I love a project that sits right at the intersection of useful, sentimental, and thrifty, and this one checks all three boxes. In this end-of-summer memory jar cozy, I turn an oversized plastic vitamin bottle into a decorative keepsake by crocheting a lace pattern directly through holes made in the bottle and then tucking vacation photos inside. It’s a clever little upcycling project that gives a very ordinary container a second life, and the finished piece looks charming on a shelf, kitchen hutch, or side table.
If you already crochet a bit and enjoy saving mementos, this is an especially satisfying make. I’m fond of projects like this because they remind me of the way cooks save good scraps for stock—sometimes the humble leftover becomes the most interesting part. Here, a plain bottle becomes a memory piece, and the cotton thread gives it that airy, handmade texture that feels just right for late-summer photos.
Materials
1 large empty plastic vitamin bottle, about 9 to 10 inches tall and 4 to 5 inches wide
Instructions
1. Wash the vitamin bottle and lid thoroughly with warm soapy water, remove any label, and let everything dry completely. Wipe the outside with rubbing alcohol so the marker lines and thread sit cleanly on the surface.
2. Lightly sand any rough label residue or sharp plastic edges with fine-grit sandpaper. Trim away any jagged bits around the bottle rim so the finished piece feels neat in the hand.
3. Measure and mark a row of evenly spaced dots around the bottle, starting about 1/2 inch up from the base and spacing the holes about 3/8 inch apart. Continue marking rows upward, keeping about 1/2 inch between rows, until you reach the shoulder of the bottle.
4. Make a hole at every marked dot using an awl, heated skewer, or small hand drill. Keep the holes just large enough for the crochet hook and thread to pass through without tearing the plastic.
5. Smooth any rough hole edges with the sandpaper or the tip of your scissors. This step matters more than it seems, because cotton thread will snag on even a tiny burr.
6. Trim your photos so they fit inside the bottle while still curving gently against the inner wall. Test a few arrangements before attaching them; I like mixing landscapes, family snapshots, and one close-up detail shot from the trip.
7. Secure the photos inside the bottle with small pieces of double-sided tape or glue dots, facing outward through the clear plastic. Leave a little open space between some photos so light can pass through the lace pattern later.
8. Tie the cotton thread through one hole in the bottom row, leaving a 4-inch tail inside the bottle. Insert the crochet hook through the next hole, yarn over, and pull up a loop to begin working a foundation of slip stitches or single crochet-style joins through the holes.
9. Work all the way around the first row, placing 1 stitch in each hole and joining to the first stitch with a slip stitch. Keep the tension firm but not tight so the bottle does not buckle.
10. For the second row, chain 3, skip 1 hole, and work 1 single crochet through the next hole; repeat around to create an open lace pattern. Adjust by skipping fewer holes if your bottle is narrower or the holes are closer together.
11. Continue upward row by row, repeating chain spaces and anchored stitches through the pre-made holes. If you want more texture, alternate rows of chain-3 spaces with rows of chain-5 spaces for a slightly more dramatic lace.
12. When you reach the shoulder of the bottle, switch to smaller chain spaces if needed so the crochet follows the curve neatly. Work one final joined round near the top to give the edge a finished frame.
13. Fasten off the thread, pull the tail to the inside, and secure it with a tiny dab of clear craft glue if desired. Tuck in the starting tail the same way so nothing shows from the outside.
14. Clean the bottle one last time with a soft dry cloth and place the lid on top. If you like, add a simple crocheted chain around the lid edge or leave it plain for a cleaner memory-jar look.
Variations & Tips
Color choice: White or ecru cotton thread gives this a classic lace look, but soft aqua, sandy beige, or pale coral can echo a beach-trip palette beautifully.
Photo selection: Use matte prints rather than glossy ones if possible, since they tend to reduce glare inside the bottle and let the images read more clearly through the crochet.
Hole spacing tip: Before punching every hole, test one small section first with your hook and thread. It’s much easier to adjust spacing early than after the whole bottle is perforated.
Stitch variation: If you prefer a denser look, work 1 single crochet in every hole for all rows instead of open chain spaces. The result feels more like a fitted cozy and shows the photos in smaller glimpses.
Memory theme: This doesn’t have to be a vacation jar. I’ve used the same idea for recipe clippings, garden snapshots, and family celebration photos, and each version ends up with its own personality.
Bottle shape: Straight-sided bottles are the easiest for a first attempt. If your vitamin bottle has deep curves, use fewer chain spaces near the top and bottom so the crochet lies flat against the plastic.
Display idea: Add a short battery tea light inside only if the bottle plastic stays cool and the photos are kept away from the light source. A safer everyday option is to simply let window light shine through the sides, which already gives the lace and photos a lovely glow.