Ok, so I am all about the easy crochet projects for the last few weeks.

I’ve been trying all kinds of fun things to test out a whole set of jumbo yarns for the blog to see how they work up and if they make the cut for future projects or not.

One of the yarns I chose to test was this jumbo T-shirt yarn from Bernat called Maker Big. True to its name it is BIG. It’s nice and chunky, knits or crochets up quick, and doesn’t shed or pill.

It was the perfect choice for these protective cases.

A camera lens partway in a crocheted cover.

I’ve been thinking about this project ever since I cracked one of my lenses.

I didn’t break the lens itself, it still works great, but it has a chip out of the casing. Boo. Every time I see it, it annoys me.

This cracked happened because I dropped my camera bag a bit too hard on a concrete floor and despite being in a padded camera bag, in a dust cover, I still heard the “craaaaack.”

Lesson learned.

Why T-shirt Yarn is Perfect for this easy Crochet Project

So dust is a big problem in my house all-the-time. I’m always cleaning my lens face to get the dust off before I start shooting.

My camera equipment, including my lenses, are always stored away, but just being in this house get they covered in dust – you can even see it in the photos!

I could have cleaned the lenses and retaken the photos, but we’re renovating (always), and I am taking pictures of the disaster, so lenses are going to get dusty.

Just keeping it real!

3 Camera lenses lined up with crocheted covers behind them.

Oh right, I digress… look at the dust on those things.

Crocheting (or even knitting) these lens protectors in anything except T-shirt yarn will create a whole lot of static and dust over your lenses.

I cannot deal with MORE dust… plus the static would be a significant challenge to mess around with during a photo shoot.

Don’t use wool or yarn in this project, trust me.

But the T-shirt yarn? Well, that’s a whole other ball game because it is lint-free, soft, and when tightly crocheted it creates a well-padded protector for your lenses. The yarn is soft, so you don’t have to worry about scratching the outside of your lens casing.

Lens sizes and custom sizing your easy crochet covers.

So not all lenses are the same size. I had to make three different versions for my different size lenses.

I will provide instructions for the basic “kit” lens size, but you can easily customize this pattern to fit any lens you want.

Need it a bit wider, add a few starter chains. Need it taller, keep crocheting until you get the size you need. Easy peasy.

Camera lenses and covers on a white background.

Materials Tools Required

~This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only ever recommend what tools or materials I use for my projects. I also test all my projects before publishing and if something doesn’t work, I don’t share it! ~

Materials

One skein of Bernat Maker Big

You will need to check your local yarn suppliers. This yarn is currently sold out on Amazon!

Tools

Crochet Hook, 7mm

The hook is smaller than recommended, but this is what we want. The smaller crochet hook creates a much tighter stitch. It’s the tighter stitch that forms the bouncy protective padding.

Step 1

Chain 16. This measurement is perfect for smaller lenses like standard 18×55 kit lenses.

Step 2

If you are making a lens cover for a different lens, measure the chain around the rim of the broadest part of your lens and make sure that the first chain can meet up.

Don’t make it too loose, allow the chain to stretch a tiny bit during your measurement to ensure a nice snug fit.

For my Nikon prime 50mm and 35mm I start with a chain of 18, for wide angle lenses like a 10-20mm (that’s the one I have) I started with a 20 chain.

A camera lens with a single crochet chain wrapped partially around it to check for size.

Step 3

Row 1: Single crochet into the second chain from the hook and continue to the end of the row with single crochet.

Row 2-6: Turn your work and chain 1 single crochet to the end of the row.

Be sure to remember to chain the extra stitch at the end of the row before you turn your work. I only add this note because I forget- all-the-time!

I am not even going to tell you how many times I had to pull my work to go back.

If you are making a crochet lens protector in a different size, lay your lens on your work and see if it fits. You will want a tiny bit of overlap on the top and the bottom before you move to the next step.

Don’t make it too long, remember we want to create a tight fit, so the lens doesn’t bounce around inside the cover.

Camera lens laid on top of a partially completed cover to check for length.

Step 4

Single crochet across the row one last time, but this time skip every other chain.

Closeup showing how to close up the cover.

Step 5

At this stage, the bottom should look like the photo below

The bottom end of the lens cover is narrower than the rest, with the end opening only about an inch wide.

Step 6

The easy crochet cover will begin to curl in naturally and starts to look like a tube at this point.

Partially completed cover sitting on the table, curling up on its own.

Step 7

Single crochet the first stitch and last stitch of your last row together.

Crochet hook inserted through the first and last stitch of the final row.

Step 8

Line your two sides up together and begin to single crochet up to the top. Stitching this way will secure the two sides together to create the lens cover.

Starting to crochet up the open side of the lens cover.

Step 9

The crochet seam will look like the photo below. Once the sides are attached, you can snip the T-Shirt yarn and weave in the end.

The cover is completely reversible so you can hide the seam by turning your crochet covers inside out.

You could weave a drawstring through the top, but it is not necessary. If you made sure your first chain fit snugly around the lens, you would have no problem at all with the cover staying in place without a drawstring.

Crochet hook inserted through the final stitch.

A fun project for anyone with extra lenses kicking around

These easy crochet covers do offer a great deal of impact protection. They are perfect if you want to toss one in your purse or to use as extra padding inside a camera case.

I keep mine handy in my office because I have been known to elbow or nudge stuff off tables.

I’m not the most graceful beast.

Maybe these easy crochet lens covers will help prevent another crack in my lens the next time I am lugging around my camera bag.

Oh and one last thing, these guys would make great a great gift for any photographer in your life.