how to crochet ANY iPad/laptop/kindle/book sleeve with pixel grid designs (step-by-step guide)

Hi everyone! As part of my in-depth youtube tutorial, here's a summary of how to design & crochet ANY sleeve for your ipad/laptop/kindle with pixel grids <3

Step 1: PLAN

Decide on which object you want to make the sleeve for and have a general idea about what pixel grid design you want to create. I've got a ton of designs and inspirations saved on this Pinterest board (I regularly update the board with new pieces I've found!).

Step 2: BACK PIECE

Crochet a plain back piece for your sleeve. To do this, start with a slip knot, then chain the same length as your object. Write down how many stitches (this is the width) and rows (this is the height) you made.

[ Optional step 1If you're making this sleeve for a thicker object, crochet a few extra rows to make up for the thickness before you start following the grid for the front piece. For example, ]

Step 3: PIXEL GRID

This is the site where I like creating my pixel grids (you could also use graph paper or draw on a blank pixel grid in Procreate). Head to 'generate' then 'alpha pattern'. Create your pixel grid according to the size of your back piece -> the number of stitches is the width and the number of rows is the height. Use pixel/fill mode to design the blank pixel grid!

[ Optional step 2: using the pixel grid you've created, for every row -> write down how many stitches there are for each color from left to right then right to left. This will create a pattern for your pixel grid that's easier to follow along than counting every stitch as you crochet it row-by-row ]

Step 4: FRONT PIECE

Use the 'carry on' or 'floating yarn' method to crochet using the pixel grid. These methods are shown in detail and with lots and lots of examples. So, please watch the clips in the video carefully to understand how to crochet using these methods. If you're using 2 colors, I recommend the 'carry on' method. But if you're using a much darker + lighter color or more than 2 colors, I recommend using the 'floating yarn' method. If you have a very dominant background in a light color and objects in just a specific part of the grid (like my Snoopy laptop sleeve), then I recommend using a mix of both methods like in the video.  

[ Optional step 3: it can be hard to show circular eyes/blush in pixel grid designs, so you could add these as separate pieces onto the front piece like I did in the video for my frog sleeve. To make circular pieces, start with a magic ring then insert single crochets into the ring till the circle is as big as you want ]

Step 5: JOINING THE PIECES

Fold your work in half so that the wrong sides of your pieces are facing outwards (towards you) and the right sides are facing inwards (folded against each other). Align the sides of your pieces, insert your hook through the edges of both the aligned pieces, then slip stitch the sides together.

[ Optional step 4: sew on some buttons or titch buttons as a closure/clasp for your sleeve ]

Fasten off and you're done!

Happy crocheting & lots of love as always,
Mahum



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