{21.10.20}

I have always been a list maker, I can’t get through the day unless I have made several different lists so I always have plently of notebooks lying around. For Christmas my daughter bought me a lovely fabric covered notebook and I really wanted to keep it special (especially as these notepads spend a lot of time being thrown around my messy bags) so I decided to make a cover for it. I designed this cute journal cover many years ago for my very first Inside Crochet Column. I recently re-visited the pattern so that I could give it a freshen up for the latest issue of the @Crochetzine over on Instagram. It really is the perfect beginners pattern using only double crochet (UK) / single crochet (US) stitches. I love that you can take it on and off with ease and that it just looks so pretty! You can find me talking all about it in the latest epsiode of my YouTube podcast if you’d like to see more. Anyway, I’ve written up the pattern to keep here on the blog if you’d like to have a go.

Crochet A5 Journal Cover

Pattern By Emma Escott

Level: Beginner

Yarn: Paintbox Cotton DK, (100% cotton), 50g (1.8oz) x 2 balls in champagne white

Alternative yarns: You can use any DK weight cotton to achieve a similar effect

Hook: 4mm (G-6) hook

Other Materials: Tapestry Needle. 

Gauge: Exact gauge is not important for this piece as long as you maintain an even tension.

Measurements: To fit an A5 casebound notebook measuring (when closed) 21.5 x 15.5 x 1cm (8.5 x 6 x 0.5in)

Stitches used/Abbreviations:

*Note pattern is written in UK terminology 

UK Terms	US Terms
ch – chain
dc – double crochet	sc – single crochet
tr – treble crochet	dc – double crochet
dcblo – double crochet in back loop only	single crochet in back loop only

Pattern Notes:

The journal cover is worked in one piece; the inner flaps are created by using a row of back loop double crochet (US back loop single crochet). The cover should fit around your notebook between rows 14 – 86; the rows before and after create the inner flaps of the cover which are then joined to the main. Your starting chain should be as long (or up to 0.5cm longer than) the length of your notebook (when closed)

To fit a journal with more pages add rows in even numbers between 14-86

Ch1 at beginning of rows do not count as a stitch.

{Pattern Starts}

Inner Flap 1 

Row 1:  (RS) 42ch, 1dc in 2^nd ch from hook, 1dc in each ch across, turn. (41dc)

Rows 2-12: 1ch, 1dc in each st across, turn.

Row 13: (RS) 1ch, 1dcblo in each st across, turn. (41dcblo)

Body

Rows 14-86: 1ch, 1dc in each st across, turn. (41dc)

Row 87: (RS) 1ch, 1dcblo in each st across, turn (41dcblo)

Inner Flap 2

Rows: 88 – 98: ch1, 1dc in each st across, fasten off, weave in ends.

You should now have a rectangular piece that will fold around your journal with two internal flaps (created by the back loop double crochet). The cover should stretch slightly around your journal – if it’s too loose you will end up with a baggy cover. If your cover needs blocking, pin it to size, spray with water and leave to dry. 

Before stitching the internal flaps decorate your journal cover.

Use scraps of dk or 4ply to make flowers and leaves to sew onto your cover.

Flowers:

Into magic loop work: 2ch, 3tr, 1ch, (1ss, 1ch, 3tr, 1ch) x 4, join with a ss to first ch of round. Fasten off.

Leaves:

Ch8, 1dc into second ch from hook, 1htr, 1tr into each of next 3 ch, 1htr, 3dc in last ch, working around foundation chain into remaining chain loops; 1htr in next ch, 1tr in each of next 3 ch, 1htr, 1dc, ch2, ss into beginning dc 

Joining:

Fold the flaps inwards at the line created by the row of back loop double crochet. With a whip stitch sew the internal flaps at the top and bottom to the front cover (to create an envelope) using the same yarn and a tapestry needle. 

As always if you do make them, I’d love to see your projects – please feel free to tag me over on Instagram: @Lululoves_UK or use the hashtag #luluovescrochet

Stay safe, bye for now, Em xx

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