iPad Cozy Pattern

This pattern is an old pattern that I had listed on Etsy for quite awhile and was a great seller.  Then, newer versions of the iPad came out and this exact pattern no longer fit.  This is for the FIRST Generation of iPad, however, you can slightly alternate the pattern to make it work for any tablet.

iPad Cozy Pattern

Abbreviations:
Sl st – slip stitch
Sp - space
Ch- chain
Sc – single crochet YO – yarn over
Dc – Double Crochet

Special Stitches:
Bobble Stitch, YO, insert hook, YO pull through 2 hoops, repeat 4 more times, YO pull through all six loops.

Materials:

4 ply worsted weight yarn (I use Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn but any worsted weight yarn will do fine)
Size “I” crochet hook
Yarn needle
1.5 inch button

Pattern:

Chain 23
Row 1: sc in 1st ch from hook and 1 sc in ea ch across for a total of 22 sc.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as dc), sc in next sc, **dc in next sc, sc in next sc, repeat across for a total of 11 dc and 11 sc
Row 3: ch 2 (does not count as dc) DC in same st, and ea st across, dc in 3rd chain of the previous row’s ch 3, for a total of 22 dc.
Row 4-21: Repeat rows 2 and 3, 9 times (adding 18 rows for a total of 21 rows, ending in the dc row).
Row 22: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 8 st’s, ch 4, sk 4 st’s, sc in next 9 st. Total of 9 sc on either side of ch 4 sp. (this is optional if you would like an opening for the charger on the ipad)
Row 23: ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 9 st, 4 sc in chain 4 sp, sc in next 9 st, for a total of 22 sc.
Row 24: ch 2, dc in same st, and ea st across for a total of 22 dc.
Rows 25-39: repeat row 24
Row 40- 47: Repeat rows 2 and 3 four more times.
Row 48: Ch 2, dc in same st, sk next sp, bobble st in next st, ch 1,sk next st, dc in next, sk next st, bobble in next st, ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st, ch 10 (depending on the button you are using), sk 4 sp dc in next st, sk 1 sp, bobble in next st, ch 1,

sk next st, dc in next st, sk next st, bobble in next st, ch 1, sk 1 sp, dc in last sp. Fasten off and weave in ends.

To put the cozy together, right sides together, fold the piece long ways at the hole made for the charger (if you did not make this, fold so that the end with button hole overlaps the other by the last 6 rows. Take needle and yarn (about 2-3 feet) and sew sides together. Make sure the right sides are together (the textured side is the right side). Sew, by hand, evenly through one side of the cozy. Fasten off. Then repeat on the opposite side. (You may also single crochet through both sides evenly together).

Button;

To attach the button, use the hole made to decide on the placement. Make sure your button isn’t too high or the chain 10 will not catch and it will open to easily. 

This pattern is copyrighted by Salem Novelties. You may not redistribute this pattern under any circumstances without written permission by the owner. You may sell items made from the pattern, credit for the pattern given to Salem Novelties and
the website would be greatly appreciated. www.etsy. shop/salemnovelties.  

Etsy vs Auctions

I recently tried selling an item on a live auction site called Tophatter.com.  Although it was interesting, and a little exciting at one time, it really isn't great for sellers.  HOWEVER, and I capitalize however because if you are looking to buy handmade items you can find some for dirt cheap.  Most of the sellers in the auction with me today have Esty shops, as I have.  Most of the sellers of items in the auction were the people bidding on merchandise, not people who were in there to watch.


COMPARE:
COSTS:
Etsy is relatively inexpensive.  It costs nothing to sign up and start a store.  Each listing costs $0.20.  That's not a typo, I said twenty cents!!  When the item sells, they take a percentage which is around 3.9%.  Tophatter is free to list your item. You do not have a "shop" per say, but you are able to add links to shops such as Etsy and other websites.  Tophatter takes a 10% fee from the sale, with the minimum amount of $1.00.  They only charge you if your item sells.


SETTING YOUR PRICE:

On Etsy, as the seller, you set your price as you wish, whether it is overpriced or under priced, that is your choice as a seller.  On Tophatter, it's tricky.  They want you to list the starting bid AT LEAST half of the retail value.  I listed my votive candle holder in Home Decor auction (sections are coming up).  I had this same votive for sale in my Etsy shop for $15 plus shipping.  It's hand sculpted clay on a durable, thick glass votive.  I decided $15 because of the cost of goods, but also the time it took me to make the product which was a few hours of tedious work.  On Tophatter, they suggest starting the bidding at half the retail value but I didn't want to lose money on my item.  I listed it at cost which was $9, which included the candle plus shipping.  Someone did bid on it, but I only had one bidder and it sold for $9.  There were not very many people at this auction, and it may be because it was 1pm on a Thursday afternoon. I did see some items that the starting bid was $1 when the product was worth well over that amount.  The sellers used the low-ball strategy to get people to start bidding.  I think it worked well for a few of the items but not so well for others.

CHOOSING WHICH AUCTION TO LIST:
With Etsy, it's pretty easy; you  place your product in your shop, and you can have shop sections.  That's all.  Simple.  With Tophatter, you list your item and you choose a category for your merchandise.  I chose Home Decor.  You're thinking simple, right?  If you are a new seller on Tophatter, the staff chooses your auction day and time. Not ideal for people who have full time jobs during the day. You want to be in the auction when your item starts bidding so you can try and answer questions about your product. My item was listed at 1pm and I was able to be online to watch the auction.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/salemnovelties

I was not impressed by Tophatter.  Like Ebay, the fees are quite high and there's no guarantee your product will sell.  However, if you are clever enough to have your Etsy shop in your profile name, you may help direct traffic to your Etsy shop.  You can sell items on Tophatter that have been popular in your shop and hope that it will generate traffic to your Etsy store.  All in all, I think I'll stick to Etsy for regular selling.  They've been good to me and my customers are fabulous.