The Hearthstone Pocket: A Herringbone Crochet Phone Sleeve

Introduction

Welcome to the Hearthstone Pocket, a cozy little phone sleeve that is absolutely perfect for your very first crochet project. If you have never held a crochet hook before, do not worry for even one second — this pattern uses just one stitch, worked over and over, so you only need to learn a single motion before you are off and running. What makes this project so special is the herringbone half double crochet stitch, which creates a dense, woven, tweed-like fabric with a subtle diagonal grain that looks far more complicated than it actually is. The finished sleeve is snug and protective, with a soft matte texture and a slightly fuzzy, heathered look, and it closes with a charming little button-and-loop at the top. In an evening or two you will have a warm, handmade pocket that keeps your phone safe and makes you smile every time you pull it out.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK / Light (3) weight yarn, approximately 30–40 yards (28–37 m). A smooth wool or cotton blend in a heathered oatmeal or soft charcoal shows the herringbone texture best. (One standard 50 g ball of DK yarn is more than enough — you will have plenty left over.)
• Crochet hook: E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook. The "E/4" is the US size and "3.5 mm" is the metric size — they are the same hook.
• Stitch markers: 2–4 removable stitch markers (or small safety pins) to mark your first stitch and your corners.
• Tapestry needle: A blunt-tipped yarn needle (also called a tapestry needle) with an eye large enough to thread your yarn, for seaming and weaving in ends.
• Scissors: Any sharp pair of craft scissors for cutting yarn.
• Button: One 0.5–0.75 inch (1.5–2 cm) button — wood, coconut, or resin all look lovely.
• Measuring tape or ruler: For measuring your phone and checking your gauge.
• Your phone: To measure, so the sleeve fits it perfectly.

Finished size/dimensions: The finished sleeve is approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide and 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) tall, sized to fit a phone about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) tall. The pattern includes instructions for adjusting these measurements to your own phone.

Abbreviations and Beginner Glossary

Every abbreviation used in this pattern is listed below and explained in plain English. Read through this list once before you begin — you do not need to memorize it, just know where to look.

• ch – chain. Make a slip knot on your hook, then wrap the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop on your hook. That is one chain. Chains form your starting row and small loops.
• st / sts – stitch / stitches. A "stitch" is one completed loop-and-pull motion on your hook; "stitches" is simply the plural.
• hbhtr – herringbone half double crochet. This is the one special stitch of the pattern, explained fully below.
• yo – yarn over. Wrap the working yarn (the yarn coming from the ball) over your hook from front to back.
• sl st – slip stitch. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook at the same time. It makes a tiny, flat joining stitch.
• RS – right side. The "public" side of the fabric that will face outward when the project is finished.
• WS – wrong side. The "inside" side of the fabric that will face inward.
• turn – flip your work over so you can work back across the row you just finished.
• fasten off – cut the yarn a few inches from your work, then pull the tail all the way through the last loop on your hook to lock it. This is also called "binding off."
• whipstitch – a simple seaming stitch: bring the needle up through both layers, over the edge, and back down through both layers, repeating along the edge to join two pieces.
• weave in ends – thread a yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and run it back and forth through the fabric so it disappears and cannot unravel.
• block – gently dampen or steam the finished piece and shape it flat to even out the stitches.

The Special Stitch: Herringbone Half Double Crochet (hbhtr)

This is the only stitch you need to learn, and it is very close to a regular half double crochet. Here is the full motion, step by step:

1. Yarn over (wrap the yarn over your hook).
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch.
3. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have three loops on your hook.
4. Pull that new loop through the first loop on your hook (the one nearest the tip). This is the "herringbone twist" that gives the stitch its woven look. You now have two loops on your hook.
5. Yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook.

That is one complete hbhtr. Practice it a few times on a scrap chain before you start the real thing — it will feel natural within ten stitches.

Gauge

Gauge: 18 stitches x 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in herringbone half double crochet (hbhtr).

Why gauge matters: Gauge is simply how big your stitches come out. If your stitches are bigger than the pattern expects, your sleeve will be loose and baggy; if they are smaller, the sleeve may be too tight to fit your phone. For this project gauge is not critical — the pattern is sized to your own phone — but you do want a dense fabric so the sleeve protects your screen.

How to make a gauge swatch: Chain 22. Work 1 hbhtr in the second chain from your hook and in each chain across (21 sts). Work 18 rows of hbhtr (ch 1, then 1 hbhtr in each stitch across, turn). Lay the swatch flat and measure a 4 inch (10 cm) section in the middle: count how many stitches fit across and how many rows fit down. If you have about 18 stitches and 16 rows, you are right on target. If you have many more stitches, your tension is tight — try a hook one size larger. If you have fewer, your tension is loose — try a hook one size smaller. You can also simply measure your swatch and use it to decide how many chains to start with for your phone.

Beginner Tips Before You Start

• Mark your first stitch of every row. Place a stitch marker in the very first stitch you work after the turning chain. It is the single most common beginner mistake to lose that stitch, and the marker makes it impossible to miss.
• Do not pull your yarn too tight. Keep a relaxed, even tension. If your hook squeaks or fights you, you are pulling too hard — loosen your grip and let the yarn flow.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row. It takes ten seconds and saves you from discovering a mistake five rows later. Your count should stay the same on every row.
• Measure your phone first. Write down the width and height before you chain. The sleeve should be about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) wider than your phone and 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) taller.
• Remember the turning chain does not count as a stitch. The "ch 1" at the start of each row is just a little step-up; do not work a stitch into it, and do not count it in your stitch totals.
• Keep your work flat and untwisted. Because this piece is worked flat in rows, check that your fabric is not curling into a tube as you go — a gentle pat flat after each row keeps everything even.

Step-by-Step Instructions

NOTE: The cover is worked flat in rows from the bottom up, then seamed along the sides. The herringbone stitch creates a slightly biased fabric; block lightly if needed.

Measure your phone: width (W) and height (H). The cover should be about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) wider than the phone and 0.5 inch taller. The example below is written for a phone 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide and 6 inches (15 cm) tall, which gives a starting chain of 20 and a total of 19 stitches per row. If your phone is a different size, simply chain until the foundation chain measures W + 0.5 inch, then work your first row into every chain — your stitch count will be one less than your chain count.

Body (Worked Flat in Rows)

Row 1 (Right Side): Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in the second ch from hook and in each ch across until the foundation chain measures W + 0.5 inch. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 8: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 9: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 10: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 11: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 12: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 13: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 14: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 15: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 16: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 17: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 18: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 19: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 20: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 21: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 22: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 23: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 24: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 25: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 26: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 27: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 28: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 29: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 30: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 31: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 32: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 33: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 34: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 35: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 36: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 37: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 38: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 39: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 40: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 41: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 42: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 43: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 44: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 45: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 46: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 47: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 48: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 49: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 50: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 51: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 52: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 53: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 54: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 55: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 56: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 57: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 58: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 59: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 60: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 61: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 62: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 63: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 64: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 65: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 66: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 67: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 68: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 69: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 70: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 71: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 72: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 73: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 74: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 75: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 76: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 77: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 78: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 79: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 80: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 81: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 82: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 83: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 84: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 85: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 86: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 87: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 88: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 89: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 90: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 91: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 92: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 93: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 94: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 95: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 96: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 97: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 98: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 99: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 100: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 101: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 102: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 103: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 104: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 105: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 106: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 107: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 108: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 109: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 110: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 111: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 112: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 113: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 114: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 115: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 116: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 117: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 118: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 119: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 120: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 121: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

Row 122: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 1 hbhtr in each stitch across. Turn. (19 sts)

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