Day Of The Rhubarb!!!

Apologies for the lack of updates but its a busy time of year for us. Between raising 3 kidlets, sowing seeds and hatching chooks its been a manic and enjoyable time.
A brief lull in the mayhem has allowed us to have a relaxed, chilled out weekend but a productive one nonetheless.
Our neighbours were kind enough to give us loads of rhubarb this week. Its a firm favourite in here. The kids instantly demanded rhubarb crumble on seeing it arrive!
So yesterday was Day Of The Rhubarb! We made rhubarb, ginger and chilli chutney and of course crumble for after dinner. We then prepared the rhubarb in a large bowl ready for jam making today which we completed this morning and the husband is...I mean, the kids are anxiously awaiting it to cool!
I began to think about all the uses for the produce we had created and with the end of term looming (end of June here in Northern Ireland) I began thinking that the jam and chutney would make perfect gifts for teachers.
We like to give them homemade/grown gifts as they are more personal and cost effective to shop bought.
For Easter for example we gave all the female teachers bunches of flowers cut from our garden and male teachers tomato plants that the kids had grown.
So with this in mind, the jam jars needed jazzing up. Finn suggested making hats for the jars so my creative money saving head went into action. I went onto Google and found lots of ideas. We loved the crocheted ones the best so I sat down with my hook and yarn and came up with this:

Chain 3, work 12 double crochet into the 3rd chain from hook, join with a slipped stitch to the top of your chain 3.
Chain 2, work 1 double crochet into the first stitch, 2 double crochet into the second stitch and continue this pattern around, join with a slipped stitch.
Do this for another 2 rounds.
Chain2, work 1 double crochet into each stitch around, join.
Chain 2, work 2 double crochet into each stitch around, join.
Chain2, work 1 double crochet into each stitch around, join and finish off.
Thread some ribbon or yarn around the 5th round (1 double crochet in each stitch round)

Alternate your colours as you please, to match your kitchen, a friends favourite colours etc. Whatever takes your fancy.
Once you have completed your first 4 rounds try it out for size on your jam jar, you may need to include another increase round if your jar is bigger.
And here you have it,

The finished product!

I love it and think it has changed an ordinary jar into something original, beautiful and perfect for a gift. What do you think?

If you love these but cant crochet then don't panic, we have sets of three for sale on our website www.nice-life.co.uk

Keep an eye on our blog post over the coming days as I will begin to fill you in on all the nutty goings ons at Nice Life HQ, from baby chicks to upcycling wooden pallets.

If you would like to keep up with us on a daily basis then why not head over and give us a like on Facebook, www.facebook.com/NiceLifeUK

Suzi xxxx