Vanilla AirPods Pro Case (Free Pattern + Tutorial!)

If you’ve been searching for a sweet little project to use up your yarn scraps, look no further. This vanilla AirPods Pro case is one of those satisfying makes that comes together quickly, looks adorable on your keychain or tucked into a bag, and actually protects your AirPods from getting scratched or lost at the bottom of your purse. The soft, creamy vanilla colorway gives it that timeless, minimalist vibe that works with just about everything, and since the pattern is beginner-friendly, you can whip one up in an evening and have a whole collection made by the end of the week.

I’m Arianna Frascati, and on this blog I share crochet patterns, knitting tutorials, and all the fiber arts content that keeps my hands busy and my creative brain happy. Today I’m walking you through this free crochet AirPods Pro case pattern step by step, including the materials you’ll need, the full written pattern, tips for getting the sizing right, and some ideas for personalizing it to match your style. Whether you’re a beginner who has just learned how to single crochet or an experienced maker looking for a fast gift project, this one is for you.

Why Make a Crochet AirPods Case?

Let’s be real for a second. AirPods Pro cases are everywhere. You can buy one on Amazon for a couple of dollars. So why would you bother making one yourself?

For me, the answer comes down to a few things. First, handmade cases are genuinely better at cushioning your AirPods than most of the thin plastic or silicone ones you find online. A crochet case made from cotton or acrylic yarn has enough structure to keep the case from getting crushed at the bottom of a bag while still being flexible enough to slip in and out easily. Second, there’s something really satisfying about making something so functional and small. It’s a great palette cleanser between larger projects, and it gives you a chance to practice techniques like crocheting in the round and working increases without a huge time commitment. Third, and honestly most importantly, it makes a thoughtful and personal gift. A handmade case tucked into a birthday card or slipped onto someone’s keychain says a lot more than a mass-produced one ever could.

The vanilla colorway I’ve used in this tutorial is one of my favorites because it photographs beautifully, it looks clean and fresh in person, and it’s incredibly versatile. But at the end of the post I’ll share some colorway ideas in case you want to switch things up.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you dive into the pattern, let me run you through everything you’ll need to have on hand.

Yarn: For this pattern, I used a light worsted weight (size 3 or size 4) cotton yarn in vanilla or cream. Cotton is my top pick for small cases like this because it has minimal stretch, which means your case will hold its shape over time and won’t start sagging around your AirPods. I love Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK Cotton, or Drops Safran for this project. You only need a small amount, roughly 20 to 30 yards, so this is a wonderful scrap yarn project.

Hook: I used a 3.5mm crochet hook for the cotton yarn, which gave me a nice tight gauge that keeps the AirPods securely inside. If you’re working with acrylic yarn or a slightly heavier yarn, you might size up to a 4mm hook. Always swatch if you’re unsure.

Stitch marker: Just one, to mark the beginning of each round. A simple bobby pin works perfectly if you don’t have stitch markers on hand.

Tapestry needle: You’ll need this to weave in your ends and to work the optional embellishments.

Scissors: The obvious one.

Small button or snap closure (optional): I’ve included instructions for adding a button closure at the end of the pattern, but the case works perfectly well without one if you prefer a simpler finish. A 1cm or half-inch button in a matching or contrasting color looks really sweet on these.

Stitch markers (optional): If you want to add a small decorative element like a crochet flower or a simple bobble, I’ll walk you through that too.

Gauge and Sizing

Getting the sizing right is probably the most important part of this pattern, so let me spend a moment here before we get into the actual instructions.

The AirPods Pro case (second and third generation) measures approximately 4.5cm wide, 6cm tall, and about 2cm deep. You want your crocheted case to be snug but not so tight that it’s hard to get the AirPods in and out. A slight negative ease, meaning the crochet case is just a touch smaller than the actual case, is ideal because the yarn will stretch just enough to accommodate the case while still holding it securely.

