Archives for December 2012

Cake in a Jar Recipe and Crochet Cupcake Cozy

Turtle Cake in a Jar Recipe and Crochet Cupcake Cozy

This turtle cake in a jar recipe is extremely rich and moist. Truth be told…I don’t really like cake….but I request this chocolatey deliciousness every year for my birthday. It is so rich, you will definitely need a tall glass of white milk to go with it.

cake in a jar recipe

Speaking of birthdays, we’re dressing up this jar with a crochet cupcake cozy! It’s perfect for any special occasion where cupcakes are served (like birthdays). Cakes in a jar for everyone with the person of honor getting a snazzy cupcake cozy as well.

Let’s start with the cake and wrap it up with a crocheted cozy.

NOTE: We are not canning cake…simply serving cake in jars.

Turtle Cake in a Jar Recipe

INGREDIENTS AND SUPPLIES:

  • 1 Betty Crocker Super Moist Milk Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 14 oz. Caramels
  • 1 cup Evaporated milk
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 8 pint size canning jars

DIRECTIONS:

step two of cake1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease all sides of inside of jar with cooking spray. Spread jars evenly on a cookie sheeet (for ease of taking them in and out of the oven.)

3. Mix cake batter according to cake mix directions.

4. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into each jar. Wipe away any batter that’s on the sides of the jar.

5. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

6. Melt Caramels and milk together in a pot on low temperature, stirring constantly.

baked cake7. Pour 1/4 cup of caramel and milk mixture into each jar.

8. Sprinkle 1/8 cup of chocolate chips into each jar.

9. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into each jar. Wipe away any batter that’s on the ides of the jar.

10. Bake for 25 minutes or until done.

11. Allow to cool completely before serving.

NOTE: To learn about canning foods, visit the National Center for Home Food Presevation. Read why the University of Georgia does not recommend canning (preservation) of cakes.

Cake in a Jar Crochet Cupcake Cozy

Now we’re ready to crochet a cupcake cozy for the cake in a jar. Bright colors work great for this project. This is a great stash buster, too. We’ve used a colorful selection of Vanna’s Choice.

3 Cupcake Cozies

In addition to being fun for birthdays, a cake in a jar makes a tasty gift idea for teacher, women’s retreats, bridal showers and more. The cupcake cozy can even be used as a coffee cup sleeve!

SUPPLIES:

  • Pint size canning jar
  • Vanna’s Choice Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight (4)
    CHOCOLATE, RASPBERRY, RADIANT LIME, RADIANT YELLOW, AQUA, CRANBERRY, WHITE
  • Crochet Hook: H, F
  • Yarn Needle

COZY INSTRUCTIONS

Chocolate

Hook: H

Ch 8

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Hdc across. (6)

Row 2-22: Ch 2, turn. Hdc in back loops only across. (6)

Row 23: Turn to side of Rows 1-22. Work 34 sc across. (34)

Row 24: Fold cozy in half and join Row 22 to foundation ch with sl st across. (6)

Finish off and weave in ends.

CUPCAKE INSTRUCTIONS

cupcake close upRaspberry

Hook: H

Attach Raspberry to any st.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc around. Join with a sl st. (34)

Rnd 2: Working in the back loop only, sc around. (34)

Rnd 3-5: Working in both loops now and until specified, sc around. (34)

Rnd 6: 33 sc, sl st. (34)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Attach Raspberry to any front loop of Rnd 2. Hold your work so that the Raspberry is closest to you and the Chocolate  farthest away from you. This way the shell st you are about to work will lay flat.

Rnd 7: Working in the front loop only: Ch 2, 5 dc in same st, *skip a st, sl st, skip a st, 6 dc in next st* Eight times. skip a st, sl st into base of ch 2. (62)

Finish off and weave in ends.

