Apple Dumpling Recipe with 4th of July Crochet American Flag Cozy

June 21, 2013 by ·

Apple Dumpling Recipe with 4th of July Crochet American Flag Cozy

apple dumplings recipe

This super sweet, super easy, Apple Dumpling Recipe is another one of our family favorite desserts (most often requested by my brother)! Dress it up in this crochet American Flag cozy and you’ve got a fun 4th of July dessert and decorating idea (perfect for any American holiday, really)!

Let’s start with the Apple Dumplings. While they bake and cool, you can whip up the mason jar cozies.

Apple Dumpling Recipe / Pie in a Jar

pie in a jarI modified an Apple Dumpling Recipe to be a Pie in a Jar…and IMHO it was the best Apple Dumplings dessert my family has ever had (my parents agree)! My husband loved it so much…he requested I make it again with other fruits like peaches!

Serves 4 (makes 4 extra large desserts).

Pie Ingredients:

  • 4 wide mouth pint size mason jars
  • 2 ready-made pie crusts
  • 3 Granny Smith Apples
  • 4 Tablespoons sugar
  • 4  1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2  teaspoon nutmeg

Syrup:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1  1/2 cups water
  • 1/4  teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8  teaspoon nutmeg

Topping:

  • 2 teaspoons sugar

apples and cinnamon sugarDirections:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Mix all Syrup ingredients together in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Unroll two pie crusts and cut each in half. You now have dough for 4 dumplings.
  4. Peel, core and dice apples (approximately ½” cubes).
  5. Divide apples evenly and place in center of dough.
  6. Mix remaining Pie ingredients (4 T sugar, 4 ½ t cinnamon, ½ t nutmeg) together in a bowl. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon of mixture on each dumpling over top the apples.
  7. Dab your finger in water and moisten the edges of the dough. Wrap the dough around the apples creating a cocoon around the apples pressing edges together (if dough breaks or tears, don’t worry. A few holes in the dough is fine).
  8. apple dumplings ready for the ovenSpray the bottom of each jar with cooking spray. Place one dumpling in each jar.
  9. Pour ½ cup of Syrup in each jar making sure the syrup reaches the bottom of the jar (use a knife to press the dumpling away from the side of the jar if needed).
  10. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon sugar on top of each dumpling.
  11. Place jars on cookie sheet and bake in oven for 1 hour.
  12. Allow to cool. Serve warm.

Recipe inspired by: http://relish.com/recipes/old-fashioned-apple-dumplings/

Alternatives:

  • If you’d like to add a bit more color to this dessert, try adding a little red food coloring to the syrup.
  • Want it a little more “spicy”? Add some Red Hots candies to the apples.
  • This recipe makes 4 extra large servings. For a smaller dessert, cut each pie crust into either 3 or 4 pieces to create 6 or 8 desserts. Divide all ingredients evenly among each dumpling.

Crochet American Flag Cozy

crochet american flagIt’s the stars and stripes that make this look like a crochet American Flag. While it is possible to crochet an exact replica of the American Flag (50 stars and 13 stripes), we also think it’s fun to get a little artistic and a bit fanciful with this cozy project. Have fun with it.

We used Vanna’s Choice for this project. This is a great way to use up remnants from your stash. We showcase this in two different reds and two different blues to illustrate that most any red and blue will work.

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Rows, Crochet in Back Loop, Crochet in Both Loops, Crochet Increase (work two stitches in next st)

SUPPLIES:

  • Vanna’s Choice:Worsted Weight (4)
    Jar Cozy: SCARLET, WHITE, COLONIAL BLUE
    (Mug: CRANBERRY, WHITE, NAVY)
    (Cup: CRANBERRY, WHITE, COLONIAL BLUE)
  • Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00 mm
  • Yarn Needle for sewing

AMERICAN FLAG JAR COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Scarlet

Hook: H

Ch 12

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc across. (10)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Attach White

Row 2: Ch 2, turn. In back loops only, hdc across. (10)

Row 3: Ch 2, turn. In both loops only, hdc across. (10)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Attach Red

Row 4: Ch 2, turn. In back loops only, hdc across. (10)

Row 5: Ch 2, turn. In both loops only, hdc across. (10)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Row 6-23 Repeat Rows 2-5 until you have 23 Rows. End with White.

