iCover

  I bought an iPad in January.  Great thing.  Use it all the time now.  But I discovered that the covers for the devices are very pricey.  I wanted something to cover the screen and protect it from scratches.  Go that, but it was thin and wouldn't protect the whole iPad from knocks and bumps.  Seemed like an important thing to do.  They're not indestructible.  

  So shortly after I got it home, I got out some of my extra yarn and a crochet hook.  I've crocheted laptop covers, iPhone covers, pouches, all manner of things.  Why not an iPad cover?  

  I wanted it snug, so it didn't slip around much.  I also wanted a thick stitch to cushion it as much possible.  Like so many of my custom projects, I made it up as I went along.   It took about 3 tries to get the size right.  The stitch is called basket weave, a favorite of mine.  I've used it for a lot of projects. There is a button hole worked into the front to keep it closed.  Since the flap provides a double layer of fabric to cushion it in the front I made an internal panel for the back side.  That internal panel was a simple flat stitch, that when finished I simply sewed into the cover.  I keep a pair of headphones in that pocket and a cotton cloth to clean the screen if I need to.  It took about a week.

  I was really happy with the results.  The cover provided enough projection that I felt comfortable enough to stick it in my backpack next to my laptop.  Folded in half, it works well to support the iPad when I'm using it and I don't have my iPillow (but that's another post).  

  Then, about a month ago, a good friend from high school bought herself an iPad.  I had more yarn, and her birthday was coming up.  The advantage of making a second one is, simply, I now had a pattern.  It took me four days, maybe about 8 hours, all together, and most of it in about 2 of those days.  Good thing because I was up against a deadline.  I'd gotten a late start.  No fumbling around this time.  I mailed it to her two days before her birthday and it arrived on the day.  Mission accomplished.  She loved it.

  It was a fun, easy project, doesn't require a lot of yarn, and doesn't take that long to complete.  I can making a few more of them in my future.  And I may even write down the pattern if someone else wants to make one.