Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Making Gel Candles

by

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.

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

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.