Making the Seasons :: August

Hellooooooo, and welcome to my little Attic space, it's been a bit quiet here of late but all is well and I'm happy to be back. I've got so much to share with you too, this month has whizzed past like a super-whizzy thing and I can hardly believe that here we are on the cusp of a new school year already. Although it's still Summer (it is, it is, it is), I've noticed that the light is different all of a sudden, and our days are very noticeably shrinking. There's been an ever-so-slight crispness to the air, a delicate wisp of autumn every so often which I mostly try and ignore (summer, summer, summer!) but I can't deny that seasonal change is on it's way.

When I was thinking of my August Making the Seasons project a few weeks ago, I immediately felt like making something very obviously summery. I wondered about trying to do something with shells and seaglass, but I couldn't quite get my brain to come up with anything creative that wasn't too faffy or demanding. I've been very very low in mental energy just lately, which has made me want to stay firmly ensconced within my creative comfort zone. And that means crochet. Of course! If in doubt, a hook and yarn will always satisfy my creative urges, it never fails to lift my spirits and make me happy.

With the shortening days and my continuing erratic sleep patterns, I've been getting up very early most mornings whilst it's still dark. Fairy lights and candles (and coffee) are making these dark, quiet starts to the day feel rather nice and I've not minded it in the slightest. So it seems fitting that for this month I decided to have a go at crocheting some glass jar candle lantern covers. I'm sure you know the sort of thing I mean, there are a tonne of pretty images online. They are usually quite delicate and lacy, with pretty holey patterns to let the candle light shine through.

As I still had seaglass on my mind, I chose three soft, summery beach glass shades for my lanterns. This is Stylecraft Classique cotton in the lighter 4ply weight - the colours are Soft Lime, Peppermint and Sky Blue. And I used a 3mm hook.

I am lucky enough to have the sort of neighbours who will willingly rootle through their cupboards and present me with half eaten out-of-date condiments when I ask quite casually if they have any spare jars knocking about. As you can see from the above photo, the jars I managed to round up are smaller than the average jam jar - these ones contained mustard, sweet chili jam and pesto at one time and worked especially well for this project.

 

I didn't even contemplate designing my own pattern for this as I knew for a fact that there were already some lovely crochet patterns online that I could use. I settled on a simple design by Icelandic blogger Ólöf Lilja - you can find an English version of the pattern HERE. Please note that the pattern is written using US crochet terms.

 

 

Crocheting with 4ply yarn takes some getting used to, it felt ever so slightly fiddly at first but I soon got used to the smaller hook and more delicate stitches. 

I love the ease of this pattern which is worked from the bottom up using simple stitches. You have to be prepared to adjust and adapt the pattern depending on your yarn, tension and size of jar, but on the whole crochet is pretty forgiving and even cotton 4ply has enough stretch in it to allow it to ease when you need it to.

I ended up changing the original pattern and instead of using double-treble stitches, I made shorter treble stitches instead. This made my lantern slightly less holey, but I'm really happy with the results. I also had trouble reading the instructions to create the top part (the bit which goes around the neck of the jar), I just couldn't for the life of me understand what I was supposed to be doing. So I made up my own instructions, working rows of double crochet, then finishing with a last round of crab stitch.

I was able to crochet the whole cover without having the jar inside - you do need to check if the neck of the cover is going to stretch enough to fit over the jar! This is really important!! The first cover I made, the top edge was too small/tight and no matter how many bad words I said I just couldn't get the jar to magically squeeze inside. So I frogged all the dc rows then re-made the top part adding in more stitches, checking it as I went along. Happy to say it worked out fine the second time.

I've got some sweet peas on my table in a small ink bottle at the moment, and it occurred to me that they would look fabulous sitting inside a little bit of hooky. They do look sweet don't they?

But no time to faff with the floral booty - I've got more jars to cover in hooky goodness!

The littlest jar cover was very quick to make, and it was very much easier to get the top edge to fit this time as I knew what to do and how to check it as I went along. 

The third jar (an old mustard jar) has curved sides and a small bottom (sounds delightful!) so I had to alter the starting circle to make it smaller but other than that I followed the exact same pattern. The crochet happily stretched to accommodate the curves of the jar so there was no need to alter the pattern at all.

I whipped these jar covers up in a few hours, such a satisfying little project from start to finish. 

I did wonder about adding some extra decoration (I could picture a delicate row of mother of pearl buttons along the top edge), but in the end I decided to keep it simple.

I really LOVE the effect of the crab stitch edging - this is the first time I've ever tried it and I think it gives a beautiful, understated finishing touch.  

Lots of the crochet jar lanterns I saw online were made using white or natural coloured yarn, but I'm so glad I chose colours for mine. During the day they will be unlit on my mantel, and I wanted them to look as pretty and summery as possible.

I couldn't wait to pop come candles inside and light them up - this was pretty much the one and only time when I wished the daylight hours away so that I could see the effect of them lit in the dark!

They look sooooooooo pretty all lit up! They create dancing shadows on the wall behind and a lovely soft glow in the room. I really like the lacy effect way more than I thought I would. I'm usually one for solid and rich colours, but these soft pastel holey things have surprised and delighted me.

I'm so happy with my lanterns! I'm going to search for some scented tealight candles so that I can enjoy some dancing light and fragrance at the darkened ends of the day. 

Did you know that my first Making the Season post was way back in November last year, which makes this the tenth installment? You can read all my previous posts {here}

I absolutely love creating these seasonal makes with my blogging friend Gillian - our creative styles are very different but that's what makes it so exciting for us both. You can find all of Gillian's MTS posts {here}, do pop over and see what she's been up to this month.

