I’m always looking for simple ways to make outdoor food setup a little prettier and a lot more practical, especially once summer hits and we start eating on the patio. This project turns a cheap clear dollar store umbrella into a lightweight serving platter cover by cutting down the canopy and crocheting a cotton lace edge right through the plastic. It keeps bugs off fruit, pastries, and snack boards, and it looks much more charming than tossing foil or plastic wrap over everything.
I love this kind of project because it feels clever without being complicated. If you know a few basic crochet stitches and you’re comfortable punching evenly spaced holes, you can make this in an evening. It’s a great fit for anyone who likes upcycling, enjoys crochet with a practical purpose, or just wants outdoor entertaining to feel a little more pulled together on a busy weeknight.
Materials
Instructions
1. Open the umbrella fully and use the seam ripper to remove the plastic canopy from the metal ribs and center cap as cleanly as possible.
2. Wash the canopy with mild soap and water, then dry it completely so the thread will glide easily and any marker lines will show clearly.
3. Set your serving platter upside down on the flattest area of the canopy and trace a circle that is 3 to 4 inches wider than the platter all the way around for drape.
4. Cut out the traced circle smoothly, trimming away any pointed umbrella panel corners so you have one even round piece of clear plastic.
5. Mark dots around the outer edge 1/4 inch in from the cut edge, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart so your crochet foundation will stay even.
6. Punch or melt a small hole at each marked dot, keeping the holes just large enough for your hook and thread to pass through without tearing the plastic.
7. Tie the thread through one hole, then work 1 single crochet into each hole all the way around, adding 1 extra single crochet every 8 to 10 holes if the edge starts to pull.
8. Slip stitch to join the round and check the fit over your platter; the plastic should dome gently without buckling and the crochet edge should sit flat.
9. Chain 5, skip 2 stitches, and single crochet in the next stitch to create a lacy loop round; repeat this pattern all the way around and join with a slip stitch.
10. Work 5 double crochet into each loop around the next round to build a soft ruffle that helps the cover drape nicely over the platter.
11. For a neater finish, add 1 final round of slip stitches or a simple picot edge, then fasten off and weave the end back through several stitches securely.
12. Place the cover over your serving platter and trim any uneven plastic spots if needed, making tiny adjustments so it hangs evenly on all sides.
Variations & Tips
Thread color: I used white because it gives that classic summer-table look, but pastel blue, lemon yellow, or soft green would be really cute for brunches and garden parties.
Hole-making tip: If the plastic wants to crack, make slightly larger holes farther from the edge and avoid forcing a thick hook through. A smaller steel hook makes this part much easier.
Size adjustment: For a larger charcuterie tray, trace a bigger circle before cutting and keep the same hole spacing so the lace still works up evenly.
Easy stitch option: If you’re newer to crochet, stop after the first single crochet round and one loop round. It still looks pretty and takes less time on a busy evening.
Outdoor use: This cover works best for calm patio meals, fruit trays, muffins, and cheese boards. I still bring it inside after use since the cotton edging stays nicest when it’s kept dry and clean.
Storage: Store it upside down over the platter or hang it from the lace edge so the plastic dome doesn’t crease. That little step makes it look much nicer the next time you set out snacks.