There are so many ways to dress up
your packages for holidays like Christmas and Chanukah, birthdays, and
more -- all with just a little bit of yarn! Whether you simply wrap
some yarn around a package or add a knitted or crocheted flower, yarn
is a simple way to add fun and flair to your gift wrapping! Here are 4
unique ideas that you may want to try (click the titles to jump to
them):
WOVEN WONDER
GIFT TOPPER
Turn any package into a mini loom! If you teach the recipient how to
tie off the edges, they’ll have a little coaster or place mat in
addition to the gift inside.
 For this gift topper, you'll need
two types of yarn (the example below uses Wool-Ease Thick
& Quick in Citron and Lion Wool in
Dark Teal), tape, and a tapestry needle, in addition to your wrapped
gift.
Step 1: Tape the end of the
first yarn to the back of your package. Wrap
yarn around package lengthwise, keeping strands close together (aprox
¼" apart). Wrap about 20 times for a coaster, 50 for a placemat
OR any even
number of times. Once wrapped, cut yarn, remove the tape holding the
other end of yarn and tie the two strands together, being careful not
to distort the front lineup. Trim tails.
Step 2: Cut about 3 yards
(108") of second yarn (or enough yarn to go around your package in the
other direction several times). Tape one end to back of
package as before. Thread other end of yarn through tapestry needle.
Step 3: Wrap yarn around to
front of package. When you reach the
crossing yarns, weave tapestry needle over one strand then under one
strand until you reach the other side. [For more tips on weaving, click
here to see our step-by-step pattern for making your own cardboard
loom and weaving on it.]
Step 4: Wrap yarn around back
of package to front again. Weave tapestry
needle through crossing yarns again, this time working under one strand
first, then over one strand to the other side.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 10 times for a coaster (20 strands), 30-40 times
for a placemat, depending on the size of your box. Keep the number of
strands an even number, to make tying off easy. When you run out of
yarn, remove tape from starting end and tie the two strands together in
the back. If you’re not finished weaving yet, tape a new strand of yarn
to the back and begin again.
MINI POM-POM
GIFT TOPPERS
Pom-poms are easy, fast, and fun -- add a couple of mini ones to
your packages for a whimsical touch!
For this gift topper, youll need several colors of yarn (the example
below uses Lion
Cotton in Turquoise and Lion Wool in
Dark Teal).
Step 1: Wrap yarn around
your fingers about sixteen times.
Step 2: Remove from fingers
and cut one side of bundle. Divide strands into groups of 8 and set
aside.
Step 3: Cut a length of yarn
long enough to tie around your package,
plus 6" extra. Tie this yarn around package making a double knot on top
of package. Place the 8 strands that you set aside on top of this
knot and make another double knot to secure them in place.
Step 4: Cut remaining tails
to match length of pom pom.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 once more with the yarn.
Repeat the process with other yarn(s). Once you have enough mini
pom-poms wrapped around your package, arrange strands so that pom poms
create a diagonal on top of your package.
YARN WREATHS
What a great gift for a yarn crafter! Turn two balls of yarn into cute
wreaths in minutes. They can stay wrapped and be ornaments or
later be knit or crocheted into fabulous projects.
For this project you'll need two balls of yarn (our examples use LB
Collection Silk Mohair in Azure and Sunbeam), as well a tapestry
needle.
Step 1: Remove labels from
yarn, (hang on to them if giving to a
yarncrafter!) and remove a little bit of yarn from each ball. If your yarn
isn't already in a cake or doughnut shape, wrap it around a water
bottle or cup to make "cakes." From the yarn you removed from each
ball,
cut 2 lengths of yarn (1 of each color), long enough to wrap around
your package. Set them aside. Thread tapestry needle with remaining
yarn in first color.
Step 2: Insert tapestry
needle through center of the other color yarn ball and pull
through leaving a 6” tail. Wrap yarn around mohair ball, coming up
through the center each time.
Step 3: When you reach where
you started, tie ends into a bow and trim tails.
Repeat for other ball of yarn using contrasting yarn to wrap.
Step 4: Thread the piece of
yarn you set aside through one of the loops
on the back of first wreath. Tie this strand tightly
around package, making a knot in the back. Repeat for other wreath.
FLUFFY POM-POM TOPPER
 Make a big statement with a fluffy
pom-pom! Make it one color or two for different looks! Once the gift is
unwrapped, it can also be used as a luggage tag!
For this project, you will need yarn (in the examples at the right,
we use Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman with Vanna's
Glamour in Diamond for the gift at the left and Alpine Wool
in Chili and Olive for the gift at the right) along with a pom-pom
maker.
Step 1: Make your pom-pom.
To make your pom-pom, follow the directions on the pom-pom maker
package or click
here for directions on making them by hand. Leave the strand of
yarn used to secure the middle of the pom-pom long; you will use this
to secure the pom-pom to your package.
Step 2: Tape the end of the
yarn to your package and wrap it around the package several times in
one direction. Cut the yarn and tape it to the back of the package.
Repeat this step, wrapping the yarn around the package in the other
direction.
Tie the pom-pom to the yarn wrapped around the package at the point
where the yarn crosses the top of the package.
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