CHERRY INSTRUCTIONS (make 2)

Cranberry

Hook: F

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 8 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Sc around. (8)

Sl st. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pin then sew cherry to cupcake. Pull tail out the top. Tie a knot about 1 ½” away from cherry. Trim yarn at knot. This represents the cherry stem.
  2. Tie little knots of yarn around the cupcake to represent sprinkles. Ours are Radiant Yellow, Radiant Green, Aqua, White, and Chocolate. Trim to desired length.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this cupcake cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

All 3 cupcakes pictured above are in this ebook! AND the ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe & Crochet Jar Cozy

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe & Crochet Jar Cozy

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe and Recipe CozyWe’ve cooked up this Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds recipe with coordinating Tuxedo Jar Cozy…’cause it’s party time!

And we have a video! (below the recipe)

It’s a little nutty, but we love these tuxedo almonds. They’ll definitely dress up your special occasions. They’re perfect for New Year’s Eve parties, Weddings, Anniversaries or any event where you want to impress your guests.

Let’s start by covering the almonds with chocolate…so they can cool while you crochet.

Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

  • 16 oz Whole Natural Almonds (unsalted)
  • 12 oz Almond Bark – Chocolate
  • 12 oz Almond Bark – Vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

1st Step – Vanilla Shirts

Melt 4 oz of Vanilla Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Holding an almond at the widest end, dip into Vanilla Almond Bark. Scrape excess off back. Lay on parchment paper to cool and harden. Make as many as desired.

2nd Step – Chocolate Jackets

Almonds Dressed UpMelt 4 oz of Chocolate Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Holding the Vanilla coated almond at the widest end, dip the side edge of the almond into the Chocolate Almond Bark, turn and dip the other side edge. Scrape excess off back. Lay on parchment paper to cool and harden.

3rd Step – Bow Ties and Buttons

Melt 4 oz of Chocolate Almond Bark in microwave (stirring every 30 seconds). Pour Chocolate Almond Bark into a sandwich bag (to act as a cake decorating icing bag). Twist bag to lock chocolate into corner. With scissors, cut off a tiny bit of the corner (as small as you can). Squeeze bag and practice making bow ties and buttons on a scrap of parchment paper. When you are happy with the look, create bow ties and buttons on the almonds.

Cool for a couple of hours (in refrigerator if needed).

tuxedo almonds step by step photo

Creating Bow Ties

How to Make a Bow TieLightly squeeze bag as you create bow tie following the arrows. Stop squeezing at the bottom of the right most arrow. As you pull up and away from the almond, move the bag toward the start of the bow tie (top left).

Creating Buttons

Do no squeeze bag. Simply tap bag to surface of almond and pull straight up. This should leave a dab of Chocolate.

Video: Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds
Click the image below to watch

If you’re having trouble seeing it here, check out Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds on YouTube. The crochet pattern for the snazzy tuxedo jar cozy is below.

The Tuxedo Chocolate Covered Almonds Jar Cozy

Now you need a tuxedo jar cozy for the chocolate covered almonds. These are fun to crochet and will jazz up any party or gift. Crochet a top hat for an extra touch of class!

The cozy and hat are crocheted in the round. The shirt details are crocheted separately and sewn on…as is the hat ribbon.

This is a great stash buster. We are using Vanna’s Choice yarn because we think the Charcoal Grey looks snazzy next to the Black and White.

SUPPLIES:

  • 1 Pint size canning jar
  • Vanna’s Choice: Medium Worsted Weight (4)
  • BLACK, WHITE, CHARCOAL GREY
  • Crochet Hook: H, F
  • Yarn Needle

TUXEDO COZY INSTRUCTIONS:

Tuxedo Crochet Jar Cozy

Black

Hook: H

Ch 34, join with a sl st.

Rnd 1-12: Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Finish off and weave in end.

WHITE SHIRT INSTRUCTIONS:

White

Hook: H

Ch 2

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook. (1)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc inc. (2)

Row 3: Turn. Sc inc twice. (4)

Row 4: Turn. Sc inc, 2 sc, sc inc. (6)

Row 5: Turn. Sc across. (6)

Row 6: Turn. Sc inc, 4 sc, sc inc. (8)

Row 7: Turn. 3 sc, 2 sl st, 3 sc. (8)

Row 8: Turn. Sc inc, 2 sc, 2 sl st, 2 sc, sc inc. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. (10)

Sew white shirt to the front of the cozy with row 8 sticking out above the top of the cozy.

