The Ultimate Guide to Crocheting Your Own REE Phone Case: A Free Pattern for Every Skill Level
There is something deeply satisfying about protecting your most-used device with something you made entirely by hand. A crocheted phone case is one of those small, practical projects that sits at the perfect intersection of creativity and usefulness. It takes only a few hours, uses up yarn scraps you already have, and produces a finished object that people will notice and ask about every single time you pull your phone out of your bag.
This pattern is designed with clarity and flexibility in mind. Whether you are brand new to crochet or you have been hooking for years, you will find everything you need here to create a snug, stylish phone case that fits your device perfectly and reflects your personal aesthetic. We will cover materials, gauge, stitch breakdowns, color work ideas, finishing touches, and plenty of tips along the way.
Let’s get into it.
Why Crochet a Phone Case?
Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate why this project is such a good idea in the first place.
Store-bought phone cases are everywhere, but they are largely mass-produced, often made from plastic or silicone, and designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. When you crochet your own case, you get something completely different. You can choose colors that match your wardrobe or your mood. You can add texture, embellishments, or custom panels. You can make it thicker for extra drop protection or slim for a minimalist feel. You can even design a coordinating wrist strap or crossbody cord so your phone is always within reach.
Beyond aesthetics, a crocheted phone case also makes a genuinely thoughtful gift. It is personal in a way that no gift card or Amazon purchase can replicate. For birthdays, holidays, or just-because occasions, a handmade case shows the recipient that you spent real time thinking about them.
And then there is the meditative quality of the work itself. Small crochet projects are wonderful for busy hands during movies, podcasts, or long car rides as a passenger. The repetitive motion of the stitch is calming, the progress is visible and fast, and by the time your show ends, you have something tangible to show for it.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about this project is how little you need to get started. Here is a complete list:
Yarn: A cotton or cotton-blend yarn works beautifully for phone cases because it has very little stretch and holds its structure well. Look for a DK weight or light worsted weight yarn. Good options include Paintbox Simply DK, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, or any similar yarn in your stash. You will only need about 50 to 100 yards depending on the size of your phone.
Hook: A 3.5mm (E/4) or 4.0mm (G/6) crochet hook is ideal for most DK to light worsted cotton yarns. You want to work at a fairly tight tension to keep the stitches dense enough that the case actually protects your phone.
Stitch markers: A handful of locking stitch markers will help you keep track of your rounds and mark specific stitch positions.
Scissors and tapestry needle: For cutting yarn and weaving in ends.
Optional: Buttons, snaps, or a zipper if you want to add a closure. A small piece of non-slip grip fabric if you want to line the inside. Embroidery floss for surface embellishment.
Gauge and Sizing
Gauge matters quite a bit in this project because a phone case needs to fit snugly. If your gauge is too loose, the case will be baggy and your phone might slip out. If it is too tight, you will struggle to get your phone in and out.
For this pattern, aim for approximately 18 to 20 single crochet stitches and 20 to 22 rows per 4 inches using a 3.5mm hook and DK weight cotton.
Before you begin the actual case, crochet a small swatch, measure it, and compare it to the gauge above. Adjust your hook size up if your stitches are too tight or down if they are too loose.
To size your case correctly, measure your phone’s length and width in inches or centimeters. Add approximately a quarter inch to each measurement to account for seam allowance and ease of use. This pattern is written for a phone approximately 6 inches tall by 3 inches wide (a common size for many current smartphones), but full sizing instructions are included below so you can adapt it to any device.
Pattern Notes and Abbreviations
This pattern is written using standard US crochet terminology.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st — stitch
sp — space
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
MR — magic ring
pm — place marker
rnd — round
rep — repeat
The case is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up. There is no turning at the end of rounds unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.
The REE Crochet Phone Case Pattern
Foundation: The Bottom of the Case
The base of the case is a flat oval, which creates a sturdy bottom and gives the case its shape.
Chain 10. This chain length is for a phone approximately 6 inches tall. For a larger phone, add 2 additional chains. For a smaller phone, subtract 2 chains.
Round 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc 8, work 3 sc in the last chain (to turn the corner), then continue along the other side of the foundation chain by working sc 7, then work 2 sc in the same stitch as your first sc. Place a marker in the first stitch. You will have approximately 20 stitches.
Round 2: Work 2 sc in the first stitch, sc 7, work 2 sc in each of the 3 corner stitches, sc 7, work 2 sc in the last 2 stitches. You will have approximately 26 stitches.
Round 3: Sc 1, 2 sc in next st, sc 7, (sc 1, 2 sc in next st) 3 times, sc 7, sc 1, 2 sc in next st, sc 1. You will have approximately 31 stitches.
This creates the oval base. Slip stitch to join only if you want a visible seam line. Otherwise, continue in continuous rounds and keep your stitch marker in place.
Building the Walls
Once your base is complete, you will begin working up the sides of the case. This is where the majority of your stitches happen, and it is also where you can start playing with texture.
Round 4: Working in BLO (back loop only) around the entire oval, sc in each stitch. This creates a clean fold line where the base meets the sides of the case. You will have the same number of stitches as Round 3.
