I’ve always had a hard time throwing away a sturdy coffee canister. Out here, you learn to look twice at everyday things, and more often than not, that “empty” container still has one good use left in it. This project turns a metal coffee canister into a rustic outdoor tiki torch holder by crocheting a thick jute sleeve right through the can itself, and the result feels right at home on a porch, patio, or tucked along a garden path on a summer evening.
If you’re comfortable with basic crochet or willing to learn a very forgiving stitch, this is a fine little weekend project. I especially love that it blends handwork with practical backyard use—something my generation has always appreciated. It’s thrifty, sturdy, and handsome in that plain, natural way that never really goes out of style.
Materials
Instructions
1. Wash the empty coffee canister thoroughly, remove any paper or glue, and let it dry completely. Smooth surfaces help the jute sit neatly and keep the finished holder looking tidy.
2. Mark a row of evenly spaced dots around the canister, about 1/2 inch up from the bottom edge and 3/4 inch apart. Mark a second row near the top, about 1/2 inch down from the rim, spacing the holes to match the bottom row as closely as you can.
3. Put on gloves and drill each marked hole with the 1/8-inch bit, holding the canister steady as you work. Drill slowly so the metal doesn’t bend more than necessary.
4. File or sand every drilled hole until the edges are smooth to the touch. This step matters, because rough metal can fray or cut the jute twine.
5. Make a slip knot with the jute and begin at one bottom hole, pulling the twine from inside the can to the outside. Work one single crochet through each hole around the bottom row, joining with a slip stitch when you reach the beginning.
6. Chain 1 and crochet single crochet stitches around the body of the canister, working in a spiral or joined rounds as you prefer. Keep the stitches snug so the jute forms a firm sleeve against the metal.
7. Continue crocheting upward until you reach the top row of drilled holes. If needed, increase or decrease a stitch or two over the last round so your stitch count lines up neatly with the top holes.
8. Work one single crochet through each top hole to anchor the upper edge, then join with a slip stitch. Cut the twine, pull the tail through, and weave the end inside the crocheted stitches.
9. Set the tiki torch fuel canister insert inside the finished holder and check that it sits level and snug. If it shifts, use the galvanized wire inside the canister to make a simple support loop or bracket to hold it centered.
10. Fill the torch insert according to its directions, place the wick securely, and set the holder on a flat, nonflammable outdoor surface before lighting. Never hang it by the crochet, and always keep the jute away from the flame at the center.
Variations & Tips
Change the shape: Short, wide coffee cans make squat torch holders that are less likely to tip, while taller canisters give you a more lantern-like look.
Try a different stitch: Single crochet is the sturdiest choice, but half double crochet works too if you want a slightly quicker project with a more open texture.
Add weight: If your holder feels too light, place a little clean sand or a few small pebbles in the bottom of the canister before setting in the torch insert, keeping the fuel container level above them.
Keep it natural: I like plain jute for that weathered porch look, but you can brush the finished sleeve clean and add an outdoor-safe clear sealer to the metal only if you want extra rust protection.
Mind the flame: The wick should rise from the center with good clearance from the crocheted jute edge. If the insert sits too high or too close to the sides, switch to a smaller fuel canister before using it outdoors.
Make a matching set: These look especially pretty in twos or threes down a picnic table or along patio steps. Back in the day, we called that making something “do more than one job”—using scraps, saving money, and still ending up with a yard that looks dressed for company.