A bottle cap makes a great base for a pincushion. A bottle cap from a 2 litre bottle is an ideal size for a pin cushion that can be worn as a ring or on the wrist.

Using a bottle cap means that pins won’t go right the way through the crochet, which is important if the pincushion is going to be worn on the finger or wrist. These are a handy size for many projects and can be crocheted up in no time.

It is extremely easy to crochet these pincushions, they require just a small amount of yarn or thread, a bottle top and some wadding.

To make the pincushion it is simply a case of crocheting a disc for the base to fit the bottle top, and then continue working up the sides. When the crochet reaches the top of the bottle top, make a further disc for the top. Before attaching the top to the base pack the bottle top tightly with wadding. This is best achieved by tightly rolling the wadding into a ball before putting it inside the bottle top and then poking it down in firmly.

To attach the top either sew around the edge or crochet the top on. The pincushion can then be finished as required. The pincushion in the photograph was decorated with a crochet ruffle. This was achieved by working three Double Crochet (Treble Crochet UK) into each stitch around the edge. Other decorations could include crocheting beads around the edge or making larger, more flamboyant ruffles. As the pincushion is tiny there is plenty of scope for trying different things!

To finish either crochet a ring if the pincushion is going to be worn on the finger, or crochet a band if it is for the wrist. The wrist band can be fastened with Velcro, making it easy to put on and take off.

Tips for Crocheting a Pincushion

* Pack the wadding as tight as possible. This will give the pins a firm base to sink into.

* Crochet tightly, this might mean using a small sized hook than normal. This is important to ensure that the pins are held firmly. Loose stitches combined with loose wadding might mean that the pins fall out.

* The base of the pincushion can be worked in any stitch. Work the top in Single Crochet as this gives a firm and tight fabric.

* Experiment with different sized bottle or jar tops.

These little pincushions are quick to crochet and easy to adapt. A little pincushion with some fancy pins would make a great gift!