Attach Red

Row 24: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in back loops only across. (10)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Join Row 24 to foundation ch with whip st across.

flag cozy parts

WIDE MOUTH LID COVER INSTRUCTIONS

Colonial Blue

Hook: H

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (8)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc inc around. (16)

Rnd 3: *hdc, hdc inc* around. (24)

Rnd 4: *2 hdc, hdc inc*around. (32)

Rnd 5: *3 hdc, hdc inc* 7 times. 2 sc, sc inc, sl st. (40)

Rnd 6: Work in back loops only, sc around. (40)

Rnd 7-8: Work in both loops, sc around. (40)

2 Sl st. Finish off, weave in end.

STAR INSTRUCTIONS

White

Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 10 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (10)

Rnd 2: In back loops only, sl st into next st. (work next group in the same st as sl st you just worked) * work: ch 2, dc, ch 1, sl st into top of dc, ch 2, sl st. 2 sl sts into next sts of Rnd 1* around.

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pin then sew Star to top of Lid.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this flag cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 flags pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: 4th of July, Armed Forces Day, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Great as Gifts, Home, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , , ,

Caramel Corn Recipe for Crochet Baseball Cozy

June 7, 2013 by ·

Caramel Corn Recipe for Crochet Baseball Cozy

Make this delicious and easy caramel corn recipe to be stored in a mason jar with a crochet baseball cozy! Just in time for the next big game…a tasty treat for players and fans alike.

caramel corn recipe and crochet baseball cozy

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks are synonymous with baseball. We’re celebrating American’s favorite pastime with this fun baseball cozy and caramel corn combo.

Let’s dig in and make some caramel corn. It’ll need time to cool…which will give you time to whip up a cozy or two!

Caramel Corn Recipe

jar of caramel cornThis caramel corn is very versatile. Make a rich chocolate drizzled caramel corn (more like moose munch) by following the recipe below. Make an extra thick and rich caramel corn (more like Cracker Jacks) by doubling the sauce and omitting the chocolate. If you love peanut butter, add ½ cup of peanut butter with the corn syrup (step 4).

We asked friends and family to tell us which version of the caramel corn they liked the best (chocolate vs. extra thick and rich caramel). It was a tie! Since there is no clear favorite, you should make the one that you’d prefer.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES:

  • 12 cups popped white popcorn (½ cup unpopped)
  • 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (4 oz) dark chocolate bar (Ghirardelli 60% Cacao)
  • 1 (4 oz) white chocolate bar (Ghirardelli White)

caramel corn with chocolate drizzleDIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 225°. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan. Set aside.
  2. Lightly grease a large soup pot (stock pot).
  3. Pop popcorn (we used an air popper), remove any unpopped kernels. Pour popcorn then peanuts into soup pot.
  4. Melt brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in sauce pan on medium heat stirring regularly bringing it to a boil. Boil and stir constantly until temperature reaches 250° to 260° (approximately 5 minutes). Caramel will be bubbly and a bit stretchy.
  5. Remove from heat. Combine baking soda and vanilla extract and stir into caramel sauce.
  6. Pour caramel over popcorn. Stir until popcorn is evenly coated with caramel.
  7. Pour popcorn into prepared 9×13 pan. Bake for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.
  8. Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Pour caramel corn onto wax paper. Break into pieces if needed. Cool completely.
  9. Melt dark chocolate over low heat stirring constantly. Drizzle over popcorn.
  10. Melt white chocolate over low heat stirring constantly. Drizzle over popcorn.
  11. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until chocolate solidifies.
  12. Store and serve in mason jars. Serve within 10 days.

This recipe is a modifed version of: My Amish Friend’s Caramel Corn.

I’ve been told that by adding a bit of molassas to the sauce (step 4) this caramel corn will taste like Cracker Jacks!

Crochet Baseball Cozy

baseball and mustache jar cozy

We created this fun cozy and caramel combo in honor of the baseball team the Oakland A’s…AKA: the Mustache Gang. In 1972, right fielder Reggie Jackson refused to shave off his mustache which prompted the team owner Charles Finley to pay all the players to grow a mustache. And on June 18th, anyone wearing a mustache got into the game free. So…when you head to your next baseball game, wear a ‘stache and bring some caramel corn!

Note: Need a mustache pattern? We have three free mustache patterns on our post: Father’s Day Gift Ideas, Steak Rub Recipe and Mustache Cozy.

The crochet baseball cozy is another great stash buster. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice yarn for this project. She has several colors that are a perfect match for various types of sports balls.

