Crochet Tin Covers :: Ta-dah!

Oh my. I have to admit that it's given me a silly amount of guilty pleasure keeping you guessing over this creative make. Sorry. Well no, truthfully I'm not really very sorry, it's been tremendous fun reading your comments on my last post, I've enjoyed it so much!

Ok, enough with the teasing, shall we cut straight to the story? It all started last week when I bought my first small £1 pot of spring narcissi home from the supermarket. I buy these every year, you may remember I crocheted some blue and white jar jackets for them a few years back. I'm currently using those jars to hold pens and pencils, so I simply popped the pot into a very cute little 1940's china jug (a recent ebay purchase). But they didn't look right. They wobbled and wibbled.

I thought to myself that what I really needed was a little dish with a flat bottom. Cos then I could keep the narcissi in the very lovely bright yellow plastic pot, but have some sort of un-wobbly vessel to stand them in. I began looking around on the Shelves of Doom to see if I could find some sort of a dish, but nothing appeared. And then the idea hit, it came whizzing into my Creative Mind just like that. It was the shape you see. I had this flat-bottomed dish shape in my mind. And this is what whizzed in........

A tuna tin.

Of course! It's the perfect size and shape. Per-fect. I just needed to remove the contents (tuna/mayonnaise sandwiches anyone?) and come up with some sort of pretty cover for the empty tin. Genius!

Now I decided to keep it very simple. I figured that all I needed to do was to make a kind of a cuff that would sit neatly around the tin, much as I did for these jars, remember them? No bottom needed, just the sides to be covered, with a pretty decorative edging around the top.

I could not WAIT to get started, I cannot tell you how stupidly excited I became over this idea. Like I felt I would burst if anyone tried to stop me from doing this thing.

I set to work. I got out my basket of Rowan handknit Cotton (oh how I adore this yarn!), a 3.5mm hook and off I went. Round and round creating rings of colourful, cottony stripes.

I had originally thought about finishing off the top edge with a little scallop or picot, but somewhere along the way I got fixated on the idea of using beads. Not sure where this influence came from, but I felt sure I could have a go at actually crocheting in some beads as I worked. I maybe saw it done somewhere, but can't recall. So I just had a play with it until I worked out how to do it.

And was it successful, this beady finish?

Oh YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes yes yes yes yeppity yeah-haw yes it was!!!!!!!!!

It really worked out beautifully.

Want to see?

Want to see my first tuna tin cover???

Ahhh ok................................................................................................

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big smile. I LOVE it. It's just so colourful and cute and perfectly simple.

And it goes beautifully with the yellow pot I think.

Pretty and Practical.

Do you like the effect of the beads? Isn't it great? I used plastic beads from a child's jewellery making set, as they are colourful and quite chunky and have big holes for threading. I couldn't use the pretty glass beads that I have as the holes are too small, but I've since discovered an incredible range of coloured glass "pony beads" that are designed specifically for threading onto DK weight yarn. They're available online from a well known Rowan knit designer called Debbie Abrahams....do check them out if you like this sort of thing. I've ordered myself some but they've not arrived yet, I'll show you when I get them.

I figured that these covered tins could be used for all sorts of things, not just to hold plant pots. I've got this overwhelming urge to force feed my family tuna for every meal and make dozens of these sweet little things. For holding coins and buttons and paperclips and jewellery and all manner of Small Things.

So of course once I'd made the first one, I had to make more. Had to experiment a little with the stripes and the top edge and the business of prettifying the hooky.

So out came the buttons. Nothing I love more than to stitch buttons onto crochet.

I made the stripes wider this time too (double rows of each colour) and tried out a scallop edging along the top.

This is the third one I made, finished off with vintage mother of pearl buttons.

Awwww they look so cute all together! I took them up to the bathroom shelf to photograph them as I had an idea I wanted to see them against a blue background.

The blue one with the pearly buttons was snapped up by a visiting friend. She called round for a cuppa as I was making it and declared that she was in love with it and really had to take it home. Who was I to argue? Plus it gave me reason to make another one, cos two's just never enough.

I tell you, these are sooooo addictive. And quick too. By the time I came to make this one, I knew what I was doing and it only took about an hour, I kid you not.

I made up a couple of my teeny tiny flowers, and did four "half leaves".....by that I mean I literally made half of the original leaf pattern (ch 6, begin in 2nd ch from hook and work dc, htr, tr, htr, dc, finish off)

Stitched them all into place and added a couple of buttons.....

Awwwwwwwwwwww! I think this might be my favourite one of all.

A handful of colourful, creative scrumptiousness.

Pretty, pretty.

And useful too....they work a treat with these little plant pots. Just as I imagined when the idea first formed.

♥ Love ♥

I made this rather girly one for Little Lady this morning. Little B was out with Daddy so I took the opportunity to make/photograph a tutorial for you.

I'm so excited about the crochet+bead technique. It's amazing. And it's sparking off all sorts of new creative ideas (I'm thinking round cushions with a beady edging, a beaded bag, and a long, skinny scarf with a beady bottom edge!)

I'm going to try and upload/write the tutorial this weekend for you.

Better get yourself some tins of tuna in anticipation.

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 Edit to add :: someone yesterday (who doesn't like tuna) suggested using pineapple tins instead. Marvelous idea, we are getting a bit tuna'd out here. Tomorrow I'm scouring the supermarket shelves for tins. Cat food you say?

