Sunday, July 24, 2011

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.










48 comments:

SweetSugarBelle said...

These are genius!!!

Kim @ Too Much Time said...

I really love all of them together! They look awesome!

Unknown said...

Those are so cool!

Adrianne Surian said...

These are really beautiful, thanks for posting the directions. They are on my must-make list!!

Following you to see what you craft up next ~ Adrianne
happyhourprojects.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

These are so cute! I might make some of these for my son's room! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured" button.

Maggie Lamarre said...

what a fabulous idea to use all those yarns...
I'm inviting you to join our linking party every Wednesday at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/american-pickers-with-linking-party.html
Have a fabulous week,
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

Just Jaime said...

Pretty! Love the colors!

Tanya Anurag said...

I love those.. and I soooo wanna make my own!!

Anonymous said...

I saw how to make these on Rachael Ray a few months ago and absolutely loved it! I am so glad to see that you made some and I am grateful for the recipe too! I have a bowl of little balls that are slowly becoming ruined...so I am planning on using this to make some more. Thanks again! I am a new follower

liZ said...

I totally want to try these but am so afraid I'll mess the up! Yours look so good and I really like the colors you picked.
liZ
(simplesimonandco)

Molly said...

Thanks so much everyone! I would love to see yours if you end up making them! I'm so happy people like this!

Michelle @ Delicate Construction said...

Love love love these!!!I am visiting from C.R.A.F.T. and I am a new follower! Hope you have a great day and I look forward to seeing you around soon!
Michelle
www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com

Jill said...

They look fabulous! Thanks for the great tutorial too- I'd like to try making them sometime!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

Carolyn said...

Hi Molly,
Thanks for your comment and linking to my paper mache post. I really appreciate the link back. Your projects look fantastic. Great job. Please feel free to come visit me and link up a project on Tuesdays (The Inspiration Board Link Party). Hope to see you there.
carolyn
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/

jess@balancing the dream said...

beautiful!!! I love the colors!!

Carmella said...

What a great project...I remember making something similar when I was a kid..we made them into giant Easter eggs....so much fun! Thanks so much for sharing with Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop, I am co-hosting this week and what a treat finding your blog there! I am happy to be your newest follower, I hope you can stop by and visit soon!
creativecarmella.blogspot.com

Rochelle @Home Sweet Homebodies said...

Wow, those turned out really neat looking! I think I will try that!

Kasia said...

Amazing! I wonder if they would work in a mini size for some jewelry? Gonna try

Ginger@gingersnapcrafts.com said...

I was wondering how to make those! Thanks for sharing! :) Following from I Heart Naptime link party. Would love to have you link this up to my {wow me} wednesday link party going on right now over on my blog {if you haven‘t already!}. Hope to see you there.

Ginger
gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

LrSchwtz said...

I've never tried this project before, but I can't wait to. I love the colors you chose. Please stop by www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party! I'm your newest follower!

Angie said...

These are so cool. I love the colors you used. I spent so much time trying to find balls similar to these in colors that matched our room. What a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing.

Mariel@ www.sexymodeststyle.com said...

So amazed what glue can do! This turned out awesome!!!

Thanks for linking!

-Tootsie

michelle said...

Hey the yarn balls look amazing...you are welcome to view my blog and join me too...

Mama Thompson said...

Those look great...and I love the colors you chose. Gonna have to try these soon...

cherished bliss said...

This is awesome! I would love for you to share at my party!!

cherished bliss said...

ooops. Here is the link : )

http://www.cherishedbliss.com/2011/07/craft-and-tell-no-15.html

Ashley J @ MommyByDayCrafterByNight said...

I love this idea! I always wondered how people made these! Definitely need to try it out myself now! Thanks for the tutorial!

xoxo,
Ashley J @ mommybydaycrafterbynight.blogspot.com

Candace @ Candace Creations said...

I love these, great tutorial! Thanks I've been wanting to make some balls like this but was thinking of using my haywire...but this looks easier!

Mel Creates Often said...

Oh my goodness - WTH! I would never think to try and make these balls, but they are very cool! I'm a new follower from Your Whims Wednesday. Please come by mine, if you get a chance. I have a blog hop going right now.

http://www.meldreamsoften.com

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

Beautiful! ;)
Thank you so much for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week as well!!
xoxo,
Vanessa

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

great idea and step-by-step how to! thanks!

I'm your newest follower; #14.

Jessa Smith said...

I am dying to try this! I can't wait!

~Jessa
www.jessajill.blogspot.com

Shaina Roane said...

this is just great! will try it out...

Lucy said...

This seems so simple. I tried making this using twine, cornstarch & water as the 'glue' and a balloon and oh my word! I made the biggest mess ever (LOL) In the end I managed to get it to how I wanted but once the air came out of the balloon it was over --the twine got lose and pretty much became useless. I shall follow your instruction and hope this comes out better =D

Mari said...

I love these! I hope you don't mind that I linked to you from my blog, just-me-and-t.blogspot.com

Deni said...

I cannot wait to try this!!
Thanks so much!

nicole. said...

I PINNED THESE and plan to totally make them.

you should link up today on my blog.

Julie Cantrell said...

Beautiful and FUN! Hope you don't mind me sharing your tips on www.juliecantrell.com I'll be sure to credit you, link to you, and send folks your way. Thanks for the fabulous step-by-step directions! Love your blog!!! j

diane said...

I ♥ these ... I have got to try them out!

Anonymous said...

What if my goop was more like thick soup?

Vicki Dutcher said...

Absolutely GENIUS! I can't wait to make these!!

Unknown said...

Very cool
So the mâché dries clear?

Unknown said...

A bit late, but I just stumbled upon this post... Yours look wonderful! Did you use glue on some and maché on others to make these? Which worked best? Are they still holding up?
Thanks!

Unknown said...

I love your project. Would like to know if these balls can be left outside in the winter? If so will make a big one for my front porch. Thanks

TeePetersen said...

No idea when I pinned this to my Pinterest board that it would rank in the top pins on all my boards. Almost one thousand have pinned the link to your post since then. Congrats for a greatly loved post! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89720217546361531/

Mrs. Jones said...

I love this craft! Thank you so much!! I made them to decorate tables at a fundraiser, and then used them for a baby shower. Here is a link to my blog post: http://heatherjslife.blogspot.com/2016/10/globe-centerpieces.html

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