Shell Stitch Tuna Can Pincushion

This crocheted pincushion was made with an empty clean tuna can and crochet thread. It is fun to make and would look great with any color combination.

Materials Needed
Size 10 crochet cotton in yellow and in green.
Size 7 steel crochet hook
A sharp tapestry needle
Empty, clean 6oz tuna can
Piece of white muslin, 11"x11" square
The legs only of 3 pair of old nylon stockings, shredded*
Pen or pencil
Fabric Scissors

Yarn Thickness: 10thread
Gauge: 8dc=1"
Finished Size: 3¼" x 2½"
Skill Level: Intermediate

Instructions
Prepare the can and cushion first. Step 1: Draw a 10" circle on the fabric. I used a Correlle dinner plate and a pen to trace the circle. Cut it out with your sharp fabric scissors.

Step 2: With about 24" of either color of your crochet thread and your sharp tapestry needle, work a running stitch around the edge of the circle of fabric to gather it up to make a ball cushion. Stuff the ball with the shredded nylon stockings. Draw up the stitches tight to close the ball. Tie a knot in the thread to secure it. Cut off the excess.

Step 3: Stuff the ball you just made into the clean tuna can so the gathers are on the bottom and the smooth side is on top. No need for glue. It should fit in the can snuggly. Set prepared, stuffed can aside.

The crocheted part of the cushion is made in 2 parts that are then stitched together with a round of sc. Work the bottom piece first.

Bottom Piece
RND 1: With Green, ch4, join w/slst to first ch to form ring. Ch3, 14 dc in ring. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (15dc)

RND 2: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. 2dc in each dc around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (30dc)

RND 3: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in next dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (45dc)

RND 4: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (60dc)

RND 5: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (75dc)

RND 6: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 4 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (90dc)

RND 7: Ch1. Sc in same st as slst. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. *Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next dc. Sk2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to first sc.

RND 8: Ch3, 4dc in same st as slst. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. *5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 9: Slst in each of the next 2 dc. Ch1, sc in same st as last slst. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. *Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to first sc. Fasten off green.

RND 10: Join yellow in any sc. Ch3, 4dc in same st. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. *5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off yellow.

RND 11: Join green in any sc. Ch3, 4dc in same st. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. *5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 12: Slst in each of the next 2 dc. Ch1, sc in same st as last slst. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. *Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. 5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to first sc.

RND 13: Ch3, 4dc in same st as slst. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. *5dc in next sc. Sk 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Sk 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

RND 14: Ch1, sc in same st as slst. (Hdc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 3 sts. Hdc in next st.) *Sc in next st. Rep bet () once. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to first sc. Fasten off and Weave ends into back of work. Set bottom aside.

Top Piece:
RND 1: With Green, ch4, join w/slst to first ch to form ring. Ch3, 14 dc in ring. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (15dc)

RND 2: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. 2dc in each dc around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off green. (30dc)

RND 3: Join yellow in same st as slst. Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in next dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off yellow. (45dc)

RND 4: Join green in same st as slst. Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. (60dc)

RND 5: Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off green. (75dc)

RND 6: Join yellow in same st as slst. Ch3, dc in same st as slst. Dc in each of the next 4 dc. *2dc in next dc. Dc in each of the next 3 dc. Rep from * around. Join w/slst to top of ch3. Fasten off yellow. (90dc)

RND 7: Join green in same st as slst. Ch3. Dc in each dc around. Join w/slst to top of ch3.

Assembly
To join the top to the bottom, line up the wrong sides facing each other. Sc in each st around going through both layers at the same time but when you reach half way, insert the prepared tuna can into the work making sure the top piece is over the fabric ball. Finish closing and join w/slst to first sc. Fasten off and weave ends into work.

NOTE: *You can use polyester fiberfill for the stuffing if you want but I like to use nylon stockings in pincushions since they tend to keep needles and pins sharp. To shred the nylon stockings, just cut the legs into thin strips with your very sharp fabric scissors or you can use a rotary cutter and cutting mat.

Shell Stitch Tuna Can Pincushion

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