I love a project that makes me stop and say, “Well, that’s clever.” This crochet-through-a-dish-drainer book holder is exactly that kind of make: part yarn craft, part upcycle, and completely practical if you like to read outside in late summer when a lap full of supplies feels fussy. By weaving chunky burnt sienna yarn through every slot of a plastic dish drainer, you turn an ordinary kitchen item into a sturdy angled stand that can hold a paperback, small hardcover, magazine, or tablet.
What I especially like here is that you do not need advanced crochet shaping skills to pull it off. If you can make a simple chain and work yarn through openings with a large hook or your fingers, you can make this. It is a good weekend project for crocheters who enjoy unusual materials, and it is also a nice entry point for anyone who wants a handmade outdoor reading accessory without building something from wood.
Materials
1 white or light neutral plastic dish drainer, approximately 12 to 14 inches wide x 15 to 18 inches long, with removable silverware cup
Instructions
1. Remove the silverware cup from the dish drainer and wash and dry the drainer thoroughly so the yarn will not pick up grease or dust while you work.
2. Measure the main slotted panel and identify the side that will face up when the drainer is propped at a reading angle; this helps you keep your yarn pattern consistent from the start.
3. Tie the yarn securely to one corner slot on the underside of the drainer, leaving a 4-inch tail, and tuck the knot where it will not show from the front.
4. Work the yarn through each slot across the main panel, looping in and out so the plastic is fully covered and the yarn lies snug but not stretched. Keep the rows parallel and push them close together to hide as much plastic as possible.
5. When you reach the edge, chain 1 or simply wrap the yarn around the frame and begin the next pass in the opposite direction, continuing until every slot in the panel is covered.
6. Use the crochet hook or yarn needle to pull the yarn through tighter openings near the center dividers, and check the front often so the tension stays even and the surface looks tidy.
7. If your drainer has side sections or a front lip with extra slots, weave those areas too so the finished holder looks intentional from every angle and books have a softer resting surface.
8. Cut the yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail, then weave both tails back through several covered slots on the underside and trim the excess once they feel secure.
9. Prop the drainer into its natural angled position and test it with a book; if the angle feels too open, secure the back support with zip ties or short lengths of matching yarn so it stays at a comfortable reading tilt.
10. Add two non-slip pads to the bottom if you plan to use it on a slick patio table, then set a book on the holder and make any final tension adjustments by nudging the woven rows into place.
Variations & Tips
Color choice: Burnt sienna has that late-summer warmth I reach for again and again, but mustard, olive, rust, or cream would also suit an outdoor reading nook beautifully.
Yarn substitution: Use synthetic chunky yarn if the holder will live outdoors often, since cotton can hold moisture and wool can feel heavy in damp weather.
Tighter coverage: If the slots are wide, make a loose chain long enough to span each opening before feeding it through; this gives a fuller look and hides more of the plastic.
Book size: This works best for paperbacks, slim hardcovers, cookbooks, and tablets. For very heavy books, choose a sturdier drainer with a firm back leg and wide base.
Finishing trick: I like to rotate the project in daylight before calling it done. Little gaps in the weaving show up more clearly, and it only takes a minute to slide the rows together for a cleaner finish.
Outdoor use: Bring the holder inside when not in use. Even practical yarn projects last longer when they are not left out through dew, direct sun, and surprise Midwest weather.