Crochet Phone Case Pattern | Easy Step-by-Step Beginner Tutorial
If you’ve been looking for a fun, quick project that actually gets used every single day, a crochet phone case might be exactly what you need. It’s small enough to finish in an evening, customizable in endless ways, and genuinely practical. Whether you’re brand new to crochet or just looking for something satisfying to make between bigger projects, this tutorial will walk you through everything from choosing your yarn to weaving in your last end.
Let’s get into it.
Why Crochet a Phone Case?
Before we dive into the pattern itself, let’s talk about why this project is worth your time. First, it uses very little yarn — we’re talking one skein at most, which makes it a perfect stash-buster. Second, it takes only a few hours from start to finish, so even if your schedule is packed, you can realistically complete this in one sitting. Third, it makes an incredible gift. Personalized, handmade, and actually useful? People love these.
There’s also something to be said for the skill-building aspect. This pattern uses basic stitches — single crochet, slip stitch, and chain — so it’s genuinely accessible for beginners. But it’s also an opportunity to practice tension consistency and clean finishing, which are skills that translate directly into larger, more complex projects. Think of it as a low-stakes way to level up.
And if you want to take things further, there’s a lot of room to get creative. Add a button closure, a wrist strap, embroidered flowers, a little cactus appliqué — the base pattern gives you a blank canvas.
What You’ll Need
Getting your materials together before you start will make the whole process smoother. Here’s what you’ll need for a standard phone case sized to fit most smartphones in the 6 to 6.7 inch range. If your phone is significantly smaller or larger, don’t worry — the sizing section later in this post will help you adjust.
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (Category 4) works beautifully for this project. It creates a sturdy fabric that holds its shape and provides decent padding. Cotton yarn is a popular choice because it’s structured and comes in vivid colors. Acrylic works just as well and is often more budget-friendly. For a softer, slightly more textured result, a cotton-acrylic blend is a lovely option. You’ll need roughly 50 to 80 yards depending on your phone size and stitch choice.
Hook: A 5.0 mm or 5.5 mm crochet hook is ideal for worsted weight yarn. If you tend to crochet tightly, go up half a size. If you crochet loosely, go down half a size. The goal is a fairly firm, dense fabric so the case actually protects your phone.
Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers (optional but helpful), and a button or snap if you’d like a closure. A ruler or measuring tape is also helpful.
Understanding Gauge and Sizing
Gauge matters more than people often realize, especially for something that needs to fit a specific object. For this pattern, you’re aiming for approximately 14 single crochet stitches and 16 rows to equal 4 inches (10 cm) using worsted weight yarn and a 5.0 mm hook.
To check your gauge, make a quick swatch: chain 18, then work single crochet back and forth for about 20 rows. Block it gently if needed (especially important with cotton), then measure the center of your swatch. If your gauge is tighter than the pattern’s, try going up a hook size. If it’s looser, go down.
For sizing, measure your phone. You want the finished case to be snug but not tight. As a general guide, you’re working toward a finished piece that’s about a quarter inch narrower than your phone on each side and about half an inch taller than your phone when folded. The slight stretch in the crochet fabric will accommodate your phone comfortably.
Most modern smartphones fall into these approximate finished dimensions:
- Standard (iPhone 14, Samsung Galaxy S23): approximately 3 inches wide, 6 inches tall
- Plus/Max models (iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S23+): approximately 3.25 to 3.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches tall
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
If you’re newer to crochet patterns, here’s a quick reference for the abbreviations used throughout this tutorial.
ch — chain
sc — single crochet
sl st — slip stitch
st — stitch
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
BLO — back loop only
The Pattern: Basic Crochet Phone Case
This pattern creates a simple, clean phone case using single crochet worked in the round for a seamless look. The bottom is worked flat and then joined, so there’s no seam at the base. It’s beginner-friendly and takes about two to three hours to complete.
Foundation: Creating the Base
The base of the case is a small flat oval that mirrors the shape of your phone’s bottom edge. This oval foundation is what allows the case to have a rounded bottom rather than a flat seam, which looks more polished and professional.
Start by chaining 10. This chain length works for a standard-sized phone. If your phone is wider, add two extra chains. If it’s narrower, subtract two.
Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain across until you reach the last chain (you’ll have 9 sc). In the last chain, work 3 sc to create the curve. Now rotate your work and sc along the other side of the foundation chain, working back in the remaining loops of the chain. In the first stitch of your original chain, work 3 sc to complete the oval. Join with a sl st to the first sc. You should have approximately 22 stitches total.
Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch throughout this pattern). Sc in each stitch around, working 2 sc in each of the three corner stitches at each end of the oval. Join with sl st. You should now have about 28 stitches.
Round 3: Ch 1. Sc evenly around, again adding 2 sc into the center stitch of each rounded end. Join with sl st. You should have approximately 32 stitches.
The goal is an oval that closely matches the width of your phone’s bottom edge. Lay your phone on top and compare. If you need one more round of increases, do so now. Once the oval is wide enough, stop increasing and you’re ready to build the sides.
Building the Sides
Now the fun part — working upward. From here, every round is worked even (no increases or decreases) until the case is tall enough.
Round 1 of the sides: Ch 1. Working in the BLO (back loop only) of each stitch, sc around. Join with sl st. This back-loop-only round creates a clean, defined ridge that marks the transition from the base to the sides, giving the case a more structured look.
Rounds 2 onward: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around (working in both loops now). Join with sl st at the end of each round.
Continue working these even rounds until your case measures about half an inch shorter than your phone’s height. Remember, you want the case to come up to just below the buttons and camera on the sides, with the opening at the top wide enough to slide the phone in easily.
For a standard phone, this typically means working about 28 to 32 rounds of even single crochet. For a plus-sized phone, you may need 32 to 36 rounds.
