There’s something mighty satisfying about turning an everyday kitchen piece into something useful for the porch, especially in August when the mosquitoes seem to arrive before supper is even on the table. This project takes a plain metal colander and dresses it up by crocheting thick gray mosquito-net-style yarn right through the drainage holes, then tucking citronella tea light cups into the openings so you end up with a clever little outdoor candle holder that’s as practical as it is charming.
I’m fond of projects like this because they don’t ask for fancy tools or a craft room full of supplies. If you can manage a crochet hook and don’t mind a bit of patient handwork, you can make this for a patio table, a front porch, or even a backyard gathering spot. It has that nice mix of homespun texture and hardworking usefulness that I’ve always admired in Midwestern making-do.
Materials
1 medium metal colander, 9 to 11 inches wide, with evenly spaced drainage holes
Instructions
1. Wash and dry the colander, then wipe it with a damp cloth so the yarn won’t pick up grease or dust while you work.
2. Measure around the widest part of the colander and cut an opening round plan in your mind: one crocheted band around the sides and open drainage holes left available for the tea lights.
3. Tie the yarn securely through one side hole near the rim, leaving a 4-inch tail inside the colander for weaving in later.
4. Insert the crochet hook through a nearby drainage hole, pull a loop of yarn through, and begin making single crochet-style loops from hole to hole around the outside wall of the colander.
5. Work steadily around the colander, keeping the tension even so the yarn lies snug against the metal without puckering or pulling the shape out of round.
6. Skip every third or fourth hole in a balanced pattern to leave enough open spaces for the citronella tea light cups to nestle into the drainage holes later.
7. Add a second round of stitches above or beside the first wherever the metal still shows too much, threading through adjacent holes to build a thicker woven-crocheted texture.
8. When you reach your starting point, join the yarn with a firm knot on the inside and weave both ends through several stitches with the yarn needle.
9. Check each open hole cluster and gently press a citronella tea light cup into place so it sits securely in or against the drainage opening without forcing the metal.
10. Adjust the yarn spacing around each candle position, making sure no loops sit directly over the top edge of the tea light cup.
11. If you’d like a more finished look, crochet a short edging through the rim holes or handle bases using the same yarn, then knot and weave in the end.
12. Set the finished holder on a level outdoor surface, add or seat all the tea lights evenly, and keep it ready for calm evenings on the porch or patio.
Variations & Tips
Use a different colander size: A smaller 7- or 8-inch colander makes a sweet centerpiece for a bistro table, while a larger one can hold more tea lights for bigger outdoor gatherings.
Choose outdoor-safe fiber: If you plan to leave this out often, use synthetic cord or weather-tolerant bulky yarn rather than absorbent wool, which can stay damp after rain or heavy dew.
Keep candle safety first: Make sure the yarn does not touch the flame area, and use only tea lights seated securely in their own metal or heat-safe cups.
Try a woven look: If crochet through the holes feels awkward, you can thread the yarn in and out with a yarn needle for a simpler basket-weave effect that still gives plenty of texture.
Add porch style: Gray is handsome and neutral, but soft sage, cream, or barn red can give this project a different country look while still pairing nicely with metal.
Make it gift-worthy: I like the idea of tucking a finished holder together with a fresh pack of citronella tea lights for a housewarming or hostess gift in late summer.