by Cindy Hartzell

Created on: January 09, 2008

With just a little time and yarn, you can fashion an outfit for your cell phone! Advanced and beginning knitters will love this project. The basic pattern featured here has so many handle options that you will be tempted to make a complete wardrobe!

Although the instructions here are for knitting, this idea can easily be adapted to a crochet project by simply crocheting a strip slightly wider and two times the length of your cell phone in the crochet stitch of your choice.

You will need:
*Yarn (in color and texture of your choice)
Size 8 (US) knitting needles
Yarn needle

*Note: Beginning knitters will have much more success working with a basic worsted weight yarn. Texture and novelty yarns make it more difficult to see your stitches. You can always add fancy yarn in later!

Gauge, working garter stitch over size 8 (US) needles:
5 stitches = 1 inch
4 rows = 1 inch

Tip: Make a sample swatch to check your gauge. If your measured swatch is too small, switch to slightly larger needles. If the swatch is too large, switch to smaller needles.

Cast on 12 stitches.
Row 1: Knit across row.
Repeat row 1 until piece measures twice the length of your cell phone.
Bind off.

Finishing: With some of the same yarn, sew the sides together with an overhand stitch. Turn the bag inside out so your seams are in the inside of the bag. Weave any loose ends into the fabric of the bag.

Handle options:

Knit handle: Cast on 3 stitches. Knit every row until handle is desired length. Sew handle to cell phone cover at seams. Weave in any loose ends.

Crochet handle: Attach yarn at one seam edge. Crochet a chain your desired length and attach to other side seam. Weave in any loose ends.

Braided handle: Cut at least six pieces of yarn. Holding all the pieces together, tie an overhand knot. Separate yarn in to three groups and braid until you nearly reach the other end. Tie another overhand knot. Trim ends even to form neat tassels. Sew through overhand knot on handle and seam of bag to attach. Tassels will be hanging just below top of bag. Weave in loose ends of sewing yarn.

Optional fringe: Cut 10 to 12 pieces of yarn measuring 4 times the desired fringe length. Thread a piece of yarn on needle and draw through bottom of bag. Pull needle and adjust yarn until yarn lengths are equal. Clip yarn at needle. Use a square knot or an overhand knot to fasten fringe group to bag. There are four pieces of yarn per group. Repeat the process for the remaining pieces.

Yarn options:

Use novelty yarn for your handles to add more fun and a fashionable look to your cell phone bag. A plain bag looks really cute with a fuzzy eyelash yarn handle. And, you can embellish your bag by randomly top stitching the bag with a little more fuzzy yarn.

Try making an evening cell phone bag with a combination of metallic and eyelash yarn in silver, gold or black. Make the handle extra long so you can wear it over your shoulder.

For casual elegance, try making a cell phone bag from some of the new silky yarns made from bamboo and soy. Most of them come in a wide array of colors. You and your cell phone will be the talk of the town!

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