I love a project that solves a real hosting problem, and this one does it with a little bit of humor and a lot of charm. For this outdoor drink cozy caddy, I crochet thick poolside-blue yarn directly through the holes of a plastic dollar-store shower caddy, turning an ordinary bathroom organizer into a sturdy holder for canned drinks, water bottles, or seltzers by the patio.
It’s the kind of make that feels especially right for August, when everything revolves around keeping drinks cold and within reach. If you know basic crochet stitches and can work a little creatively around a premade plastic form, this is a very approachable afternoon project, and the result looks surprisingly polished for something that starts in the bath aisle.
Materials
1 plastic shower caddy, approximately 10 to 12 inches wide x 4 to 5 inches deep x 8 to 10 inches tall, with suction cups removed
Instructions
1. Remove the suction cups and any hanging hardware from the plastic shower caddy, then wash and dry it thoroughly so the yarn stays clean while you work.
2. Check the caddy for sharp seams or plastic burrs, and trim or sand them smooth if needed so the yarn won’t snag.
3. Start at one upper corner and join the yarn through an opening in the caddy, leaving a 6-inch tail to weave in later.
4. Work single crochet stitches directly around each plastic bar or through each large opening along the top rim, covering the edge evenly and pulling the stitches snug so the plastic begins to disappear.
5. Continue down both side edges and across the front, adding one single crochet around each bar or one stitch per opening, adjusting slightly as needed to keep the coverage smooth and balanced.
6. Crochet across the bottom front edge and lower sides, making extra stitches at corners so the yarn wraps the shape without puckering.
7. Fill in the side panels by working chain stitches from one plastic bar to the next, then anchoring each chain with a single crochet to create a soft netted wall that helps cradle the drinks.
8. Repeat the same chain-and-anchor pattern on the other side and anywhere the front needs extra support, keeping the openings small enough that cans won’t tip through.
9. Add a padded top band by working one more round of single crochet along the upper rim, then a second round if you want a chunkier hand-friendly edge.
10. If your caddy has a center divider or handle opening, crochet around that area as well so every place a hand might touch feels soft and finished.
11. Test the fit with four 12-ounce cans or bottles, and add a few extra chain anchors in any loose spots where the drinks shift too much.
12. Cut the yarn with an 8-inch tail, weave in all loose ends with the yarn needle, and gently shape the caddy by hand so it sits level and holds the drinks upright.
Variations & Tips
Color swap: Use turquoise, white, citrus yellow, or coral chunky yarn if you want the caddy to coordinate with your patio cushions or pool towels.
Fiber choice: I prefer polyester or acrylic chunky yarn for outdoor use because it dries faster than wool and holds up better around splashes.
Stitch option: If you crochet loosely, switch from chain netting to tight single crochet mesh so smaller cans and juice boxes stay more secure.
Comfort finish: A double-thick top rim makes a big difference when carrying full drinks; I think it’s worth the extra yarn.
Hosting tip: Make two caddies in different colors—one for sparkling water and one for soda—so guests can tell them apart at a glance.
Cleanup: Because the base is still plastic, this project is easy to wipe down; just spot-clean the yarn and let the whole caddy air-dry completely before storing.