With the hook and yarn I’ve described above, my gauge worked out to roughly 20 stitches and 22 rows per 4 inches in single crochet. If your gauge is significantly different, just adjust your hook size accordingly. When in doubt, crochet the base of the case, slip in your AirPods Pro, and check the fit before continuing up the sides.

The Free Vanilla AirPods Pro Case Pattern

Now for the good stuff. Here is the full written pattern. I’ll walk through it section by section with notes and tips along the way.

Abbreviations used:

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
inc = increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
MR = magic ring (also called magic circle)

Part One: The Base

Start by making a magic ring. If you’re not familiar with the magic ring technique, you can find a quick tutorial by searching “how to make a magic ring crochet” on YouTube. It gives you a tight, closed center with no hole, which is exactly what you want for the bottom of a case like this.

Round 1: Make 6 sc into the magic ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. Place your stitch marker in the last stitch of the round. (6 stitches)

Round 2: Inc in every stitch around. (12 stitches)

Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 stitches)

Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 stitches)

At the end of Round 4, you should have a small flat oval, roughly the size of the base of the AirPods Pro case. This is a good moment to hold it up against your case and check. The crocheted circle should be just slightly smaller than the base of the case. If it’s much too small, do one more increase round: sc 3, inc repeat around, which will give you 30 stitches. If it looks about right, you’re ready to move on.

Part Two: The Sides

Here is where you build up the walls of the case. You’ll stop increasing and simply work single crochets in every stitch, which causes the fabric to naturally turn upward and form a cylinder.

Round 5 through Round 18: Sc in every stitch around. (Work 14 rounds of plain single crochet with no increases.)

As you work these rounds, try your AirPods Pro case periodically to check the depth. You want the case to sit just below the opening so that you can pop the lid easily. The number of rounds you need may vary slightly depending on your gauge, so I recommend checking after round 14 and then every couple of rounds until you reach the right height.

When the sides feel right, the opening of the crocheted case should sit at or just below the hinge of your AirPods Pro case. This way, the top of the case is accessible for opening, but everything is still protected.

Part Three: The Opening

For the last couple of rounds, we’ll tighten the opening slightly so that the AirPods don’t fall out, while still leaving enough room to easily remove and replace them.

Round 19: Sc 2, skip 1 repeat around. (This will decrease your stitch count slightly and pull the opening in just a bit.)

Round 20: Sc in every stitch around.

Slip stitch into the next stitch to close the round, then cut your yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Use your tapestry needle to weave in the end securely.

Part Four: Optional Button Closure

If you’d like to add a button closure, here’s how to do it.

After completing the opening, you’ll need to add a small button loop on one side and sew a button on the opposite side. To make the button loop, reattach your yarn at any point on the edge of the opening. Chain 8, then slip stitch into the stitch directly across from where you started. This creates a small loop. Cut your yarn and weave in the end. Now find a button that the loop fits comfortably around, and use your tapestry needle and a length of yarn or thread to sew it securely to the outside of the case, positioned so that the loop reaches it easily.

Tips for Making This Pattern Work

Even though this is a beginner-friendly pattern, there are a few things that trip people up, so let me share some tips based on questions I’ve gotten from readers who have made similar projects.

Count your stitches every single round. It sounds tedious, but when you’re working in the round with a small stitch count, dropping or adding even one stitch can throw off your shaping noticeably. Moving your stitch marker at the end of each round helps a lot with this.

Work tightly. When you’re crocheting a case for something small and specific in size, tighter stitches are almost always better. A too-loose tension means your case will stretch out over time and stop holding the AirPods securely. If you find your natural tension is quite loose, try dropping down a hook size.

Check your fit as you go. I mentioned this in the pattern itself, but I can’t stress it enough. Different generations of AirPods have slightly different case dimensions, and gauge can vary quite a bit from person to person. Checking the fit as you work means you catch any issues early rather than finishing the whole thing and realizing it’s too small.

