Crocheted Remote Control Covers – Step by Step Pattern
There is something wonderfully satisfying about turning a plain, forgettable remote control into a cozy, personalized little treasure. Remote control covers are one of those small crochet projects that look impressive, take very little yarn, and make genuinely useful gifts. If you have been crocheting for a little while and want a practical pattern that lets you practice tension, counting, and finishing techniques all in one go, this is the project for you.
In this post, I am walking you through everything you need to make your own crocheted remote control cover from start to finish — materials, gauge, stitch breakdown, the full step by step pattern, tips for customizing the size, and ideas for making it your own. Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s get started.
Why Make a Crocheted Remote Control Cover?
Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why this little project is worth your time. Remote controls are notorious for getting lost between couch cushions, being sat on, or ending up somewhere impossible to find in the dark. A crocheted cover adds a bit of bulk and texture that makes a remote much easier to feel for when you’re fumbling around without turning on the lights. It also adds a layer of protection against minor drops and scratches.
Beyond the practical benefits, remote control covers are just plain fun to make. They work up quickly — most crafters can finish one in an afternoon — and they use up scraps of yarn that might otherwise sit forgotten in a bin. You can make a set for your living room, create matching covers for every remote in the house, or stitch a batch of them as housewarming or holiday gifts. Because they are small and portable, they are also perfect to bring along in a project bag when you are traveling or sitting in a waiting room.
Materials You Will Need
Getting the right materials together before you start will make the whole process smoother. Here is what you need for a standard television remote control cover.
Yarn: You will want a medium weight yarn, also labeled as worsted weight or size 4. Cotton yarn works beautifully for this project because it holds its shape well and has a slight stiffness that keeps the cover from sagging. Acrylic worsted weight is also a perfectly fine choice and gives a softer, squishier result. You only need a small amount — roughly 30 to 50 yards total — so this is a great stash-busting project.
Crochet Hook: A 4.0mm or 4.5mm hook is standard for worsted weight cotton. If you are using softer acrylic yarn, a 5.0mm hook may give you a better result. Always check your gauge before starting so the cover actually fits.
Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a few stitch markers to help you keep track of rounds. Optional but helpful is a measuring tape, because you will want to check the dimensions of your actual remote before you begin.
The Remote Control: Measure your remote before casting on. For this pattern, I am working with a standard TV remote that measures approximately 6.5 inches long, 1.75 inches wide, and 0.75 inches deep. If your remote is significantly different in size, I will explain how to adjust.
Understanding Gauge and Sizing
Gauge matters more for this project than people sometimes expect. Because the cover needs to slip on and off comfortably without being so loose that it slides around, you want a fairly firm, consistent fabric. If your stitches are too loose, the cover will be floppy and won’t stay on well. If they are too tight, you won’t be able to get it over the remote at all.
For this pattern, the target gauge is approximately 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows over a 4-inch by 4-inch swatch. To check your gauge, chain 20, then work single crochet rows until your swatch is at least 4 inches tall. Block it lightly and then measure. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed.
Stitch Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
This pattern uses simple, beginner-friendly stitches. Here is a quick reference:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st(s) — stitch(es)
rnd — round
RS — right side
Crocheted Remote Control Cover Pattern
This cover is worked in joined rounds from the bottom up. The base of the cover is a flat oval, and then you work up the sides to create a tube that fits snugly around the remote. The top is left open so you can slide the remote in and out easily, and the buttons remain fully accessible through the fabric.
Step 1: Make the Base Oval
The foundation of this cover is an oval worked in continuous rounds. The oval shape matches the footprint of a standard remote control.
Foundation Chain: Chain 10.
Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 8 chains. Work 3 sc into the last chain (this is the curved end of your oval). Now rotate your work and continue along the opposite side of the foundation chain. Work 1 sc in each of the next 7 chains. Work 2 sc into the first chain (the other curved end). Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You should have 20 stitches total.
Round 2: Chain 1 (this does not count as a stitch throughout this pattern). Work 2 sc in each of the first 2 stitches. Work 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches. Work 2 sc in each of the next 2 stitches. Work 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You should have 24 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, 1 sc in the second stitch. Repeat this increase pattern two more times (2 sc in next, 1 sc in following). Work 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches. Work the same increase pattern three times on the second curved end. Work 1 sc in each of the remaining 8 stitches. Join with a slip stitch. You should have 30 stitches.
Take a moment to lay your oval flat and compare it against the bottom of your remote. It should be close in size — not necessarily an exact match, but in the same general neighborhood. The fabric will stretch a little over the remote, and the sides will add structure once you start building up.
Step 2: Build the Sides
Now you will transition from working flat into building the walls of the cover. This is where the piece starts looking like an actual tube.
Round 4 (Transition Round): Do not chain 1 at the beginning. Instead, work 1 sc into the back loop only of each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. This creates a defined ridge that marks the transition from base to sides and gives the cover a cleaner corner.
Rounds 5 through 22: Work 1 sc in both loops of each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch at the end of each round. Continue checking the height as you go. After about 10 rounds, you can slip the partially finished cover over your remote to gauge the fit. The cover should feel snug but not painfully tight.
If your remote is shorter or longer than the standard size, this is where you make your adjustments. Work fewer rounds for a shorter remote, or continue past round 22 for a longer one. As a general rule, you want the crocheted tube to reach just past the top of the remote by about half an inch so there is a little fabric that folds over and prevents the remote from slipping out.
