DIY Network

Knitting Party: Yarn Ball Invitation From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-309

In this segment show host Jeanne Benedict and Michele (the party host) make a ball-of-yarn invitation that is created by wrapping yarn around clear plastic ornaments with the party information hidden inside the spherical shape.

This party is rated 3 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Yarn Ball Invitations -- 5 hours

Total Prep Time -- 22 hours

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Create a ball-of-yarn invitation for your Knitting Party.

Materials --

80mm plastic hollow ball ornament (comes apart into halves) for each invitation
Scissors
15 yds. variegated yarn for each invitation
Toothpicks
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Invitation information printed on coordinating card stock
1/8" hole punch
Steel yarn needle
2 large buttons for each invitation
Super fine point permanent marker

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Yarn Ball Invitations

1. Use scissors to cut off the ornament hanger pieces.

2. Run a line of glue along the edge of one half of the ornament (figure A).

   Note: Do not overlap the lip with the glue; you want to make sure that the ball will easily snap together after it is covered in yarn.

3. Carefully place the end of the yarn along the glue. Continue running a line of glue around the ornament and applying yarn, spiraling around to the center. Once several rows are established you should be able to apply a longer line of glue each time.

   Note: To keep the rows of yarn close together, use a toothpick to push the row while the glue is still warm.

   Expert Tip: The post office has gotten much more stringent in what they will allow you to mail or not mail. If it is something dimensional, you might want to consider hand delivering if the guests are local. In all cases, when you do mail things through the post office, you should have them hand cancel the item which means that it will not go through the regular meter.

4. Trim the excess yarn and press the end into the glue in the center (figure B). Repeat for the other half of the ball ornament.

5. Cut the invitation information into squares or diamonds that will easily fit into the ball. Punch two holes at each corner of the card.

6. Cut a 15-20" piece of yarn and thread through the yarn needle. "Sew" around the perimeter of the card, (figure C) leaving a 4-5" tail on the top and ending back at the same corner with another tail. Even out the yarn so that the tails are close to even. Tie the tails into a bow.

7. Place the invitation into the ball and snap closed.

8. Hold a 6" tail of the yarn 1" to the side of a spiral center. Wrap the remainder of the yarn around and around, neatly, covering the two spiral centers and holding the ball together. Tie the two tail ends together in a bow.

   Expert Tip: For an extra special touch on your invitations, you can add fibers from the yarn store -- it adds a unique touch.

9. On the top of the buttons write "Unwind Me." Place a bit of glue on the back of one button. Lay one end of the bow tail in the glue and sandwich with the other button (figure D).

RESOURCES :

EK Success Scrapbooking
EK Success Ltd.
Website: www.eksuccess.com

Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Create for Less
Website: www.createforless.com

Fabric.com
Website: www.fabric.com

PlumParty.com
30-00 47th Ave. 7th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 718-433-2434
E-mail: plumparty.com
Website: www.plumparty.com

Zwilling Cutlery
J.A. Henckels, Inc.
Website: www.jahenckels.com

Torani Watermelon Flavored Syrup
Torani
233 E. Harris Ave.
S. San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-635-1128
E-mail: sdent@torani.com
Website: www.torani.com

Bixby Knolls Party Rentals
2540 N. Palm Dr.
Signal Hill, CA 90755
Phone: 562-426-9437 or 714-891-4092
Fax: 562-426-0453
E-mail: bkparty@earthlink.net
Website: www.bixbyknollsrentals.com

Crystal Palace Yarns
Wholesale only; list of distributors on their Website.
Website: www.crystalpalaceyarns.com or www.straw.com

Ellison, a Proud Parent of Sizzix, LLC
Website: www.sizzix.com

Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
Website: www.hamiltonbeach.com

Cost Plus World Market
Website: www.worldmarket.com

GUESTS :

Harry Schwartz
Culinary Expert
PO Box 1320
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-846-8881
E-mail: chefharry@chefharry.com
Website: www.chefharry.com

Marc Friedland
Image Expert
Creative Intelligence
4988 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019
Phone: 323-936-9009
E-mail: mf@creative-intelligence.com

Kevin Lee
Celebrity Event Designer
La Premier Flowers
Phone: 310-435-4286
E-mail: kevin@lapremier.net

Stephanie Barnard
Scrapbooking Expert
PaperKuts Scrapbooking Magazine
We apologize no contact information is available.