How to Crochet a Tealight Lantern Cover

Leah King is a country girl born and bred. Growing up in Ceduna South Australia, she relocated just down the road to Streaky Bay after meeting her now husband. “We have one daughter who is 6 and an absolute delight, fun, feisty & fearless” she says. A registered nurse by day, she works locally and occasionally does some remote nursing. Today we are sharing one of her fantastic crochet patterns – how to crochet a tealight lantern cover. She has a number of creations and we will be sharing a couple, so stay tuned for more. Leah says she finds crochet a fabulous way to unwind after a challenging shift!

Leah started crocheting 3 years ago when her family was travelling around Australia in their van. “I wanted to make a market bag and it took me about 4 weeks” she explains. “I borrowed a ‘how to crochet’ book from the library and I was hooked!”. Leah found that she could read and understand patterns almost straight away – so she moved on to more challenging projects quickly.

With a preference for working with natural fibres; wool, cotton, hemp, linen, silk, as well as unusual or recycled yarn, Leah recently made a big outdoor mat using ‘telstra’ rope. “I am easily bored so I am constantly seeking new patterns and designs, particularly in clothing” she says. “My wardrobe is slowly being taken over by dresses”.
With a small online presence on Instagram and Facebook, Leah takes orders online via enquiry. She attends the local markets each year and has a great deal of support locally, selling out at her last two markets. You can view her work on Facebook – ‘Snakewood and Grace’  – or Instagram @snakewoodandgrace. She is in the early stages of setting up a web page and blog which she hopes to add more to as soon as time and work permits.

The first pattern  she is sharing with us today is  this crochet lantern tutorial – which is basically recycling old jars and turning them into beautiful lanterns. It is pitched at advanced beginner level and includes step by step instructions. We will share the gorgeous Audrey Dress (below) pattern soon.

Crochet Lantern tutorial

Leah has used a 2.75mm hook and 4ply cotton for this pattern

1. Chain 5, join with slip stitch (ss) into first chain to form ring.

2. 12 single crochet (sc) into ring, join with ss into first sc.

3. Chain 4, *double crochet in to next stitch, chain 1*, repeat from * to * to end. Slip stitch into 3rd chain of starting chain.

4. Slip stitch into chain space. Chain 1, single crochet in same space. *chain 3, single crochet in next space* repeat from * to * to end. Omit last SC, slip stitch into starting SC.

5. Slip stitch into chain space. Chain 1, single crochet in same space. *chain 4, single crochet in next space* repeat from * to * to end. Omit last SC, slip stitch into starting SC.
6. Continue each round as per round 5 but increasing by an extra chain each round until the motif is almost the size of your jar bottom. (Ie, 4ch loops, next round 5ch loops, next round 6ch loops).

7. Once your motif is almost the size of the jar bottom, continue the following rounds with the same amount of chains in your loops. In other words, stop increasing. If you ended with 6 chain loops that’s how you will continue. This makes the ‘sides’ of your lantern. Continue to work In rounds as above until your work Is almost the height of your jar.

8. Slip stitch into chain space, chain 2. Half double crochet into each chain space one less stitch than in the chain loop. Ie. if your chain loops had 6 chains, you will work 5 HDC in each space. Slip stitch into 2nd chain of start chain.
9. Now squeeze your jar into your lantern. If it’s too tight and won’t fit, undo the last round and repeat it with the jar in. 
10. With your jar in place, chain 1, sc in same stitch. Sc In next 2 stitches, then SC 2 together. *SC in next 3 stitches, SC 2 together.* rpt from * to * to end.
11. If your lantern is still loose around the top, repeat round 10. Bind off, weave in ends.
12.Pop in your tea light. I recommend putting sand in your jar, or blu tak in the bottom of your tea light to prevent it slipping around. If the flame heats up the glass there is a risk of it breaking, so please be careful. 12v tealights are available from spotlight and are a safe alternative.

*updated post from 2016