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Aaaaand we're back with a new video in the Learn how to read crochet patterns series! Today's pattern is for this sweet little card holder. Use it to hold credit cards, gift cards, business cards...shockingly, it can hold any card!
But this isn't a typical HELLOhappy pattern. Nope! This pattern is a challenge! It's crochet on hard mode! You will have to crochet this card holder with no photo help. There are zero in-progress photos. Text only! Are you up for the challenge?
I was in a bit of a crochet burn out, so I decided to just take a week off of crochet. Then suddenly, the saturday morning after my week off, I felt a jolt of inspiration! And I really wanted to make this card holder. What inspired me? Well, we're going to japan next month (omg!!! That's a whole 'nother blog post lol), and my husband is actually going for work, so I'm tagging along. Since exchanging business cards is still a big thing there for professionals, his boss ordered himself and my husband some business cards, and my husband bought a cheap business card holder. So it was all the talk of business cards and how to give/receive them (it's a whole THING), that made me want to make a card holder. I won't be using it for business cards...but I could. You could! But anyway, let's get going on the pattern.
Supplies
- Light worsted (weight 4, but on the skinny side) yarn, about 25 grams. I used Swish from WeCrochet; it's a very soft, superwash merino wool, available in tons of colors! When I say soft, I mean SOFT.
Swish is the superwash of crocheters’ dreams! By selecting high grade Merino wool (20.5 microns), we have produced a machine-washable yarn that is super soft - definitely worthy of being worn against a baby's skin. Just the ticket for children’s clothes, afghans, and crocheted gifts. No need to worry about the care your finished piece will receive since this yarn can be machine washed and will come out even softer than before!
So, um, yeah, it's really nice yarn.
- Embroidery thread (DMC 436). I used maybe half a hank? I didn't start with a full one so I'm not entirely sure, but you'll only need 1. This was used exclusively for the bow. You can use yarn, or leave off the bow, or sew on buttons, beads, a leather tag...whatever you like!
- 3.25mm and 2mm hooks (the 2mm is only for the bow, so use whatever works haha)
- yarn needle plus an embroidery thread needle
- blocking mats and pins. Or a yoga mat, couch cushion, towel...be creative lol
Abbreviations
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
* * - repeat the pattern from * to *
The video
Follow along with the video and become more confident reading written crochet patterns! Otherwise, if you're already comfortable with reading, scroll down and get the pattern.
Construction
You'll make a long rectangle using the lemon peel stitch, fold the two ends in towards the center, then sc across the long sides. I recommend blocking your wallet if using natural fibers. Then make the bow & sew it on.
The lemon peel stitch is simply a repeat of *sc, dc* over and over, but each row you do the opposite stitch over the previous stitch. It creates this dainty lil texture. It feels very...feminine? Super elegant? I can't explain why. But anyway, I modified the normal lemon peel stitch to always start and end on an sc stitch, because it gives it a nice, neat edge to crochet into later.
Alrighty, let's go! Your challenge starts now!
Wallet
With your 3.25mm crochet hook
R1: Make a foundation row of 21 sc. You could ch and sc into the ch instead, but I think you should just take this as your calling to learn how to do foundation rows if you haven't yet. Check youtube for tutorials.
R2: ch 1, turn. *sc, dc* across until you have 1 st left, sc.
R3: ch 1, turn. sc, *sc, dc* across until you have 2 st left, sc into each.
R4-41: repeat R2 and R3
After about R6, test to see if it's wide enough for your cards. You want it to be somewhat snug, but if you'll be using a lot of cards, you'll need it to be roomy enough, so there's no single measurement to aim for. Just grab whatever amount you'll want to have inside and test it with that. For mine, I can fit 3 cards in each sleeve before closing it becomes a little too bulky. If you're using a true worsted yarn, or a heavy worsted yarn, your wallet will be a little bit larger than mine, so also keep that in mind. Add/subtract foundation stitches in multiples of 2, keeping it an odd number.
R42: ch 1, turn. sc across. Set your hook down for a sec.
Now test your rectangle. Fold the ends in, and secure them in place with pins, stitch markers, or scrap yarn. Throw the cards in that you'd be using it with, and see if it's long enough. If you're cramming a bunch in, you may need to make it a bit longer. My pockets are folded up 5 rows (including the sc rows) counting down from each edge.
[img of wallet laid out]
If you decide to add more rows, frog R42, then add them in multiples of 2. Then redo R42 at the end, and finish off with a short tail. Weave that away later, after you finish crocheting the edges (the next step).
Crochet the edges
Secure the pockets temporarily once again, then start crocheting! Hold your piece with the outside facing you, and the pockets on the side away from you. Simply single crochet along each edge, taking care to make sure the edges of each pocket line up perfectly with the middle of the wallet, as well as the opposite edges of the pockets. Be sure to give everything a good look once you think you're finished, and make sure it's completely even. It's so easy to just frog and redo it if it's not perfect, so don't be lazy! Once you're happy, weave away the ends on the insides of the pockets.
Block your wallet
I know some people never block, and I'm a person who very rarely does. But with this stitch, it'll look so much nicer and lay so much flatter if you block it. Now if you're using acrylic, you'll have to play around with steam blocking, which to be honest, I only did once and had very little success haha. But if you're using Swish yarn, it's wool, so get blocking! Here's a great tutorial on how to block. I don't have blocking mats, I just fold my yoga mat and use that. 😂 I'm a big believer in not buying things you don't need haha. But if you don't have a yoga mat or blocking mats, you can use a towel! Or a couch cushion! If you can stick a pin in it without damaging it, you can use it lol. Once your piece is dry and blocked, you can sew on the bow.
The bow
With embroidery floss and your 2mm hook
R1: Make a foundation row of 18 sc.
R2-3: ch 1, turn. sc across. (18)
Finish off with an 8 inch tail. Use it to sew the two short ends together, cinch the middle, then weave away all ends.
The bow middle
With embroidery floss and your 2mm hook
R1: ch 3
R2: sc into 2nd ch from hook, and last ch (2)
R3-6: ch 1, turn. sc across (2)
Finish off with a 10 inch tail. Wrap the bow middle around the bow and sew the two short sides together, making them meet in the middle back of the bow. It should be a very snug fit. Then use the tail to sew the bow onto the wallet. I recommend sewing the bow to the bag as well, not just the middle, so it doesn't get all misshapen being thrown around in your purse, or squished in your pocket.
Sew on the magnetic snaps
If you're worried about your cards getting ruined from magnets, the magnets for purses are generally not strong enough to damage them unless you're putting the magnet right on top of the card, for a prolonged period of time. I had to google this too lol, cuz I wondered. But it's totally fine. You can even put a layer of fabric underneath the snaps to have more protection if you want! Chips are apparently completely unaffected by magnets, so as long as you have a chip card, you're truly 100% golden.
And...you're done!
Woohoo! You successfully completed this reading challenge, and now you have an adorable card holder. Tag me on social media if you make one, I'd love to see it!
Tags: Crochet, crochet pattern, freebies, series: how to read crochet patterns, wallet