Friendly
Measurements
The Lennox pouch measures approx. 6” (w) x 9” (h)
This will fit mass market paperbacks (5” x 7”) and trade paperbacks (6” x 9”).
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Materials
- DK #3 Weight Yarn: Yarn A (variegated) 86 yards / 78 meters; Yarn B (solid colour) 48 yards / 44 meters
- 4mm Crochet Hook (I use Clover Amour)
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle
- Optional toggle or button for closure
Yarn Choices
I’ve used Yarnsmiths yarn from my stash for both yarns – Yarn A is Lagoon DK in Laguna Colorada and Yarn B, Create DK in Dark Turquoise.
Both yarns can be washed at 30 degrees, ironed on low and tumble dried on low. Not sure I would tumble dry (easy to dry your sleeve naturally) and you shouldn’t need to iron your book cover.
These two yarns are lovely to work with and give great stitch definition. Be aware that if you need to unpick (frog), the Lagoon DK did sometimes catch for me.
You can substitute any DK yarn that meets gauge – you might have the small amounts of yarn needed in your stash already!
I would recommend a variegated yarn for A and solid colour for B but having said that, you could use different colours for Yarn A whilst still keeping the same solid colour for B. It is easier with variegated yarn – you’ll have more ends to sew in if you use different colours for each row or couple of rows.
Yarn substitutions that match ply, gauge and fibre content include:
Lagoon DK
Create DK
- King Cole Bounty DK
- James C Brett Baby DK
- Stylecraft Special DK
Gauge
With a 4mm hook
19 single crochet stitches and 22 rows = 4” x 4”
Stitches and Abbreviations
You will need to know how to work these stitches:
- Single crochet (sc)
- Slip stitch (sl st)
This pattern includes the following common abbreviations:
- Chain/s (ch/s)
- Repeat (rep)
- Right Side (RS)
- Skip (sk)
- Space/s (sp/s)
- Wrong Side (WS)
How to Crochet the Lennox Book Sleeve
Worked flat in a rectangle using single crochet in turned rows, this cover is assembled by seaming one side and the bottom.
An optional closure can be added by rejoining the yarn at the centre back, chaining, and securing the loop to the same stitch where the yarn was rejoined. This pattern uses a toggle, but you can easily substitute a button.
Two colours are used — Yarn A and Yarn B — in a stripe sequence of 6 rows of Yarn A followed by 2 rows of Yarn B. Yarn B forms the horizontal lines and is also used for the surface slip stitch that creates the vertical lines.
The plaid effect is achieved by chaining one and skipping one stitch in sequence. Once the rectangle is complete, the chain spaces are used to work the surface slip stitches.
The image below shows the finished rectangle before adding the vertical lines with surface slip stitch.
The next image shows how your rectangle will look once the surface slip stitches have been worked.
How to Surface Slip Stitch
You can add surface slip stitches to all kinds of projects — they’re perfect for adding detail or even joining squares, and they’re easy to do!
- Hold your yarn at the back of your work.
- Insert your hook through the crochet fabric at the first chain space, catch the yarn from the back, and pull up a loop (one loop on hook).
- Insert your hook into the next chain space, catch the yarn again, and pull through both the fabric and the loop on your hook.
One surface slip stitch made.
Tip: Keep your tension relaxed. If you pull the yarn too tightly, the fabric may bunch or distort.
For other types of crochet fabric, simply substitute “chain space” for the area where you’d like to add the stitch.
If you’re not sure, the image below will help you.
Customise the Size of your Book Cover
Using this tartan/plaid stitch pattern, you can easily customise your sleeve to fit any size.
- To make your cover wider: add stitches to the foundation chain in multiples of 8.
- To make it longer: add rows in multiples of 8 (6 rows of Yarn A and 2 rows of Yarn B), ending with a Yarn B section.
- To make your cover smaller (for example, a phone cover): work fewer stitches in the foundation chain, also in multiples of 8.
- To shorten the length: work fewer rows in multiples of 8.
You may find the size guide below helpful in working out the size you need.
Crochet Cover Size Guide
| Size | Fits | Book / Device Dimensions | Recommended Crochet Sleeve Dimensions |
| Small | Mass Market Paperback | 5″ × 7″ (13 × 18 cm) | 5.5″ wide × 8″ tall (14 × 20.5 cm) |
| Medium | Trade Paperback | 6″ × 9″ (15 × 23 cm) | 6.5″ wide × 10″ tall (16.5 × 25.5 cm) |
| Large | Hardcover / Journal | 7″ × 10″ (18 × 25 cm) | 7.5″ wide × 11″ tall (19 × 28 cm) |
| E-Reader Sleeve | Kindle, Kobo | 4.6″ × 6.3″ (11.7 × 16 cm) | 5.25″ wide × 7″ tall (13.5 × 18 cm) |
| Small Tablet Sleeve | iPad Mini, Samsung Tab A7 Lite | 5.3″ × 7.9″ (13.5 × 20 cm) | 6″ wide × 8.75″ tall (15 × 22 cm) |
| Medium Tablet Sleeve | iPad (9th / 10th Gen), Galaxy Tab S6 Lite | 7″ × 9.8″ (17.8 × 25 cm) | 7.5″ wide × 10.5″ tall (19 × 27 cm) |
My Pattern Notes
- Pattern is written in English using US crochet terms.
- Chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
- Stitch repeats are written between * for example: *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next 5 ch; * this sequence of stitches between the asterisks are worked across the row.
- Do not fasten off yarn for colour changes when working the rectangle – float yarn up the side making sure it’s not pulled too tightly when working the next row.
- Weave in ends as you go.
I’m participating in the fourth annual Giftstravaganza Blog Hop with Underground Crafter. Come join the fun! Dozens of bloggers have teamed up to bring you 30 days of free crochet patterns for handmade holiday gift ideas made with 1, 2, or 3 skeins of yarn! Each pattern is forever free on a blog but you can also grab the PDF version of the daily featured pattern free for 24 hours! Each week will have a theme.
Week 1 (November 1-7): Gifts for Home
Week 2 (November 8-14): Gifts for Women
Week 3 (November 15-21): Gifts for Babies, Kids, and Teens
Week 4 (November 22-28): Gifts for Anyone
Week 5 (November 29-December 3): Last-Minute Gifts
How To Join the 2025 Giftstravaganza Blog Hop
- You can join in by crocheting the projects as you have time.
- Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #giftstravaganzacal on all social media.
- If you’d like to chat with other crafters, join the Underground Crafters Facebook group
- By the end of the blog hop, you’ll have up to 30 awesome gifts for the handmade holiday season while having fun with us!
Download the free PDF of the Lennox Book Cover on 27th November 2025 for 24 hours by clicking on the image below.
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Visit Underground Crafter to learn more about the prizes, enter the giveaway, and to get links to each Giftstravaganza Blog Hop pattern as it is released.
Purchase the easy-to-read print-friendly PDF (ad free)
The PDF of this pattern includes everything you need:
- how to work the stitches
- how the pattern is worked
- pattern notes
- clear written instructions
- printable row counter
Lennox Crochet Book Cover Instructions (US crochet terms)
Tartan/Plaid effect stripe pattern sequence:
6 rows Yarn A
2 rows Yarn B
Make one rectangle
With a 4mm hook and Yarn A
Ch 58
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 chs, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next 5 ch; *rep across to last 4 chs, ch1, sk next ch, sc, ch1, sk next ch, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Row 2: sc in 1st st, *ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in sc, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next 5 sts; * rep across, ch1, turn
Row 3: sc in 1st 5 sts, *ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in sc, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next 5 sts; * rep across to last 4 sts, ch1, sk next ch, sc, ch1, sk next ch, sc in last st, ch1, turn
Rows 2 and 3 form pattern
Rep rows 2 and 3, following stripe pattern sequence for a total of 46 rows
Fasten off leaving a long tail (approx. 32”) for sewing the side and bottom seam
Making the Plaid
Join Yarn B in first ch-1 sp. Use surface sl st in the ch-1 sp of each row to create the vertical line.
Fasten off
Join Yarn B in the second ch-1 sp. Use surface sl st in the ch-1 sp of each row to create the second vertical line.
Fasten off
Continue working surface sl st through the ch sps of each row
Assembly
Fold rectangle in half across the width with WS facing outwards
Using the long tail from rectangle, sew seam along the side and bottom of cover
Fasten off
Optional Closure
Identify the middle st at the top on the back
Rejoin Yarn B in the middle st
Ch 20
Sl st into the same middle st
Loop made
On the RS of the front, place your chosen closure (toggle, button) approx. 3.5cm from the top and sew in place
Congratulations! Your Lennox book sleeve is finished and looking fabulous 🙂
This pattern is quick to make and so satisfying to personalise with your own colour combinations. Whether you choose soft neutrals or bold tartan shades, it’ll keep your current read or journal protected in style.
I’d love to see how you make your Lennox Book Cover your own — share your photos in the Jera’s Jamboree Crochet Community on Facebook.
Looking for more crochet projects for book lovers? Try these next:
Copyright Notice
The pattern and photographs of this design are the property of Sharon Goodwin at Jera’s Jamboree. This pattern and design are subject to copyright and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not share, resell, alter or redistribute this pattern in part or in whole. You may, however, sell any finished items you make. If you would like to include this pattern in a roundup, you may take one photo and link back to this pattern.
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