by Julia Schwartz

Photos: Julia Schwartz

Do you need a simple storage solution for your desk or shelves? This is a very easy project that can be done in a short amount of time. It uses an oatmeal container and some simple crocheting skills. They are sturdy and once you are done you cannot tell that they used to take up space in your pantry!

Difficulty: Easy

Size: 18 oz oatmeal container cut to the size you would like

Materials:

• Any 4-ply worsted weight yarn in 2 colors (C1 and C2)
• H/8 (5.00mm size) hook
• A cleaned out 18 oz oatmeal container

Gauge: After the first four rounds it should be the same size as the bottom of the container

Note: You can cut your container down to a size that you like but make sure you cut it down by inches. Also this will affect how many rows you will crochet.

Directions:

Outer layer

Rnd 1: With C1, ch 4, make 9 dc in the 4th ch (the rest of the chs form the first dc) from hook, sl st into beg dc for a total of 10 dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in the same st, *make 2 dc in the next dc.* Repeat from * to * 8 more times, sl st into beg st. (20dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3, * make 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * 8 times, make 2 dc in last st, sl st in beg st. (30dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in the same st, sc in the next st, make 2 sc in the next st. *Sc in the next 2 sts, make 2 sc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * 8 times, sl st into beg sc. (40 sc)

Rnd 5: Working in back loops only, ch 3. Dc in each st around, sl st into beg dc. (40 dc)

Rnds 6-17 (or till you reach the top of the container): Ch 3; dc in each st around, sl st into beg dc. (40 dc) At the end of your last row, finish off.

Inner layer
With C2, repeat Rnds 1-17 of Outer Layer (do not finish off). Insert the inner layer into the container and slip the outer layer over the container. Match up your edges, and crochet the two layers together in the next row.

Rnd 18: Ch 1, sc in the same st. Sc in each st around, sl st into beg sc. (40 sc)

Rnd 19: Ch 1, sc in the same st, sc in the next st. Sk 2 sc, ch 4. *Sc in the next 2 sc, sk 2 sc, ch 4.* Repeat from * to * 8 times, sl st into beg sc. (20 sc and 10 ch-sp)

Rnd 20: Sl st into the next sc and into the ch-sp, ch 1. *(Sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc) into the ch-sp.* Repeat from * to * 9 times, sl st into beg sc. (10 petals)

Rnd 21: Sl st into the next 2 sts, ch 1. *Sc in the dc, ch 4.* Repeat from * to * 9 times, sl st into the beg sc. (10 ch-sp)

Rnd 22: Sl st into the ch-sp, ch 1. *(Sc, hdc, dc, ch 3, sl st into dc (picot made), hdc, sc) into the ch-sp.* Repeat from * to * 9 times, sl st into beg sc. (10 petals with picots) Finish off and weave in your ends, fold edge down over outside of container.

About the Designer
Julia is currently living with her family in Toronto Ontario, while her husband works on his Doctorate degree. They are enjoying the change in their lives that this recent move has made. She thrives on creating things. Usually that means crocheting, but she also enjoys working with any type of needle, cooking, and card making. If you would like to keep up with her and all of her crafting adventures, you can at designsbydiligence.blogspot.com.

Pattern & images © Julia Schwartz. All rights reserved.