Idle hooking

Good morning! Normal blogging resumes today, I promise you, no more talk about housework. Gawd I was even boring myself yesterday when I read back through that post later in the day, so thank you for putting up with all that, you are good to me.
I generally write my posts at a fair speed with only a slight amount of editing for typo errors. So I would say my writing is pretty spontaneous and it does truly reflect my good self at that particular time :: mostly, as you know, it is happy, light, creative, colourful, pretty stuff, which is mostly how I am. Sometimes it's green and outdoorsy, sometimes it's kitcheny and cooky. But oh dear, it's very rarely so self indulgent and fed up and exclaimy!!!!!!

I am sorry for all that. Now I just have a few things to say re the Flylady, then the subject will be firmly closed.

Number one :: I didn't sign up for the gazillion Flylady daily emails, I just read the website by myself to see what to do. So I am not in the Guilt-trap.

Number two :: I do not possess a Control Journal, and am never likely to, although I have made myself a tentative Weekly Plan.

Number three :: There is a difference in my mind between cleaning and tidying. I am not at all arsed about cleaning religiously, I like dust, specks on the carpet hold no fear for me, ditto cobwebs, dirty windows, skirting boards etc. I agree, life's too damn short. Its been the untidy/chaotic/messyness that has had me up in arms of late, and that I am trying to overcome.

Number four :: I am managing to do some flylady things relatively easily. I am Swishing and Swiping every morning. I am making beds every morning and making my kitchen tidy at night. I do not, however, shine my sink because to me that is one step too close to insanity. Nor do I wear shoes in the house because it drives me crazy, I like to wiggle my toes.

 

So :: there endeth the Flylady business. Now, shall we get on with some creative prettiness??

Last week, around about Tuesday lunchtime, I felt the need to do some idle crochet. I had been browsing the internet  and inadvertently come across the designs of Anne-Claire Petit, most specifically this. Isn't it wonderful? I just love the whole idea of a crocheted vase of flowers, it has that same pretty-but-useless wonderfulness that fabric bunting has, and I love it for that.

I would like to try making my own version of her flower vase sometime, but in the meantime, I came up with this idea :: a simple little crochet cover for glass jars.

My first one was made to fit an empty Bonne Maman jam jar, of which I have dozens lining a shelf in the cellar. Just. In. Case. I cannot bring myself to recycle them :: you never know what uses you can find for a jam jar with a pretty red and white checked lid.

This is an easy-peasy crochet project, and if you'd like to give it a go, then let me help a little.
Firstly, make a slip knot, leaving a long end (about 6 inches).
Then  make your foundation chain to fit around the base of your chosen jar :: for the Bonne Maman jar I chained 38, plus 3 for turning.
Work your first row in Treble Crochet. (thats UK treble, or US double crochet)
When you reach the end, join the whole thing into a ring by making  a slip stitch into the beginning of the row. Fasten off the yarn.
Then using a darning needle, thread the long tail end of yarn that you left when starting the chain, and use this to make a few stitches to join the ring completely. It should now look like a crocheted bracelet.
Tie in a new colour, chain 3, then work a second row of double crochet, joining the ring with a slip stitch  when you get back round to where you started.
Continue working in rows, changing to a new colour each time, until it's the right height to fit your jar (mine was nine rows of tr's). Finally, work a last row in Double Crochet to give a nice, neat top edge (thats UK dc, or work in sc if you're in the US).

Slip the little cover onto your jar and admire. Yelping and clapping at your own inventiveness and creativeness is optional but recommended.

The little jacketed jar can be put to use around the house to hold pens, or flowers.

You may want to then get hold of different sizes of vessel and make several  more Jacketed Jars. I found a pesto jar which was a bit taller and thinner than the jam jar, and it worked well for holding flowers.

I hope you might give this a go, it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face :o)

 

 

 

Comments

[Terry Anne Walker]

Oh this would look fab around the bottom of a 2 litre plastic milk jug as well! Must try it out!

[Mesina Roberts]

Hi Lucy,
My mom shared your blog with me and I am LOVING all of your posts and patterns! I used this pattern plus the one for the Japanese Quince Flower as an embellishment. It turned out beautifully and my flowers look even happier now in their jar. Thank you so much for all of your inspiration and expertise!!
Happy Saturday :)
Mesina

[Tricia]

I think the jam jar idea is brill. Got a shed full of Bob Maman jars for jamming, but decorative is an added bonus. Have you done any mug hugs? Colourful and practical,as they're lovely for handwarming on a winters day. Just stumbled across your site and it's lovely. Thanks, Tricia

[Char]

I would love to try this! But I'm afraid the link is broken and I can't find another pattern that I like online. Do you have any suggestions?