Skill Level: Beginner

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round

crochet baseball cozy

SUPPLIES:

  • Vanna’s Choice: Worsted Weight (4)
    Baseball: WHITE, CRANBERRY
    (Basketball: TERRECOTTA, BLACK)
    (Tennis Ball: LIME, BEIGE)
  • Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00 mm
  • Yarn Needle for sewing

BASEBALL JAR COZY INSTRUCTIONS

White

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-10: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Cut yarn; weave in end.

With Cranberry, embroider baseball threads.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this baseball cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 balls pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Baseball, Basketball, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Tennis · Tagged With: , , , ,

Father’s Day Gift Ideas – Steak Rub Recipe and Crochet Mustache!

May 24, 2013 by ·

Father’s Day Gift Ideas – Steak Rub Recipe and Crochet Mustache!

We have two Father’s Day gift ideas for you…a steak rub recipe and a crochet mustache jar cozy. Combine the two and not only will you create a tasty gift for dad, but a stylish one, too!

father's day gift ideas

I’m not spoiling the surprise by sharing this gift idea with you. My dad likes plain old table salt. So, he’s not getting this particular rub. My husband, on the other hand, loves seasonings so much that his friends have nicknamed him “flavor boy”. He’ll be grilling with this rub for sure!

To round out this Father’s Day gift idea, we have created a crochet mustache jar cozy. Mustaches are distinctively masculine and 100% fun!

Let’s start with the Steak Rub Recipe. You may need to order our secret ingredient online if you can’t find it at a grocery store or seasoning shop.

Steak Rub Recipe

steak rub recipeFather’s Day is just one excuse for grilling. This steak rub recipe is another!

You’re going to love the rich bold flavor of our secret ingredient…smoked sea salt. Smoked salt captures both the scent and flavor of campfire cooking. It is my husband’s favorite seasoning, and it’s the #1 ingredient in our steak rub.

Note: we recommend getting a strong smokey salt. Look for words like “extra bold” or “bonfire”.

We’ve kept the quantity of this rub recipe small so you can sample it before committing to a large jar of it.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES:

  • 3 Tablespoons Smoked Sea Salt
  • 2 Tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Spiced Ranch Mix (dry packet)
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Store in mason jar.

SERVING:

  1. Brush steak with olive oil.
  2. Sprinkle dry rub on steak. (We like lots of flavor so we spinkle approximately 1 Tablespoon on each side of a thick Ribeye)
  3. Allow steak to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.
  4. Grill steak to desired temperature.
  5. Enjoy!

Note: This tastes great on Pork Chops, too! Just sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon on each side. This rub is a little spicy.

Caution: Always use a clean spoon when scooping out seasoning for use on steak. You do not want raw meat to come into contact with seasonings that are being stored for later use.

Crochet Mustache Jar Cozy

crochet mustacheNow that the rub is out of the way, let’s get to the crochet mustache jar cozy. This cozy can be used on jars and cups. Super fun!

We’re using Vanna’s Choice (worsted weight: 4) for this project. This is a great stash buster!

These are fun for everyday use…but here are some other “special” days you may want to break out these cozies for public admiration:

  • International Fake Mustache Day – February 3rd
  • National Fake Mustache Day – February 24th
  • Oakland A’s Mustache Day – June 18th
  • Movember: National Grow a Mustache Month– November

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet, Double Crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Rows, Increase

SUPPLIES LIST:

  • Vanna’s Choice (Worsted Weight: 4) – Approx 21 yards total
    Green Jar Cozy: FERN, ESPRESSO
    (Pink Cozy: BERRYLICIOUS, ESPRESSO)
    (Yellow Cozy: MSUTARD, ESPRESSO)
  • Hook: H / 8 / 5.00 mm
  • Yarn Needle for sewing

Crochet Mustache Cozy Pattern

JAR COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Fern

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-10: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Cut yarn and weave in end.

MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS

Creating mustaches with yarn was so much fun…I made three. Which is your favorite?

