 |
| Yarn-covered bottle using hand-dyed yarn (natural dye: Rabbitbush flowers) |
Non-knitters
often ask what they can make with the yarn they’ve dyed (http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2012/10/solar-dyeing-with-native-plant-trimmings.html). In fact, there are a number of crafts that
use colored yarns. Making a yarn-covered
vase, bottle or container is one such craft. We like it because it’s thrifty and
sustainable; you recycle containers and left-over yarn into unique vases, boxes
and jars.
This is a
fairly easy craft; you may have actually done it in school. It’s a great way to use up scraps of yarn, and
is a wonderful rainy day activity. It
does take a little practice, but you’ll pick up the technique quickly. Once you have some practice, you can
introduce the craft to children (we suggest 4th grade and up – and
using rather thick yarn for a beginning attempt).
Materials
All that’s
needed are:
- A bottle, jar or container to cover.
Start with smaller, straight-sided ones until you get the hang
of it. Glass and cardboard are a
little easier to work with than plastic (at least in our hands). Plastic,
wood or cardboard ones recommended for children. - White glue (Elmer’s or liquid school
glue). Use the kind that dries
clear. - Yarn
of several colors
– you’ll need 10-15 yards (meters) total, depending on the size of the
bottle/jar/container. Any yarn but
the fancies and very thin yarns (which are too hard to work with) will
do. Wool, acrylic, hand- or
commercially dyed – or a combination – can be used. If doing this craft with children, use
the thickest yarn you have.
Acrylic yarn may be easier to work with at first - it usually stretches
less than wool.
We suggest choosing several colors
of yarn that you like – 3-5 colors look nice for a typical bottle or jar (see
above)
- Piece
of bulky yarn or string
(enough to go around the container once plus a little extra). It’s best if the color is neutral
(white, brown, gray or black) or complements the other yarns.
- Scissors
to cut the
yarn. - Paper or a large trash bag (to protect the work surface in case of drips).
- Small piece of plastic wrap (or a plastic bag)
- Fixative
(optional) –
see step 8, below
Instructions
- If using jars or bottles, remove paper labels (soak in warm
soapy water overnight) and thoroughly wash
the insides and outsides. Be sure
that the jar/bottle/container is completely dry before starting the
project. - Spread out
paper/trash bag
on the work surface. - Choose
a selection of yarns
that look nice together. We suggest
using yarns that are all the same thickness for your first project. We also suggest choosing three or five
colors, if possible. Be sure that
the yarns are straight, with no kinks or knots.
 |
| Foundation layer of household string |
- Make the
foundation layer
- Spread a line of glue at the
very bottom edge of the container. Let
it dry for about 1 minute. - Take the bulky yarn or string and place
it over the glue (to glue it in place).
Cut off any excess length and be sure that both ends are well
attached (use a little extra glue if needed). - Place the container right side
up on the work surface. Using the
piece of plastic wrap, gently work the bulky yarn/string into place at the
very bottom of the container
(where the container meets the work surface). Press the yarn/string in place,
flattening it slightly against the container. It’s important that the yarn/string is well-glued and even with the bottom of the container; this will form the base for subsequent
layers of yarn. - Let the foundation layer dry
completely before adding color layers.
- Add the color
layers
- Choose the first color and lay
out a straight piece that’s long enough to go around the container 3-5
times. - Squeeze out a wavy ribbon of
glue (a bit wider than you want your first color layer – ¾ inch is fine) just
above the foundation layer.
 |
| Spreading glue - yarn-covered vase project |
- Smooth the glue with your
finger to make a thin, even coating.
Let the glue sit for about 45-60 seconds or until slightly tacky (time
to wash your hands).
 |
| Wrapping yarn - yarn-covered vase project |
- Lay the yarn in place, starting
just above the foundation layer and continuing around the container. If working with wool (or other stretchy
yarn) be sure you don’t stretch the
yarn. Continue to lay the yarn
on the glued surface, around and around, until you run out of yarn. Be sure both ends are firmly glued (use
a little extra glue if needed).
 |
| Smoothing yarn with piece of plastic wrap |
- Using the piece of plastic
wrap, gently push the yarn layers together (down) so there are no gaps
where the container shows through.
Then flatten the yarn against the container surface so it adheres
to the container. You will have
several minutes before the glue hardens, so take your time. You can add a little more glue if
needed. - We suggest letting each layer
dry for at least 30 minutes before you add the next layer. It’s much easier to add a new layer
when the one below it is dry.
- Continue
adding color layers,
following the steps above, until the container is covered.
 |
| Completed yarn-covered vase and bottle - yarn craft idea |
- Let
the piece dry thoroughly.
8. Spray
with a fixative
(optional) to make the vase/bottle/container waterproof. If using a fixative, we suggest one of the
non-toxic varieties.
 |
| Yarn-covered vase with dried flowers: yarn is hand-dyed with natural dyes from California native plants |
We
hope you enjoy this craft and that your unique new vase, bottle or box gives
you years of enjoyment. We like
to use our vases with dried flowers. The
vase above has dried seed heads from Giant buckwheat (http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/08/plant-of-month-august-st-catherines.html) and flowers from Felt-leaf
everlasting (http://mother-natures-backyard.blogspot.com/2013/09/plant-of-month-september-wrights.html).
_____________________________________
We
welcome your comments, below. If you
have questions, please e- mail us at: mothernaturesbackyard10@gmail.com