Step 3: Work the Top Border
Once your tube has reached the right length, you will add a simple border to keep the edge neat and give the opening a finished look.
Round 23: Chain 1. Work 1 hdc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first hdc.
Round 24: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc.
Fasten off and leave a tail of about 6 inches for weaving in.
Step 4: Finishing
Using your yarn needle, weave in all ends thoroughly. Because a remote control cover gets handled a lot, you want those ends really secure — weave them in at least two different directions and tuck the tail back through several stitches. Trim any excess.
Turn the cover right side out if it has flipped inside out during working. Give it a gentle press with a damp cloth or a steam iron on a low setting if you want to block it slightly and even out any uneven tension.
Slide the remote in from the top. The fit should be snug and secure, holding the remote firmly without making it impossible to press the buttons through the fabric. If the cover feels a little stiff at first, that is normal — it will soften after a bit of use.
Tips for Getting the Best Fit
A few additional thoughts on sizing and fit that will make a big difference in the final result.
The most important measurement is the circumference of your remote, not just the width. Take a flexible measuring tape and wrap it all the way around your remote at its widest point. For a standard TV remote, this is usually around 4.5 to 5 inches. Your crocheted tube’s circumference (the number of stitches multiplied by your stitch width based on gauge) should be close to this number, maybe just slightly smaller so there is a little negative ease and the cover stays put.
If you find that the oval base doesn’t quite match your remote, don’t overthink it. The most important thing is that the tube portion fits. You can fudge the base a little and it will still work just fine in practice.
Cotton yarn shrinks a tiny bit when washed, while acrylic does not. Keep this in mind if you plan to wash the cover regularly — make the cotton version just slightly larger than you think you need.
Customization Ideas
One of the most enjoyable parts of a small project like this is how easy it is to personalize. Here are some ways to make your crocheted remote cover uniquely yours.
Stripes: Because the cover works up in joined rounds, adding stripes is as simple as changing your yarn color at the beginning of any round. Switch colors every two rounds for narrow stripes, or every six rounds for bolder bands.
Bobble Accents: If you know how to make a bobble stitch (which involves working several half-finished double crochets into the same stitch and then pulling through all the loops at once), you can add a few bobbles scattered across the sides for a playful texture. They sit on the outside of the fabric and give a lovely three-dimensional look.
Initials or Simple Embroidery: Once the cover is finished, you can use a yarn needle and a contrasting color to embroider simple letters or small shapes onto the fabric. This makes for a particularly nice personalized gift — one cover for each family member, marked with their initial.
Button Closure: If you want the remote to stay more securely inside the cover, you can crochet a small flap at the top. Work a few rows of single crochet back and forth rather than in the round after your last joining round, then add a chain loop at the center. Sew a button onto the cover just below where the flap falls, and you have a sweet little button closure.
Color Blocking: Instead of changing yarn for stripes, try dividing the tube into distinct sections — a base of one color worked for the first ten rounds, a middle section in a second color, and a top border in a third. This looks graphic and modern without requiring any extra techniques.
Caring for Your Crocheted Remote Cover
Taking care of this little accessory is simple. For cotton yarn covers, hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, squeeze out excess water gently (do not wring), reshape, and lay flat to dry. Most acrylic yarn covers can go in the washing machine on a gentle cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. Check your yarn’s label for specific instructions.
If the cover starts to stretch out over time — which can happen with frequent use — wash it in slightly warmer water (for cotton) or run it through the dryer on a low setting (for acrylic), and it should tighten back up to something close to its original dimensions.
Making a Set
Once you have made one cover and have the pattern down, making a set goes incredibly quickly. Most living rooms have at least three or four remotes — the TV, the cable box or streaming device, the soundbar, and perhaps a DVD player or gaming console. Making a different color for each device makes it much easier to grab the right remote at a glance, which is genuinely one of those small daily conveniences that adds up to a happier household experience.
A set of matching remote covers also makes a thoughtful and practical handmade gift. Pair them with a small coordinating basket or a little pouch, and you have a complete housewarming present that is clearly handmade and genuinely useful.
A Note on Accessible Crochet
Some crafters find that working tightly enough for a snug fabric causes hand fatigue, especially across several rounds of continuous single crochet. If you find this happening, take breaks every few rounds, stretch your fingers and wrists, and consider sizing up your hook slightly while using a slightly thinner yarn to compensate — this lets you maintain the same gauge with less grip pressure.
Ergonomic crochet hooks with cushioned handles can make a noticeable difference for longer sessions. They are worth the investment if you find yourself crocheting regularly.
Final Thoughts
Crocheted remote control covers might be small, but they represent something that makes handmade crafting so rewarding: the idea that ordinary, overlooked objects deserve a little bit of beauty and care. Taking something as mundane as a television remote and wrapping it in a thoughtful, handcrafted piece of fabric is a simple act that transforms the everyday.
This pattern is designed to be accessible to anyone who has a handle on basic crochet stitches, and it is flexible enough to adapt to just about any remote in your home. Whether you are making your very first finished object or you are an experienced crocheter looking for a quick project to fill an afternoon, this cover is worth adding to your repertoire.
I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. Happy crocheting!