NOTE: Additional shaping of the mustaches is accomplished in the pinning and sewing of them to the cozy.

crocheted mustache optionsENGLISH MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on the pink cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 16

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, 2 sl st. (15)

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

FU MANCHU MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on green cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 18

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. Sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc inc, sc, sl st, sc, sc inc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc, sl st. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

HANDLEBAR MUSTACHE INSTRUCTIONS (as seen on the yellow cozy)

Espresso

Hook: H

Ch 25

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook. 5 sl st, sc, 4 hdc, 2 sl st, 4 hdc, sc, 6 sl st. (24)

Pin then sew mustache to top of cozy.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this mustache cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 mustaches pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Father's Day, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE · Tagged With: , , ,

Celebrate Armed Forces Day with Soup in a Jar

May 10, 2013 by ·

Celebrate Armed Forces Day with Soup in a Jar

We’re celebrating armed forces day with soup in a jar.

armed forces day

We are thankful for the men and women who serve our country in the military. We couldn’t resist creating an “MRE” (meals ready to eat) type recipe for this week’s mason jar.

This project is very simple to make. In fact, this cozy may be the easiest one’s we’ve made to date!

Armed Forces Day – Jar Cozy

cozy and ribbonMany organizations use a crossed ribbon to help raise awareness of their cause. The yellow ribbon signifies a wish to see our troops come home. A black ribbon helps us remember prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Though it’s not military related, we are demonstrating how this cozy can be used for most any cause with a change of color. The pink ribbon is used to raise breast cancer awareness.

Cozy Supplies

  • Vanna’s Colors (Bulky – 5): Pine
    Vanna’s Choice (Worsted – 4): Radiant Yellow
    (Black Ribbon: Vanna’s Choice – Scarlet, White, Colonial Blue, Black)
    (Pink Ribbon: Vanna’s Choice – Berrylicious, Pink)
  • Hook: H/8/5.00mm
  • Hook: K/10.5/6.5mm
  • Yarn Needle

cause ribbons

Cozy Instructions

Pine

Hook: K

Ch 28, Join with a sl st

Rnd 1-8: Sc around. (28)

Rnd 9: 2 sl st. Leave remaining sts unworked. Finish off and weave in ends.

Ribbon Instructions

Radiant Yellow

Hook: H

Ch 30

Row 1: Work in the back loop only. Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across. Ch 2, sl st into base of last st made. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Embroider if desired.

Cross ribbon and sew to cozy. Weave in ends.

“Just Add Water” Soup in a Jar

soup in a jarMost soup in a jar recipes require additional ingredients like meat, oil and dairy when the soup is being prepared. Those extra ingredients aren’t usually available to those who are roughing it. So we came up with the following “just add water” recipe.

As a side note: this recipe would be great for those who are camping or backpacking. And it would be a great snack item or quick meal for the kids, too!

Potato Cheese Soup Recipe

  • 1 ½ cups instant mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup instant coffee creamer (or powdered milk)
  • 1/3 cup cheddar cheese powder (or 1 ½ packets of Kraft Mac and Cheese packets)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chicken bouillon
  • 1 teaspoons dried onion flakes
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Greek Seasoning (or seasoning salt)
  • ¼ cup imitation bacon bits (optional)

ingredients for soup in a jarMix all ingredients together thoroughly. Store in mason jar.

To serve, mix ½ cup soup mix with 1 cup boiling water. (For a thicker soup, use ¾ cup soup mix to 1 cup water).

Note: The imitation bacon bits are an over powering ingredient. Only add them if you know you like them.

“Just add water” Recipe Alternatives

There are other “just add water” foods you can use instead of the Potato Cheese Soup. If you’re looking for a simple alternative – buy pre-mixed foods. Be sure to include cooking instructions if these are a gift item.

  1. Pancake Mix (Aunt Jemima)
  2. Brownie Mix (Krusteaz)
  3. Cornbread Mix (Marie Callender’s)

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this cause ribbon cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 of the cause ribbons pictured above are in this ebook! And there are 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Armed Forces Day, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Great as Gifts, Kitchen, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , , ,

Crochet Mother’s Day Gift

May 6, 2013 by ·

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

We celebrated Mother’s Day a week early…so I can reveal the mason jar cozy I made for her jar of bath salts.

mothers day bath salts

This cozy follows the FREE pattern on our post: How to make bath salts and a crochet flower cozy. This Mother’s Day cozy was crocheted with Vanna’s Choice yarns with a strong emphasis on teal colors to coordinate with my mother’s bathroom.

Colors used – Vanna’s Choice:

  • Pink
  • Silver Blue
  • Dusty Green
  • Taupe
  • Sapphire
  • Aqua

flower and leaf mason jar cozyThe bath salts are super easy to make. The recipe and the directions for the flower cozy are free on the post: How to make bath salts and a crochet flower cozy.

