DIY Knitting Ornament | Yarn Ball with Knitting Needles

Check out the YouTube Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/xzyqw10LD28

Materials

• 20 yards super bulky yarn (photographed is Lion Brand Hometown USA in the Razorbacks colorway #609)
• Floral foam ball (photographed is 1.9" (left) and 3.3" (right) - both were purchased from the Dollar Tree)
• 3/16" diameter dowel - typically sold 36" in length
• you may need additional supplies to cut the dowel the desired length
• Sand paper - medium or coarse
• Large tapestry needle
• Scissors 

Step 1: Knitting Needles (Video Time 3:18)

The first step to make this ornament will be to take two 6" (or 5" for the smaller size) pieces of the dowel and sand down the ends to look like knitting needles. You can create straight knitting needles by sanding down only one side of each, or double pointed knitting needles by sanding down both sides. 

Step 2: Place the Knitting Needles (Video Time 4:29)

Choose a location close to the front of the form to place your first knitting needle, then place your second to diagonally cross the first. You will have to stagger them slightly, so that they do not run into each other. 

Step 3: Wrapping the Yarn (Video Time 6:16)

Begin winding the bulky weight yarn around the form taking care around the knitting needles you have in place. Continue to wind until the entire surface is covered. If at any point you feel the yarn is beginning to slip off, unwind that portion, and rewind tightly. 

When you have finished winding, cut the yarn leaving an 18" tail. Locate the top of your ornament where you would like the hanging loop to be located. Using your tapestry needle thread the yarn under a few pieces of the thread at the top of your ornament. Again thread the yarn under a few pieces of thread, but in the opposite direction - do not pull the yarn all the way through - this creates the loop it can hang from. Secure the yarn in place leaving the loop. 

Thanks for checking out my tutorial! Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments below. Stay tuned for next weeks tutorial on how to make a yarn holder - no knitting required :)

This tutorial was inspired by a yarn ball ornament from Joann Fabrics: http://www.joann.com/makers-holiday-christmas-ball-of-yarn-ornament/15523616.html

Candy Cane Pom Pom Wreath

Check out the YouTube Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/JRyxbf8Scgk

Materials

• Metal Candy Cane Wreath Form (Dollar Tree) - or any other metal wreath frame
• 2 x DMC Thread Color Blanc
• 2 x DMC Thread Color 321 (Red)
• 200 - 300 yards red yarn (photographed is Vanna's Choice in the Cranberry 180 Colorway)
• 200 - 300 yards white yarn (photographed is Vanna's Choice in the White 100 Colorway)
• 1 1/2" (small), 1 7/8" (medium), and 2 1/2" (large)  pom pom makers
• 3 yards red mesh ribbon
• 3 yards white mesh ribbon
• Tapestry needle

Optional Supplies

• 2  9"x12" white felt sheets
• Hot glue gun
• 2 x DMC Thread Color E321 (Sparkly Red)
• Stapler

Step 1: Wrap with mesh ribbon (Video Time 5:30)

Starting at the bottom, wrap the red mesh ribbon around then wreath twice, then cut to size. Using the stapler (watch those fingers!) secure in place. If you would prefer you could also glue or sew the ribbon in place. Next, wrap the white mesh ribbon around the wreath twice and secure in place. Continue to alternate colors until the entire wreath is covered. Creating the candy cane stripes out of the ribbon first will help guide us as to where to put the pom poms. 

Step 2: Making pom poms (Video Time 10:15)

Cut the tapestry thread into 18" lengths, then separate each into two sections - 3 strands each. Using the instructions for your pom pom maker, wrap and cut the yarn, and then use the tapestry thread to secure. Do not cut off the excess tapestry thread, we will use this to secure the pom pom to the wreath frame. 

The total number of pom poms you will use will vary. I would recommend starting by using up one ball of white and red yarn, then making additional pom poms to fill in the remainder of the wreath. 

Step 3: Attaching the pom poms (Video Time 14:23)

Using the tapestry thread and a tapestry needle, tie the pom poms onto the wreath. I used approximately 5 - 7 pom poms for each stripe. For the first and last stripe wrap the pom poms around the bottom edge of the wreath to prevent the metal frame from showing. 

Using the sparkly tapestry thread, tie a loop at the top of the wreath that the wreath will be able to hang from. You could also use metal wire or ribbon to complete this step. 

Step 4 - Covering the back with felt (optional)

Cut strips of felt to the dimensions of the back of your wreath. Secure in place with hot glue. This step is not necessary, but it helps to make the reverse of the wreath look more finished. 

Thanks for checking out my tutorial! Stay tuned for next weeks tutorial on how to make a knitting themed ornament - no knitting required :)

Below I have listed a few tutorials for how other people have made pom pom wreaths! Check out their videos for some more inspiration!

• Naztazia's Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkIVwWOouLU
• Michaels Stores Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQ6pfk30Ok