by Silva Payne

Created on: September 03, 2009   Last Updated: September 04, 2009

As one of the latest must-have phone accessories, a cell phone cozy or phone sock is very easy to make. There are several ways in which you can make your cozy to really personalise it beyond simply having your name on it. So instead of paying out for a mass-produced phone cozy, why not have a go at making one yourself.

First, decide what you want to make your cozy out of. The simplest way is to use an old ankle-high sock. Cut the sock straight across at the top of the heel section. Turn the sock inside out, and sew (or glue if you really cannot sew) the cut end together. Turn right-side out again and you have the basic cozy. Now you can add all kinds of embellishments such as beads, sequins or braid. You can also make your own phone cozy charm by threading beads onto a length of embroidery silk and attaching one end just inside the top of your cozy. Little beads with letters of the alphabet on are great for this, and you can spell out your name with them or any word you like.

If you are feeling more adventurous, you could knit or crochet your own phone cozy. Use small gauge needles or crochet hook so that the holes between the stitches are not too big. Knit or crochet a rectangle shape that is a little taller than your phone, and long enough to wrap all the way around it with a quarter inch (1 cm) to spare. Experienced knitters and crocheters will be able to use more complex stitches for a more rustic look, or perhaps add a picture or incorporate their name into the cozy. If you include eyelets at the top edge of the rectangle, you will be able to thread ribbon or a length of plaited yarn through the top to keep the cozy closed and stop the phone falling out. If you are using sequins or beads and threading them on to the yarn before you start to knit or crochet, make sure they are completely pulled through to the right side of the work so that they do not scratch the surface of the phone.

For a very personal and special gift, you could make a cell phone cozy out of some luxurious fabric such as velvet or silk. As phones are becoming smaller, it will only take a very small amount of fabric to achieve the desired effect. Draw around your phone on a piece of paper, and then cut out the shape approximately quarter inch (1 cm) larger all the way round than the outline. You will need some luxury fabric for the outside of the cozy and some thin fabric such as linen for the inside lining. Cut 2 phone shapes using your pattern from each piece of fabric. If you are going to stitch any embellishments onto the outside of the cozy, you should do so at this point before you begin to assemble it. Place the 2 pieces of fabric A right sides together and stitch around the 2 long sides and one short side. Do the same with the 2 pieces of fabric B (lining) but a little further in from the edge than on fabric A.

Turn fabric A right side out. Slip the lining inside the outer fabric A sock. For an extra special touch, you can add some lavender seeds or other sweet-smelling pot-pourri in between the 2 layers of fabric, but make sure you tell the recipient should they decide to wash the cozy later on. Fold the top edge of fabric A inwards and pin in place. Fold the top edge of fabric B towards fabric A and pin through all 4 layers of fabric. Stitch neatly around the top, closing the cozy and trapping the seeds or pot-pourri inside.

Cell phone cozies are great little extras. You could get carried away and make a different one for every day of the week, or have a work cozy and a party cozy. The possibilities are endless!

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