4 Homemade book covers for kids

Crochet book cover

This project is easy to make, even for beginning crocheters! Follow the links in the instructions for simple videos on each of the stitches.

What you’ll need:

• cotton yarn
• large crochet hook (size J or K)
• scissors
• tape measure
• yarn needle
• book

What you’ll do:

1. Open the book and lay it flat on the table, then measure the length from corner to corner.
2. Add 3 inches to the measurement and make a chain stitch equal to that length.
3. Chain an additional three stitches, then double crochet back across the length of the chain.
4. Each time you reach the end of the row, chain three stitches, then turn it around and double crochet back the other way.
5. Keep adding rows of double crochet until your crochet book cover is large enough to cover the book.
6. Once you reach the end, trim off the yarn and pull the tail of the yarn through the loop around the crochet hook to form a knot.
7. Weave the ends of the yarn into the crochet.
8. Open the book and lay it flat in the center of the crochet book cover.
9. Fold the overlapping ends under the front and back covers of the book.
10. Cut a long piece of yarn and thread it through the yarn needle. Use the yarn needle to sew the overlapping ends together at the top and bottom of the book.

Woven book cover

A brown paper book cover doesn’t have to be boring! Try something new with this woven technique.

What you’ll need:

• roll of kraft paper
• ruler
• pen
• scissors
• masking tape
• book

What you’ll do:

1. Cut out strips of kraft paper that are long enough to cover the length of the book. You can make the strips wide or narrow, just be sure to use the ruler to make them all the same width. You will need to cut enough strips to cover the book horizontally and vertically.
2. Lay half of the strips out on the table side by side. Lay out enough strips to cover the book when it is open, with a couple of extra inches on either side. Use masking tape to tape the top and bottom of the strips to the table.
3. Weave the other half of the paper strips through the strips that are taped to the table. Weave enough strips to cover the height of the book, with a couple of inches to spare at the top and bottom.
4. Once the strips are woven through, fold a piece of masking tape over the entire perimeter of the woven paper to secure it.
5. Now you have one piece of woven paper. Cover the book with it using the same method outlined in the steps for the map book cover.

Images: Amy Vowles

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