Ice Pack Pillowcase [Pattern]

I think every household has ice packs they buy for lunch boxes – packs that aren’t necessarily built for injuries but in the end, end up on the boo-boos just as much as the nice ones designed for the task.

Recently, Bird found herself in need of the dentist’s chair and when she came to stay with us for her recovery, none of the ice packs were comfortable enough for her to curl up with and sleep – ice in a baggie was just too darn cold, never mind the leaks. And ice packs were just so rough with their pointy corners.

I needed something that was cool, not bitter cold to the touch, that would be soft enough for her face and help keep leaking to a minimal mess.

So while she slept, I went to my hook for a solution.

ICE PACK PILLOWCASE
By Cris

Items Needed:
1 ice pack
1 skein 100% cotton yarn (more if you are covering a very large ice pack)
I Hook (H hook if you crochet loosely or using thinner cotton yarn)
Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
ch – chain
st – stitch
blo – back loop only
hdc – half double crochet
beg – beginning
rpt – repeat
sl – slip
FO – finish off
dc – double crochet

NOTE: For the images, I am using an H hook with Knit Picks Dishie cotton in the colorway Daisy. If I were using Peaches n’ Cream cotton, I would be using an I hook. You want a nice loose fabric – so use whatever hook you need to get the effect.

NOTE: This pattern is written in a manner to help you create an ice pack pillowcase that fits your icepack. Not all of the counts will be exact – just follow the instructions to fit your own ice pack. Each row starts with basic instructions written as a guide for your ice pack. Following that in italics is “for my ice pack” where I give the exact instructions that I used to create my pillowcase. Provided your ice pack is similar to mine, then the stitch count should be similar.

NOTE: If you want the pillowcase to be colder, substitute double crochet stitches in place of the hdc.

Row 1:
ch enough stitches to go along the bottom of your ice pack (the longer side of the rectangle), 1 inch longer than the ice pack itself (length + 1 inch of chain stitches)

for my ice pack: ch 29

Row 2:
hdc in 2nd ch from hook.
hdc to the end of the foundation ch

for my ice pack: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc to end of the foundation ch (27 hdc + ch 2 at beg of row)

Row 3 – ?:
ch 2, turn
hdc in blo to end
Rpt this row until the fabric is long enough to wrap fully around the ice pack with about an inch extra space.

for my ice pack: ch 2, turn; hdc in blo to end. Rpt 25 times to create 27 rows of hdc in blo

Creating the Pouch

Direction of Seaming

For all ice packs: ch 1. Fold the material in half length wise. Using your hook, sl st down the long side of the pillowcase and across the short side. This will seam the two sides, leaving one short side open for the pack to slide in and out.

Finish off and weave in your ends with the tapestry needle.

 

Solid Anchor for Ties

Creating the Ties
Lay your sack down. On one side, find the middle of the rows. Attach your yarn in and ch 29. Make sure that wherever you attach your yarn, it is not on the edge but it is solid.

FO the chain. Repeat on the other side of the bag.

Weave in your ends where the chain attaches to the bag.

Creating the Edging
Attach the yarn at the top opening of the pillowcase, preferably on one of the side corners (one is a seam, the other is the fold in the material).

Ch 2
2 dc in each row end that is a ch 2 space and 1 dc in each row end that is an hdc all the way around. sl to join in top of starting ch 2.

ch 1, sl in next st – all the way around to create a ruffled edge.

sl to join. FO and weave in ends.

Turn the bag right side out (seams are to be on the inside) and enjoy!

The finished pillowcase … WITH the icepack inside