I have a few cones of black cotton yarn, and of course I am limited to ideas on using the 100% cotton yarn in that color. Our little town started a "boo" basket giveaway (basket of random holiday themed items for Halloween), and I thought I could add a few of my own homemade items to the baskets.
The baskets are randomly placed at doorways in town, and was started by a local woman.
So....here is my "do something good" for someone (even though I am in the midst of a project for someone else, ha ha!).
I came up with a few ways to use the black cotton yarn to add to these baskets. How many ways did I find a way to use the color black?
First up, I found a free pattern online for these cute spider cup coasters. I used white for the eyes.
A second pattern I found useful, was from Pretty Darn Adorable (also online), and called Easy Every Day Crochet Wristlet Keychain Pattern. These turned out very cute, and used up some more black cotton yarn. I had the swivel hooks (no surprise there, ha ha!) too.
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...and then I saw "something shiny" as my husband says.
I also found scraps of other cotton yarn, and started making some for gifting other times of the year for any other gifting needs.
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Keep in mind, I made all of these during canning sauce reducing time. I needed easy peasy projects to keep me from wandering out of the kitchen to do other jobs.
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In the process of using up a cone of red cotton yarn, and ending with an even smaller amount, I went looking for more ideas for the "boo" basket items and found this pattern for crocheted hearts . . .
I had a lot of the keychains leftover from my Farmer's Market days, and I also had the clip on charms (any charm will look nice with these). The heart pattern is online with Golden Lucy Crafts. It's just a simple heart pattern, but came in handy with using my scrap of red yarn, the extra keychains and the charms added a nice touch. The charms I had, have lobster claw attachments, so the person being gifted, can remove it and add it to anything as well. It's just the only charm I had in my jewelry craft supplies.
...and I saw something shiny (got side tracked). Again.
Lastly, I found yet another crochet pattern for making something useful for myself, and where I could use up some more black cotton yarn.
A retractable tape measure keychain pattern. It's free online with Heart Hook Home. However, for the second piece in the pattern, I had to add the last round, as the first piece, to make it fit correctly. Also, if the yarn is too tight on the button, the tape measure will not stay out and hold it's position to measure. I used more of my black cotton yarn for this project, but you could use any cotton yarn color. I love it!
I may play around with the pattern, leaving a hole for the button in the center side, and make some for gifting as well. I left the key ring off, and only attached a lobster claw hook. I can now hook it to any crochet project bag on the go, or anywhere I want to have one (when buying something for the home that requires measuring etc.).
If you search online, there are a bunch of crochet patterns for free and for sale for making more interesting covers that are fish, flowers, turtles etc. (to cover a retractable tape measure like these small round ones). I wanted one that would attach and hang, and of course simple (was good enough for me).
I have not started any new donation baby blankets nor donation lap afghans yet. Garden season got a hold of me this year.
There you have it. My handiwork update. The rain is still coming down, so I have yet to get back into the garden.
On the Hook . . . © September 2026 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
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