CANNEDGOODS DesignbyAmyE.Anderson $\circledcirc$
Felted Covers for Cans Advanced Beginner Skill Level 5 Sizes for Many Uses Worsted Weight Wool Yarn - NOT Superwash
CANNED GOODS C
design by Amy E. Anderson This design fulfills three purposes: using up leftover. yarn, making quick gifts for friends, and recycling. The finished can covers can be embellished with embroidery, beadwork, or needle felting. Directions are given for five sizes. If only one number is given, i applies to all sizes.
Needles:
Size 7, double-pointed Gauge: 9 sts $=2^{\ast}$ in stockinette
I used Cascade 220 or Cascade Quatro for all of my samples. For predictable results, I recommend that you use this yarn or something very similar, such as Galway or Paton's Classic Wool. Each can cover requires approx. 50 grams of worsted weight wool for the Main Color (MC) - The 46 oz. juice can requires about 75 grams.
(DO NOT USE SUPERWASH!)
You will need 20 yards of the Contrast Color (CC) for the I-Cord Bind-off.
Soup Can
Soup cans are just the right size for a pencil cup. Work only Rds 1 -4 of the Standard Bottom Shaping (below). You will have 48 sts total. Knit even until cover measures $6\,\%"$ tall, measuring from the last increase row. Switch to contrast color (if desired) and knit 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind-off (below).
20 oz. Pineapple Can
Pineapple Cans are a nice size for pencil cups, or put a pint jar inside and use this as a smallflower vase. Work only Rds 1 - 6 of the Standard Bottom Shaping (below). You will have 56 sts total. Knit even until cover measures 8" tall, measuring from the last increase row. Switch to contrast color (if desired) and knit 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind-off (below).
28 oz. Stewed Tomato Can
This size is good for holding a small house plant - leave plant in original container. Work only Rds 1 - 8 of the Standard Bottom Shaping (below). You will have 64 sts total. Knit even until cover measures $8"$ tall, measuring from the last increase row. Note: You can switch to a 16" circular needle after a few rows if you like. Switch to contrast color (if desired) and knit 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind-off (below).
28 oz. Bush's Baked Bean Can
This size is perfect for storing your straight knitting needles, or paint brushes. December, 2004 Work only Rds 1 - 6 of the Standard Bottom Shaping (below). You will have 56 sts total. Knit even until cover measures $10\%^{\ast}$ tall, measuring from the last increase row. Switch to contrast color (if desired) and knit 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind-off(below).
46 oz. Juice Can
This size is nice for holding kitchen utensils or you can fit a mayonnaise or 1-qt. canning jar inside to hold fresh flowers (l love zinnias.) Work Rds 1 - 10 of the Standard Bottom Shaping (below). You will have 72 sts total. Knit even until cover measures $12\%^{,*}$ tall, measuring from the last increase row. Note: You can switch to a 16" circular needle after a few rows if you like. Switch to contrast color (if desired) and knit 1 round. Work I-Cord Bind-off (below).
Work I-Cord Bind-Off
Cast on 2 news sts and work, loosely as follows: \* K2, K2tog through back of loops, transfer 3 sts from Right needle to Left needle\* repeat \* - \* to end or row. Draw yarn through last 3 sts and tie off.
Standard Bottom Shaping:
For all sizes: Cast on 32 sts, leaving a 12" tail, and divide sts between 3 or 4 needles. Rd 1: Join, being careful not to twist and Knit around. Rd 2: Inc 1 in every $4^{\mathrm{th}}$ stitch. (40 sts total) Rd 3: Knit Rd 4: Inc 1 in every $5^{\mathrm{th}}$ stitch. (48 sts total) Rd 5: Knit Rd 6: Inc 1 in every $6^{\mathrm{{th}}}$ stitch. (56 sts total) Rd 7: Knit Rd 8: Inc 1 in every $7^{\mathrm{th}}$ stitch. (64 sts total) Rd 9: Knit Rd 10: Inc 1 in every $8^{\mathrm{th}}$ stitch. (72 sts total)
Finishing:
Wash and dry your can, making sure there are no. sharp edges. Before felting, thread the cast-on tail through a darning needle and run it up and down through the cast on stitches - then drawstring the opening until it's about the size of a 50 cent piece. Weave in ends. Felt in your washing machine with hot water. If the cover gets a litle small, you can stretch it over the can while it's still wet. My covers took about 15 minutes of agitation to reach the proper size. Put cover on can to dry.
Abbreviations:
$$ {\sf R d}({\sf s})=\sf r o u n d({\sf s}) $$ Inc $=$ Increase
