If you are a fiber enthusiast, then you probably have tons of yarn scraps. I know I sure do. I know that I should probably throw a lot of them away but I just hate wasting anything. I recently knitted some quick-knit gifts that use Lion Brand bonbon yarn (Stained Glass Coffee Cozies, Colorful Coffee Cozies and Colorful Knitted Gift Card Holders) and had just a bit left over. I absolutely LOVE the colors and couldn’t toss them out. I just knew I could do something with these bits left over. Then, I though, what if I used them to make some yarn ball ornaments?
These are super easy and inexpensive to make. I bet all the crocheters and knitters in your life would LOVE to get one this holiday season. Oh, wouldn’t they look cute tied on a package?
Okay, I’ll quit rambling. Let’s make some. Here are the supplies you’ll need.
- Styrofoam balls (I picked up my package of 8 assorted sizes from the Dollar Tree)
- Small screw eyes (1 for each ornament)
- Leftover yarn
- Scupley clay in your choice of color (I used glow in the dark for fun)
You will also need a hot glue gun, a skewer, and a yarn needle.
Let’s get started.
First you will need to create your knitting needles and crochet hooks. Roll out your Sculpey clay into long “rods” and cut into lengths approximately 1.5 times the diameter of your Styrofoam ball. Add balls of clay to the ends of your knitting needles and snip a notch into your crochet hooks. Cook in a 257 Degree F oven for 10 minutes.
While your knitting needles & crochet hooks are baking, we will attach the screw eyes to our Styrofoam balls. Place a dab of hot glue onto the Styrofoam ball and then quickly press the screw eye into your ball. The hot glue helps to ensure your screw eye adheres well.
Next, we need to attach our needles and hooks. It works best if you use a skewer to poke a path through the Styrofoam ball first. Then, insert your needles and hooks through the hold the skewer just made.
Now we are going to wrap the Styrofoam ball with yarn. I find it works well to attach your starting end with some hot glue. Then, wrap like you are winding a ball of yarn.
When you are finished wrapping the yarn, thread the end into your yarn needle and “stitch” through the Styrofoam ball. This will secure the finishing end of your yarn in the ornament. Cut off the extra yarn.
See, here’s the finished yarn ball ornament with the crochet hook. Cute, huh?
And here’s a close up of a yarn ball ornament with knitting needles.
Here are all 8 I made from the package of Styrofoam balls I started with. I think I’ll be making more with all my scraps.
Do you know of a crocheter or knitter who would enjoy one of these yarn ball ornaments? I bet you do!
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