DIY Network

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

For the centerpiece, show host Jeanne Benedict and Michele (the party host) create oversized balls of yarn and accent with faux knitting needles.

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 Centerpiece -- 2 hours

Total Prep Time -- 22 hours

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Create large yarn balls to decorate your buffet table for your Knitting Party.

Materials for Small Ball --

6" plastic foam ball
1 ball of yarn (90 yards)
1/2" dowel rod in one 8" and one 5" piece

Materials for Medium Ball --

12" play ball
3 balls of yarn (90 yards each)
1/2" dowel rod in one 7" and one 4" piece

Materials for Large Ball --

16" blow-up punch ball
5 balls of yarn (90 yards each)
1/2" dowel rod in one 7" and one 3" piece

Materials for Each Ball --

Carpet tape
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Silver craft foil
7/8" self-adhesive silver button
Sharp craft knife
Coarse sanding block
Buttons

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Yarn Ball Centerpiece

1. Wrap carpet tape around the circumference of the ball in two directions (making an "X" at the top and bottom). Peel off the backing paper to expose the adhesive (figure A).

2. Press the end of the yarn into the carpet tape to secure. Begin wrapping the yarn around and around the ball in straight, even lines. Continue wrapping the yarn around the ball, turning the ball to get overlapping layers and total coverage. For medium and large balls, when you get to the end of one ball of yarn, tie the end of the next ball on to create a continuous strand of yarn.

   Note: When the ball is totally covered, cut the yarn and knot the end under a previously wrapped strand.

3. To create the knitting needle point, use the craft knife to shave down the end of the short piece of dowel rod to a blunt point. Sand the point to smooth (figure B).

4. To create a knitting needle top, cut a piece of craft foil 1/2" x 3". Apply a tiny bit of hot glue along one short edge and place on the long piece of dowel rod, even with the end of the dowel. Wrap the foil around the dowel rod and apply a bit more hot glue to secure (figure C).

5. Apply a silver button onto the end of the rod, creating the look of the knitting needle.

6. Separate the layers of yarn on the ball to find the "X" made by the carpet tape (or at least the bottom layer of yarn, the key is to just not glue directly onto the ball).

7. Apply hot glue to the end of the top part of knitting needle, allow cooling slightly and pressing into the separated area of yarn. Hold until set. To better secure, apply a bit of glue to either side of the dowel and pinch the yarn around it, holding until secure. Repeat for the bottom section of the knitting needle.

   Note: Do not apply hot glue directly to the surface of the ball.

8. To set up the buffet table, just layer two different colors of material (that correspond to the yarn colors) on the table (figure D). Add the yarn balls in the center of the table and place the food and plates, etc. around the table as desired.

   Expert Tip: When you create the centerpiece, you don't have to put it just on the dining table. Try different areas -- it makes such a great look all around the house.

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.