This is a super easy craft that requires little more than an empty container from the recycling bin, a bit of scrap yarn and some glue or double sided tape.
Tools and Materials Required:
- clean empty rigid container – we used cocoa and yeast flake cans because they have a gorgeous silver lining but you can use standard food cans or even tubular snack cans
- yarn or string – charity shops and scrapstores are great sources
- craft glue and/or double sided tape – we got ours from Hobbycraft
- scissors
Step 1: Apply adhesive
If you are using tape, cover the whole of your can with horizontal stripes of tape. If you are using glue, paste just the top inch or so of your can.
Step 2: Start wrapping!
Starting at the top of the can, remove the backing paper off the first stripe of tape and stick a 1cm (3/8″) end of your yarn to this VERTICALLY with the tail pointing to the bottom of the container. This is so the tail of your yarn will be hidden under the first few wraps around the container. You can see the top tail hidden in the photo below.
Wrap the yarn around the container with the coils close enough that you can see no gaps. Add more glue or remove the backing paper from the tape as you go.
Step 3: Change colours or complete your work
If you want to change colours halfway through you can just join the new yarn to the old yarn with a double knot and then wrap over the top of the tails with the next few coils. We avoided the need for joins by using a self striping yarn that I had left over from knitting a hat.
To complete your container just stick the tail down with a bit of glue, painting over the top of the yarn as well as underneath. Don’t worry about getting glue on your yarn as it dries clear.
Top tip: keep all the knots and beginning and end on the same side of the container so you have a “good” side!
Use your beautiful new containers to store craft supplies or place a glass jar inside and use them as a vase.
