Glasses case / Tube sleeve

Glasses Case / Tube Sleeve by Natalia Prats

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a practical glasses case or tube sleeve designed to protect eyewear and small items. The finished dimensions are 6½ inches by 2½ inches, making it an ideal size for standard eyeglasses. The pattern includes instructions for creating both a standard version and a smaller variant, offering flexibility for different storage needs.

Construction Method and Techniques

The glasses case is constructed using a combination of circular knitting and flat knitting techniques. The body is worked in the round from the bottom up using circular needles, which creates a seamless tubular structure. Once the main body is complete, the design transitions to knitting flat, with the knitter turning the work after each row to create the flap closure. This hybrid approach combines the efficiency of circular knitting with the shaping possibilities of flat knitting.

The pattern employs Judy's magic cast on method to begin the project, which creates a particularly neat and elastic foundation ideal for tubular garments. Cable techniques are featured prominently throughout the design, adding both visual interest and structural integrity to the finished piece.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

This intermediate-level project incorporates several knitting techniques:

• Cable stitches (abbreviated as c4b), which create twisted rope-like textures
• Twisted stitches (abbreviated as t2b, t2f, tb, and tf), which add decorative detail and subtle texture
• Knit and purl stitches in combination to create contrast and definition
• Repeat sequences marked with asterisks, allowing for pattern expansion across the width of the work

The pattern consists of 17 rows of detailed stitch instructions that are worked twice per round to accommodate both sides of the case. Rows 10 through 12 repeat a single stitch pattern three times, while later rows incorporate cable twists and twisted stitch combinations to build the textured design.

Materials and Tools Required

The standard version is worked with bulky weight wool yarn in your choice of color, paired with 4mm circular needles. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitch sequences throughout the pattern.

The pattern also provides instructions for creating a smaller variant using Sirdar Baby Bonus yarn in DK weight with 3mm circular needles, demonstrating how the design can be adapted to different yarn weights and needle sizes for alternative sizing options.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of circular knitting, cable work, and twisted stitches requires familiarity with these techniques, though the straightforward construction and clear row-by-row instructions provide good guidance for knitters ready to advance beyond basic projects.