What says summer knitting better than a quickie little sunglass case pattern? Grab a nice little ball of yarn leftover from one of your winter cowls, a couple of needles, and you’ve got yourself the perfect single-sitting beach knitting pattern. Or if it’s a rainy day, pop in a movie and you can make this start to finish in an hour or two. AND you can immediately use the finished case since it’s still summer. Like I said – summer knitting perfection. ;)
Supplies
leftover chunky yarn (I used 15-20 yds of Bernat’s Roving in Low Tide.)
size 11 knitting needles
scissors
yarn needle
Directions / Pattern
The thing to keep in mind to “get” this pattern as you’re making it is this: you’re just making an envelope for your sunglasses to slide into. You can customize the chevron motif below to any yarn – I made this case to fit an extra-big pair of sunglasses, so my pattern is bigger than average. But if you’ve got your eye on making a case for a slimmer pair of specs, just use skinner yarn or a different amount of repeats on the pattern. Or holler in the comments and I’ll see what I can do to help! ;)
Abbreviations
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
BO – bind off
across – repeat from { to }
The Pattern
CO 24 sts (or any multiple of 12)
row 1: k3, {p1, k4, p1, k6} across, ending with k3 instead of k6
row 2: p4, {k1, p2, k1, p8} across, ending with p4 instead of p8
row 3: k5, {p2, k10} across, ending with k5 instead of k10
row 4: k1, {p10, k2} across, ending with k1 instead of k2
row 5: k1, {p1, k8, p1, k2} across, ending with k1 instead of k2
row 6: p2, {k1, p6, k1, p4} across, ending with p2 instead of p4Repeat row 1 to 6 until your rectangle of knitting is long enough to fold around your sunglasses when folded into thirds like a letter. When you’ve got it long enough, sew the sides of the bottom 2/3 of the case shut as shown and weave in ends. Then check out the animated GIF below to see how it closes (no hardware required!).
Isn’t the skinny line of chevron purls nice? (If I say so myself, I know.) I kinda want to make a bigger version to use as a small clutch for the fall. Hmm, I might just need to whip up a pattern for that this fall! :)
PS: Thanks to everyone who finished the Reader Survey! I’ll soon have the responses distilled into some pretty little graphs for you to peruse next week, along with the giveaway winners. You all are the best readers – your kind comments were so appreciated and really made my month. <3 <3 <3
This sunglasses holder is sooo adorable!
This is so cute, simple and clever! Can’t wait to make one – thanks for sharing
closing it question – are you tucking in the flap? Cant really see how it is staying closed
thanks!
Hi Marie – yep, it’s tucked. I was hoping that got through in the animated GIF, but I guess not. Thanks for the question!
Thanks!
About how long is your case?
Hi Marie! Sorry for the delay in my response – my notification system glitched out, my bad! I just measured my case, and it’s about 8.5 inches long. Keep in mind that the heart suglasses I made it for are abnormally huge. :) -Heidi
Hi,
I just came across this sunglass holder and think it is so cute! I hope I haven’t missed the pattern for a clutch. I’m not so good at improvising so I really need to see a pattern right in front of me. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kathy! This motif *would* make a great clutch – I haven’t yet done a clutch pattern in this motif, but I can sure whip one up. I’ll add it to my to-knit list. Thanks for the suggestion! -Heidi :)
I don’t have bulky yarn. Would 2 or 3 strands of worsted weight yarn work? I really want to make this case because my sunglasses are big,too. Thanks.
Sue
Yeah, since it’s just knitting a rectangle and sewing up the sides, you can be flexible with your yarn!
I really love this design but I don’t understand your instructions. If you cast on 24 sts why don’t your row instructions ever add up to 24 sts? If the pattern is repeated twice some rows add up to 30 and others to28? Am I missing something here? Your help urgently requested. Regards Stephanie
It looks like you’re misunderstanding the pattern instructions, which is understandable because this is based on an old fashioned pattern. Allow me to break down row 1:
row 1: k3, {p1, k4, p1, k6} across, ending with k3 instead of k6
If you cast on 24 sts, row 1 would be worked as follows per the listed instructions:
k3, p1, k4, p1, k6, p1, k4, p1, k3.
3+1+4+1+6+1+4+1+3 = 24 stitches in the row.