[krish]

loved this idea! bright colors!

[sailaja ivaturi,hyderadabad,andhra pradesh,india.]

oh,lucy i wasmad looking at your wonderful crochet creations.if i would be your neighbour iwould have utilize you as my teacherto learn any way thanks to you for giving some notes.god bless you

[Angie Yallop]

Oh my God!! I LOVE THIS IDEA!!Unfortunetly i cant crochet, do you sell these? i want them xx

[Sasha]

These are fabulous. I'm new to crochet and have just had a go at making these, they look gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing. I am now moving on to the stars.

[tintocktap]

Wonderful idea, covering jars like that! Just what I was needing - I'll have to give it a go when I get home!

[Hen]

Hi Lucy,
I am very much a beginner crocheter, started classes a few weeks ago and thought I would give this a try (over excitedly bought loads of wool in John Lewis today)! But I can't get it right! What size hook did you use, my stitches look v small and the tension v tight compared with yours? Also, I usually work 2 turning chain for double crochet but you say 3? Oh I'm hopeless!

Hen x

[Hen]

Gosh, I might even be able to have a go at this, ultra novice crocheter that I am! They look fab, thanks so much for the idea and instructions.

Hen x

[kali @ poppy lane]

your idle hooking has filled my heart with glee!
what utter crochet scrumptiousness you have created...*sigh*
xo, k

[kitschen pink]

I prefer your version! Real flowers every time - less to dust! And so handy for so many other things - it's so practical, so useful, so adaptable! I'd go so far as to say that I have arrived at the conclusion that the acquisition of a crochet vase cover is now essential to the well-being of my household! t.x

[Lisa]

The jam pot covers are wonderfully, colourfully, gorgeous Lucy!

[Jen]

I was checking in this morning for a new post and saw this one again instead. It made me laugh this time because like "tarts" mean something else in Britain, "idle hooking" suggests something else ENTIRELY here in the states! teehee

[Cele]

Lovely as always.

[http://lavenderhouse.typepad.com]

Hi Lucy

Thanks for a lovely post. Sorry I got confused about your diary - I imagined it to be something very regal rather than my Charlie and Lola jobby! Hope I didnt insult you. I didnt mean to. Thanks for the pattern for the jam jar cover. I am going to have a go. I cant find in any book how to change colour though. Dont suppose you want to offer some advice? Love Emma x

[julia]

GORGEOUS!
With regards to your last post, from one toddler to another, I'm beginning to admit defeat on the whole housework issue, I've just discovered crochet! I went to a class with lots of kind little old ladies and I've managed two, yes two, granny squares. Sod cleaning, give me that hook, I'm off!
Julia xx
ps. Just about to make your fishcakes for the second time, they are truly delicious!

[Natalie]

Thanks so much for sharing that Lucy - I will definitely give it a go when the granny blanket is finished! - I daren't start anything new yet! I also have about half a dozen empty bon bon jars in my pantry - Natalie x

[Rachel]

These are so sweet! I'll be linking to this project.

I used Fly Lady guidelines to make my own schedule, then ported it to mychores.co.uk. I love being able to check things off my lit throughout the day!

[vanessa]

Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!!!!!

[Fi]

So glad you've dumped the flylady, I was seriously worried for your sanity.

[Anna]

I think it's illegal to recycle Bonne Maman jars, actually. And for that very reason we have a cupboard full as well.
Such a fabulous idea!! You will be pleased to hear that your post ages ago about your knit and natter mornings has inspired me to find a crochet and knitting teacher for the cafe- and today I have!! Two in fact! We start in November. Maybe I will have time to actually learn as well? (although suspect not)xxx

[Danette]

I love the Fly Lady, I love your rant about the cleaning, tidying, lack-of cleaning and tidying, issues with cleaning and tidying, etc. etc. I love that you indulged yourself on your very own blog. I will continue to visit you daily.
I also LOVE your crochet jar covers. I know the double crochet stitch well--it's the only one I really know--so I can make those too!
Thanks for the idea.

[Barbara]

Hi Lucy, I saw this in your post yesterday in one of the photos and immediately was going to write and ask you how you did that. As I am currently making the ripple blanket I have lots of lovely stash left over so I am going to do this too. Thank you so much. Barbara