Fall Yarn-Wrapped Ornamental Balls



Yarn-wrapped ornamental balls are versatile for displaying in a bowl, on a garland, or hanging from the tree. When you choose interesting color combinations and textures, you can easily span the Fall and Holiday seasons.

You can make simple, traditional balls with pumpkin-like colors, to unusual yarn combinations with added bling. Let's see how...


Pearl head pins provide added color and embellishment. 
As a practical matter, they anchor your starting and ending points on the ornament.


At the base, use styrofoam balls in your choice of sizes. 

The pins simply anchor and beautify your project. The real workhorse for adhering the yarn to the styrofoam is basic glue. 

Experiment with how much glue is needed. Thicker yarn needs more glue. Thinner yarn tends to soak it up and show the glue, so use less.  

Yarn gives the ball character. Mix and match unusual colors and textures for pizzaz. 

It's also pleasing to vary your ornaments from relatively plain to more ornate. The chunky pumpkin-colored yarn creates a simple, down-home warmth. 

Its simple form makes it easy to see the basic technique for creating a yarn-wrapped ball.

Anchor your starting point with a pearl head pin through a small knot in the yarn. Clip the knot very closely, add a dab of glue, and pin it to the styrofoam ball. Now just spread some glue and start swirling the yarn around that point until you have covered the entire ball. 

Keep a consistent tension on the yarn as you wrap. Pause occasionally to lightly press the yarn to the ball as the glue is drying.

Rather than one giant swirl, you can create small swirls all over using the same technique as above. Once your swirl is the size of a nickel or quarter, extend your yarn to create a new outer loop as if you were creating a figure 8. 

With the bottom swirl of the 8 filled in, you now start filling in the top part, working from the outside to the center. When you get to the center, anchor it with a pin. Now you have two complete swirls. Do this all over the styrofoam ball.

When half the yarn-wrapped ball is complete, leave the slightest space to adhere a fun, colorful swath of yarn through the center. It really sets off the various colors of the pearl head pins.

Create hanging ornaments easily. Simply make a loop from the yarn, tie a knot, and then put a dab of glue on the pin shaft before inserting it into the top of the ornament.

 Yarn-wrapped balls aren't the only season-spanning decor here at I Gotta Create! 


Warmth, texture, and that homey feel. Perfect for the season!


















{I host a linky party every Wednesday. More info *HERE.*  I'm sharing Fall Yarn-Wrapped Swirl Ornaments with these fine folks, whose links open on ~ Sunday:  Sew Darned CraftyI Should Be Mopping The FloorMaking Monday MarvelousBrassy AppleCraftomaniacAlderberry HillUnder the Table & DreamingMaking the World Cuter ; MondaySkip to my LouCherished BlissSugar Bee CraftsTip Junkie's Tip Me TuesdayTuesdayNot Just a HousewifeCarolyn's HomeworkElizabeth & Co., The DIY Dreamer,  Savvy Southern StyleWhat we Wore & MadeUncommonGingersnap CraftsThe NY Melrose FamilyToday's Creative Blog ; WednesdayI Gotta Create!Uncommon, All Star Block PartyThe 36th AvenueLive-Laugh-RoweHandy Man Crafty WomanThe Trendy Treehouse ; ThursdayMy Repurposed LifeFrugal GirlsShabby Nest,  Romantic HomeFrench County CottageStuff & NonsenseMy Simple Home Life, ; FridayFunky Junk InteriorsHappy HourAnything GoesFinding Fabulous, Cheerios & Lattes, Tatertots & JelloThirty Handmade DaysOne Creative Mommy ; SaturdayBe Different Act NormalA Bouquet of TalentTutus & Tea PartiesSix Sisters StuffSew Country ChickDIY ShowoffPositively Splendid , Nifty Thrifty Things; Seasonal: Better Late Than Never}


Party in progress with The Wildly Original Crowd !
Fresh party every Wednesday at 7pm CST.

6 comments:

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

These are really pretty and would look great in a basket - so cozy :-)

Sylvie Créative - Créations Ma Déco Maison said...

I really love them! I've plenty of them at home: http://madecomaison.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/deco-pour-lentree.html

Heaven's Walk said...

So cozy and cute, Christina!! [I can just imagine my husband throwing them around the room.....lolol!]

xoxo laurie

Shelley @ Sow and Dipity said...

Love Love Love these! Great job Christina!

Donna Wilkes said...

The brown one with the turquoise accent is my favorite one. I have never thought of making swirl patterns in yarn balls. Very attractive.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Very cute! Love the soft texture!