I made these little crocheted jar jackets after discovering 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. (this is equivalent to 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 treble 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 dc). Finally, work a last row in Double Crochet (equivalent to US single crochet) to give a nice, neat top edge.
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)
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xx Thank you xx
Ahh your back - I have missed you.
Love this quite bright little project, perfect
thanks :-)
Posted by: Brenda | November 24, 2010 at 06:23 AM
Do you think this idea will work on plant pots? You know, the ugly brown ones?
Posted by: Hazel | July 27, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Hello Lucy!
Thanks for sharing so many beautiful things.
I have just tried this and I would like you to see the result.
Please check it at http://alittlegreenvalley.blogspot.com/2010/07/un-tarro-muy-abrigadito.html.
Thanks!
Posted by: Merchy | July 12, 2010 at 08:09 PM
Hey Lisa Whatever you are doing for garnishing your house. That is admirable.
I have read your profile
Truly inspiring. one thing touches my heart and that is
your Home Which is 100year old Victorian house in the North of England. You are so lucky.
Posted by: jeans for men | June 25, 2010 at 04:37 PM
Thanks for sharing... I love color combination... so easy I made this
http://lalaborda.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/crochet-cubreflorero-i/
Posted by: maría laura oliva | June 16, 2010 at 02:12 AM
nice and beautiful!
color combination is awesome.
thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Duffle Coat | March 27, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Finished your crochet bag pattern last week, just made a jar jacket tonight that I'm bringing to work tomorrow to perk up my desk. Next up? thinking of doing that awesome ripple!! Thanks for sharing your colorful creativity!
Posted by: Joanne | March 26, 2010 at 02:25 AM
Just the idea I needed to cover up a nasty brown plastic plant pot on my window sill. Thanks.. I am off to start it now!
Posted by: Samm | February 23, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Fantastic blog and amazing patterns:)) You rule:)
Posted by: Eda | February 17, 2010 at 08:32 AM
wow, you are the master :))
cool,thanks for sharing the patterns.
Iam elsa from indonesia by the way :))
Posted by: Elsa | February 12, 2010 at 05:29 AM
Thank you, Lucy ~ you've done it again! I wish all crochet pattern writers had your gift for 'splainin'. They may as well be speaking Latvian as far as I'm able to understand their written directions! And,let's face it, crocheting just isn't that hard.
Love your colors and happy blog very much.
Warm regards~
Posted by: Mary | October 21, 2009 at 07:34 PM
I, too, have tons of those jars around! One for buttons, one for my daughter's trinkets her and there...you understand, yes? I think I must start to crochet a cozy cover for a few! I also have a few with lids that i have painted quickly for collections of seashells or rocks when the red and white just doesn't feel right.
Posted by: Cara | October 20, 2009 at 03:40 AM
help, complete novice to crochet, desperate to try, looks like something I might manage. What type of wool and size of hook please. Love your colour combos, make me smile.
julie
Posted by: juliet McIntyre | September 30, 2009 at 09:18 PM
god, i love your blog...just finished a jar jacket and am working on an afghan using your neat ripple pattern...posted pics and a link to you today and a day or two ago when i started the ripple...thought you might want to take a peek?...thank you so much for your generosity in sharing patterns/instructions!
Posted by: t | September 08, 2009 at 02:10 PM
i'm new to crocheting as i was given my nan's crocheting needles after she sadly passed away ~ and i'm hooked after my first crocheting lesson with my mum. Love this pattern and it will certainly brighten up my kitchen.xx
Posted by: Sarah Jones | August 12, 2009 at 10:01 AM
I have been looking for something to store some utensils in, so now I am inspired to go find a nice, big boring jar & it will be perfect, with a crochet jacket, sitting on the kitchen bench with my utensils!
Posted by: sez | July 20, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Thanks for the jar jacket idea. I've covered a plant pot and vase in my Conservatory.
Love the idea.
Want to view? Go to Flickr Mrs Twins Photostream.
Mrs Twins
Posted by: Sue | June 05, 2009 at 10:28 PM
See my link.. I was inspired by your jar jackets. Thank you! :)
Posted by: Kim | May 28, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Oh what a simple idea. I am also loath to recycle the prettier jars just in case! I'm just gettig back into crochet & was hunting for granny square patterns to remind me what to do - when I found your beautful projects. Will do this tomorrow to put the little posies from the garden in!
Posted by: SmallerClanger | May 09, 2009 at 02:09 AM
Hehe... I have about a 1000 of these empty jars just.in.case. too :) I may just have to make a little jacket for one or two!
Posted by: Leanda | April 23, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Thankyou so much for your comment on my blog so glad to have been able to return the inspiration can't wait to see yours when it is done.Hope you enjoy the wine. Couldn't agree more it is so fab!
Val
Posted by: valerie | March 15, 2009 at 01:37 PM
I have the perfect spider plant (I call her Preggers Magoo) that need just this type of uplift. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: PinkVelvetBird | March 03, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I love these! They are adorable. My daughter and I are going to make one of these as a gift for my other daughter. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Sondra Preston | December 16, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Love this idea too :)
Posted by: Gem | November 18, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Oh my gosh - another wonderful pattern - I am going to be crocheting like crazy. Thanks.
Posted by: Anne | November 12, 2008 at 05:42 PM