Today I’d like to share a quick little pattern for a milk can that somewhat resembles the ones that farmers used to use. Or do they still? I’m not sure… Anyway, it’s an intermediate level pattern and I hope you enjoy it!

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I actually have one of those full sized milk cans sitting on my front porch! It’s what inspired me to make this tiny replica. I love country style decor (if you couldn’t already tell by my blog. Ha!) and I thought this would make the cutest little table top or shelf decoration.

And yes, I realize that the handles on a true milk can are on the upper slanted portion of the can, but I thought that given the fact that the upper portion is not supported by any inner structure, it would make more sense to attach them further down to the main body.

Some of the items you will need for this pattern include a size 4 medium weight yarn, an I/9 (5.25 mm) crochet hook, and a 53 ¼ oz (1.51 kg) tin can. I used a Campbell’s Pork ‘n Beans can that I purchased at Wal-Mart, but you can use any can you can find that is the same size or very close. Also, I’d like to mention that I am not affiliated with Campbell’s in any way.

First, you will start out making the two handles. Next, a flat disk for the bottom and then building up the sides. Once you reach the top of the tin can, you will place a stitch marker to keep your stitches from unraveling. At this point you will sew on the handles with some simple tack stitches.

After that, you will crochet the top portion. The only stitch you need to know is the single crochet. It’s not technically difficult, but because you will need to increase and decrease quite a few times, I’ve decided this should be an intermediate level pattern.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below if you think this is an easy or intermediate level pattern. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I should also mention that I do not recommend using live flowers or water with this milk can. It is only decorative. Please read the Notes section of the pattern for more information. Thanks!

Another thought… I’ve considered adding an applique to the front of the can. Maybe a pine tree or even a monogram. Still debating though…

Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here…

So enough chit chat. Let’s get to the pattern.

Milk Can

Materials Used:

• 1 skein of I Love This Yarn! In Ivory – 7 oz/199 g – 355 yds/325 m
• or any other size 4 medium weight yarn
• I/9 (5.25 mm) crochet hook — My favorite hooks that I use daily!
• 53 ¼ oz (1.51 kg) tin can (I used a Campbell’s Pork ‘n Beans can)
• Tapestry needle
• 4 straight pins
• Stitch marker

Finished Size Approximately:

14 ¼” Circumference x 9 ¼” Height

Gauge:

17 single crochet stitches and 20 rows in a 4” (10cm) square.

Skill Level:

Intermediate

Special Stitches:

Back Loop Only (BLO)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert hook into indicated st, YO and draw back through. Insert hook into next st, YO and draw back through. YO and draw through all 3 loops.

Sc in same st ch 1 comes out of

Abbreviations:

YO – yarn over

FC – foundation chain

ch(s) – chain(s)

st(s) – stitch(es)

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

Notes:

• This project is not worked in the round with continuous rows, although if that is what you prefer, you can do it. Just keep track of your rows. Every row ends with a sl st into the first sc of the round. You will then ch 1 to start the next row.
• Do not turn your work throughout the entire main body of the milk can. Always work toward the same direction for every round.
• The two handles are made seperately and then stitched onto the main body of the milk can. You will turn your work after every row only for the handles.
• The first few rounds after Round 6 may appear to be laying flat, but as you continue to work, it will begin to cup upward as it should.
• Don’t use live flowers with water in this tin can. For decorative use only. Can only be spot cleaned.
• I don’t recommend using any heavy flowers as it may crush or sink the upper crocheted portion of the milk can. You may need to add cotton balls or similar item to the bottom of the can to build up the bottom if you have shorter stems.

*** American crochet terms used throughout.

Instructions:

Handles

Make 2

FC: Ch 17

Row 1: Work in BLO only. In 2^nd ch from hook, sc. Sc in every ch across. Turn. {16 sc}

Row 2 – Row 3: Ch 1, sc in every st across. Turn. {16 sc}

Finish off. Leave long tails for sewing. Put both handles aside for now.

Milk Can Main Body

Make 1

FC: Ch 4, sl st in 1^st ch to form a loop. (You can use the magic circle if you prefer.)

Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in loop, sl st in 1^st sc made of round. Don’t turn throughout. {6 sc}

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, 2 sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {12 sc}

Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next st, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {18 sc}

Round 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 2 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {24 sc}

Round 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 3 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {30 sc}

Round 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 4 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {36 sc}

Round 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {42 sc}

Round 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 6 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {48 sc}

Round 9: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 7 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {54 sc}

Round 10: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 8 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {60 sc}

Round 11: Ch 1, working in BLO, sc in same st ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {60 sc}

Round 12 – Round 45: Ch 1, sc in same st ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {60 sc}

After Round 45, remove your crochet hook and place a stitch marker in your loop so that none of your stitches come undone while you attach the handles.

Slide your work onto the milk can. Round 45 of your crocheted bottom portion of the milk can should reach the top of your tin can.

Place your handles on either side of your milk can as shown in the photos below leaving a gap in the center that is about the width of a finger. Using the four straight pins, pin the handles in place before you stitch them on. This will help ensure that you are happy with the placement and you can move them before they are stitched. Make sure the handles are straight and even. Place the pins in through the 2^nd sc from the ends. Also make sure that the center seam on the back runs between your handles like in the photo below.

Once you are happy with their placement, remove the tin can. Leave the pins in place until you begin working on that end. Then you can remove it to sew. Using the tapestry needle and the long tail left from the handle, begin to stitch the handles to the milk can as shown in the photo below. No need to weave in ends as long as they are on the inside of the crocheted bottom.

Remove the stitch marker from your loop where you left off and reinsert your crochet hook to continue with Round 46.

Round 46: Working in BLO, ch 1, beginning in the st the ch 1 comes out of, sc2tog. Sc in next 8 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. Don’t turn. {54 sc}

Round 47: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {54 sc}

Round 48: Ch 1, beginning in the st the ch 1 comes out of, sc2tog. Sc in next 7 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. Don’t turn. {48 sc}

Round 49: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {48 sc}

Reinsert the tin can back into the crocheted bottom portion. It will remain inside the crocheted bottom portion from here on. As the top narrows, you would not be able to squeeze the can through the smaller opening.

Round 50: Ch 1, beginning in the st the ch 1 comes out of, sc2tog. Sc in next 6 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. Don’t turn throughout. {42sc}

Round 51: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {42 sc}

Round 52: Ch 1, beginning in the st the ch 1 comes out of, sc2tog. Sc in next 5 sts, *sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. Don’t turn. {36 sc}

Round 53 – Round 56: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in every st around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round {36 sc}

Round 57: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 5 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {42 sc}

Round 58: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog* Repeat from * to * around. Sc in last 2 sts. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {48 sc}

Round 59: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 7 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {54 sc}

Round 60: Ch 1, sc in same st the ch 1 comes out of, sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog* Repeat from * to * around. Sc in last 3 sts. Sl st in 1^st sc made of round. {60 sc}

Finish off. Weave in ends.

Gently roll down the last four rounds of the milk can.

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