Block the finished case. If you’re using cotton yarn, giving the finished case a quick wet blocking, meaning you dampen it slightly, gently shape it around the AirPods case, and let it dry, will give you a much more polished, professional result. The cotton fibers will set in the shape of the case and the overall look will be noticeably neater.

Colorway Ideas and Customization

The vanilla colorway is my personal favorite, but this pattern is incredibly easy to customize. Here are a few ideas to spark your imagination.

A classic white with a small goldenrod yellow button gives a really fresh, sunny feel. Soft sage green is having such a moment right now and looks stunning on these little cases. Dusty rose or terracotta are gorgeous if you love earthy tones. For something a bit more fun, try a self-striping yarn that creates subtle color changes as you work the rounds without requiring any color changes on your part. And for the holidays or a cozy winter feel, a deep burgundy or forest green with a gold button is just beautiful.

You can also add small embellishments. A tiny crochet flower attached to the front of the case is easy to make and adds a lovely handmade touch. A simple chain stitch embroidery pattern on the side of the case, like small stars or a heart, is another sweet option. For a more modern look, leave it completely plain and let the texture of the crochet stitches speak for itself.

Gifting and Packaging Ideas

Because this case works up so quickly, it’s ideal as an add-on gift or a standalone small gift for friends and family. If you’re giving it as a gift, I love the idea of tucking a small note inside explaining that it’s handmade and listing the yarn used. Some people get a real kick out of knowing the care that went into something, especially when they learn how quickly it comes together. You can also make a set of three or four in coordinating colors and tie them together with a little ribbon for a more substantial gift.

These cases also sell really well at craft fairs and markets if you’re a maker who sells your work. They’re quick to make, they use minimal materials, they photograph beautifully, and they appeal to a huge range of people since AirPods are so widely used. Pricing-wise, something like five to ten dollars depending on your market and local cost of materials is a reasonable starting point.

Common Questions About This Pattern

Can I use this pattern for regular AirPods, not AirPods Pro? Yes, with some minor adjustments. The regular AirPods case is a bit taller and slightly narrower, so you’d start with fewer stitches in your base and work more rounds on the sides. I’d recommend starting with 18 stitches at the base rather than 24 and then checking the fit frequently as you work up.

Can I use chunky yarn for a faster make? You can, but be aware that a chunkier yarn will give you a case that’s larger overall, and it may not fit as snugly. If you do go up in yarn weight, drop down as many hook sizes as you can stand to keep your tension tight, and check the fit constantly.

What if I don’t know how to crochet in the round? This is a fantastic first project for learning! Working in the round is actually quite simple, and the stitch count is small enough that mistakes are easy to spot and fix. There are wonderful beginner tutorials on YouTube, and once you’ve done even one round of this pattern, the rhythm becomes very intuitive.

Is this pattern suitable for other small cases, like wireless earbuds that aren’t AirPods? Absolutely. The general technique works for any small, roughly cylindrical case. Just start by measuring the case you want to cover and adjust the base size and height accordingly. The increase formula stays the same; you’re just adjusting how many rounds you do.

Final Thoughts

This vanilla AirPods Pro case is one of those patterns I find myself returning to again and again, partly because it’s quick and satisfying, and partly because it makes such a lovely gift. There’s something deeply pleasing about protecting something modern and tech-forward with something handmade and slow, and I think that contrast is part of what makes little projects like this so popular right now.

If you make this case, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram at @AriannaFrascati or leave a photo in the comments below. I feature reader makes regularly and there is nothing that makes my day more than seeing the colors and yarns you all choose for your versions. And if you have any questions about the pattern, drop them in the comments and I’ll do my best to get back to you quickly.

Happy hooking, and enjoy your new handmade case!

Like this pattern? You might also enjoy my free crochet coin purse pattern, my mini tote bag tutorial, or my beginner’s guide to crocheting in the round. All free, all right here on the blog.