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15 DIY Lantern Jar Projects for the Perfect Backyard Vibe

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I love to make my yard look bright when the sun goes down. A diy lantern jar is one of the best ways to use things you already have in your kitchen. I want to show you my favorite ways to turn a glass jar into a light.

A vibrant collage featuring four creative ways to upcycle glass jars with crochet. The images show jars used as a supply holder for crochet hooks, decorative hanging lanterns for a backyard, and cozy indoor lighting. A yellow banner at the top features bold black text that reads "UPCYCLE GLASS JARS: 12 CREATIVE PROJECTS." This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

How I picked these projects

I have been making things with my hands for over 40 years, from basic paper projects to graphic design. My days are spent working on printables, journaling layouts, and scrapbooking pages for Arty Crafty Crew. I know what makes a good project and what can end up being a waste of materials.

When I look for a DIY lantern to share with you, I check the final result first. It has to look good. Then, I look at the creator’s reputation and read the reviews from other people who tried it. I want to make sure the instructions are easy to follow and that the project actually works.

I always try to include a good variety so you have choices. These are perfect for the kawaii lovers out there who want their pages to look cute. You can easily match these with your favorite pink and yellow supplies.

What you need to know first

  • You can reuse old jars instead of throwing them away.
  • They are cheap to make, often using things you have at home.
  • You can change the colors to match your style.
  • They make your backyard or bedroom look very comfortable.
  • Some take almost no time at all to finish.
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If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more art inspiration. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ArtyCraftyCrew.

A creative Pinterest-style collage showcasing multiple ways to upcycle glass jars with crochet. The top half features a jar used as a holder for colorful crochet hooks, and the bottom half shows various glass jar lanterns hanging outdoors in a garden setting. A bright yellow banner in the center features bold black text that reads "UPCYCLE GLASS JARS: 12 CREATIVE PROJECTS." This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

What is a DIY lantern jar?

A diy lantern jar is a project where you take a glass or plastic container and turn it into a lamp. You can decorate the outside with yarn, paint, or tissue pape

You can put different lights inside them like tea candles, LED lights, or fairy lights. They are a great way to add soft light to any space without spending much money. Every lantern jar project is a chance to be creative while recycling old items.

How long it takes to make a DIY lantern jar?

The time you need depends on which project you pick. If you make a glow stick jar, it only takes 5 minutes to finish.

If you are making a lacy lantern with sugar starch, you will need to wait about 3 days for it to get hard. Other painted projects might only need 30 to 60 minutes to dry. Most of these are short enough to do on a weekend afternoon or a rainy day.

Check out my selection of DIY lantern jars below

I have put together 15 different ways to make these lights. Some use a multiple of 12 or 16 stitches so they fit your jar just right.

There are also ways to use paint and paper to make a stained glass look. I even included a very fast way to make jars glow using glow sticks and dish soap. You can pick the one that fits the supplies you have in your house right now.

Can I use real candles in a DIY lantern jar?

You can use real tea light candles in some of these, but you have to be very careful. Make sure the jar is stable and that there is enough air for the flame. You should never leave a real candle alone while it is burning.

For some projects, especially the ones that use paper or yarn, it is much safer to use battery-operated lights. LED candles and fairy lights look just as good and they stay cool to the touch. This is a better choice if you have kids or pets around.

Stained Glass Mason Jar Lantern

A creative display of three glass jars upcycled with colorful crochet covers. The jars are decorated with various patterns, including vibrant stripes and a floral motif, and are being used as functional holders for crochet hooks and craft supplies. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This project uses colorful tissue paper and glue to make a jar look like real glass windows. It is a fun activity for children to do on a rainy day at home.

Designer: Amina

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Pumpkin Jar Cozy

A close-up of a glass jar lantern with a white, intricate crochet cover. The jar is hanging by a wire handle against a blurred green background, showcasing a simple and elegant DIY lighting idea for a garden. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This is a quick way to turn a glass jar into a pumpkin using orange yarn. It is a good project for the fall and it fits a standard pint size jar.

Designer: Briana Olsen

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Butterfly Paper Lanterns

A handmade pink cylindrical lantern with butterfly cut-outs that glow from an internal light source, featured in a craft roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/. The lantern is being held by a string handle against a warm, dim background, highlighting the magical light effect through the butterflies.

This tutorial shows how to upcycle plastic water bottles into beautiful, glowing lanterns using a printable template to cut out and layer cardstock butterflies, finishing the look with battery-operated fairy lights.

Designer: Debbie Chapman

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Chinese Paper Lanterns

A pair of DIY paper lanterns featuring a modern orange and white patterned design, showcased in a craft roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/. The lanterns have a classic rounded shape with a white handle and are displayed on a white surface alongside small potted plants and decorative gold beads.

This step-by-step tutorial explains how to make cozy and festive paper lanterns for home decoration using basic supplies like white paper, printed craft paper, double-sided tape, and a retractable craft knife

Designer: Karolina Miles

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DIY Mason Jar Lanterns

A bright and colorful glass jar repurposed as a craft supply holder, completely encased in a vibrant, striped crochet sleeve. The crochet features rows of hot pink, orange, lime green, and teal, with several colorful crochet hooks tucked inside. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This project is about painting the outside of old glass jars to make them look new. You can use glass paint and then add a wire handle to hang them in your garden.

