Multipurpose Clothespin Hanger

This is an adaptation of an old-fashioned method of drying socks or other little things on the clothesline. It makes an excellent gift for anyone (even with a dryer) who has small things to dry, indoors or out. The photo is meant to show how it can be hung on a clothesline by stretching the elastic over the clothesline and feeding the coat hanger through the loop so it can twist and turn with the wind and not fall off (may need a clothespin on the line on one side of the elastic to keep it from slipping along the line). I have found a myriad of uses for it over the years.

While camping: hanging up dishcloths, cuptowels, hand/bath towels, bathing suits, wet clothing - it hooks over a tree limb, through a tent loop or grommet, on the suit hanger in the car, or from the adjustment bars that hold most head rests in place. For travel: remove it from the hanger for ease of packing, and use an on-site hanger over the shower head or shower curtain rod to dry hand-washed things. At home: great for drying all those socks, underwear and other unmentionables, or various little things on the clothesline, and for drying those soggy mittens, hats, etc. after playing in the snow.

(Thank you to friend Karen for taking the photos.)

[Clothespin Hanger with Socks]

Step 1: Supplies needed:

1. Nine new, fairly sturdy clothespins that have a good grip and will survive a lot of repeated use. The opening in the spring should be large enough to allow relatively easy passage of the twill tape.
2. One package (about 60 inches or 1.5 meters) of 1/4 inch (7 mm) cotton or polyester-cotton twill tape (polyester can be used, but tends to fray more easily)
3. One piece of cord elastic, 12 inches (25 mm) long
4. Newspaper pattern
5. Two pieces matching scrap material, each approximately 7x18 inches (18x46 mm). Use a fairly sturdy material (cotton, cotton/polyester blends), print or plain, that will survive a lot of sunshine and the weight of the wet clothes.

Comments

[swartley3ga]

very cool idea for hanging little things like socks....now for baby socks it might be helpful to have a TON of little clothespins on one hanger =)

[ejaygee]

You are right - this is fabulous for hanging up all those "little things" when your children are babies and toddlers. My mother originally used 7 clothespins, and I increased it to 9, which seems to be the right number for those adult socks and underwear (elastic does not last well in a dryer). Personally, I cannot do without my supply on wash days, and I always take one with me whenever I travel (minus the hanger itself).

[StoryAddict]

Oops! You "shot" the "Newspaper" upside down! Hehe, I probably would've done the same thing!

[ejaygee]

You have a sharp eye! I did not even notice that until you pointed it out. I had a friend take the photos, but I did the arranging (I not longer have the print-outs that I used to make the photos, so the error will remain).

[StoryAddict]

Very cool! I don't yet know how to sew on a machine - just basic stuff with a needle and thread. Will it hold up if I did it by hand? This would make an excellent baby gift for a friend's birthday.

[field500]

Thanks for the photo and additional explanation! Very helpful!

[field500]

I don't understand step 9 (how the elastic helps hold the hanger on a clothes line). Could you illustrate this?