How To Make A Basic Gel Candle

gel-candles

Candle gel is a unique medium for making candles that offers a different aesthetic compared to traditional wax candles. The transparency of the gel allows for the addition of various objects and decorative elements to be suspended within the candle, creating an eye-catching visual effect. However, many people are unaware of the ingredients that make up this medium. Gel candles are made with a combination of mineral oil and polymer resin, which when mixed together, create a gel-like substance that is perfect for candle making.

The polymer resin is the key ingredient that sets gel candles apart from other types of candles. It is a synthetic material that is added to the mineral oil to create a more solid consistency, enabling the gel to hold its shape when poured into a container. This also allows the gel to burn slower than traditional wax candles, resulting in a longer-lasting candle that will continue to emit a pleasant scent for hours on end.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at making gel candles, there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started. One great resource is Craftbits.com, which provides a comprehensive guide to Gel Candle Making. This guide covers everything you need to know about the materials and tools required for the process, as well as step-by-step instructions for creating your own beautiful and unique gel candles.

Gel candles are a fun and creative way to add some personality and style to your home decor. You can add anything from shells to colorful marbles to the gel to create a beautiful and unique centerpiece for any occasion. Additionally, gel candles are also a great option for those who want to experiment with different scents and essential oils to create a custom fragrance that suits their taste.

However, one of the challenges of making gel candles is the need to find the right containers that are compatible with the medium. The glass jars used for traditional wax candles may not be suitable for gel candles, as they can crack or shatter due to the heat generated by the burning gel. Therefore, it’s important to choose containers that are specifically designed for gel candles, which are typically made of heat-resistant materials such as tempered glass.

In summary, gel candle making is a fascinating and rewarding hobby that offers a unique creative outlet. With a little bit of practice and experimentation, you can create your own stunning gel candles that will impress your friends and family. So why not give it a try and see where your creativity takes you?

Craftbits.com has all the details and you can learn the basics of Gel Candle Making here.

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You probably know by now if you’re a regular reader (and if you’re not, welcome!) that I love a knitting pattern that’s a little silly or a little different from the usual. Classic patterns are great, too, but sometimes you just want to make something with a bit of whimsy. And when it’s super functional, too, that’s even better.

That’s the case with the Bananen-Socken pattern from Susanne Shahin. These banana socks are one of those patterns no one seems to be totally sure where it came from, and this free pattern on Ravelry explains how she makes them based on how she learned it.

It’s a sock that’s curved and when not on a foot it looks rather like a banana. There’s no heel, and you can use whatever number of stitches you need to make it fit your foot. If you’ve knit enough socks to know how many stitches you like you can just use that number, or the pattern notes include sizing charts to help. (It needs to be multiples of 2 for the ribbing.)

After working a traditional cuff, the body is made with ribbing on the back and welts (or what the pattern calls horizontal ribbing) on the front, which is what gives it the curved shape. There’s no heel, but there is toe shaping, but for the leg and the foot you just keep working the same pattern as long as you like.

I’m a little skeptical about how these socks will feel with ribbing on the bottom of the foot, but I’m definitely intrigued and will probably give them a try.

The pattern notes are available on Ravelry in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. If you head to the pattern page you can see a photo of what it looks like on a foot, and it just looks like a normal sock.

Have you ever knit banana socks or do you want to now? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[Photo: Susanne Shahin]

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