For this particular cozy, I added leaves. The pattern for those are below:

CROCHET LEAF PATTERN:

Hook: H

Ch 5

Rnd 1: Dc inc in 3rd ch from hook. Sc inc, sl st. Ch 2. Turn to other side of foundation Row. Sl st, sc inc, 3 dc in last st. Join with sl st. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

That’s it. Make three (or as many as desired).

Wishing a Happy Mother’s Day to our mom and yours.

Enjoy!

 

Filed Under: Bath, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Flowers, Great as Gifts, Home, Mason Jar Series, Mother's Day, Patterns for FREE · Tagged With:

How to Make Bath Salts and a Crochet Flower Cozy

April 26, 2013 by ·

How to Make Bath Salts and a Crochet Flower Cozy

how to make bath salts

Learn how to make bath salts and pamper yourself (and your mom). Store the crystals in a mason jar and wrap it with a fun crochet flower cozy. This is a beautiful Mother’s Day gift idea. (Mom, if you’re reading this…I guess you know what you’re getting for your special day!)

The bath salts are surprisingly simple to make. We’ll start with them because you’ll want them to be completely dry before storing (otherwise the salt may get clumpy).

How to Make Bath Salts

bath salts ingredientsAs I mentioned, learning how to make bath salts is easy. The hardest part is figuring out what scent you want! Think about who the bath salt is for. If it’s for you, do you like floral? Do you want something relaxing or energizing? Do you like a lot of scent or just a hint of it?

Essential Oils are available in natural grocery stores. The bottles will list their scent as well as their characteristics. Some will even list whether they work well in a bath. Common scents include: peppermint, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus and orange.

Scented Bath Salts Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Epson Salts
  • 1/2 cup Baking Soda (optional)
  • Essential Oil (as desired)
  • Scraps of Yarn
  • Aluminum foil
  • Cookie sheet

Note: Sea Salt can be used in exchange or in addition to Epson Salt. Table salt cannot be used.

Baking soda is a skin softener and is an optional ingredient. It can be used in equal parts to the salt.

scented yarnScented Bath Salts Directions:

  1. Mix salt and baking soda together.
  2. Sprinkle several drops of Essential Oil onto scraps of yarn. Stir yarn through bath salt mixture to desired strength of scent.
  3. Repeat Step 2 if needed.
  4. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spread salt mixture onto cookie sheet to dry.
  5. Periodically stir salts. Allow to dry completely (overnight).
  6. Store in mason jar.

How to Make a Crochet Flower Cozy for Mason Jar of Bath Salts

mothers day gift ideaThis crochet flower reminds me of the annual tradition my family had of planting flowers in my mother’s yard on Mother’s Day. That tradition was the inspiration for this cozy.

This crochet flower can be sewn directly to the cozy or affixed with a pin (something like a coiless pin would work well). Using a pin will allow the flower to be removed and used to decorate other things.

This is a great stash buster project. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice yarn (medium worsted weight). We love her blend of bright colors and pastels.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitches Used: Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, Treble Crochet

Technique Used: Crochet in the Round. Cluster Stitch

Note: Replace the cluster stitch with a single crochet and this Intermediate pattern would be rated Easy.

CROCHET FLOWER SUPPLIES

  • Vanna’s Choice: Black, Raspberry, Radiant Yellow, Fern
    (Pastel: Pink, Silver Blue, Dusty Green, Beige)
    (Purples: Dusty Rose, Dusty Purple, Purple)
  • Crochet Hook: H
  • Yarn Needle

COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Cluster Stitch Instructions:

Cluster Stitch: Insert hook into next stitch (the current working stitch), YO, draw through stitch, YO, pull through one loop on hook, insert hook in the stitch one row below and one stitch back, YO (pulling yarn from the inside of the project), pull through stitch, YO, pull through one loop on hook, insert hook two rows below the current working stitch  (pulling yarn from the inside of the project), YO, draw through stitch, YO, pull through one loop on hook, insert hook in the stitch one row below and one stitch ahead of the current working stitch (pulling yarn from inside the project), YO, pull through stitch, YO, pull through one loop on hook, YO, pull through all five loops on hook. *Note, the next working stitch is under the last YO.

