A crochet notebook cover turns a practical everyday object into a small picture you can carry. This ocean design combines a dolphin, a yellow sun, and bands of waves beneath a pale blue sky.
The photographed version uses a light-colored dolphin against the blue background, with darker wave outlines near the bottom. Its picture is worked into the crochet fabric, so even stitches and careful color placement help the scene remain recognizable.
A successful cover also needs to fit the notebook comfortably. It should stay in place while allowing the book to open, close, and rest naturally when you write.
These project notes cover sizing, gauge, color choices, and finishing. The original design is “Dive right in” by Becky Skuse, published in Simply Crochet, Issue 138. Consult the original publication for the complete written instructions and charts.
Start With the Notebook You Will Use
Choose the notebook before beginning the cover. Keep it nearby throughout the project, even if it is sold as the size specified in the pattern.
The published design is intended for an A5 notebook. Its listed finished cover size is approximately 33 × 22 cm, but the fit still depends on the notebook’s spine thickness and the dimensions of its boards.
Measure the height, the width of each closed cover, and the spine. For the outer wrap, you need to account for the front, spine, and back together.
Measure around the closed notebook with a flexible tape, without compressing the spine. This provides a useful comparison when checking your crochet panel.
Also consider the notebook’s binding. A cover that fits a slim notebook may feel tight around a thicker journal, while a spiral binding may need additional room to move.
Check Gauge Before Working the Picture
The original publication specifies cotton DK yarn, a 3 mm hook, and a gauge of 22 stitches and 22 rows per 10 cm. These are reference measurements for the published version, rather than a guarantee that every crocheter will achieve the same result.
Make a sample using the stitch instructed in the pattern. Measure across the middle of the sample, where the edges are less likely to affect the result.
Check both stitch gauge and row gauge. Stitch gauge controls the panel’s width; row gauge affects its height and the proportions of the picture.
If your sample differs, adjust your hook or tension and check again. Following the chart with a substantially different gauge can produce a dolphin that looks wider or taller, as well as a cover that does not fit.
The original materials and measurements are listed in the “Dive right in” publication preview.
Choose Colors That Keep the Scene Clear
Test the dolphin color against the sky before starting the main panel. The photographed version uses a pale dolphin, so its outline is subtle. A gray dolphin against light blue can provide stronger definition.
Lay the wave colors together too. Neighboring bands should remain distinguishable, particularly where the waves change direction.
Keep the sun visibly brighter than its background. If using leftover yarn, compare all the colors in natural light and check that their thicknesses are compatible.
Changing the palette is an easy way to personalize the project while keeping the chart’s arrangement intact. Changing yarn weights affects the dimensions and requires a new gauge check.
Follow the Chart’s Direction Carefully
Read the original pattern’s chart instructions before beginning. Confirm how the chart relates to the front and back of the notebook, and how each row should be read.
Mark the completed row as you go. Returning to an unmarked chart after a break can make it difficult to distinguish the row you finished from the one you intended to start.
Count the stitches in each color section before moving on. Small mistakes around the dolphin’s nose, fins, or tail can change its silhouette more noticeably than a misplaced stitch in a broad background area.
Keep the overall row count consistent. A correct color sequence cannot compensate for an extra or missing stitch along the edge.
Keep Color Changes From Tightening the Panel
Follow the colorwork method specified for each part of the original pattern. Different methods manage unused yarn differently, so avoid treating every section as if it uses the same technique.
After a color change, let the fabric relax before judging the tension. Pulling the new strand too firmly can pinch the stitches and draw a section inward.
Where the instructed method carries yarn behind or through the work, give it enough room for the fabric to sit naturally. Excessively tight carried strands can make a flat panel behave like a shallow bowl.
Inspect the reverse side regularly. Keep loose strands and tails organized so they do not become tangled or interfere with the notebook’s inner cover sections.
Check the Picture and Edges Together
Lay the panel flat periodically without stretching it.
Look at the dolphin’s outline, the sun’s placement, and the wave bands. Then check whether the side edges remain even and the panel is maintaining its intended width.
A narrowing edge may indicate a missed end stitch. An isolated tight area may come from a color change. Find the cause before adding more rows.
If shaping or blocking is appropriate for your yarn, follow its care guidance. Measure afterward, once the panel has dried and settled. Blocking can help even the fabric, but it should not be used to force a significantly undersized panel around a notebook.
Test the Fit Before Final Seaming
Wrap the cover around the actual notebook at the stage recommended in the pattern. Position the picture where you want it before securing the final edges.
Check the fit with the notebook closed first. The fabric should reach around the spine without pulling the front design sideways.
Then open the notebook gently. Its covers should move without forcing the crochet to stretch sharply across the spine.
If the construction uses inner flaps, check that the notebook boards slide into them comfortably. The flaps should hold the cover in place without gripping so tightly that insertion distorts the outer panel.
Fit the Lining Without Restricting Movement
The original project includes lining fabric. Measure and fit it according to the published construction instructions, allowing for the required seams.
Check the lining against the completed crochet cover before attaching it permanently. Smooth it into place without stretching either material.
Pay particular attention near the spine and the inner flaps. A lining that is too tight can restrict opening even when the crochet panel itself has enough room.
Keep sewing stitches tidy and avoid catching the notebook pages during fit checks. Test the cover again after attaching the lining, since finishing can change how the layers move together.
Try Writing in the Covered Notebook
A final fit check should include ordinary use.
Open the notebook to the beginning, middle, and end. Turn several pages and rest your hand in your usual writing position.
Check whether the cover slips, bunches beneath the boards, or pulls at the spine. Make sure any seam near an edge does not create an uncomfortable ridge under your hand.
The cover should feel secure without requiring you to hold it in position. Adjust the fit before trimming the last accessible ends.
Care for the Cover Separately
Remove the notebook before cleaning. Follow the care instructions for both the yarn and lining fabric.
Reshape the cover gently and let it dry completely before putting the notebook back inside. Keep damp fabric away from paper and avoid drying the cover by stretching it over the book.
For a gift, include the notebook size and a short care note. If the recipient later replaces the notebook, similar board dimensions and spine thickness will help preserve the fit.
Original Design and Video
“Dive right in” was designed by Becky Skuse for Simply Crochet, Issue 138. The complete written pattern and charts belong to the original publication.
Find the original project here: Dive right in — Simply Crochet, Issue 138.
The Crochetnotes video runs approximately 25 minutes and shows a crocheted version of the ocean notebook cover. Use it alongside the original instructions when checking the colorwork and construction.
Watch every stitch up close
Pair these written notes with the complete video tutorial.
Made with yarn, shared with love. 🧶💗