Crochet Caddy

My grandmother was the best. I have fond memories of her crocheting afghans over the years to give as Christmas gifts. I distinctly remember the cardboard Quaker Oats canister that she used as a yarn dispenser. She taught me how to crochet and to this day I have her yarn dispenser sitting in my hobby room.

There are so many fun yarns on the market today, many skeins have grown beyond what the Quaker Oats canister can hold.

I set out to create something that would fulfill all my crochet needs.

• Large enough to hold several yarns and my current afghan project
• Hold crochet hooks, stitch counters and yarn needles
• Dispenser system for my current skein
• Something that could sit and blend into my living room
• Easily transportable

Supplies

Fabrics:

• 1-yard print #1 (primary outer fabric)
• 1-yard print #2 (primary inner fabric)
• 2 fat squares print #3 (top fold, bottom exterior circle and accents)
• 2 fat squares print #4 (optional handle cover and accents)

Other:

• 5 Gallon Bucket
• Scissors
• Thread
• 1-yard ½ inch elastic
• Fabric pencil
• Straight pins
• ½ inch wooden rod
• Measuring Tape
• 2 Hitch Pins
• Drill
• 3/8 drill bit
• 9/16 spade bit
• Drawstring ***could also be made from extra fabric

Step 1: Prepping Bucket Fabric

Begin by ironing the fabrics to remove any creases. Cut the following pieces

• Fabric #1 & #2 – cut 1 side panel measuring 39 ½ inches wide x 12 ¾ inches high out of each fabric, these will be the primary exterior and interior side panels
• Fabric #3 - cut a 10 ½ inch circle, this will be used on the bottom exterior of the bucket
• Fabric #3 – cut 1 panel that will fold over the top of your bucket connecting the interior and exterior panels, 39 1/2 x 8 1/2

Step 2: Assembling Bucket Fabric

• I use the presser foot as a guide to how wide my seams will be, lining up the edge of my fabrics with the edge of the presser foot.
• Sewing along the widest edge, combine the exterior panel with the top fold panel, followed by the interior panel. When completed, you should have a large squarish shape.
• Fold over and press a one-inch flap of fabric along the bottom of the interior panel. Fold and press toward the unfinished side. Stitch when finished. This will create a drawstring tunnel that you can use to cinch the interior liner shut once your project is complete.

OPTIONAL STEP: I wanted to ensure that my hitch pins would not get caught on any loose fabric, so I added an elastic band to the exterior area of my bucket cover. I added it to the unfinished side of the fabric, where the exterior panel and top fold fabrics meet. This positioned the cinch just under the widest part of my bucket, where the rod and pins would be inserted. To do this I measured a piece of fabric that would circle the bucket without being stretched, then I snipped off about an inch to make it snugger. Sewing elastic can be hard. You must stretch the elastic as you go. I find it easiest to stretch the elastic and pin it in place rather than trying to judge the stretch as I am sewing and getting an uneven stretch.

• Once your panels are assembled and your drawstring edge is set up, you are ready to sew the side of your fabric piece, creating a barrel shape with open ends. Be careful not to stitch your drawstring openings closed.
• With your barrel shape complete and turned inside out, pin in the bottom circle of fabric to the exterior panel of fabric. I found it easier to begin by pinning the 4 opposite points of the circle and working my way around. Once it is pinned you able to sew the bottom and turn your completed fabric so that the finished sides face outward.

Step 3:

• Begin by deciding on the placement of the rod. You will want to ensure that it is on the widest part of the bucket so that the hitch pins can spin easily as the rod & yarns turns.
• Mark the first hole and drill it using your spade bit. Then insert the rod and use it as a guide to mark and drill the second hole.
• Cut your rod down to size. Leave approximately 2 inches on each of the exterior ends. This will allow space to drill and attach the hitch pins.
• Using the 3/8 drill bit, carefully drill the rod holes.
• Check that the rod will spin freely by placing the rod through the holes and inserting the hitch pins. Remove when done so that you can keep working.

Step 4: Covering the Bucket

• Place the completed bucket cover on the bucket. Slide the bucket inside so that the exterior is covered, and the interior panel folds down and rests on the bottom of the bucket interior. Add the drawstring during this step. Adjust the fabric until you are happy with the placement.
• Once in place, mark the exterior and interior locations of the rod holes. Snip the fabric so that the rod will pass through, insert the hitch pins

Step 5: Prepping the Pocket

• Cut a primary pocket fabric measuring 18 x 14
• Using the widest edge, fold down and iron a 2 inch flap towards the inside of the pocket. Bring the opposite edge up to meet your newly created fold edge and iron it in place. You know have a basic unsewn pocket.
• Using a trim fabric cut a piece that is 18 x 4. Using the longest edge, fold a 1 ½ inch section over twice and iron it flat. This will give you a length of fabric that has a finished front side and rough edge back.
• Slide the front side of your primary pocket fabric between the two front and back sides of the trim. Sew the trim in place. I used a decorative stitch to add interest.
• Turn the pocket inside out and sew the two ends. Then return it to its finished sides.
• You are now ready to sew the lines to create the hook pockets and any other pockets that you would like. To create the individual pockets, sew vertical lines through both layers of your pocket from the bottom, finishing just below the trim fabric. I found that a width of one presser foot created a nice size hook holder. I did a few larger sections to hold larger hooks. I did one 5-inch section in the center to hold stitch counters and other bits.
• When you are happy with the completed pocket piece, position and hand stitch the pocket to your bucket cover.

Step 6: Happy Crocheting!