Handy Utensil Holder on a Neck Lanyard

When preparing or eating a meal on a campout, it is super helpful to have a clean, convenient place to stash your utensils. Rather than placing them on a rock (near dirt or creepy-crawlies) or in a pocket (inconvenient), I have loved this handy utensil holder on a neck lanyard! While these can be constructed from a variety of fabrics, including cotton or cotton blends, I prefer ripstop nylon because it is lightweight, easy to clean, and it comes in vibrant colors.

This project is a great complement to my other Instructable on a backpacking camp meal cozy (and was inspired by a project shared on The Crafts Channel).

Ripstop nylon

• 1 piece measuring 2 1/2" x 2"--this will be the closure
• 2 pieces measuring 2 1/2" x 22"--this will be the pouch (one piece will be the outer fabric and the other will be the inner; you can match the fabrics or use different ones for some variety)
• 1 piece measuring 1" x 36"--this will be the lanyard

Basic sewing supplies

• Thread (polyester)
• Sewing machine (a sharp sewing machine needle such as a 70/10 is great for ripstop nylon)
• Scissors
• Turning hook
• Iron
• Pins
• Ruler

Start by creating and affixing what will become the closure (the small piece measuring 2 1/2" x 2"):

1. Fold lengthwise with right sides together (so that the little piece now measures 2 1/2" x 1")
2. Stitch along raw edges (or long side) with 1/8" seam allowance
3. Using turning hook, turn right-side out
4. Roll the piece in your hands to position the seam in the middle of the closure
5. Top stitch each long side (about 1/16"-1/8" from edge)
6. Pin the closure onto the right side of the outer fabric; 1 1/4" from the top, then stitch or baste it into place using 1/4" seam allowance
7. Place the two pouch pieces (the ones measuring 2 1/2" x 22") with right sides together, then sew the two short sides on each end together using 1/4" seam allowance (keep the right sides together for the next step)

Next, you will decide the project proportions, or the dimensions of each section of the utensil holder (the flap and the pouch). This can be customized at this point, based on the length of your utensils. The measurements I will share below are based on my favorite camping utensils, which measure 8 1/2" long. By the way, the utensils I use are really awesome--a long handled, titanium spoon and spork for $12 each, available at Paria Outdoor Products. The length keeps your fingers from getting into your backpacking meal when stirring or eating.

1. Place two pins on each edge 5 3/4" from the end that does not contain the closure
2. Stitch along each side from the pin to the end (the one that does not contain the closure) using 1/4" seam allowance
3. Remove the pins
4. With this step done, you have created a loop in the remaining fabric

The loop you created in the previous step will become the pouch.

1. Place the seam on the end up to the flap stitching from Step 2 (where the two pins once were)
2. When you do this, the outer fabric and the liner fabric will face each other, with right sides together
3. Line up the seams and pin the seam on the loop to the seam at the base of the flap
4. Stitch from the seams (where you pinned) along both edges of the outer fabric using 1/4" seam allowances (be sure to not cross the seam)
5. Repeat the same process for the liner fabric, but along one of those sides, leave a 2" gap (not sewn)
6. Clip the corners
7. Pull the pieces through the 2" gap to turn them all right-side out
8. Topstitch the 2" gap in the liner
9. Push the liner into the pouch
10. Topstitch the flap

Finally, we will attach a lanyard:

1. Press the lanyard fabric in half lengthwise, then press each side toward the center fold so that the lanyard is approximately 1/4" wide
2. Topstitch as close to the loose edge as you can
3. Fold and press each end approximately 1/2" from the end (be sure the ends are pressed in the same direction)
4. Pin the folded back ends on the back side, at the top of the utensil holder (just below the line where the flap will fold down)
5. Attach each the lanyard with a zig-zag stitch
6. Before you attach the second lanyard end, you may want to put the utensil holder around your neck and trim the other side of the lanyard to be the length you desire
7. Because I like to have varying length to account for wearing anything from a t-shirt to a heavy coat, I tie a knot in the center near the top
8. This finishes your project!