Free Crochet Jar Opener Pattern – Fast Beginner-Friendly Kitchen Gift
Looking for a quick and practical crochet project that uses minimal materials? This free crochet jar opener pattern is beginner-friendly, works up in about 10 minutes, and makes an excellent housewarming gift, stocking stuffer, or craft fair seller. Using shelf liner and cotton yarn, you can make a set of useful crochet jar grippers that actually help open stubborn lids while looking cute in the kitchen.
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Crochet Jar Opener Pattern Details
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time to Make: 10-15 minutes
- Crochet Hook: C2/2.75 mm
- Yarn Type: Cotton yarn
- Finished Size: Approximately 5″ by 5″
- Pattern Type: Quick and practical crochet project
- Perfect For: Markets, gifts, stocking stuffers, arthritis-friendly helpers, kitchen baskets
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Jar Opener
- fast
- beginner-friendly
- practical
- great for market prep
- fantastic stash-buster for scrap yarn
Supplies Needed for This Crochet Jar Opener Pattern:
- Shelf Liner – I used Easy Liner Select Grip Shelf Liner
- Cotton Yarn – I used I Love this Cotton in Dove, Pewter, and Black.
- C2/2.75 mm Crochet Hook – I love using Clover Amour hooks!
- Scissors – I love using these scissors.
- Yarn Needle – I recommend using a steel, blunt-tip yarn needle.
What Kind of Shelf Liner Works Best for Crocheting a Jar Opener?
When choosing a shelf liner for this project, you want to pick one that is grippy and non-adhesive. It should be advertised as rubberized or non-slip to make sure it has the right grip to work well as a jar opener. Try to avoid overly thick types of liners as they will make this project difficult to crochet and will not work as well when being used as a jar opener.
The Select Grip Easy Liner that I used has small openings rather than larger square openings like some other brands. I recommend this because it makes the edges of the cut pieces much cleaner. If you use the square, grid-style liner, there is not a clean edge and you will have trouble crocheting along the edges.
What Yarn Should I Use to Crochet a Jar Opener?
Cotton yarn works great for this project because it holds up well when washed. You will want to choose a weight 3 or 4 yarn to be able to fit your yarn through the gaps in the shelf liner and work with the smaller crochet hook.
I used Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Cotton for my project, but here are some other cotton yarns that would also work great:
Can You Sell Crochet Jar Openers at Markets?
Absolutely! I encourage you to make these jar openers and sell them at your markets! These work great as bundles of 2-3 or paired with dish cloths, like the Criss-Cross Dishcloth.
Jar openers would also be great paired with a jar of jam in a gift set or with other kitchen supplies like pot holders and oven mitts.
Jar openers make great low-cost inventory to stock up for your markets. They will sell especially well around Christmas for stocking stuffers.
How to Crochet a Jar Opener:
Begin by cutting the shelf liner into two squares the size you want your jar opener to be. I made mine approximately 5″ by 5″. Make sure you cut evenly along the rows that are formed, similarly to how you would cut plastic canvas.
The shelf liner that I used had a flat side and a raised side. I put the two flat sides together so that the raised sides would face out in the front and the back.
I ask that you please do not copy, sell, republish, or redistribute this pattern. You may sell items produced using this pattern (in fact, I hope you do!), however, please do not use my photos for your product listing.
To begin crocheting, make a slip knot and put your hook through it. Then put your hook through the first hole in a corner of the liner (see picture below), and single crochet the two pieces of liner together by pulling the working yarn from behind the shelf liner.
Tip: I crocheted over the tail of the yarn so I wouldn’t have to weave in the extra end when I was finished.
Continue to single crochet the two pieces together the rest of the way down the edge of the shelf liner.
When you get to the end of the row, chain one and single crochet into the same space to create a sharp corner.
Continue to crochet around all of the edges. For the corners, be sure to single crochet one, chain one, and single crochet again.
When you have finished crocheting around all four sides of the jar opener, single crochet in the last gap, chain one, and slip stitch into the first single crochet.
To create the hanging loop, chain 15.
Slip stitch into the stitch at the base of the chain. This will require you to go to the
Tie off and weave in the ends. You’re done!
To make a set of jar openers, repeat the process as many times as you like with varying colors of yarn.
I hope you enjoyed this pattern! You could easily make these jar openers to sell at markets by themselves or with some other kitchen goodies as a set. You could also gift them with a dish scrubby and a crocheted washcloth as a perfect kitchen gift set.
Tips for Getting Even Crochet Edges on Your Jar Opener
To make the stitches around the edges as even as possible, keep your tension consistent throughout the entire project. If you notice that your stitches are getting too tight or too loose, rip out your stitches that look off and start again trying to resume the same tension.
I recommend that you try to make the entire jar opener all at one time. Starting and stopping can sometimes lead to bumps in your edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn works best for crochet jar openers?
Worsted weight cotton yarn works best for this project. You could also use a weight 3 yarn instead.
Can beginners make this pattern?
This is a beginner-friendly pattern that only uses since crochet throughout the project. This would be a great project for a brand-new crocheter to learn some basic stitches.
How long does a crochet jar opener take to make?
These jar openers are really quick makes! You can make one in about 10 minutes or less once you have your shelf liner cut.
Can I wash crochet jar grippers?
The cotton yarn for the jar gripper is fine to be washed, but you want to be careful washing the shelf liner portion. You can wash the whole gripper with water and mild soap and lay flat to dry. Because the liner can be fragile, I do not recommend machine washing or drying.
What shelf liner should I use?
You want to choose a liner that is grippy but not adhesive. Look for an option that is rubberized or non-slip, but make sure it is not too thick. You can read more about my recommendations above in the materials section.
Jar Openers on the Go
If you loved this pattern, be sure to check out my pattern for Crocheted Bottle Opener Keychains! They are the perfect mini version of this jar opener pattern that you can take with you wherever you go!
If you have any questions or feedback, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! If you decide to make your own jar opener, be sure to tag me on Facebook or Instagram using @tandc_crafters so I can see what you made!
Such a great idea! Thank you!! I think these would make great extras at Christmas.
Thanks so much!