Credit: Courtesy of Leigh Radford
Save Your Empties: How to Turn Ugly Jars Into Chic Decor
Glass jars are easily recycled, but they're also easy to reuse: just clean them, peel off the labels (or don't), and give them new jobs as storage for leftovers, candle holders, desk organizers, vases, coin banks, or, well, pretty much anything else. Of course, if you'd rather not have to keep your storage containers so organized, then hide the contents with these knitted covers from Leigh Radford that we found on Design Sponge.
The instructions call for one 150-yard skein of wool—which Radford says is enough to cover one 16-ounce jar and one jelly jar—and needles sized US 10, 9, 8, and 7, though you can adjust the needle size to change the size of the gauge. When you've finished the cover, just roll the top edge down to leave the jar open—and then use drop in your favorite fresh flowers, pens and pencils, kitchen utensils, or other odds and ends. Not a knitter? Try refashioning an old sweater for a similarly cozy look.
Of course, you don't have to just cover jars: you could also make these covers for empty containers of all shapes and sizes; check our piece on recovering (and reusing) aluminum cans for more inspiration.