Fiberrant

I am, let’s face it, a gadget aficionado*. And so, when Verizon announced the iPhone release last month, I made an effort to resist (after all, my Droid is barely a year old…) but when the Big Day arrived, I couldn’t help myself.

Now, the iPhone is cool, but it certainly isn’t cheap. And I have better things to do with my cash (eg, buying yarn!) than to lay out even more $$ for a new phone holder. Besides, I never used the belt clip or holster for the last two phones I had. I just toss it in my purse or pocket and go. Not the greatest plan if I want to keep it looking new.

But. As we all know, these smart phones aren’t just phones any more. I haven’t felt the need to carry my phone with me around the house, but my iPod is my constant companion, clipped onto my shirt, with tunes or an audiobook going while I work out, do chores, spin, weave … just about all the time. And one of the big features of the iPhone is that it’s an all-in-one solution – phone, datebook, MP3 player, camera, etc. Unlike the Droid, or the Voyager, or the enV, I actually want to have it with me at all times.

I thought about knitting a pouch, which would be super cool, but … slow. Besides I’m all full up on projects right now, with a pair of Cranberry Biscotti Socks, a neck warmer, and two sweaters in active rotation. Then I thought about the pile of darning in my bedside table. This poor blue sock has been darned at least three times, and at this point doesn’t even have a mate, so it was nominated for transformation.

First, i measured the sock against my iPhone, and cut off the cuff of the sock about 1.5″/3cm longer than the phone. I used the cuff because it’s got patterning all around, it’s exactly the size I want, and there are no darned patches on it! Plus, the top of the cuff is already finished, and the cut edge is hidden inside the pouch.
Pick out the bits of cut yarn, and unravel a round or two so you have a good solid edge. This sock was a bit felted, so I’m not concerned about stitches unravelling.

Turn the cuff inside out. Using the unravelled yarn and a sharp tapestry needle, seam across the cut end of the sock about 1/2″ from the now-live stitches. If you have the time and patience, this would be a great place to practice grafting: Unravel a few more rounds, cut off the excess yarn, and graft the live stitches to close the tube into a pouch. I’m in a hurry though, so I just backstitched across two or three times.

To wear the pouch, I found an old eyeglass chain. I just sewed the rubber bits that attach to the temples of the eyeglasses, to the inside of the top of the pouch. You could also knit i-cord to the length you want (mine is about 30″) or use an old necklace. (This is where Samwich decided to help by supervising my work. Always a team player, she is.)

So there you have it – a free smart phone pouch in about 15 minutes.

* That may not be the word Paul uses, but it’ll do for this family-friendly blog.