How to Make Ice Candles

Winter is a magical time of year, with its glistening snow and frost-covered landscapes. It’s the perfect time to cozy up by the fire and enjoy the warmth of candles. If you’re looking for a unique candle-making project to try this winter, why not make ice candles?

Ice candles are made by pouring hot wax over ice, creating a beautiful and delicate lacy effect. The ice melts as the wax hardens, leaving behind a unique and stunning candle. Here’s how to make your own ice candles. See How to Make Candles at Taste of Home for full instructions.

Materials:

Candle wax (paraffin, soy, or beeswax)
Candle wicks
Ice (in various sizes and shapes)
Double boiler
Thermometer
Fragrance oil (optional)
Candle dye (optional)
Instructions:

Melt the wax
Begin by melting your candle wax in a double boiler. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the wax, and keep it between 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use paraffin wax, soy wax, or beeswax, depending on your preference.

Prepare the ice
While the wax is melting, prepare your ice. You can use ice cubes, crushed ice, or larger ice blocks, depending on the size and shape of the candle you want to make. Place the ice in a container or mold, leaving a space in the center for the wick.

Add fragrance and color (optional)
If you want to add fragrance or color to your candle, you can do so now. Add a few drops of fragrance oil to the melted wax and stir well. You can also add candle dye to achieve the desired color.

Insert the wick
Once the wax has reached the desired temperature and consistency, insert the wick into the center of the ice mold. Make sure the wick is straight and centered.

Pour the wax
Carefully pour the melted wax over the ice, making sure to cover it completely. The hot wax will melt the ice, creating a beautiful and unique lace effect. Make sure to pour slowly and evenly to avoid creating air bubbles.

Let the candle cool and harden
Once you have poured the wax, let the candle cool and harden completely. This may take several hours, depending on the size and shape of the candle. You can speed up the process by placing the candle in the refrigerator or freezer.

Remove the candle from the mold
Once the candle has hardened, you can remove it from the mold. Gently break away the ice, being careful not to damage the delicate lace effect. Trim the wick to the desired length.

Enjoy your new ice candle!

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns!

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil.

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn.

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point.

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up.

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.

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