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Making Gel Candles

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gel candlesI found detailed guides to creating gel candles at Gel Candle Making.com

They share some useful tips and busted some myths, exaggerations and horror stories. One email in particular has been circulating and has now been deemed as an urban legend. It includes stories about toilets blowing up and exploding gel candles which seems to be a slight exaggeration. Some polar fragrance oils can separate from gel and form pockets which can then possibly flare up so using the proper fragrance oil is important.

Although candles don’t really explode, if the glass isn’t thick enough it could possibly shatter after being overheated for too long. See Making Gel Candles section on gel candle horror stories for more information.

Although Making Gel Candles guides are broken into sections, it would be a good idea to read all of them before beginning.

Section 1 is all about Gel and includes what it’s made out of and what type you need. Section 2 explains the equipment needed which is typical traditional candle making equipment but a Presto Kitchen Kettle is suggested instead of a double boiler. This is much easier anyway and also has a temperature control which is safer. I haven’t made gel candles so a new piece of equipment that looked unfamiliar was metal knitting needles or a metal spoon for stirring. Section 3 includes a little bit of information on dyes. Section 4 is about fragrances which is important because they have to be non-polar and above a certain flash point. There is a lot of useful information here including a test for polarity if you want to see if your fragrance is safe for gel. Section 5 has some information on wicks and which wicks to use. Section 6 is on embeds and includes suggestions on non-flammable items to use. Section 7 is on technical info, 8 is on product testing and 9 has a well organized safe gel check list.

It’s an informative site and a good source of information for the beginning geller.

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Coffee Cozy Knitting Patterns

During the summer (which is what it is where I am writing from) I like to share patterns for things that you can knit and use even when it’s warm out. And sometimes they are things you can use when it’s cold, too, like this collection of coffee cup cozies. Because hot coffee is a must almost any time of year. 

This simple pattern form Darling Jadore is a great one for beginners and could be a good first knitting in the round project. It uses worsted weight yarn and includes video tutorials if you need extra help. 

If you want a perfectly plain cozy that you can jazz up with your own designs, check out the Base Doodle Cup Cozy from Jamie Lomax. This free pattern on Ravelry comes in two sizes (short and long) and is meant to be used with her doodle charts to make it your own. You could also keep it plain, add stripes or design your own motifs to stitch on it. 

Most coffee cozy patterns that I see are just sleeves meant to go over travel mugs, but what if your mug has a handle? This pattern from Stacey’s Knit Wits has an I-cord loop and button so you can use it on a mug with a handle or a travel cup. It uses DK weight yarn.

Coffee cozies are a fun way to play with stitch patterns and learn new techniques. If you’ve never knit cables before, this cozy from Purple Wool Co. would be a great first cable project, as it features simple braided cables all the way around. It uses worsted weight yarn and is worked in the round. 

Try double knitting to make an extra-insulating coffee cozy with this pattern from Tracy Leming. It includes little color changes so you can get the concept of how double knitting works on a small scale. It also can include a little pocket for a tea bag if you want. This one uses worsted weight yarn and is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Or try stranded knitting with the Love in the Air cozy from Danielle Thuen. It features hearts of different sizes and is worked in sock yarn. You’ll need to make sure those floats are nice and loose so it will stretch to hug your cup. You can find this pattern on Ravelry. 

They’re also a fun way to add a bit of flair to an otherwise plain cup. KnitnKaboodle Designs has this lovely leaf-shaped cozy pattern, which you could use for hot or cold beverages by changing up the fiber you choose (that’s pretty much always true). It is made in pieces that are stitched together and can be worked in a single color or choose different colors for each leaf.