by Julia Schwartz

Photos: Julia Schwartz

Were you aware that you could paint your cotton projects? This is a simple project that does just that. The jar cover can be a quick gift idea, and any jar can be repurposed into a fabulous candle holder. The jar cover is made with cotton so it soaks up paint and makes a bold statement for the holidays.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: One Size

Finished Measurements: 4.5 x 5 inches (folded over)

Materials:

• Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet (Size 10); [100% Cotton, 400 yds/336m per ball] less than 1 ball.
• Size 6 steel hook
• Water
• Water color pencils
• Wax paper
• Jar

Gauge: 8 sts/8 rows = 1″ in sc

Directions:

Rnd 1: Ch 5; sl st in beginning ch to form a loop. Ch 1, make 12 sc in loop, sl st in first sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), [dc, ch 3 (also counts at a dc here and throughout this row) sl st] in same st. *Sl st in next 2 sts, (dc, ch 3, sl st) in same st.* Repeat * to * 4 more times. (6 groups of 3 dc) Sl st in next 2 sp and up the first dc.

Rnd 3: Ch 3; dc in same sp, make 2 dc in next 2 st, ch 1. *Make 2 dc in the next 3 st, ch 1.* Repeat * to * 5 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 – 6 dc groups)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 st. Ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1. *Dc2tog, dc in the next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1. Repeat * to * 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 leaves and 6 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ddc2tog in next st, ch 2, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2. *Make 2 dc2tog in the next 4 st, ch 2, make 3 dc in the next dc, ch 2.* Repeat * to * 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 4 and 6 groups of 3 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ch 3, 2 dc in the next 3 dc, ch 3. *Dc2tog, ch 3, make 2 dc in the next 3 dc, ch 3. Repeat * to * 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 2 and 6 groups of 6 dc)

Rnd 7: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2); sc in next sp, ch 2. Dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2. *Dc in dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next st, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in sp, ch 2.* Repeat * to * 4 more times, sl st in beg dc.

Rnd 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1. *(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice. 2 dc2tog, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 2 times, ch 3.* Repeat * to * 5 more times, sl st into beg st.

Rnd 9: Sl st into sp, ch 1. *(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice, dc2tog in dc, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 3 times, ch 3.* Repeat * to * 5 more times, sl st into beginning st. Finish off. Weave in ends.

For band:

Row 1: Insert hook at any dc2tog. Sl st, ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, sc in next sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 5 times, ch 2, sc in next st.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, sc in 2 ch-sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 6 times, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, ch 2, sc in next sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 5 times, ch 2, sc in next st.

Rows 4-23: Repeat rows 2 and 3.

Row 24: Ch 1, turn, grab opposite end of poinsettia and sc in both Row 23 and dc2tog. (Ch 3, sc in next sp of poinsettia, ch 3, sc in next sp of Row 23.) Repeat till you come to the next dc2tog; sc. Finish off.

Weave in your ends.

Finishing: To paint your flower, get your jar cover damp. Put wax paper between the poinsettia and the band. Using watercolor pencils, color your Poinsettia, using the pictures as your guide. With a damp cloth carefully rub in the colors to blend it all together; set it out to dry.

About the Designer
Julia Schwartz just recently moved to Toronto Canada so her husband could continue his schooling. She loves crafting and creating. Usually she finds crochet the most enjoyable. She likes to think outside the box and find new solutions to patterns. She also has one daughter who just started Junior Kindergarten, so Julia is now finding new ways to fill up her day. If you would like to keep up with Julia and her family you can visit her at her blog which is designsbydiligence.blogspot.com .

Pattern & images © Julia Schwartz. All rights reserved.