A pink, textured cover wraps a notebook like a slim book jacket, with a cream scalloped trim running along the edges. On the front sits a white cat-face appliqué with pointed ears, two black oval eyes, a small yellow nose, and three embroidered whiskers on each side. A raspberry-pink bow is tucked at the upper right of the face. Around it, small crocheted flowers (white with yellow centers, and one in deeper pink) and several heart shapes are scattered across the cover. A short tab with another flower closes the cover on the right side, and a braided cord with a pink bead and a daisy charm hangs from the spine.
This post covers what the photo shows and how you could build something similar. Sizes and materials below are starting points, since the image shows the finished cover and not the original instructions. One note: the character in the photo is a licensed design. If you plan to sell finished covers or publish a pattern, check the trademark rules first. For personal use or gifts, a generic cat-face appliqué works just as well.
How the cover is built
Think of it as a fabric rectangle with a few separate parts added on.
The main fabric. The pink body has a dense, bumpy texture. It looks like a tight single crochet worked in a pattern that creates small raised dots. Moss stitch (alternating single crochet and chain) would give a similar grain, as would a textured stitch such as the waistcoat or spike stitch. The fabric is firm, which matters because it has to hold the notebook’s shape.
The wrap. The cover looks like one long piece that folds around the notebook, with the front and back panels joined by a spine section. The flap or inner pockets aren’t visible, but a cover like this usually needs a pocket on each side to hold the notebook’s front and back boards. Fold the ends in and sew them along the top and bottom.
The trim. The cream border looks like a round of picots or small shells worked along the edge, which both finishes the fabric and adds contrast.
Sizing the cover
Measure the notebook before you start, since every notebook is a different size.
- Height: Notebook height plus about 3 to 6 mm of ease.
- Width: Spine thickness plus twice the notebook width, plus the inner pockets (about 5 to 7 cm per side).
- Spine: Match the notebook’s thickness, adding a little extra so the cover doesn’t strain.
Swatch the stitch first, then calculate the number of stitches and rows from your gauge. Because textured stitches pull in slightly, a swatch is more reliable than a stitch-count guess. Make the cover a little smaller than the notebook if your yarn stretches, and check by wrapping the cover around the notebook as you go.
The face appliqué
The cat face is the main motif and works best as a separate piece.
- Make the head shape. A wide oval worked in white single crochet in the round, with two small triangles for the ears. Some crocheters work the ears directly into the head, while others make them separately and sew them on.
- Add the features. The eyes look like small black ovals, which could be embroidered or made with small black beads or buttons. The nose is a small yellow oval in satin stitch. The whiskers are three straight stitches of black yarn on each side.
- Attach it. Sew the head to the cover with a whipstitch around the edge, using pink yarn so the stitches blend in.
Use white or cream yarn with a smooth finish. Fuzzy yarn blurs the whiskers and eyes. Pin the face in place and look at it from a few feet away before stitching, since small differences in eye spacing change the expression more than anything else.
The bow, flowers, and hearts
- Bow: A deeper pink bow made from two small loops and a center knot. A small rectangle worked in single crochet, pinched in the middle and wrapped with yarn, gives a similar shape.
- Flowers: Five-petal motifs in white with yellow centers, and one in deep pink with a white center. Work a small yellow ring first, then add petals as small clusters. The white flowers are about the size of the heart motifs, so keep them uniform.
- Hearts: Small crocheted hearts in two shades of pink. A standard heart motif (a few increases, a split, then a decrease to the point) works. Make several, since they’re quick and you’ll want options for placement.
Arrange the pieces on the cover before sewing. The photo shows flowers and hearts spread around the face with space between each, so avoid crowding. Sew each piece on at several points so it lies flat.
The tab closure and charm
Tab. A short strap of pink fabric on the right edge, with a flower sewn on top. It would close over the front, held by a button or snap hidden underneath. A hidden magnetic snap is another option. If you prefer something simpler, use a button on the front and a loop on the strap.
Charm. A braided or twisted cord in pink, threaded through the spine edge, with a small stuffed bead and a daisy charm hanging from it. Make the bead as a tiny sphere in the round, lightly stuffed. Tie the cord on securely, since this part will be handled often.
Yarn and hook suggestions
- Yarn: A cotton or cotton blend in DK or light worsted weight gives crisp stitch definition and wears well. You’ll need a soft pink for the cover, cream or white for the trim and face, a deeper pink or raspberry for the bow and some flowers, and small amounts of yellow and black.
- Hook: A starting point is 2.5 to 3.5 mm. Use a smaller hook than the label suggests, so the fabric is firm and the notebook can’t show through.
- Other supplies: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, a small amount of fiberfill for the bead, black thread or beads for the eyes, and a snap or button for the closure. A thin piece of cardstock inside each pocket is optional if you want extra stiffness.
Making it hold up
- Add a lining. A fabric or felt lining inside the cover protects the notebook and helps the crochet keep its shape.
- Reinforce the spine. Work a row or two of extra single crochet along the spine edge, where the cover bends the most.
- Block lightly. Press the finished piece flat with steam, or pin and mist it, so the corners square up.
- Secure small pieces. Hearts, flowers, and the bow get handled often, so stitch them on at several points.
Customization ideas
- Colors: A lavender cover with cream trim, or a mint one with pink accents, keeps the same structure.
- Character: Swap the cat for a bear, bunny, or simple heart. The surrounding flowers still work.
- Size: Adjust for a planner, a journal, a passport, or an e-reader.
- Motifs: Use fewer flowers for a cleaner look, or add more hearts for a busier one.
Care and finishing
Spot clean with a damp cloth. If the cover needs washing, remove the charm and any beads first, wash gently by hand, and dry flat. Avoid stretching the fabric while wet, since the notebook size depends on the cover staying firm.
Frequently asked questions
Is this beginner-friendly?
It uses single crochet, simple shaping, and a lot of tiny motifs. A beginner can make the plain cover, then add the appliqués one at a time.
How much yarn will I need?
That depends on the notebook size and your gauge. A small swatch gives a good estimate, and the pink cover will use most of it.
Can I make it without the character face?
Yes. A simple heart or flower cluster in the center works well.
Will it fit any notebook?
Only the size you measure. Use the notebook’s actual dimensions and adjust the stitch count.