TUX LAPEL INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: F

LEFT LAPEL

Ch 13

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook, dc inc, 3 hdc, 3 sc, 2 sl st, ch 1. (11)

Finish off leaving tail for sewing.

Pin then sew over the left edge of the white Shirt and on the cozy.

RIGHT LAPEL

Ch 13

Row 1: Dc in fourth ch from hook, dc inc, 3 hdc, 3 sc, 2 sl st, ch 3. (14)

Finish off leaving tail for sewing.

Pin then sew right lapel over the right edge of the white shirt with the last 3 ch stitches sewn vertically to represent the jacket opening.

TIE & BUTTONS INSTRUCTIONS:

Black

Hook: H

Ch 6

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 4 sc. (5)

Row 2: Turn. Sc across. Finish off. Cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. (5)

Using tail, wrap yarn around the middle of the tie and pull tight. Secure with a knot. Sew tie to white shirt below the sl sts on row 7. Weave in ends.

Whip stitch two buttons below bow tie with black yarn. Weave in ends.

TOP HAT INSTRUCTIONS:

Tuxedo and Hat Crochet PatternBlack

Hook: H

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Sc inc around. (16)

Rnd 3: *1 sc, sc inc* around. (24)

Rnd 4: *2 sc, sc inc* around. (32)

Rnd 5: *3 sc, sc inc* around. (40)

Rnd 6: Work in back loops only. *3 sc, sc dec* around. (32)

Rnd 7-12: Work in both loops. Sc around. Add more rounds for a taller top hat. (32)

Rnd 13: Work in front loops only. *3 sc, sc inc* around. (40)

Rnd 14: Work in both loops. *4 sc, sc inc* around. (48)

Rnd 15: *5 sc, sc inc* around. (56)

Rnd 16: *Sc inc, sc, sc inc, 3 sc* 3 times, 7 sc. Repeat from beginning. (62)

Add more rounds for a larger bill.

Finish off and weave in end.

TOP HAT RIBBON INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: H

Ch 34

Rnd 1: Join with a sc. Sc around. (34)

Join with a sl st. Finish off and weave in ends.

TOP HAT BOW INSTRUCTIONS:

Charcoal Grey

Hook: H

Ch 6

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 4 sc. (5)

Row 2: Turn. Sc across. (5)

Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using tail, wrap yarn around the middle of the tie and pull tight. Secure with a knot.

Sew tie to Top Hat Ribbon.

Slide Ribbon on Top Hat. Secure if needed.

More Cozies in Store

coffee cup cozy patterns ebookLove this tuxedo cozy? There are more seasonal, holiday and just for fun cozies in the store in our Crochet Cup Cozy eBook. We’ve created an entire collection with 28 designs one ebook.

Looking for the cup and mug version? They’re in the ebook.

Each design in the ebook has instructions to fit Mugs, Cups and Mason Jars. Every design has a delicious recipe or fun craft.

The ebook includes 4 new designs – Dracula, Vampire, Mummy and Blue Jeans.

Available in the StoreRead more about the set:

Blog: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

Store: Coffee Cup Cozy Collection

 

Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern

Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern

santa hatThis free crochet Santa hat pattern is festive and fun. It’s one-size-fits-all, fitting both men and women! Per my husband’s request, we crocheted ours in green. (Caution: someone called him a Grinch because his hat is green!)

This hat is perfect for office parties, wearing at school and even as a warm winter hat! Crochet in red for a traditional look or go wild and crazy with an untraditional color that makes you feel the most jolly.

Santa (and the Grinch) wears a red and white hat. Elves wear green and white or green and red hats.

Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern Details

The ribbed brim on this free Santa Hat pattern makes the hat naturally adjust to various sizes of heads. Though designed for a man (with 23” head), I’m often seen around town wearing this hat.

The pattern is worked from the bottom up in half double crochet with decreases each round.

Add a 3” pom pom to the top and you’re ready for Christmas!

Free Crochet Santa Hat Pattern Available Now

Just in time for the holidays! The free crochet Santa hat pattern is available in the store or on the Free Crochet Patterns page.

Ho, ho, ho….and Merry Christmas!

FREE Patterns