Another Edit :: (( thank you)) for all the tin love! I've uploaded the pics for the tutorial but won't have time to write it until tomorrow. In the meantime if you want to get started, this is it in a nutshell ::

You should make a foundation chain to tightly fit your tin (mine was 46+1 for turning). Work in dc (sc for US peeps), in Back Loops Only. At the end of the first row, sl st into beginning chain so that it joins up and looks like circular bangle. Work all future rows with right side facing (no turning) and always end row with a sl st join (no sewing up). Crochet ends in as you go (no darning). Scallop edging as follows :: work one row of dc, then next round in same colour, *skip 1 stitch, work 4 htr in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st* and repeat. Beading tutorial will come tomorrow.

By the way I'm moving onto pineapple tins, they're slightly taller = more play with stripes and embellishment possibilities. Also I've now got a mad urge to stitch ric rac braiding onto crochet......I'm thinking ric rac braid+buttons!! My cup runneth over!!!!

xx

(((( THE TUTORIAL IS READY! ))))

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Alessandra]

...as you said "pretty pretty" !!!
love, Alessandra

[Rhoda]

Lucy, you're tin covers are darling! Everything you hook up is delightful. I check your blog nearly every day to see the progress of what you're working on. I enjoy the pictures of England too. Would you answer a couple of questions for me? When you say DK yarn, do you mean #3 as in sport or baby weight? I live in the US and wondered if DK in the UK is different. The other question is about your hook with the adorable handle. Do you know what kind of clay, etc, was used on it?
Thanks, Rhoda

[Cami]

This is a wonderful idea. Thank you! :)

[lauren]

Hi I have really been enjoying your blog! I read it in a British accent and it makes me want scones and Devon cream.

I was inspired by the wave crochet tutorial to make a scarf... if I ever finish it I'll post a picture!

[terri]

Oh my goodness I did something similar to this about two weeks ago! Nothing nearly as pretty, but I needed somewhere to tidy my pens and crochet hooks so I used a tin of tomatoes!

[Mina]

Very nice ! Thank you :)

[Taylor]

These tins are simply amazing!! Love the details and colors!!!

[Sosae]

Is anyone as cool as you?! I don't think so! Your imagination is just amazing! :)

[Donna :)]

Wow wow and Woweeeeeee! You are unbelievable gal!!! There is never a dull moment in your attic or room for that matter. A life full of color and gratitude. Your inspiration and drive and creativity floor me daily!! Keep it all coming.......you are amazing!!!!

[Valentina]

Just another great idea of yours! Those you've made are so lovely! Plus I love this idea because it gives a good excuse to eat more tuna and pineapple, to favourites of mine!

[Tracey]

They look fab great idea, you guys will be eating all tin food soon, just to keep up the supply.

[Liz]

eeek!! So beautiful!! I think I need to prettify my growing collection of golden syrup tins (is it just me that is incapable of throwing them away?!)

[Trudy McLauchlan]

Hi Lucy, I can see that one with the flowers on as a cuff around the sleeves of a jumper, just peeking out from your coat! Cheers, Trudy

[Ann]

Hi Lucy,

I hope you've cleaned those tins toroughly :-)! Just joking.

Love your idea ... Think I'll adopt it for my two daughters who have lots of small girly things ;-)

I'm also waiting for the flower wall hanging instructions!

Small tip ... I don't know if you're familiar with a magazine called "Anna Burda" (German but also translated in Dutch, French, English, ...?).
They are also going along with the crocheting trend and every month they show something for us crocheters. In February's issue there's a lovely couple of Easter bunnies that I'm gonna make :-) Interested?

[Kathleen]

This is my first time commenting. I just discovered your blog recently and was instantly drawn to it because of all the colour!
The tins look great and I'm wondering if you've ever made Tea Cosies? I recently went to a market where there was such a wonderful variety of them it made me want to buy a tea pot!!

[Seaweedandraine]

Pretty, pretty, pretty! Love that blue one that your friend snapped up too! :) Very nautical. Next up... smaller versions for girly wrist warmers??? :)

[Angy Braine]

Awwww... honestly your creations are the kind to keep one smiling ALL DAY LONG! Thank you!!

[eva]

Just adorable!!

[Helen Welsh]

These are just so beautiful! I'm going to have to give these a try, I can think of 1001 uses & places which have to have one - thank you so much for sharing your awesome talent with us all :)

[Luci]

It has been rainy, and gloomy at my house for a couple of days, so these tin covers just made me smile. They are so bright and colorful. It was just what I needed today. Now I think I will have to make my own. Thank you so much for the terrific idea and information.

[Alice Vacani]

Dear Lucy,
I recently showed my mother your blogs, which were recommended to her by a friend and she loved them ! She has been crocheting for 40 years and is as bright and colourful as you! She would love to get in touch with you, but is not computer literate and as i am at university i would be unable to communicate between both of you successfully. She would love to send you some images of her work and write to you if possible!
Happy crocheting!
Hope to hear from you soon!
x

[jill]

great idea, and such lovely wool

[Katherine Perry]

fantastic idea!! I love the wool you use the colours are beautiful, would love to know what brand you prefer

[Dori]

Lucy, those are just as cute and cheerful as can be! Sure to brighten a gray, drizzly day. :)

[Bethan]

What about the sharp tin edges? Fine for plant pots I think but what about hair bands for little lady or buttons for crafting? Are you not worried about cut fingers?