I like crochet, but I wanted to make something that I would actually want to use a lot.

So with a camping trip coming up soon, I figured this beer+paracord combo would work out great.

I'm going to assume the reader has a basic knowledge of crochet. There are plenty of great tutorial videos online if you want to get started.

I'll be using:

magic circle/ring

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

This is what I used, but of course you could use a different sized hook, or different thickness paracord.

Bottle

550 paracord (between 50' & 100')

Lighter (for melting ends)

Size N/9.00mm hook

Scissors

Step 2: Start Making the Thing

Start with a magic circle/ring. There are plenty of tutorials online. I don't crochet enough to remember everything, so I almost always have to refer to a youtube video.

6 SC around the magic circle, pull the tail to close up the circle, and SL ST in first SC to join. If you generally crochet tightly, you're going to need to loosen up a bit.

The 2nd pic shows 7 SC, ignore that, it should be 6 (I corrected it but didn't take a picture)

The paracord is thick and stiff, so if it doesn't look right just shove it around until it does. It'll stay where you put it, and it slides against itself pretty well. If you have to unravel it and start again, it doesn't kink or show any signs of repeated use, that I've noticed.

Step 3: Keep Making the Thing

2 SC in each stitch in the circle, through both loops of the stitch.

SL ST to join to 1st SC, CH 1

You'll end up with 12 stitches. If you want a paracord coaster, quit here.

Step 4: The Lengthy Part

1 SC in each stitch, in the inside/wrong side loop (see pic). You should have 12 stitches.

SL ST to join to 1st stitch, CH 1.

Repeat these steps 9 more times, you should have 10 total rows. Or do fewer if you want it shorter (like for a can), or do more, whatever floats your boat.

Step 5: Make Some Loops

You can get creative here, but you need some kind of loop/handle to help get the bottle in and out, as it'll be a bit snug. Maybe incorporate a carabiner, that'd be neat. Or perhaps leave a long loop of cord with a cord stopper/lace stopper/barrel lock/slide lock (or whatever that spring/button thing is called).

For the desert camo cozy, I made 2 loops. To do this I did:

*CH 3, SL ST in 2nd stitch from base of chain (this should make 1 loop).*

SL ST in next 3 stitches.

CH 3, SL ST in 2nd stitch from base, fasten off (this should make the 2nd loop).

For the red/black cozy, I made 6 loops to make it look kinda like a flower (this one's for my wife). I just repeated the step between the *-* above 6 times, then fastened off.

There are 12 stitches across the top, so you can make loops in any multiple of 12 and still have it look symmetrical. For you math-challenged folks, that means you could have 2 loops, 3 loops, 4 loops, or 6 loops.

I'm not sure how most people fasten off when crocheting with yarn, but for this project I thread the cord through one stitch, then cut it off. Then I carefully melted the end, and squished the still-soft molten plastic with the edge of my scissors to sort of mushroom it out.

Step 6: Some Thoughts

I'm no crochet master. If you have any ideas that would improve this, I'll incorporate it into my next cozy and post an update.

If you have any stitch recommendations that you think will look nice and still work with thick paracord, I'll give that a shot too.