Modern crochet – in vogue again after decades in fashion wilderness – takes simple shapes in combination with contemporary colours and materials. This vase is made from inexpensive garden string and it uses only three different stitches. Its impact comes from its pared-down profile and rough, ribbed texture. For a brighter look, you could use a combination of colours in bold stripes and, of course, you can easily adjust the pattern to make the vase as wide or narrow, tall or short as you wish.

You will need:

To make a vase measuring about 10cm diameter and 38cm high, depending on the type of string used and your tension
- Two balls of sisal string
- 4mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Jam jar or tin can
- Spray stanch (optional)

abbreviations

ch : chain
dc : double crochet
* : repeat stitches as indictated
sl st : slip stitch
tn : tneble

Take the sisal string and, using the 4mm hook, make 4ch to start. Join into a ring with a sl st into the first ch.

Make five rounds, as follows: Round l: 1ch, work 2dc into each stitch to make 8 stitches. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch. Round 2: 1ch, work 2dc into each stitch to make 16 stitches. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch. Round 3: 1ch, * 1dc into next stitch, 2dc into next stitch. Repeat from * to make 24 stitches. Join with a sl st into the first stitch. Round 4: tch,* 1dc into each of the next 2 stitches, 2dc into next stitch. Repeat from * to make 32 stitches. Join with a sl st into the first stitch. Round 5: lch, * 2dc into next stitch, 1dc into each of next 3 stitches. Repeat from * to make 4O stitches. Join with a sl st into the first stitch. This completes the base of the vase.

In order to build up the sides of the vase, work lch, then ldc into each stitch. Join with a sl st into the first stitch. This is one round.

Continue working in rounds of double crochet until the vase reaches desired height. Fasten off by cutting the string about 10cm from the hook, and drawing this ‘tail’ through the slip stitch. Trim neatly.

Finish off by carefully inserting the jam jar or tin can into the completed sisal sleeve, in order to make the vase waterproof. For a little extra stability and durability, you may wish to apply spray starch to the vase before using it.