Skully Spirit
By Nancy Anderson
Turn an inexpensive 3 ring binder into a one-of-a-kind notebook. This is an easy design consisting of simple 2 color tapestry work which using single crochet rows. Optional button and iron-on patch embellishments add to the customized look.
Size
This cover is designed to fit a 12 x 22 x 1 inch loose leaf notebook.
Finished Measurements
Finished design: 12 x 21 inches, allowing 1 inch of negative ease for a tight, custom fit.
Materials
Cascade 220 Superwash [100% washable wool; 220 yards/200 meters per 3.5 ounce/100 gram hank];
#913 Almost Black, MC (main color); 2 hank
#8505 White, CC (contrasting color); 1 hank
Recommended needle sizes
F-5/3.75 mm crochet hook
Notions
12 x 22 x 1" Notebook
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Tape measure
Stitch marker
Ruler or magnet strips for keeping track of rows worked
Assorted optional charms, buttons & iron-on patches
Gauge
24 sc x 26 rows = 4 inches
Gauge is important for this project as a tightly crocheted fabric is required in order to prevent holes and to provide a tight fit for the cover.
Pattern Notes
Pattern is worked in single crochet rows, using a smaller than suggested hook in order to get a tight, closely stitched fabric and thus avoiding show-through. This cover needs to have a smooth, tight fit and given the stretchy properties of certain yarns, regular fittings are necessary. Keep notebook handy for these quick size checks.
Color changes should be made during the last step of the single crochet in the former color, complete last yarn over with new color. For best results, do not carry yarn across back of piece, make separate balls of yarn for color change sections.
To work in back bumps only, turn beginning chain over to the wrong side. Locate bumps formed on the back. Insert hook in this bump and make stitch. This gives the edge a finished look.
Once all rows are completed, flaps are created on the left & right sides by folding to size & single crocheting the fold together. The cover then slips onto the notebook and an additional tether is designed to fasten the cover more securely at the spine.
For larger notebooks, add additional chains to starting chain and extra rows to flap ends to accommodate the thicker spine.
Abbreviations
Ch - chain
Hdc - half double crochet
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Skills Required
chain, hdc, single crochet, slip stitch, simple tapestry color work
INSTRUCTIONS
(Change colors at last stitch of previous color)
Using MC, ch 126.
Row 1: Working in the back bumps only and starting in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across; ch 1, turn: 125 sc.
Rows 2-15: Sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.
Row 16: Mark this row as RS with scrap of yarn; sc in each sc across as follows: 69 MC, 5 CC, 7 MC, 2 CC, (2 MC, 4 CC) twice, 2 MC, 2 CC, 7 MC, 5 CC, 14 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 17: 13 MC, 7 CC, 6 MC, 2 CC, (2 MC, 4 CC) twice, 2 MC, 2 CC, 6 MC, 7 CC, 68 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 18: 67 MC, 8 CC, 6 MC, 2 CC, (2 MC, 4 CC) twice, 2 MC, 2 CC, 6 MC, 8 CC, 12 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 19: 12 MC, 9 CC, 4 MC, 3 CC, (2 MC, 4 CC) twice, 2 MC, 3 CC, 4 MC, 9 CC, 67 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 20: 67 MC, 10 CC, 2 MC, 22 CC, 2 MC, 10 CC, 12 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 21: 11 MC, 48 CC, 66 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 22: 65 MC, 50 CC, 10 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 23: 9 MC, 52 CC, 64 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 24: 64 MC, 52 CC, 9 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 25: 9 MC, 52 CC, 64 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 26: 64 MC, 52 CC, 9 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 27: 10 MC, 50 CC, 65 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 28: 66 MC, 4 CC, 3 MC, 34 CC, 3 MC, 4 CC 36 CC, 11 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 29: 17 MC, 36 CC, 72 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 30: 71 MC, 38 CC, 16 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 31: 16 MC, 16 CC, 6 MC, 16 CC, 71 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 32: 70 MC, 16 CC, 6 MC, 16 CC, 16 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 33: 16 MC, 16 CC, 6 MC, 16 CC, 71 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 34: 70 MC, 18 CC, 4 MC, 18 CC, 15 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 35: 15 MC, 10 CC, 4 MC, (4 CC, 4 MC) twice, 10 CC, 70 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 36: 70 MC, 9 CC, 6 MC, 4 CC, 2 MC, 4 CC, 6 MC, 9 CC, 15 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 37: 15 MC, 8 CC, (8 MC, 8 CC) twice, 70 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 38: 70 MC, 8 CC, (8 MC, 8 CC) twice, 15 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 39: 15 MC, 8 CC, (8 MC, 8 CC) twice, 70 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 40: 71 MC, 7 CC, 8 MC, 8 CC, 8 MC, 7 CC, 16 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 41: 16 MC, 8 CC, 6 MC, 10 CC, 6 MC, 8 CC, 71 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 42: 72 MC, 8 CC, 4 MC, 12 CC, 4 MC, 8 CC, 17 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 43: 16 MC, 38 CC, 71 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 44: 65 MC, 50 CC, 10 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 45: 9 MC, 52 CC, 64 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 46: 63 MC, 54 CC, 8 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 47: 8 MC, 54 CC, 63 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 48: 63 MC, 54 CC, 8 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 49: 8 MC, 13 CC, 2 MC, 24 CC, 2 MC, 13 CC, 63 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 50: 64 MC, 12 CC, 4 MC, 20 CC, 4 MC, 12 CC, 9 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 51: 11 MC, 10 CC, 6 MC, 16 CC, 6 MC, 10 CC, 66 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 52: 66 MC, 9 CC, 9 MC, 12 CC, 9 MC, 9 CC, 11 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 53: 11 MC, 9 CC, 11 MC, 8 CC, 11 MC, 9 CC, 66 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 54: 66 MC, 8 CC, 32 MC, 8 CC, 11 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 55: 12 MC, 6 CC, 34 MC, 6 CC, 67 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 56: 68 MC, 5 CC, 34 MC, 5 CC, 13 MC; ch 1, turn.
Row 57-71: Using MC, sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.
Row 72: Rotate piece, Ch 2, working along row ends, work 45 hdc evenly spaced; ch 2, turn.
Row 73-79: Hdc in each hdc across; ch 2, turn, changing to CC after Row 74.
Finish off.
FINISHING
Create Flaps
Lay cover flat. Measure and mark with a stitch marker approximately 31/2 inches from the edge of the cover on each short end. Fold flap over and pin in place at marker.
Row 1: With MC insert hook in first st at corner formed by the flap (you will be working through both thicknesses of flap), ch 1, working across long edge, sc in same st and in each st across to the end of the opposite flap; ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each sc across, finish off.
Repeat for the opposite long edge of the notebook.
Tether
Place cover on notebook. Measure from the edge of the notebook cover to the middle of the notebook spine, mark this spot with a stitch marker. Remove cover. Attach yarn at previously marked stitch. Ch 50, attach to corresponding stitch at the opposite edge.
Weave and trim yarn ends.
Attach optional pins and patches as desired.
Nancy Anderson was born & raised in the southeastern United States where she has enjoyed crafting for as long as she can remember. Creating dolls & puppets out of a variety of mediums has held a special interest for over 2 decades. Knitting & crocheting dolls has been a more recent iteration of her doll making interests and has proven to be a wonderful & challenging progression. She blogs about life in the south & the fiber arts. In addition she can be found on Ravelry as missjulep.
Pattern © 2010 Nancy Anderson. Contact