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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There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!

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