Designed by: Cylinda Mathews

Week 1:

Materials needed for model:
1 Skein super saver Red Heart yarn
Crochet hook size G
Mead © Composition book (9 3/4" x 7 1/2")

The Crochet-A-Long is given with instructions on how to change the size for your specific needs. You can determine if you'd like to make a cover for a journal, photo album, bible, or diary. You can also use your favorite medium, yarn, luster sheen, Aunt Lydia's Denim, or even thread!

To customize a cover for your project: Ch a multiple of 2 and follow instructions below for the pattern repeat. The width of the cover (left to right), should be long enough to cover the back cover, front cover, and overlap the front cover, forming a flap to insert the front cover. To determine the height or length of the cover, will depend on the project. Add 2-4 extra rows, ending with Row 3, to extend beyond the cover's edges. To create an eyelet row, you'll need to crochet 1-2 rows more than half the length of the project. You'll need to adjust the length and width based on the medium and hook size used.

Row 1) Ch 76; sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 74 ch: 75 sc.

Row 2) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * ch 1, sk next st, sc in next sc; rep from * across: 38 sc/37-ch 1 sps.

Row 3) (Right side of work): Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * Lsc in next sc 2 rows below, sc in next sc; rep from * across: 38 sc/37 Lsc. Long single crochet or Lsc: Insert hook in st, 2 rows below, pull up a lp equal to the height of the current row, yo, draw through both lps on hook to complete the st.

Rows 4-21) Repeat instructions for rows 2 & 3 respectively. Pull up a lp and drop st.

Place in plastic bag for next week.

Week 2:

Picking up where you left off last week:

Row 22) Eyelet Row: Ch 4, turn work (counts as first dc, plus ch 1), sk next st, dc in next st; * ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st; rep from * across: 38 dc/37-ch 1 sps.

Row 23) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * sc in next ch 1 sp, sc in next sc; rep from * across: 75 sc.

Rows 24-43) Repeat instructions for rows 2 & 3 respectively. Pull up a lp and drop st.

Place in plastic bag for next week.

Week 3:

Picking up where you left off last week:

Rnd 1) Joining & Edging: (Ch 1, sc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, evenly work down side of journal, [sk next row, sc in next row, (ch 2, 2 dc) in same st] to next corner, (ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, evenly work across the bottom, [sk next 2 ch on foundation row, sc in next ch, (ch 2, 2 dc) in same st] halfway across the bottom, fold approx. 1/4 to 1/3 of the side edge of journal cover to the back of work, creating a flap for inserting the journal into, overlapping edges and matching stitches, contine to work evenly across through both the pieces, matching stitches, [sk next 2 ch on foundation row, sc in next ch, (ch 2, 2 dc) in same st] across to next corner, (ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, evenly work across the fold of the flap, in top loop of Lsc, [sk next row, sc in next row, (ch 2, 2 dc) in same st] to next corner, (ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, evenly work across the top of the journal, [sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, (ch 2, 2 dc) in same st] across to next corner; join with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off; secure ends.

Place in plastic bag for next week.

Week 4:

Finishing Materials:
Crochet hook size F
Approx. 2/3-yd (1/3" - 1/2" wide) ribbon

Bookmark: The bookmark should be placed on the opposite side of the inside cover from where the flap is located. Position the marker where desired, or use the photo as guide.

Join yarn to any st opposite where an edging st is worked with a sl st, ch 7, sk next edging st, sc into next st opposite of where the next edging st is worked.

Row 1) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first ch; * sc in next ch; rep from * across: 7 sc.

Row 2) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * sc in next sc; rep from * across: 7 sc.

Row 3) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * across: 4 sc/3 ch 1-sps.

Row 4) Ch 1, turn work; sc in first sc; * Lsc in next sc 2 rows below, sc in next sc; rep from * across: 4 sc/3 Lsc sts.

Rows 5-36) Rep instructiosn for rows 3 & 4 respectively. Fasten off; secure ends at end of row 36. Note: The bookmark can be worked shorter if desired.

Handles: (Using a size F hook)
Ch 50 (or desired length for the project size); Sl st in each ch back to the first ch. Do not end off.. To determine the length required, measure the cover from one edge to the opposite and multiply by 2, add an additional length for two handles.

Finishing:
Insert a safety pin in the end of the handle (opposite end from where yarn is still joined). Working under the Lsc, run the handle under each Lsc in row preferred (use the photo as a guide for placement). Start at one edge of the cover and pull the handle through so just a small portion of the end of the handle extends beyond the edge (for joining later). Continue to run the handle under each Lsc st in that row, working across the cover. Pull the ch up and leave as much of a handle as you prefer at the top of the cover before running the ch through the opposite side under each Lsc. Working back across the journal cover, run the handle under each Lsc to the opposite edge. Pick up dropped lp and join the ends. Weave in ends and adjust the ch so the handles are of equal length for carrying.

Weave the ribbon through the eyelet rnd, leaving a length at each end for tying into a bow.