Knitted Jar Covers

Knitted Jar Covers by Angela Keeler

What Is Being Made

These knitted jar covers are decorative accessories designed to fit over standard jars, measuring 26cm (10 inches) long and 18cm (7 inches) wide when completed. Created by designer Angela Keeler in 2021, these covers combine practical function with colorful knitted detail, making them ideal for personalizing kitchen storage or gift-giving.

Craft and Techniques

This project uses knitting as the primary craft technique. The pattern employs fundamental knitting methods including casting on, working in the round or flat, and color work techniques. The design incorporates stranded colorwork, where multiple yarn colors are carried across rows to create decorative patterning, specifically alternating between Ladybird and Pink yarn colors in a repeating motif.

The cover construction uses stocking stitch as the primary fabric structure, which is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates the characteristic smooth, V-patterned fabric commonly used in garment and accessory knitting. The pattern also includes ribbed stitching at the opening, worked as a knit-one, purl-one pattern to create elasticity and a finished edge.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – worked in alternation with knit stitches to create stocking stitch
• Ribbing (k1, p1) – elastic rib pattern used for the opening edge
• Stocking stitch – five-row sections creating the smooth main fabric body
• Stranded colorwork – carrying two colors across rows to create the Ladybird and Pink patterned design

Materials and Tools

This intermediate-level project requires 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles for working with DK weight yarn. The yarn used is Hayfield Bonus DK in two colors: Ladybird (the primary color) and Pink (the contrast color for the colorwork pattern). DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works at a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm (4 inches).

Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and finishing, and thin card cut to 7cm (2.5 inches) by 2.5cm (1 inch), which likely serves as a stiffening element or base support for the finished cover.

Pattern Structure

The pattern begins with casting on 60 stitches and establishes a ribbed opening with knit-one, purl-one stitching across two rows. The main body features alternating sections of stocking stitch and colorwork. The colorwork pattern repeats a motif of one Ladybird stitch followed by four Pink stitches across the row, creating a regular striped or dotted effect. The pattern then returns to solid Ladybird stocking stitch before transitioning to Pink stocking stitch sections. This structured approach creates visual interest while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters have mastery of basic stitches and are comfortable working with color changes and managing multiple yarn colors within a single project. The stranded colorwork technique requires attention to tension and yarn management, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginner level.