And I'll be back very soon to catch you up to date with my Summer comings and goings. Lots to chat about!

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Comments

[Mandy]

Need to say making one today has made me feel human again!

[Gabriella]

Hi Lucy,I saw your jar cover post
a while ago,and thought I might try
making one myself,and I can surely say
that it was a very easy project to do and I will be making a few more.Thankyou for the inspiration,I always look forward to reading new posts here on your blog.
Thankyou
Ella 😁🇦🇺

[Barb]

Lucy, I love your crocheted jar covers, perfect for putting candles or the vase. I too have seen these online but never made any. Pretty versatile too as they can be made in any color to match up holidays, etc. I am currently working on your Harmony squares blanket, at the crocheting together stage now, and I had never done the crochet as you go method of putting the squares together but have grown to like it. A nice way to add that last row of color to the squares and crochet them together at the same time!I made your Woodland fall colors blanket a few months ago and sent it to a good friend for her birthday, and it was very well received! The colors in that one are so gorgeous and fall like, I am tempted to make another one to keep for myself! Thank you for all the neat patterns on here!

[Manda]

Oh these are so purty! I've been collecting jars in an effort to reduce my plastic waste and all my hoarded jars are being used to store bulk bought dry goods but as soon as I have some spare I'm going to steal this idea! I'm really into the *idea* of quiet, early starts but I'm yet to get in a rythym where I'm up before 7am (and up before the kids!) - something to aspire to I think.

[Charlotte.]

Such a beautiful idea! The colors don’t really go with my decor but these are not your usual colors and they go with your home. Maybe I need to try these softer colors of the sea.

[Susan]

What a lovely sweet project that can add that pretty touch to an old jar. You've given me some ideas for my next portable project. Thanks! xx Susan

[CJ]

They're really lovely Lucy, and so pretty lit up. I really like the way yarn transfers a glass jar into something warm and tactile. Some of these would be great for winter candles on the mantelpiece and winter flowers on the table as well, they have a delicious cosy feel to them. I really like the colours you've chosen, as you say, paler than you usually work with, but very pretty. Nice job. CJ xx

[Kathryn Ashe]

You are always, always, always so clever! Thank you for sharing.

[kazzy]

its lovely to catch up on your posts. such a great idea, so inspiring your blog and makes...also love your home and adventures through the seasons...i'm enjoying being back in blogland and keeping to a regular post...I am looking forward to the days of septemeber (well, after the anxious 1st day of secondary school for my daughter!~eeekkkk!)...i love the colours in septemeber...i have been watching the swollows swoop in my hill top garden~ its sad to watch them lining up ready for their trip to Africa, i read it takes 6 weeks for them to reach their destination~ amazing!...love the candle light in the evenings. x

[Aggeliki Tsavou]

Welcome back. The beginning of the school season is The Event associated with Autumn and with mixed emotions! i had in mind to crochet somecovers for glass jars and been meaning to investigate so I'm thankful you did this for us. Thank you so much!

[Su]

Oh, your crocheted bunting is BEAUTIFUL!

[darlynn]

love, love, love these!!!
fall and Christmas also comes to mind~~~

[Debbie Smetherham]

These are so beautiful! I have a ton of jars just lying around, and now I know exactly what to do with them. Thank you 😊

[Mary W]

Your Making the Seasons crafts are so lovely. I also subscribed to your friends blog. What a grand idea to make a monthly craft - to enjoy each season with a finely tuned tactile memory. Genius!

[Tuula Maaria]

Such a lovely idea about the lanterns! Great to have some lights and candles already now, not just wait for Christmas time.

[Annabellouise]

Lovely. Perfect for this time of year in the garden with tea lights in them.

[// Heidrun]

What a lovely idea! Thank you for sharing. 🙋🏻‍♀️

[Emily]

Hi Lucy,
They look so nice, with the lights in it. So cute.
Have a nice weekend.

Sweet greetings,
Emily
(casacreaemilia.blogspot.nl)

[Jane]

These look so good. The colours could be changed according to the season. Thanks for showing us.

[Jenny of Elefantz]

These are incredibly pretty!

[Carol]

What a brilliant idea, love it. I have a whole bottle of sea glass that is so beautiful.

[Teresa Kasner]

I love the colors you picked and the design too.. I made only one crochet covered jar and adore it, but you've inspired me to make more! Yours all lit up are so perfect for this time of year! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Margaret Simpson]

Beautiful idea Lucy. Today is the first day of spring in Australia. 😊🇦🇺🌼🌸🌻

[Lyn]

These look lovely, and look gorgeous with flowers in and candles so are versatile too! Xx

[Laura]

Was it round 14 causing the problem? My understanding is as follows. You have to decrease 5 stitches evenly around the 40 stitches you have, leaving 35 when the round is complete. You can do this by trebling 2 stitches together (if you are in the UK, or double crocheting 2 stitches together if you are in the US - the pattern uses US terms).

So, you work the round by doing 3 chains to start - which counts as your first treble(dc), then doing 5 more trebles(dc), one into each of the next 5 stitches then you do your 2 trebles (dc)together to decrease. So far you have accounted for 8 stitches but will actually now have 7 completed as you decreased by one stitch.

Continue around, trebling (dc) for 6 stitches and then doing 2 trebles together to decrease. This has the effect of decreasing 5 times by crocheting every 7th and 8th stitch together. Your last decrease will be in your last two stitches of the round. There will now be 35 stitches evenly spaced.