Black

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-4: Sc around. (34)

Rnd 5: Sc around. Change color to Radiant Yellow with sl st. Ch 1. Finish off Black and weave in ends. (34)

Rnd 6: 2 sc, *cluster st, 3 sc* around. End with 3 sc. Change color to Fern with sl st. Ch 1. Finish off Radiant Yellow and weave in ends. (34)

Rnd 7: Working in the back loop only, sc around. (34)

Rnd 8-9: Working in both loops now and throughout, sc around. (34)

Rnd 10: 33 sc, sl st. Finish off and weave in ends. (34)

With 12” length of Raspberry yarn, embroider a small stitch into the center of the cluster st.

cozies flat

FLOWER INSTRUCTIONS

Center

Radiant Yellow

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 5 dc in third ch from hook. (Count ch-3 as first dc). (6)

Rnd 2: Working in back loops only, sc around. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. (6)

Attach Raspberry to the front loop of any stitch of Rnd 2.

Rnd 3: Work the following stitches in the front loop of each stitch around, (sc, dc, trc, dc, sc). Finish with a sl st in the first sc made. Finish off and weave in end. (6 petals made)

Sew flower to cozy.

flower and leaf mason jar cozyNote: Turn the edges of the flower under for a puffy looking flower (as seen in the pastel cozy on the far left). Or leave ends of Rnds out for a layered look (like the two on the right).

UPDATE: I recently added leaves to this cozy. You can get the pattern to the leaves on the Crochet Mother’s Day Gift post.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this flower cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 flowers pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Bath, Cozy, Flowers, Great as Gifts, Home, Mason Jar Series, Mother's Day, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , ,

Mason Jar soap Dispenser Update

April 24, 2013 by ·

Did you make the mason jar soap dispenser? I did. I have mine by my kitchen sink. I’d like to share with you what I discovered after a few months of use.

mason jar soap dispenser by kitchen sink

First, I have to admit: I love my mason jar soap dispenser. I do most of my hand washing by the kitchen sink, so it’s been a godsend (that word may be a bit dramatic…but I really do love it!). This would also be a cute dispenser for dish soap (just sayin’).

The pump worked great, the soap flowed smoothly (no air bubbles), and it didn’t clog.

But after a few months of use, when the soap was nearly used up, I noticed a brown fleck floating in the soap. That’s kind of strange since I hadn’t opened the dispenser since filling it with soap. I had my suspicions of what it must be.

Rust on LidYep, it’s rust. The scratches I put on the inside of the lid when drilling the hole for the pump had all turned into rust. Not a pretty picture.

But, that’s ok. Now that I know about the problem, I would modify the soap dispenser as follows:

  1. Make a ring from plastic packaging , or
  2. Use a plastic canning jar lid instead of a metal one, or
  3. Replace the metal ring once a quarter

If you are doing option 1, simply use a permanent marker to trace around the metal lid on a piece of plastic packaging. Cut it out and follow the directions outlined in the mason jar soap dispenser post we wrote a few months ago.

This issue with rust and metal is not a new problem (though it’s new to me). A week or so ago I went to an antique mall with a girlfriend. While there, I stopped to use the restroom and saw a mason jar soap dispenser by the sink! The lid appeared to be made of tin. Curiosity got the better of me and I took a peak under the lid to see if it at a rust problem.

The inside of the lid was not copper/red/brown with rust, but it was black and murky leading me to believe that it had a similar unhappy reaction to being used as a soap dispenser.

Bottom line, mason jars are a fun way to make soap dispensers…but a little extra care with the lid will make a difference between one that is used for a short while vs. one that is used long term.

If you missed it, you can see our original post on how to make a mason jar soap dispenser with crochet owl cozy we posted a few months ago. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Mason Jar Series · Tagged With: ,

Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift Idea

April 12, 2013 by ·

Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift Idea

Administrative Professionals Day

We’ve create a fun gift idea for Administrative Professionals’ Day. It’s colorful and cheerful and will look adorable on your Admin’s desk. (Of course, this is a cute gift idea for other special days like Mother’s Day or birthdays. This would also be a fun “just because” gift for a gardening friend…just sayin’).

Flowers were a traditional present back in the day when I was receiving gifts for Secretaries Day. Now that it’s called Administrative Professionals’ Day, I still think flowers make the perfect gift. But this mason jar planter with a crocheted cozy adds a new twist to the gift! Love it!

Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift Idea – Mason Jar Planter

Daisy Mason Jar with ComputerFor those Administrative Professionals who love flowers, you simply can’t go wrong with a mason jar planter! We’ve used daisies in our jar…which could be transplanted right from the jar into the garden. Annuals or herbs would be nice alternatives.

