Crochet

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Make Some Crochet Luminaries

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cro mason luminaria 0214

One doesn’t typically write ‘crochet’ and ‘luminaria’ in the same sentence, but this time it works.  The designer of this project decided to rescue old, stained doilies for the project.  However, there’s no reason we can’t crochet our own lacy piece for this purpose.  But, you know how I love recycled, upcycled, and repurposed projects.  The definitely fits the bill.

You can see the easy directions here.  Your jar need not be a Mason ‘original’ although they do have their charm.  But, an old pickle jar, olive jar, or any old kind of yarn will work just fine.  You could line your front walk or decorate your patio, window, or stoop with these jars.  Simply use white glue or ModPodge to affix the doily to the jar and let it dry then pop in a small candle adn you’re in business.  The soft light of the flame will dance around through the pretty shadows created by the doily.

I can think of a gazillion ways to use this idea.  My mind goes to embellishment with natural elements like shells, pebbles, and buttons or beads.  To keep the candle steady, place a lining of sand or pea gravel in the bottom of each jar, no matter its size.  Tie a ribbon or length of twine around the neck of the jar to give a more finished look.  Dangle charms, buttons, or beads from the tie.  You’ll come up with ideas to suit your decor and your stash.  This is more an idea than a pattern.  Just go with it, have fun, and create a pretty project for your home.

Looking for more Crochet Mason Jar Covers? check these patterns out on Etsy.

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Comments

  1. Oh my goodness you have just lit me on fire with this idea!!! I have more old jars collected than I can count… same with old doilies now just being stored! Oh my, oh my… I see an article coming here out of this! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Have you read?

Pattern Review: Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

The Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern is one of those fun wearable crochet projects that has just the right mix of retro charm and modern festival style. If you have been seeing granny square bucket hats popping up everywhere and thinking, “I could make that,” this pattern is a lovely place to start.

This crochet bucket hat is worked in the round using granny-style clusters, giving it that familiar textured look without requiring you to join lots of separate squares. That is a definite win if, like me, you enjoy the look of granny motifs but don’t always feel emotionally prepared for a mountain of seams and ends.

The pattern uses worsted weight #4 yarn, with cotton or a cotton blend recommended, which makes sense for a summer hat. Cotton gives the hat a bit more structure and keeps it feeling breathable rather than floppy and sweaty. You’ll need around 80g of yarn, a 5.5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle. The finished hat is designed to fit a head circumference of approximately 51–55cm / 20.1–21.7 inches, which puts it in the adult small/medium range.

What I like about this pattern is that it includes practical fit notes rather than pretending every head and every crocheter’s tension is magically the same. The granny mesh has stretch, and the pattern suggests trying the crown on after Round 5 before continuing with the body section. That is such a useful little check-in point, especially with hats, because nobody wants to finish the whole thing only to discover it either perches on top like a teacup or slides down over your eyes like a lampshade.

The instructions are written in US crochet terms and include a clear stitch key covering chains, clusters, double crochet, repeats, slip stitches, and spaces. The pattern also explains how the rounds are closed, how the beginning chain functions, and how to count the clusters at the end of each round, which is helpful for keeping the shape on track.

The construction is straightforward: you begin at the crown, continue down into the sides, and then work the brim. The brim shaping comes from an increase round that helps kick the edge outward into that classic bucket hat shape. Rounds 15–17 then hold steady to smooth out the brim edge, giving the hat a neat finish without making the shaping feel overly complicated.

I would call this an easy to confident beginner crochet pattern rather than a very first crochet project. You’ll want to be comfortable working in the round, counting repeats, and making double crochet clusters. Once the rhythm clicks, though, it becomes a relaxing, repeat-friendly project — the sort of crochet you can work on while half-watching TV, provided you don’t lose count during the increase rounds. Ask me how I know.

This pattern also has great colour-play potential. The yellow version feels sunny and wearable, the scrap yarn version has brilliant festival energy, and a red-and-green version would make a surprisingly cute Christmas market hat. It would also be a good stash-busting crochet project if you have leftover cotton yarns hanging around from dishcloths, bags, or summer tops.

Overall, the Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat is a cheerful, wearable crochet pattern with strong Etsy appeal. It hits that sweet spot between nostalgic granny square style and modern handmade fashion, making it a great pattern for festival outfits, summer wardrobes, handmade gifts, and market sellers looking for a trendy crochet accessory.

Best for: confident beginners, granny stitch lovers, summer crochet projects, festival fashion, scrap yarn makes, and crocheters who want a wearable project that feels fun rather than fussy.