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