DIY: Yarn Wreaths

I'm not sure who invented these fun, crafty, yarn-loving wreaths, but I've been in love with them since I found them on Pinterest.  And after making my first one, I simply can't stop.

I love them so much that I've been giving some serious consideration in making them as a very small side business.  After seeing how everyone and their mom sells yarn wreaths on Etsy, I think I'm going to make them on a more local level.  And the whole, "Hey I make wreaths - if you want to buy one, let me know and I'll hook you up" thing might work too.  So that goes for you blogland, if you want one, hit me up and I'll see what I can do for you.

But I'm not yarn wreath-making hog.  Besides, these weren't even my original idea.  Several people have asked how to make them, so I've decided to share my own yarn wreath-making secrets with the world.  I'm sure there are a dozen different ways to do them, but this is what works for me now that I totally consider myself a yarn wreath pro.

#1) - Start with a super organized crafty space.  Or, just clear some space and do what you can.

#2) Don't buy foam wreaths.  Seriously.  Where I shop, foam wreaths cost anywhere from $8 to $15, and that just seems crazy to me. I found these awesome straw wreaths for half the price.  A good medium sized wreath is only $3.99.  Score!

 #3) This is where you'll get different instructions.  Some people unwrap an entire spool of yarn so that they can just continually wrap a wreath.  I don't know how people do this.  I never tried.  It seemed laborous to me.  So I invented another hard way.  I cut a very long strip of yarn off of the spool and glue one end to the wreath.  Starting with the price-tag is great as hot glue sticks way better to paper than saran wrap-type plastic!

 #4) The very long process of yarn wrapping commences.  Since I cut my yarn into long strips, once I reach the end of the strip, I glue it down to whatever side I deem as the back the of the wreath.

#5) If there is excess yarn that might fold over into the top or front of the wreath, I trim it, that way all of the pieces that get glued down are all in the back.  When you get good at this step, you will be able to use the glue to not only glue down the last piece of yarn from that strand, but when starting a new strand - uses less glue and the back will stay neater.  (This part feels hard to explain - if you need clarification, let me know!)

#6) Almost every time I get to about this point, I need to either take a nap or get something to eat or change a load of laundry.  I should warn you - the first time I ever made a yarn wreath it took me about 17 hours to wrap it.  Not really, but it was quite a long time.  Just know, if you get this far, you can keep on going.  You'll get there, I promise.

#7)  Not everyone does this, but I do.  I make a little loop - it works better for when you actually go to hang a yarn wreath on your door - whether you use a nail or wreath hanger. 

#8) To do this, I make a loop and run the yarn through itself to create a little knot.

#9) I do this a few times until the loop is three or four strands thick to support the wreath when it hangs.  Honestly, I don't know how I get this to work every time.  It just does.  Keep in mind, this loopy thing might take some practice.

#10 - Once you get to this point, you'll get super excited because you're almost done and you can see the light at the end of your yarn-wrapping tunnel.

 #11) And before you know it, wa-la!  A fully wrapped yarn wreath!

 #12) This is where it gets fun - the embellishing part.  Whatever you decide to add to your yarn wreaths, make sure you are sure.  Once you start hot gluing things on, there is no taking it back off neatly.

 #13) I almost always add felt flowers to my wreaths.  These are some of my favorites to make.

 #14) These are the easiest and I put these fun rosettes on almost everything.

 #15) After everything is glued down the way you want, admire your work.  Because look!  It's so pretty!

So, that's it folks.  All of my awesome DIY instructions on how to make what you've seen on Pinterest.  And seriously, if you don't want to do one yourself, send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to do one for you.

Happy yarn-wrapping everyone!