DIY Network

Crafty Helpers Recycle a pair of work-out jeans into a bucket that's handy for storing craft supplies. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-217

Caro Sheridan, of Austin Glitterati, demonstrates how to make a craft bucket out of jeans, cardboard and some fancy fabric. The bucket is perfect for holding yarn or crafting supplies, but perhaps the best part is that the jean pockets on the interior are great for holding scissors, other sharp tools or small supplies.

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Crafty Bucket

Crafty Bucket

Materials:

an old pair of jeans
cotton canvas or upholstery-weight fabric (approximately 12" high x the jeans circumference + 1")
a sewing-machine needle suitable for denim or heavyweight fabric
a piece of cardboard
fabric glue or hot glue
permanent marker
rotary cutter or scissors

1. With the jeans buttoned, cut off the legs just below the zipper or pockets. Set the legs aside; you can use the fabric later. This will set the depth of the bucket.

2. Turn the jeans inside out, pin along the sides and sew a seam to make the jean tops into a cylinder shape.

Note: Most jeans will flare at the hips; you want the cylinder to be straight from top to bottom.

3. Measure the height and width of the jeans tube and cut the upholstery fabric to the same height + 1/2" at the top for a seam allowance, and the same width plus 1".

Tip: Lay the tube flat, measure side to side and double it to get the width.

Figure A

4. Pin the right side of the outer (upholstery) fabric to the wrong side of the top of the jeans with a 1/2" overlap; stitch this down over the top of the existing waistband topstitching (figure A).

5. Cut a piece of the leftover legs in a circle approximately 1/2" wider all around than the opening of the jeans at the bottom; this will be the bottom of the bucket. For precision you can use the following mathematical formula:

• Multiply the width of the jeans by 2 to get the circumference.
  
• Divide this number by Pi (3.14) to get the diameter.
  
• Divide that number by 2 for the radius to get the measurement for the compass. You can use a scrap piece of cardboard for this (figure B) (figure C); remember to add the 1/2" to that measurement.

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

  Figure D

7. Cut a cardboard circle to fit in the bottom (figure E) and glue a piece of fabric over it (figure F).

Set the fabric-covered circle into the bottom to hide the raw edges (figure G).

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Wrist Pincushion

Keep your pins at arm's length with this wearable pincushion. Crocheted in the round and stuffed with fiberfill, the wristband pincushion is a great timesaver as well as a fashionable accessory.

Materials:
1 skein Noro Kureyon color #95 (or other Aran-weight yarn)
crochet hook, US size G (4.5mm)
3/4" shell button
small handful of fiberfill or scrap yarn

Abbreviations:

ch chain
dc double crochet
rep repeat
sc single crochet
sk skip
sl st slip stitch
st stitch(es)
trc treble crochet

Ch 4, sl st to join the chain into a ring.

Round 1: Ch 2, sc 9 times into the center of the ring, sl st to close, ch 2.
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc on the row below, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 3: Sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc. Rep from * to end, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 4: Sc 2, *2 sc in next sc, sc 2. Rep from * to end, sl st to join.

Strap #1:
Row 1: Starting where you completed the circle, ch 4, trc 1, dc 1, sc 3, dc, trc 2.
Row 2: Ch 2, sc to end of row.
Rows 3-12: Rep row 2.
Fasten off

Strap #2:
Join yarn on opposite side of circle to first strap

Row 1: ch 4, tr 1, dc 1, sc 3, dc 1, tr 2.
Rows 2-10: Work as per strap #1.
Row 12: Ch 2, sc 2, ch 3, sk 3 sc on row below, then sc into next sc, sc 2.
Fasten off.

Cushion:
Round 1: Join yarn at edge of circle. Sl st into inside loop of each st around the circle, sl st to join, ch 2.
Rounds 2-3: Sc into front loop of each st on row below, sl st to join, ch 2.

Note: Work into front loop only for all remaining rows in this project to create a ribbed effect.

Round 3: Sc 2, *sk 1 sc on row beneath, sc into next two stitches. Rep from * to end. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 4: Sc 1, *sk 1 sc on row beneath, sc into next stitch. Rep from * to end. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Stuff cushion with fiberfill or scrap yarn.
Round 5: Sc to end of round, sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 6: Sc 1, *sk 1 sc on row beneath, sc into next stitch. Rep from * to end. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 7: Sl st through all remaining stitches to draw cushion closed.
Fasten off.
Thread tail of yarn through tapestry needle, pass through to the bottom of cushion and clip off.
Weave in all other loose ends. Sew button on strap #1 with embroidery floss, making sure to line it up with buttonhole on strap #2.

GUESTS :

Caro Sheridan
E-mail: splityarn@gmail.com
Website: www.splityarn.com