SUPPLIES:

  • 1 mason jar
  • 1 plant or herb
  • A few rocks or glass beads
  • Potting soil
  • Charcoal (optional)

A note about container gardening:

Charcoal is often used in container gardening to cut down on bacteria. It is also an additive that helps plants thrive. Please note that charcoal used in gardening is not the same as charcoal used for grilling. Visit your local gardening center for charcoal to use in container gardening. Charcoal is only needed for those plants that will be staying in the jar long term.

Container Gardening

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place 1” of rocks or glass beads in bottom of jar.
  2. Place ½” of charcoal on top of rocks (optional).
  3. Fill jar with dirt and flower.
  4. Water the plant just enough that water reaches the bottom of the jar but does not pool.

Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift Idea – Daisy Mason Jar cozy

Mason Jar PlanterThe potted plant is a beautiful Administrative Professionals’ Day gift item all by itself. We think a colorful daisy cozy will add more pizzazz to the gift…and this cozy doubles as a cup cozy!

This project is a great way to use up your yarn stash. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice. She has lots of bright and beautiful color options.

Skill Level: Easy

Techniques Used: Crochet in Rows and Rounds.

Stitches Used: Chain, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet

SUPPLIES:

  • Vanna’s Choice Yarn: RASPBERRY, RADIANT YELLOW, WHITE
    (Yellow Flower: CHOCOLATE, MUSTARD, FERN)
    (Pink Flower: AQUA, RASPBERRY, ESPRESSO)
  • Crochet Hook: C,F,H
  • Yarn Needle

COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Crochet Mason Jar CozyRadiant Yellow

Hook: F

Ch 3

Rnd 1: 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st. (12)

Rnd 2: Sc around. Join with a sl st. (12)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Attach White to any st.

Use Hook: C

Rnd 3: Ch 14. Sl st in same st from Rnd 2 (14th ch from hook). Sl st. (corner petal made) *Ch 9, sl st into same st from Rnd 2 (9th ch from hook). Sl st.* Twice. (2 petals made). Ch 14. Sl st in same st from Rnd 2 (14th ch from hook). Sl st. (corner petal made) *Ch 10, sl st into same st from Rnd 2 (10th ch from hook). Sl st.* Twice. (2 petals made). Repeat from beginning to make a total of 12 petals. Sl st into base of 1st petal made. Finish off and weave in ends. (164)

Note: The ch-9 petals are the top and bottom of the flower.

Attach Raspberry around corner petal (Ch-14 space). Attach it to the corner that has two ch-9 petals to the left.

Use Hook: F

Rnd 4: Work sc, ch 1, sc around corner petal. Ch 2. *2 sc around next petal, ch 2.* Twice. Repeat from beginning 3 more times to work around flower. Join with a sl st. (52)

Rnd 5: Work sc, ch 1, sc in ch-1 corner space. Skip a st. *3 sc around ch-2 space, skip 2 sts* 3 times. Repeat from beginning to work around the flower.
Join with a sl st. (48)

Use Hook: H

Row 6: Sl st into ch-1 space. Ch 2 (count as 1st st), turn. 10 hdc, hdc dec (into sc and ch-1 space). (12)

Row 7-23: Ch 2 (count as first st), hdc across. (12)

Finish off and weave in ends.

Join ends with whip st across.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this daisy cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 daisies pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Administrative Professionals' Day, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Flowers, Great as Gifts, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE · Tagged With: , , , , ,

Happy Easter – Bunnies, Bunnies and More Bunnies

March 31, 2013 by ·

Our Bunny Cup Cozies Have Proliferated – Just in Time for Easter!

Bunnies are known to multiply rapidly. And our cup cozies are no exception. Our 4 bunny cozies have turned into a multitude of bunnies!

lots of bunny cozies

bunny bracletInstead of using wine charms at our Easter gathering, we created cup cozies! Not only were these a cheerful table decoration, they also helped people identify their drinks!

The cozies are cute as bracelets and sleeve catchers, too!

This crochet bunny is a free pattern as part of our mason jar series. We love it!

Hoppy Easter!

