Yarn Eggs/Balls

Everyone else seems to call them Yarn Eggs but I guess the shape of my balloons was more round, cuss that is how they came out...

I hope you guys are somewhat excited about this all. I have worked really hard on getting this right and am finally happy with the product. Now I just have to figure out a safe way to move them in a month (oops) and perhaps maybe more colours after that? I have finished with 7 different sized balls (4 yarn, 3 hemp).

Okay so here it is, Step by Step how to guaranteed good results:

Step1:

gather your materials:

scissors, paper mache (pot, flour, water, sugar), balloons, yarn/hemp (and my yarn was 100% acrylic so I guess that cotton nonsense was just that), newspaper (i used plastic bags but made more mess), some way to hang the drying balloons (ie. hanger)

this is the paper mache

Step 2:

Make the paper mache (warning: this recipe makes a lot).

I got this from the blog, carolyn's homework. She made a gorgeous Yarn Bowl which I tried to copy and if it weren't for her post I don't think I would have been successful in my craft adventure so please take a look at her post.

my version of the yarn bowl (i think my yarn is too thin)
the bowl is a little weak but turned out all right.

It is super quick and easy and all you need to do is,

Combine ½ cup flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl.

Boil 2 cups of water in a sauce pan and add the flour and cold water mixture.

Bring to a boil again.

Remove from heat and add 3 tablespoons of sugar.

Let cool. The paste will thicken as it cools.

It ends of a little clumpy but that is okay.

Step 3: 

Blow Up a Balloon to your desired size.

Step 4:

I sadly couldn't take a picture of this step since my hands were covered in goop but I'll do my best to explain. And this is just how I found it easiset.

I found it easiest to throw a bunch of yarn (without cutting it) in the bowl of mache. Getting it all covered and then making loose loops hanging off one finger while using my other hand to run along the string and take off excess mache. then you would end up with a bunch of goopy yarn neat in a loop pile.

 (is this making sense?)

This allows you too just wrap it around the balloon 'sans hassle' until you get to dry yarn and then you start again. I also like this way because it saves you from having ends all over the place (ends are also way more likely to be falling off the balloon).

Step 5:

Once you have wrapped the yarn around your balloon to the desired look. stop. cut the yarn. put a bit of extra mache at the end to make sure it sticks (i tucked it in with another piece).  

Hang up your balloon (above some newspaper). I made a makshift thing with a hanger and lamp. then I attached the balloon to the hanger using saran wrap as string (i didnt have string and its sticky in a good way), you could also use a safety pin (just make sure you dont pop the balloon).

(this is the glue one but you get the idea)

Step 6:

let dry... it takes a while (at least a day)

Step 7:

Take your Balloon and poke your finger at it to pull the yarn away from the balloon all around.

This step was way easier with the mache than with the glue.

Step 8:

Cut into the top of your balloon and let the air out slowly.

Step 9:

Pull out the balloon and VOILA!

I plan on hanging mine from the ceiling but I think that will be waiting until I move.