Designer: Rosalind Chef

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Charming Summer Fairy Lanterns

A whimsical DIY fairy lantern made from a mason jar, featured in a craft roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/. The frosted jar contains a fairy silhouette and a soft light, topped with green moss and a decorative twine handle entwined with artificial greenery.

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a magical garden night light by decorating the inside of a jar with fine glitter, artificial moss and plants, a fairy silhouette cutout, and a flameless tea light.

Designer: Lucy Akins

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Skeljakrukka / Jar cover

A close-up of two glass jar lanterns hanging outdoors against a background of green garden foliage. The jars are covered in textured crochet sleeves, one featuring warm sunset tones like orange and pink, and the other in cool shades of teal and blue. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This is a lace project that helps you reuse old jars that would otherwise go to the bin. It looks very pretty when you put a candle inside it and turn the lights off.

Designer: Ólöf Lilja Eyþórsdóttir

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How to Crochet a Mason Jar Cozy

or 8. Cheap DIY Patio Lanterns: A close-up of a glass jar repurposed into a patio lantern, featuring a vibrant orange and pink crochet sleeve with a unique open-stitch texture. The lantern is hanging outdoors from a rustic wire handle, adding a pop of color to the backyard space. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This project makes a cover that has a handle so you can hang your jar as a lamp. You can use it to hold a tea light or even a small plant.

Designer: Vardhman Knitworld

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Venice Lantern

A bright glass jar lantern with a textured, teal-colored crochet cover hanging outdoors. The jar features a sturdy wire handle and is positioned against a background of lush green trees, perfect for a summer evening. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This is a large lantern that uses two metal rings to keep its round shape. You use thick yarn and a big hook to make it so it feels cozy for dark nights.

Designer: Hanne Piirainen

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My Blooming Lantern

or 10. Jar Lantern Step by Step: A detailed close-up of a glass jar lantern featuring an intricate white crochet sleeve with a delicate floral lace pattern. The jar is shown hanging from a twine handle, beautifully contrasted against a blurred background of green leaves. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This pattern uses a metal hoop and a flower pattern to make a hanging lamp. You can add long tassels to the bottom to make the whole thing look very nice.

Designer: Elisa of Strings and Cuddles

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Springtime Magic Lanterne

A close-up of a glass jar lantern featuring a colorful, textured crochet cover with stripes of vibrant pink, orange, green, and blue. The lantern is hanging outdoors against a soft, out-of-focus background of green trees. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

I like this one because it has pretty petals and a tassel at the bottom. It fits over a small glass jar and is great for sitting outside during summer nights.

Designer: Camilla

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Updated Lacy Japanese Lantern

A glass jar lantern with a beautifully textured crochet cover in shades of deep teal and blue. The jar is hanging outdoors by a wire handle, creating a simple and charming DIY lighting piece for a garden. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This project uses thin thread to make a lacy ball that you can hang up or put on a mantel. You use sugar and water to make the yarn hard so it stays in a round shape for a long time.

Designer: Julia Schwartz

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Chinese Lantern Amigurumi

A close-up of a glass jar repurposed as a decorative lantern, featuring a vibrant pink and orange crochet sleeve with an open-stitch texture. The lantern is hanging outdoors against a soft, natural background of green leaves and garden foliage. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

I found this project for making red lanterns that look great for a big party. You can make them in a round shape or a long shape using red and black yarn to celebrate.

Designer: Amy of HOOKED

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Mason Jar Fairy Lanterns

A glass jar repurposed into a charming outdoor lantern, covered in a white crochet sleeve with a delicate, repetitive diamond pattern. The jar is hanging by a simple wire handle against a soft-focus background of green leaves and garden foliage. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This guide explains how to create magical-looking lanterns using mason jars, silhouette cutouts of fairies, and frosted glass techniques.

Designer: Ideas2Live4 Team

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Glow Stick Mason Jar

A close-up shot of a glass jar lantern featuring an intricate white crochet cover with a delicate floral and leaf pattern. The jar is hanging by a twine handle against a background of lush green garden foliage, creating a serene and relaxing outdoor atmosphere. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

This is a very fast project that only takes five minutes of your time. You put the liquid from a glow stick inside a jar with soap and glitter to make it shine brightly.

Designer: Emma

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Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading my list and picking a tutorial. I hope these help you make your backyard look amazing. Happy Making!

If you found this post helpful, please like and share. Follow me on Pinterest for more art inspiration. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @ArtyCraftyCrew.

A creative blog header featuring a collage of upcycled glass jar projects. The main image shows four glass jars with various crochet covers: one used as a storage container for colorful crochet hooks, and others used as decorative outdoor lanterns hanging in a garden. A yellow text box overlay reads "UPCYCLE GLASS JARS: 15 CREATIVE PROJECTS" in bold, black lettering. This image is part of a crochet roundup from https://artycraftycrew.com/.

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Crochet Designer Ariana Wimsett

About the Author: Ariana Wimsett is a designer and journaling enthusiast specializing in kawaii stickers and digital ephemera. She creates mindful, aesthetic printables to help you document your life beautifully.

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