Our very western adaptation of a traditional Japanese lunch box ('Bento') is a great alternative to high-fat, high-calorie (and high-cost) purchased lunches. And much nicer than that brown paper lunchbag. Combining a purchased bandana and a made tie, it is easy to make, beautiful to behold and -- because all parts of it are re-usable, it's easy on the environment! Bonanzo!
To change colors, simply select color name from the drop-down above or else click the swatch you want to change and then click a color below
Glitterspun®
Sapphire
Ruby
Amethyst
Silver
Onyx
Lamé
Pearl
Silver
Black
Multi
Lion® Cotton
Natural
White
Morning Glory Blue
Navy
Poppy Red
Seaspray
Fern Green
Paprika
Avocado
Clove
Rose
Grape
Orchid
Fuchsia
Purple
Turquoise
Espresso
Black
Sunflower
Banana
Mustard
Evergreen
Sage
Periwinkle
Salt & Pepper
Wedgwood
Denim Swirl
Americana
Candy Colors
Sagebrush
Sherbet Swirl
Trellis®
Sorry, product is discontinued; no colors are available.
Incredible®
Rainbow
Blue Shades
City Lights
Accent on Black
Carnival
Autumn Leaves
Purple Party
Copper Penny
*Lion Cotton formerly 'Kitchen Cotton'
(Articles #760) is an all-natural, 4-ply worsted-weight yarn of 100% cotton, made in the U.S.
Solids are packaged in 5 oz./140g (236yd/212m) balls; multi-colors are in 4 oz/113 gm. (189 yd/170m) balls.
Product is also available in some colors in
a 1 pound (16oz/453g 755 yd/690m) money-saving size as Item #750.
Detachable
Counter: Click and drag to the part of the pattern you're working. Your
counter is automatically saved and will be here when you next use the
pattern.Project
Counter: Use this to track your work. Your counter is automatically
saved and will be here when you next use the pattern.
CORD
Cut one 10-foot (3.3 m) strand of each yarn. Knot all strands together at one
end. Separate strands into 3 bundles:
Red bundle: A and B
Black bundle: C, D and E
White bundle: F, G and 2 strands of H.
Braid the bundles together to within a few inches of the end, then knot. Trim ends
evenly.
Fold cord in half and thread 2 beads onto it.
Making the Bento
Your bento can be any kind of plastic container with hard sides and a top. we like our plastic snap-together craft containers, but any hard-sided stackable food containers will work.
Wrapping the Bento
Place the stacked containers in the middle of the bandana.
Knot 2 opposite corners of the bandana at the top of the container. Wrap cord over the
bento with the center of the cord over the knotted corners.
Knot 2 remaining bandana corners at top of the container and tuck in ends.
Lift up the container, pull the cord ends to tighten, then loop the remaining cord over the
top at a 90 degree angle -- as when tying ribbon around a package. Pull the beads
so that the cord is held securely.
If desired, tie the cord between the beads into a bow, then slide the 2nd bead snugly
against the bow to hold it in place (shown on the black bento in the photograph.)
