Monster book of monsters cover

Monster Book of Monsters Cover

What is Being Made

This is a knitted book cover designed by Phoenixknits to fit a hardback book measuring 7¾ inches high by 5½ inches wide by 2¼ inches deep. The cover wraps around the book and features a monster-themed design with embellished details including cat eyes, felt teeth, and embroidered features to create a playful, creature-like appearance.

Techniques Used

The main body of the cover is constructed using stockinette stitch worked in the round or flat, depending on the knitter's preference. The pattern incorporates several embellishment techniques including appliqué with felt pieces, embroidery for details, and sewing to attach plastic eyes and other notions. The cover is designed with strategic sizing so that when worked to the specified measurements, it will wrap around the book with approximately 1½ inches of overlap on both the front and back covers for proper fit and closure.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (Ss) – the primary stitch used for the main cover body, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) and Purl 2 Together (p2tog) – decreasing techniques used to shape the piece as needed
• Cast On and Cast Off – foundation and finishing techniques, with 40 stitches cast on for the main cover

Materials

The cover is knitted using a combination of yarns and notions to achieve the monster design:

• 100 grams of dark brown fun fur or ostrich yarn for the main cover body, creating a textured, furry appearance
• 25 grams of DK weight yarn in a color matching the fun fur, used for additional details and construction
• Small amounts of dark red and ivory or off-white DK weight yarn for accent details
• Size 4mm and 3mm needles – the 4mm needles are used as the primary needle size for working the main cover
• 4 plastic cat eyes in yellow or green, sewn onto the cover to create the monster's gaze
• Red felt strip approximately 1 inch wide by 8 inches long, cut and sewn to represent the monster's teeth
• Elastic or shirring thread in black or brown for securing embellishments
• Brown or black embroidery thread for stitched details

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the main knitting technique of stockinette stitch is fundamental, the pattern requires accurate sizing measurements, the ability to work to specific dimensions, and skill in finishing techniques including sewing on notions, embroidery, and felt appliqué. Knitters should be comfortable reading a pattern, measuring their work, and completing embellishment work beyond basic knitting.

Pattern Notes

The designer emphasizes that your stitch count will not work as a standalone measurement – the piece must be worked to the specified length of 15½ inches (or until it reaches the correct dimensions when unstretched) to properly fit the intended book size. This approach prioritizes fit over exact stitch counts, making it important for knitters to measure their work frequently and adjust as needed. The pattern is presented in a downloadable PDF format from independent designer Phoenixknits.