How To Turn an Old Scarf into a "Bottle Sling"

You will need only a scarf, some straight pins, an upholstery needle, and a small skein of yarn in a matching or contrasting color. If the scarf is thin enough, you can use a sewing machine instead of the needle and yarn.

To begin, lay the scarf out flat on your work surface. Take one end and fold it back onto the rest of the scarf, so that it forms a long thin pouch about 10 inches long. This should fit the average sized water bottle with room for the next larger size, but feel free to adjust it for the size bottle you use most often. Use a straight pin to hold it in place.

Cut a length of yarn that is 30 inches - or 3 times as long as the length of one side of the pouch. Fold the yarn in half. Start at one corner of the folded end and secure the yarn to the scarf by slipping the looped end between the edge and the next column of yarn and then pulling the ends through this loop to create a self-tightening knot. Thread both ends of the yarn onto the needle and sew up the side of the "pouch", moving the needle in and out between rows of yarn until you reach the top. Tie it off and weave the ends back into the work using the needle. Repeat the process on the other side.

Next, flip the scarf so that the opening to the pouch is on the bottom. Take the remaining loose end of the scarf and fold it so that the edge lines up with the fold of the pouch. This will create the shoulder "sling" for carrying, much like the shoulder strap of a camera bag or purse. Pin then sew the edge to the fold, using the same technique as on the sides of the pouch.