A case for reading glasses

A little gift from me to you

A while ago I made a couple of crochet cases for my glasses, which I shared them on my podcast some time ago. Since then my need of reading glasses seems to have grown and grown so I grabbed myself a couple another pair of those cheap ones the other day. So handy to have them wherever you know you need them, and now I can have a set in the craft room too. Which of course means, I need a new case!

As the original case seemed quite popular and I got some questions about how I made it, I thought I’d take you through the process with me this time. So that’s the subject of my latest ‘Quiet Moment’s video. I say a Quiet Moments video but it’s sort of become instruction video as well I suppose. It’s not quite a functional ‘how to’ tutorial though, it’s hopefully retained some of the peaceful, calm and relaxing ‘moments’ feel, as well as being useful.

I’ve written up the instructions below too so they can be used as an easy reference and a memory jog. It will save trawling through to find the right spot in the video, but you can always refer back to the video to see how I did it, if you get stuck anywhere too. The best of both worlds (hopefully)!

So here’s the video:

And here’s what I did…

The crochet part

This pattern is very adaptable to whatever yarn you have in stash, as you can make the sizing up as you go. But for reference, here’s what I used

Yarn: Stylecraft Organic Cotton DK

Hook: 3.5mm¹

Size: Adaptable as I say, but I ended up with a case 2.5” wide, by 6.25” tall (6.d x 16 cm)

Terms: UK (as I’m UK based) But here’s a translation for you:

UK = US

dc (double) = sc (single)

tr (treble) = dc (double)

ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st/s = stitch/es, shell = 3tr sts

Here’s what I did:

Starting chain: You need a multiple of 3, plus 1 more. I used 10 for this case, but you could do 13, 16, 19, etc.

R1: Chain 1, make a dc into the second chain from the hook, and then into each chain to the end. You should have the same number of stitches as you starting chain. (In my case 10)

Now we work in rounds:

R2: Chain 1, and without turning the work, rotate around so that you are working into the back of the starting chain (the bottom of the stitch just made). Make a sl st into the base of the first stitch. Chain 3 (which counts as your first tr) then work 2 tr stitches into the same place. *Skip 2 sts and then work 3tr’s (a granny shell) into the base of the next st. Repeat the instructions from * to the end.

Now we’ll work along the other side of R1, working into the top of the dc sts this time:

So rotate the work again, and make a shell (3tr) into the first dc, *skip 2 sts and work a shell into the next st. Repeat from * again to the end, then make a sl st into the top of the starting 3 chain.

All the rest of the rounds will be worked in the same way…

Attach a new colour to any of the spaces between shells, then:

R3: Ch 3, 2tr in same place, then work 3tr into each space around to the beginning, sl st into top of starting 3 chain to finish.

Work as many more rounds as you need to get a good length, then to finish, I work one more round…

Last round: 2ch, 1dc in same place, 1 dc in each stitch around, sl st into top of first dc.

That’s it for the case, just the small matter of weaving in the ends of course!

For the lining

I picked two different fabrics. An ‘outer’ fabric which sits under the crochet, I usually go for something plain, to blend in with my yarn colours and also an ‘inner’ fabric, which you will see when you open the case, I like to choose something prettier for this.

To see what size fabric to cut, measure the crochet case.

Width: Width of the case, times 2, plus half an inch for seams. (My case was 2.5” wide, so my fabric width was 5.5”

Length: Length of case, plus half an inch for seams (My case was 6.25”, so my fabric length was 6.75”

Cut 2 pieces, one from each fabric then sew the case as follows:

1. With wrong sides (WS) together, sew along the top edge (the width line) using a quarter inch seam.

2. Open out and press the seam open.

3. Fold in half lengthwise, WS together again, then sew along the three open sides, leaving a gap to turn out. (Make sure you leave the gap along the edge of the ‘inner’ piece of fabric.

4. Cut the corners and then turn out so the right side (RS) is facing. Take a moment to arrange everything neatly and press into place.

5. Close the turning gap by stitching along the open edge. (Or hand sew if you prefer.)

6. Fold the ‘inner’ into the ‘outer’ to make the lining.

7. Insert the lining into the crochet case and sew into place along the top edge. I used whip stitch.

For the final touch, I like to add a tie to the top in case I need to secure the glasses in the case, to carry round, or travel. Weave a ribbon, or piece of fabric in and out of the shells of the top row of grannies. Or, if like me you don’t have any ribbon that works, make a cord from your yarn!

I hope you enjoy making yours if you give it a whirl and I’d love to see what you come up with so if you fancy tagging me into your photos on Instagram (@sandracherryhrt) that would be great!

S x

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1. I used one size down from the recommended yarn size to minimise the gaps a little