Rounds 5 through 22: Sc in each stitch around. If your phone requires more or less height, simply add or subtract rows here. The goal is to work until the case measures approximately one inch shorter than your phone. This ensures the phone extends slightly from the top of the case, making it easy to remove.
These plain rows of single crochet create a clean, dense fabric. If you prefer more texture, you can substitute the standard single crochet with a back-loop-only single crochet in every round, which creates a beautiful ridged effect. Alternatively, you can work in the waistcoat stitch (also called the knit stitch in crochet), which produces a fabric that closely mimics knitted stockinette and gives the case a very polished appearance.
Creating Texture with the Ridge Stitch
If you want to add a textured stripe pattern, here is a simple way to do it within the basic structure of the case walls.
After completing Round 6, switch to a contrasting color yarn and work Round 7 through Round 9 in the BLO only. Then switch back to your main color and work the next several rounds normally. Repeat this color block and texture combination wherever you like as you build the walls of the case. The resulting ridges give the case a graphic, contemporary look without requiring any advanced stitching knowledge.
The Top Edge Finishing
When your case walls have reached the correct height, it is time to finish the top edge cleanly.
Final round: Work one round of slip stitches through both loops around the entire top opening. This tightens and stabilizes the edge and gives it a clean, professional finish.
Alternatively, for a more decorative edge, work a round of reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) around the top opening. This creates a twisted, rope-like border that looks intentional and refined.
Fasten off and weave in your ends securely with your tapestry needle.
Adding a Flap or Button Closure
A simple case without a closure works perfectly well if you keep your phone in a bag or pocket. But if you want extra security, a button flap is an elegant solution that also adds a design element.
To create a flap, after completing the final round of the case walls on the back side only, work back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
Row 1 (WS): Turn, ch 1, sc across the back half of the top opening only. This will be approximately half your total stitch count.
Rows 2 through 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across.
Shaping the flap: On Row 9, ch 1, turn, sc2tog (single crochet two together, a decrease stitch) at the beginning and end of the row. Continue in this way every other row until the flap is shaped to a rounded or pointed tip, depending on your preference.
Work a final round of slip stitch or reverse single crochet around the entire edge of the flap to finish it cleanly.
Buttonhole: To add a buttonhole, on the second-to-last row of the flap, work to the center, ch 2, skip 2 stitches, then continue to the end of the row. On the next row, sc 2 into the ch-2 space. This creates a small, clean buttonhole.
Sew a button to the front of the case in the corresponding position, and your closure is complete.
Color and Design Ideas
The beauty of this pattern is that it is essentially a blank canvas. Here are some design directions to consider.
Striped case: Change colors every two rounds for a classic candy-stripe look, or work wide blocks of color for something more bold and graphic.
Gradient or ombre: Use a hand-dyed gradient yarn or manually fade from one color to another by gradually blending your yarn over several rounds. The effect is stunning and surprisingly simple to achieve.
Tapestry crochet panel: On the front face of the case, work a simple tapestry crochet motif by carrying a second color behind your work and switching between colors to form a pixel-like image. Popular choices include hearts, initials, geometric diamonds, or simple botanical shapes.
Textured stitch patterns: Consider working the body of the case in a moss stitch, linen stitch, or shell stitch for visual interest. These stitches all work within the same basic structure of this pattern and require only minor adjustments.
Surface embroidery: After completing the case, use embroidery floss and a tapestry needle to stitch small details directly onto the crocheted fabric. Tiny flowers, stars, or abstract line patterns can completely transform the look of an otherwise simple case.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The case is too loose. This is almost always a gauge issue. Try going down one hook size or switching to a slightly heavier yarn.
The case is too small. Either your gauge is too tight or you need to add extra chains to your foundation and more stitches in your oval base. Measure carefully and swatch before starting.
The phone is hard to remove. Work one additional round on the walls before finishing, and make sure your final edge stitch is not worked too tightly.
The base looks puckered or wavy. This happens when there are too many increases in the base oval. Try reducing your increases in the later rounds of the base to flatten it out.
The walls are twisting. This is a natural tendency in continuous rounds. Using a stitch marker and keeping careful count will prevent this from getting out of hand. A light blocking with water and pinning can correct a slight twist after finishing.
Caring for Your Crocheted Phone Case
Cotton cases are wonderfully easy to care for. Hand washing in cool water with a gentle detergent is always safest. Reshape the case while it is still damp and allow it to air dry. Avoid machine drying, as heat can cause the cotton fibers to shrink and distort the shape.
If you notice the case losing its crispness over time, a light spray of starch and a gentle iron through a damp cloth can restore structure.
Final Thoughts
A crocheted phone case is one of those projects that proves you do not need an enormous investment of time, money, or materials to make something genuinely beautiful and useful. In just a few hours, you end up with a finished object that is entirely your own — in colors you chose, with a texture you selected, shaped to fit the exact phone in your pocket.
This REE Crochet Phone Case Pattern is designed to grow with you as a crafter. Start with a simple solid-color version to learn the structure, then come back to it again and again with new color combinations, stitch substitutions, and embellishments. It is the kind of pattern that never really gets old because the creative possibilities are as wide as your imagination.
Grab your hook, find your favorite cotton yarn, and enjoy every stitch.
