Teal Garter Stitch Phone Sleeve with Coral Strawberry Button Free Knit Pattern

Teal Garter Stitch Phone Sleeve with Coral Strawberry Button – Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This cozy little phone sleeve is the perfect hygge project for anyone who wants a quick, satisfying knit that looks lovely on the coffee table and keeps a phone snug and scratch-free. It's knit flat in chunky t-shirt yarn, so the whole thing comes together in an evening or two, and the all-over garter stitch gives it that soft, ridged, squishy texture we all love. The deep teal body is finished with a tiny coral strawberry button and a knitted loop closure — a small, cheerful detail that makes it feel handmade and special. It's a wonderful first project for newer knitters ready to try mattress stitch and a shaped button, and a relaxing palate-cleanser for experienced knitters.

Materials Needed

• Yarn (Color A – teal): T-shirt yarn, super bulky (about 5–6 mm thick), cotton or cotton blend — approximately 90 yd (82 m).
• Yarn (Color B – coral): Same t-shirt yarn — approximately 8 yd (7 m).
• Needles: 6.0 mm (US J-10) straight needles for the body and loop; 5.0 mm (US H-8) needles for the button.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends; scissors; a crochet hook in a similar size (optional, for the top edging).
• Finished size: 4 in (10 cm) wide x 6.5 in (16.5 cm) tall; fits phones up to 3.25 in (8 cm) wide x 6 in (15 cm) tall.

Abbreviations

• CO – cast on: create the starting stitches.
• BO – bind off: finish the stitches so they don't unravel.
• k – knit stitch.
• kfb – knit front and back: knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch to increase by one.
• k2tog – knit two stitches together: a decrease that leans right.
• k3tog – knit three stitches together: a decrease of two stitches at once.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side (the public face / the inside face).
• sc – single crochet (optional edging only).

Gauge

12 sts and 22 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in garter stitch with 6.0 mm needles. Knit a small swatch, measure it flat without stretching, and adjust your needle size if needed so your sleeve comes out the right size.

Tips Before You Start

• T-shirt yarn can stretch, so knit a little more firmly than usual and measure the body flat, not hanging, before binding off.
• Garter stitch is reversible, so there's no "wrong" face on the body — just keep track of which end is the top for placing the button and loop.
• Fold the body in half and test-fit your phone before seaming; if it's snug, add a stitch or two to each side seam allowance.
• Keep the button and loop on the same center line — mark the center with a removable stitch marker before you sew.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Body (Color A, 6.0 mm needles)

Row 1: CO 24 sts (24 sts).

Rows 2–144: Knit every row (garter stitch) until the piece measures 13 in (33 cm) from the cast-on, ending after a WS row (24 sts).

Final row: BO all sts knitwise (0 sts).

Strawberry Button (Color B, 5.0 mm needles)

Row 1: CO 3 sts, then kfb, k1, kfb (5 sts).

Row 2: k5 (5 sts).

Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb (7 sts).

Row 4: k7 (7 sts).

Row 5: k2tog, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 6: k5 (5 sts).

Row 7: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 8: k3 (3 sts).

Row 9: k3tog (1 st).

Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to secure. Weave in the ends.

Button Loop (Color A, 6.0 mm needles)

With RS facing, pick up 3 sts at the center of the front flap top edge, about 1 in (2.5 cm) down from the top.

Rows 1–4: Knit every row (3 sts).

Final row: BO all sts knitwise (0 sts).

Top Edging (optional, Color A, crochet hook)

With A, work 1 row of sc (or slip stitch) evenly around the top opening to neaten the edge. Join and fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the body in half widthwise with RS together, aligning the cast-on and bound-off edges. Using A and mattress stitch, seam both side edges. Turn the sleeve RS out. Sew the coral strawberry button to the center front of the body, about 1.5 in (4 cm) down from the top edge, using B. Fasten the loop over the button to check the fit. Weave in all remaining ends. Block lightly by misting with water and patting flat to dry — do not hang, as t-shirt yarn can stretch.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the strawberry for a simple round button, a wooden toggle, or a knitted flower for a different look.
• Add a contrast stripe near the top in a second color, or work the whole sleeve in a self-striping t-shirt yarn.
• For a larger phone, cast on 28 sts and knit to 14 in (35.5 cm) before binding off — check your gauge first.