When it comes to crafting around the holidays, my favorite projects are easy, quick, and can be broken down into bite-sized pieces. Bonus points if they’re crafts the kiddos can help with.
This one ticks all those boxes. You can paint the snowman in between batches of cookies and crochet the hat and scarf while watching a few minutes of a Lifetime holiday movie.
A mason jar snowman would make a really cute gift for teachers or your kiddos could make them for family members. There’s a no-crochet alternative so even if you don’t crochet, you can still make an adorable snowman!
The LED mini light sets are pretty bright, so this would even make a cute night light in your kiddo’s room.
Materials Needed:
- Quart sized mason jar
- White, black, and orange craft acrylic paint
- Large flat paintbrush and small pointed paintbrush (I used a size 8 round)
- Clear acrylic spray
- Mini LED light set and batteries
- Small amount of worsted weight yarn (I used I Love This Yarn in Forest and a red Red Heart With Love) OR a scrap of fabric big enough to cut a 6 inch circle and a 1” x 21” rectangle
- Size I crochet hook
- Small Clover pom pom maker
- Scissors and a yarn needle
Step One: Paint Your Mason Jar Snowman
- Start by painting the mason jar white. Before you start painting, take a deep breath and let go of perfection. You don’t want a thick, even coat of paint because the lights won’t shine through. Being able to see the brush strokes give your snowman lots of interesting texture. It helps to hold the jar around the rim and paint from the bottom of the jar to the rim of the jar, and then let it dry upside-down.
- Next, paint the snowman’s face. For the eyes you could trace a dime if you’re not comfortable painting freehand. My eyes are on the 600 mL mark, and the mouth is painted just above the line for 300 mL. The carrot nose is basically a long triangle with a rounded end, and is centered between the eyes and mouth. Your circles and dots don’t have to be perfect, because snowmen’s eyes and mouth are made out of coal which isn’t perfectly round either. ?
- After your paint has dried, seal with paint with a light coat of clear acrylic spray.
Step Two: Crochet a Hat to Keep Your Snowman Warm
Hdc inc = make two hdc into same stitch
- Begin with a magic loop.
- Sc 6 into magic loop (6)
- Pull ring tightly closed, and then hdc inc around (12)
- {hdc 1, hdc inc} around (18)
- {hdc 2, hdc inc} around (24)
- {hdc 3, hdc inc} around (30)
- {hdc 4, hdc inc} around (36)
- Hdc around for 3 rows
- {hdc 5, hdc inc} around (42)
- Hdc around for 2 rows
- Break yarn and weave in ends.
- Make a pom pom for the hat and attach it, using your pom pom maker or by following these instructions,
Step Three: Crochet a Scarf for Your Snowman
- Ch 6
- Beginning in 2nd chain from hook, dc 4 across (the turning chain does not count as a stitch)
- {ch 2, turn, dc 4 across}
- Repeat row 3 for 40 rows or until your scarf is approximately 21 inches long.
- Break yarn and weave in ends.
- Cut 8 4-inch lengths of yarn for scarf fringe. Attach it by inserting hook through an end stitch, pulling a fringe loop through, and then pulling the two ends of the fringe through that loop.
Alternate Instructions if Using Fabric:
- Cut a 6 inch circle (I traced around a cereal bowl) and a 1 inch by 21 inch piece of fabric. To make it easier to get the hat on, I placed a rubber band around the fabric before I tied a length of string and made a bow. Tie the long strip of fabric around the jar to make a scarf.
All that’s left to do is to help your snowman get dressed, place the lights inside, and turn them on.
I hope you enjoy your new mason jar snowman friend!
Until next time,
-Jen @ www.jensalittleloopy.com
So cute! I love it 🙂
Aw, what a cute idea. I really like how it looks with the lights on!
-Lauren
#creativemondays
So adorable! Thank you for linking up to More The Merrier Monday.
Jamie
http://diyhsh.com/
These are adorable! I’m always looking for fun and easy crafts to do with my boys. Pinned.
these are so super cute, love the idea of keeping them as nightlight
I love this, especially with the added crochet hats.
I love this, especially with the added crochet hats.