Once you’ve reached the desired height, fasten off and weave in your ends with your yarn needle.
Adding a Button Closure (Optional but Recommended)
A button closure transforms the case from a simple sleeve into something more functional and polished. It keeps your phone secure and adds a nice design element.
You’ll need one button about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, plus a small amount of matching thread or fine yarn and a sewing needle.
Creating the button loop: Reattach your yarn at the center back of the top opening. Chain 8 to 10 (adjust based on your button size — the loop should slip over the button with just a little resistance). Skip the center stitch and sl st into the next stitch to form a loop. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Sewing on the button: Position the button on the front center of the case, about half an inch down from the top edge. Thread your sewing needle and stitch the button firmly in place, going through the crochet fabric several times. Knot securely on the inside and trim the thread.
Test the closure by folding the top flap down over the phone and slipping the loop over the button. Adjust the chain length of the loop if needed.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about making your own phone case is the ability to make it entirely your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Color blocking: Work the base in one color and the sides in another. Or change colors every five rounds for a stripe effect. This is a great way to use up small amounts of leftover yarn.
Textured stitches: Once you’re comfortable with the basic pattern, try swapping single crochet for half double crochet (which creates a taller, slightly softer fabric) or moss stitch (alternating single crochet and chain stitches for a lovely pebbly texture).
Appliqués: Crochet a small flower, leaf, star, or heart separately and sew it onto the front of the finished case. There are dozens of free mini appliqué patterns online that work beautifully for this.
Wrist strap: Cut a length of yarn approximately 12 inches long, fold it in half, and use a lark’s head knot to attach it to one side of the case opening. Braid or twist it for a more finished look. This is especially handy if you’re at an outdoor event or concert.
Embroidery: Use a yarn needle and contrasting yarn to add simple embroidered details — a tiny cactus, a star, your initials, or a geometric pattern. Running stitch, backstitch, and cross stitch all work well on crochet fabric.
Pockets: Before closing the top of the case, crochet a small flat rectangle and sew it to the outside front to create a slot pocket for a card or cash.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a simple pattern, a few things can go sideways. Here’s how to handle the most common problems.
The case is too loose: This usually comes down to gauge. Try going down a hook size, or switch to a yarn with a slightly tighter spin (cotton tends to be more structured than acrylic). You can also try working in the BLO for more rows, which tends to draw the fabric in slightly.
The case is too tight: Go up a hook size, or try a half double crochet base instead of single crochet — it creates a slightly stretchier fabric without sacrificing too much structure.
The sides are twisting: This happens when your tension isn’t quite even. Try using a stitch marker at the start of each round and counting your stitches at the end of every few rounds to make sure you haven’t accidentally added or dropped any.
The base puckers: If the oval base is puckering upward instead of lying flat, you’ve increased too much. Rip back to the last flat round and continue with even rounds from there.
Yarn keeps splitting: This is almost always a hook issue. Try a hook with a smoother, more tapered head, or switch to a yarn with a tighter ply. Cheap hooks with rough edges are a common culprit.
Finishing Touches
Good finishing is what separates a homemade-looking project from one that looks genuinely polished. Take the time to do these steps well.
Weaving in ends: Thread each tail through your yarn needle and weave it in a zigzag pattern through at least an inch of stitches on the inside of the case. Going in multiple directions prevents the ends from working loose over time.
Blocking: If you used cotton yarn, a light blocking makes a real difference. Dampen the case with cool water, gently squeeze out the excess (don’t wring), and lay it flat to dry in the correct shape. For acrylic, blocking isn’t necessary but a light steam (held a few inches away, never direct contact) can smooth out any uneven tension.
Checking the inside: Run your hand along the inside of the case and feel for any rough yarn ends that could scratch your phone’s screen. Trim any stray fibers and make sure all your woven ends are secure.
Gifting Your Crochet Phone Case
These cases make genuinely wonderful gifts, and a few small touches can take them from sweet to memorable. Consider pairing the case with a coordinating keychain (also a quick crochet project), wrapping it in tissue paper with a handwritten note, or making two cases in complementary colorways as a set. Since they’re quick to make, you can batch-produce several at once for holiday gifting without exhausting yourself.
If you’re thinking about selling your crochet phone cases, keep in mind that Etsy and local craft fairs are both strong markets for handmade phone accessories. Photographing the case on or next to the phone it’s designed for helps potential buyers understand the scale immediately.
A Few Final Tips for Beginners
If this is one of your first crochet projects, a couple of extra notes might be helpful.
Count your stitches religiously. At this scale, one extra or missing stitch can throw off the whole shape. Get into the habit of counting at the end of every round, not just when something feels off.
Don’t rush the foundation. The oval base is the trickiest part of this pattern. If it doesn’t lie flat on the first try, it’s absolutely worth ripping back and starting again. Everything that comes after builds on that base, so getting it right is worth the extra few minutes.
Crochet should be relaxing. If you find yourself tensing up or gripping the hook too tightly, take a break and come back to it. Tight, anxious crocheting will show in your finished fabric and can strain your hands. Loose, rhythmic, comfortable crocheting produces the best results — and is much more enjoyable.
Finally, don’t be afraid to modify. Patterns are starting points, not rules. If you want to make the case taller, shorter, wider, or in a completely different stitch, do it. The more you understand why the pattern works the way it does, the more confidently you can adapt it to suit exactly what you have in mind.
Making a crochet phone case is one of those small projects that delivers an outsized sense of satisfaction. You start with a skein of yarn and end with something you’ll genuinely use every day — or something that will make someone else smile when they unwrap it. It’s the kind of project that reminds you why you picked up a hook in the first place.
Happy crocheting.
