Here’s a perfect way to recycle some of that baling twine and create a new watch strap. The strap is elasticized to fit most sizes and the loom is made from shish kebab skewers. (Shorter sticks result in the weave sliding down the elastic when being removed from the stick, causing the elastic to stretch too much and ruining the weave.)

Supplies:

• A watch

• Very-fine slot screwdriver to remove watch strap

• 3 shish kebab skewers (2 for lady’s watch)

• 1/4-inch elastic

• Used baling twine

• Needle and thread

• Scissors

• Scotch tape

Instructions:

Wash the twine in plenty of soap and rinse well. It will always retain a slight scent, but you don’t want it to be dirty. To dry, squeeze it between layers of towelling and let air-dry. While the twine is drying, remove the strap from the watch. Measure the elastic by wrapping it around the wrist of the future wearer. Be careful not to pull or the strap will be too small. Add one inch to that length and cut a total of three pieces. Turn the end of the elastic over and sew, making a pocket at the top for the watch pin to slide into. Do this with the other two pieces of elastic. Slide the pin into the slots and reinsert the pin into the watch. Do this only with the one side.

Scotch tape the elastic to the skewers so it will not stretch while you are working. Leave a tail of about five inches of twine and begin weaving it in and around the skewers. Since you are making this from used twine you might have to join two pieces. If so, make sure the ends to be joined are nice and clean and freshly trimmed. Wrap a piece of scotch tape tightly around the two butted-up pieces of twine. Continue wrapping the twine around the skewers until you have almost run out of elastic. Test the length of the strap again and trim if necessary.

Just like the other end, fold the elastics over and sew to form a pocket. Slide the watch pin through the elastic strips and reinstall. Weave the end tails under, around and over the elastic until you have hidden it. Thread the ends of the twine through the strap to secure.