Now you are going to learn something about me that most of you do not know. I love to crochet! And I aways try to encourage everyone to learn! There are so many great ways to use crochet, and I think it's much easier than knitting. You can make great blankets and hats in a snap, crochet tiny flowers to use as trim, and so much more! I recently saw a few great "green" projects— one using plastic bag yarn, and another in which strips of rags were crocheted together to make rugs. How great is that?
I was recently at my parent's house where I found a stash of yarn that my mother purchased in the 70's and quickly snatched it up, especially since a lot of it is wool, which I can't get in my part of the world.
With some of this wool on hand and the desire to make my son a birthday gift, I whipped up this pencil holder and can't wait to make some more! I kept the stitch and design simple so that this could serve as a beginner's project for someone wanting to learn to crochet.
You'll Need:
- an empty and clean can with no sharp edges
- worsted weight yarn in several colors
- a crochet hook, size h or j, but if you're buying they things at craft store, ask for help!
How To:
If you are a beginner, find a source for basic crochet instruction, I even just bought a great book at Amazing Savings in Monsey for $1.50! And though I try not to send readers to other sources on the internet, there are of course many places to find instruction online. The main thing about crochet is to get a hang of how to hold the yarn, if you get this down, it's smooth sailing!
- Make a chain the diameter of the can, and join with a slip stitch
- Mark the starting point with a stitch marker, and move the marker up as you complete a round. Work in rounds of single crochet, changing colors where desired for stripes. End each round with a slip stitch to connect that round to the next. (Or work in a spiral fashion, not worrying about rounds, just at the end make a slip stitch to join the end to the beginning of that round)
- After you've worked an inch or so, try the piece on your can to make sure it fits. If it's a little too big, decrease a few stitches over the next few rounds.
- Continue crocheting until your work is the exact height of the can.
- Slip your work on the can, and enjoy! A whole collection of these cans of different sizes and complimenting patterns would look great on any desk or shelf!
And check back again tomorrow or the next day to see what else I crocheted on my trip! It's really cute.
