Crochet Mason Jar Cozy-Mini Pattern

Hello again! It's been probably a year, but I just felt like doing something creative and decided to share it even if no one reads this blog anymore. I decided to make a mason jar cozy with a lot of scrap yarn lying around after I ordered some EcoJarz lids. They're these adorable lids you can pop on your mason jars so you can bring them on the go. The ones I bought from Amazon also come with stainless steel straws, and I am excitedly awaiting them.

Picture from EcoJarz.com

I figured a cozy could protect my hands from hot drinks and prevent a slippery, condensation-y glass. It worked out pretty well, I think!

My basic pattern used a size H hook, worsted weight yarn, and single crochet, as well as a magic loop, single crochet decrease and increase.

The sea foam yarn was Red Heart Soft in, I believe, sea foam, while the raspberry and pumpkin yarn are part of a vintage stash I received as a gift. I'm hoping the cozy will help with breakage, but I'm not sure. Has anyone had an incident dropping a mason jar, with or without a sleeve? I imagine that would be bad and always wonder how people bring around their jars so freely. I'd be worried about shattering it.

Basically, I chained about 26 stitches to see the amount it took to wrap, while stretched, around the jar. Undid those stitches, then started a magic loop. Single crocheted 5 sts and slip stitched the circle closes. Single crochet increased in every second stitch until the circle grew to have 26 stitches. I then added about five increases evenly around so the cozy would fit the larger middle, as I found it was a bit too tight at first. I crocheted to the top of the jar, switching colors for stripes, and then decreased five stitches to fit the tighter, contouring top. Fasten off and done!

It took me maybe 2-3 hours, and if I rated myself as a crocheter from 1-5 (with 1 being beginner and 5 being advanced), I'd consider myself a 2-3. Perhaps a 2.5. I got a lot of help from Ravelry and this site.

I might open an Etsy shop soon with these and some other things!

Thanks for reading!

Happy Mother's Day! Paper Bag Envelope Tutorial

So, for part of the mother's day gift, my sister, dad, and I wrote letters for my mum. Though naturally the only person who knows where the envelopes are is my mom. So I had to make envelopes out of paper bags. Not the big kind; the small ones that are used for sack lunches.

Materials: brown paper bag (one bag makes 2 envelopes), scissors, glue

Open up the bottom like so.

You now have a paper tube.

Cut up the side folds.

You now have 2 of these. Set one aside for later for your 2nd envelope.

Flatten the bottom.

Round both ends of the rectangle (you could do a different shape for the flap, but I prefer it round).

Fold up the bottom however high you'd like it.

Fold down the top. Now unfold.

Cut the flaps off from the bottom fold down to the end of the flap.

Now cut the flaps off from the top fold up the the end of the flap. Round the 2 remaining flaps.

This is what the whole piece, unfolded, should look like.

Glue the bottom onto the flaps.

And... you're done! Easy as pie. I've actually never understood that phrase. Making pie doesn't seem easy. Maybe they mean as easy as eating pie. For me, eating pie is pretty easy.

On an unrelated note, I made this cool star paper lantern. A teacher taught me how. It's currently holding a yogurt cup that would be cool to use as a planter.

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

(o^__^)o

Almost Here...

What's here, you ask? (and even if you don't ask I'm gonna pretend you did) Why, Easter of course! It's tomorrow! We died some eggs yesterday. Fun! :) We drew on them with crayon, did some tie-dye, stripes, polka dots, etc.

My favorite egg. The colors aren't egg-xactly accurate (lame pun, I know).

Happy Easter, everyone!

(o^__^)o

Version Aye-Aye-Aye: Braided Headband Tutorial

Made another one. I like experimenting. Version aye-aye-aye--or, version III. 3, if you don't know Roman numerals. For this one, it's a double strand, and it seems to hold up my hair better, because there's a strand for the back and a strand to hold up the front. No elastic. Just some really stretchy jersey.

Sorry for the crummy photos. I use my ipod cam because it's convenient.

I used some 60" wide jersey. Cut 3 1/2" strips. So you have 3 strips that are 1/2" x 60." Tack the ends together with a few stitches or a safety pin and braid till you run out. Tack/safety pin the ends so it doesn't unravel. Now loop it around your head twice, stretching it tightly. Overlap the ends, and handsew where they all cross.

Now, using the excess braid, loop it around and pull through to make a loose knot. Repeat till there are 3-4 loose knots. Now pull the excess braid through the knots to the opposite side, and pull all the knots tight. Trim excess braid. You can tack it in place with a few stitches, if you wish, and you're done!

And, just 'cuz...

I

U.

Yes I do.

And also because I think my mumma's buttery cheese sandwiches are delicious and need some spotlight...

Thanks for reading!

(o^__^)o