queue this pattern on ravelry!
I had one of those “I could make that!” moments at the craft store this weekend. The culprit was a yarn cozy, big enough to hold one ball or small skein of yarn. My daughter and I were looking over the apparatus, which cost approximately $13. It had a clear plastic bottom with a drawstring top. The plastic bit reminded me strongly of a pile of recyclables I’ve been saving for just such a purpose! If you’ve ever bought a value-sized package of writable cds or dvds, you know just what I’m talking about. I’ve used the lid from one for ages to keep my balls of yarn from dancing around and enticing my cats. Take it a step further, and it’s a cozy caddy and cute, too!
You’ll need:
- small amount of worsted weight yarn (I used cotton)
- one cd or dvd value-sized container lid
- F Hook
- G or H Hook
- Drill or dremel, with 1/4″ or slightly larger bit
- Masking tape
- scissors
Snip off the tabs off the sides of the lid that would hold it in the base. Measure out masking tape around the container. Tear off enough to have a small overlap.
Add 1/2″ marks along the tape. Stick on the lid approximately 1/2″ from the top, being careful to keep it even.
Drill holes along the 1/2″ marks on the tape. Just a quick warning here: I broke a hole punch in my enthusiasm to make this project. Use a drill if you have one, putting a piece of scrap wood behind the plastic to catch the drill bit when it pops through. And please be careful, power tools are, after all, power tools!
Row 1: Using a hook that will fit through the hole (I used an F, but you can go larger or smaller depending on the holes), Sl st in any hole. sc loosely around. Sl st to join in beg sc.
Row 2: Using the larger hook (I changed from F to G), Ch 1., sc in first st. *2 sc in next st, sc in next* around. Sl st in first sc to join.
Note: adapt this row in whatever way you need to in order to have even stitching around the perimeter of the circle.
Row 3 – 7: Ch 1, hdc in same st, hdc around. Sl st in top of first hdc to join.
Row 8-9: Ch 1, dc in same st and in each st around. Sl st in top of first dc to join.
Row 10: Ch 1, sc around, sl st in first sc to join.
Row 11: Ch 2, sl st in next sc, *ch 2, sl st in next sc* around. Finish off.
Drawstring:
Ch 75. Pull ends tight, trim to approximately 1″ or weave in ends. For some fun varation, use a ribbon or other trim as a drawstring.
Weave drawstring over and under through every two stitches of Row 8 (first row of dc).
Your yarn caddy is ready to use!
also posted on craftster and cut out + keep
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Thanks! I’m pretty pleased with the way it came out. 🙂
That’s awesome! I never thought about using a CD lid like that…I might have to raid the office here while I knit!
Yeah, of course, pimp away, girl! 🙂
great idea. i am gonna pimp your cut out and keep on my blogs if thats ok with you that is.
OMG! That is so cool!
thanks!
yaaaaay! finished the one i made for my swap today! sweeet. loved the pattern. ill post pix on ravelry asap and let you know when they are up.
hey! lookey i got it all done. i like the strap i have to say! i ended up sewing it on but heres a pic. im gonna blog all about it when i do my post about this swap that i made it for. woot woot for your awesome tute!
hey why didnt it include my picture. lets try again and failing that im going to your lj
Hello, You could use just about anything for this project! I am so excited! You could even use the bottom half of a liquid soap powder bottle. Or a 2 liter bottle. Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs, Chrissy
I’ve done a 2-liter, too, it works great and you just need a hole punch.
Here’s a photo!
Jennifer
Great recycling project. I’m going to make one of these as a purse for my neice actually. I already use a CD/DVD container for spooling yarn. Instead of crocheting it I simply drilled a hole in the top. I put crochet thread on the spindle, thread through the hole & put it back together the way it came. It sits nicely on my coffee table while I crochet. You can also use it with small skeins of baby yarn that pull from the middle. Just get the thread started pulling from middle, then stick your finger through the middle of the skein pushing it flat as you go… then touch your finger to the spool base of the cd holder & slide skein down the finger till it’s threaded on & cover with the top of the case. Keeps skein clean & kitties won’t play with it. 🙂
Thanks! I was using just the container before, too, because my skein winder makes perfect skeins for it. Thanks for the tip on the spool, I’ll have to give that a try!
Jennifer
hey there! im making another one of these for another swap. in ravenclaw colors this time. looooove the way its coming out and cant wait for you to see it. i fancied up the plastic part by sanding it and applying three coats of bronze glitter nail polish and then one coat of clear. it looks really cool. should have pix for you by this week sometime. thanks again for the pattern.
That does sound cool and you KNOW I can’t wait to see!
❤ Jennifer
This pattern is great. I so loved the measuring tutorial for the holes. Instead of using a drill I used a soldering iron. A small tool that heats up quickly and makes the perfect size holes to put a small crochet hook through. No cracking, no heavy drill, just a bit of melted plastic string that breaks off easily.
I’ve made two, first one with a 2 ltr soda bottle bottom and another with the cd top.
Thanks for the pattern!
Awesome tip, thanks for sharing! I’ll have to try that next time.
I was going to make one of these to help keep my yarn clean while we go on vacation. My only problem…my husband had like 5 spindles of CDs and NO lids!
Great Idea! I cant wait to buy more cds so I can ACTUALLY keep the lid.
Oh, what a bummer! I hope you’re able to scrounge one up. The bottom of a 2 liter bottle works great, too. You can use a hole punch for the holes on that since it’s lighter weight, too!
Jennifer
I found one! A huge one! I got it all cut and holes drilled and I am gonna work on it in the car!
Hurrah! I’m glad you found one. I’d love to see a picture when you’re back from your trip. 🙂
This is such a great idea. you are so talented. I can’t wait to try this. What a great way to recycle and use up all of your scraps…
Thanks, Stacy! It’s a lot of fun, too.
Jennifer