Filed Under: Animals, Cozy, Cup Cozies, Easter, Great as Gifts, Mason Jar Series · Tagged With: , , , ,

Dirt and Worms Recipe with Leaf Cozy for Earth Day

March 29, 2013 by ·

Dirt and Worms Recipe with Leaf Cozy – an Earth Day Activity

This Dirt and Worms Recipe is a delicious way to celebrate a lot of special days. It is particularly scrumptious for Earth Day, but would be a fun snack for the first day of Spring or Fall, April Fool’s Day, or any rainy day when worms appear from the ground. It’s kid friendly to make and to eat!

Dirt and Worms Recipe

To further dress up the snack, we’ve crocheted a twig and leaf cozy. Change the colors to match the special holiday you’re celebrating. Use bright colors for Spring or Earth tones for Fall. Earth Day calls for the use of recycled yarn…in any color!

Let’s start with the snack. While it sets up we can crochet a leaf cozy.

Dirt and Worms Recipe

dirt and worms in mason jarOur versions of the Dirt and Worms Recipe is a chocolate lovers delight. We’re not diluting the pudding with whipped cream. We want a nice rich dark chocolate colored dirt. This is a quick and simple recipe for kids in the kitchen.

Supplies:

  • 1 – 5.9 oz Instant Pudding and Pie filling – Chocolate (Jello Brand pictured)
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 package Oreo cookies (Double Stuffed pictured)
  • 1 package gummy worms (sour worms pictured)
  • 3 Mason Jars

Pudding and Oreo CrumblesDirections:

  1. Mix pudding according to box.
  2. Pour approximately 1 cup of pudding into each mason jar.
  3. Set aside (or refrigerate if needed) to setup – refrigerate if not using right away.
  4. Place 9 Oreo cookies (3 per serving) into resealable bag and crush with rolling pin or hammer.
  5. Just before serving pudding, sprinkle Oreo crumbs on top of pudding and top with gummy worms.

Earth Day Activity – Crochet Leaf Cozy

Leaf CozyThis leaf cozy is a cute Earth Day activity. Not only is the cozy fun to crochet, but the twig and crocheted leaves are a great reminder of how awesome our planet is. Using recycled yarn makes this an earth friendly activity. Using this cozy instead of disposable coffee cup sleeves is also earth friendly.

This is a great stash buster…which is very earth friendly. We’ve used Vanna’s Choice. There really are too many colors to choose from! We reigned ourselves in with only three cozies.

Skill Level: Easy +

Stitches Used: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet

Techniques Used: Crochet in Rows, Crochet in the Round, Crochet in Back Loop, Crochet in Both Loops

Supplies:

  • Vanna’s Choice: RADIANT YELLOW, RASPBERRY, FERN, KELLY GREEN
  • (Autumn Cozy: Kelly Green, Brick, Chocolate)
  • (Fall Cozy: Eggplant, Terracotta, Fern, Radiant Lime)
  • Mason Jar
  • Twig (4” Length)

Leaf Cozy Instructions

Radiant Yellow

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1: Sc around. (34)

Rnd 2: Sc around. Join and change color to Fern with a sl st. (34)

Rnd 3: Sc around. Join and change color to Raspberry with a sl st into back loop of first st made in this Rnd. (34)

Rnd 4: Work in back loops only. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 5-8: Work in both loops. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 9: Work in both loops. Sc around. Join and change color to Fern with a sl st. (34)

Rnd 10: Sc around. Join and change color to Radiant Yellow with a sl st into back loop of first st made in this Rnd. (34)

Rnd11: Work in back loops only. Sc around. (34)

Rnd 12: Work in both loops. Sc around. (34)

Sl St. Finish off and weave in ends.

Insert twig under any st of Rnd 9.

leaf cup cozies

Leaf Instructions (make 2)

One Fern and One Kelly Green (or colors desired)

Hook: H

Ch 7

Rnd 1: 3dc in 3rd ch from hook (count first two as the first dc), 2 dc in next st, hdc, sc, sl st in last st, ch 3, sl st in third ch from hook. Continue working on the other side of the foundation ch. Sl st in the firs st, sc, hdc, 2 dc in next st, 4 dc in last st. Join with the first dc of this Rnd. (one leaf made)

Finish off leaving a long tail for attaching to cozy.

Attach to twig by tying a bow with the tails from the leaves.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this leaf cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 leaf cozies pictured at the beginning of this post are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Filed Under: Cozy, Cup Cozies, Earth Day, Great as Gifts, Kids Craft, Mason Jar Series, Patterns for FREE, Recipe · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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