National Iced Tea Day!

My morning iced tea, because it's National Iced Tea Day, Dynamos!

What? You did not know that iced tea is the official beverage of CrochetDynamite.com?  It's true.  I'm obsessed with it.  

The cool part about my obsession is that I want you to be obsessed too!  So I made you a present!

Hemp Mason Jar Cover 

Supplies:

A ball of Fine Hemp Twine (I bought mine at Joanns in the beading section. It's with the macrame stuff. )

Size D crochet hook

1/8" Ribbon (I used turquoise, but you can use any color that makes your heart sing! I used about 30 inches, because it's easier to tie a bow with too long ribbon, then cut it too short to begin with and have a too-small, weird-looking bow...)

R1: 13 sc in a magic loop, pull tight and sl st into first sc to close round (13 st)

R2: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, sc) 6 times, 2 sc in next st, sl st into first sc to close round (20 st)

R3: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 2 sc) 6 times, 2 sc in next st, sc, sl st into first sc to close round (27 st)

R4: ch 1, (2 sc in next st, 3 sc) 6 times, 2 sc in next st, sc, 2 sc in next st, sl st into first sc to close round (35 st)

R5: ch 1, (2 hdc in next st, 4 hdc) 7 times, sl st into first hdc to close round (42 st)

R6: ch 1, (2 hdc in next st, 5 hdc) 7 times, sl st into first hdc to close round (49 st)

R7: ch 1, (2 hdc in next st, 6 hdc) 7 times, sl st into first hdc to close round (56 st)

R8-12: ch 1, hdc in each st around, sl st into first hdc to close round (56 st)

R13: ch 2, dc in each st around, sl st into first dc to close round (56 st)

R14-15: ch 1, hdc in each st around, sl st into first hdc to close round (56 st)

Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Fold the ribbon in half, and use your crochet hook to weave the doubled ribbon through the posts of the dc row (R13). Tie in a bow!  Trim the ends so that they look cute.  You can run a match, or lighter, over the cut edges to seal them so that they won't fray.

A brief observation about working with hemp fibers:

Crocheting with hemp is not like crocheting with cotton or bamboo fibers.  It's rough.  Your stitches won't be even.  The thread/cord itself isn't smooth and even.  It smells like hay.  It's really stiff.

BUT, it looks super cool.  The uneven stitches make it look handcrafted and expensive.  It smells like summertime.  Just use some hand lotion afterwards and you will be good to go. 

I have made a lot of mason jar covers.  I think this one turned out just perfect.  I am in love...  

Also:

Perfect Mason Jar Iced Tea (updated 1/7/13 to make it even better! )

Using a quart sized mason jar, add 3 tea bags to 2 cups of water, plus a pinch of baking soda (! I know, right?!  The baking soda keeps it from tasting bitter!  But only use a tiny pinch, a little goes a long way. Try it, it's amazing) .  Microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Let it sit an additional 2 minutes in the microwave to steep, so you don't burn your fingers.  Pull it out very carefully. Discard the tea bags.  Add ice to fill the mason jar. Add additional water to fill jar to the top if necessary.  Put your lid and your jar cover on, and you're good to go for the day!  

Have a really, really awesome Iced Tea Day!!

xoxo