DIY Craft: Yarn Wrapped Frames
January 25, 2010
Whenever I pass the knitting section in the craft or specialty fabric stores and spy all of the beautiful yarns, I wish that I had the skill to knit so I could put those gorgeous threads to good use. Unfortunately, I don’t knit at all.
Then I had an idea to use yarn in a decorative way, by wrapping it around some homemade frames and creating some original wall mirrors for a blank wall space. With this project, I started out with every intention of making two wall mirrors, but in the end, I left one frame as is, just because I like it better that way.
We had a very blank wall between two windows for the longest time and I finally decided to add some decor. I already had the shelf, the pitcher, and the vintage Audubon print.
These days, I’m very focused on adding more texture to my home in creative ways. These yarn wrapped frames seemed the perfect way to do it, and a great project for a rainy weekend.
Here’s the bouclé version, more like a square wreath than a frame.
And the cotton yarn version that I turned into a mirror:
You can wrap just about anything with yarn to make a similar version, whether it’s an existing frame or a foam wreath. There are a lot of creative yarn wrapped wreaths during the holidays. If you want to make your own custom frame for your artwork, or create a yarn wrapped frame mirror, here’s how.
Supplies: 1” x 3” x 8’ timber; yarn; square beveled mirror (available at Michaels); hot glue and/or velcro; corner brackets; “D” ring hooks. Tools: hot glue gun, power screwdriver; compound miter saw.
Step One: Cut your wood with your compound miter saw to form your desired frame. If adding the mirror, use it as the template for the size of your frame.
Step Two: Square up frame and attach together with corner brackets.
Enlist a little helper if you can find one.
Step Three: Put on a good movie and make yourself cozy because the next step will take about an hour. Hot glue the end of your yarn to the back of your frame, then begin the process of wrapping the yarn around your wood frame.
It helps to cut small sections of yarn since you go around and around the inside.
Continue working around the frame until your yarn has covered the wood. Secure with hot glue on the back as you work around.
Create whatever pattern you want.
Bernat Soft Boucle in natural
I added some criss-cross lines to the mirror version to mix it up.
Bernat CottonTots in Sweet Cream
Step Four: If making a small mirror, you can attach your mirror to the yarn with just a thick line of hot glue around the edge of the mirror (along the bevel). For the larger frame, I would likely have used velcro strips along the bevel and fortified with hot glue to secure the mirror to the back of the larger frame, since it’s a heavier piece of glass.
Step Five: Attach “D” ring hooks to back of frames and hang them on the wall.
Originally, I had displayed some butterflies we picked up years ago in a specialty shop on an island vacation.
But I’m not convinced the acrylic frames jive with the yarn.
So I went back to the simpler display.
What do you think ? Keep the simplicity with just the Audubon print, or put the butterflies back up ?
Tags: mirror, yarn wrapped frames
I love this project, especially with the butterflies! I say keep them for a fun spring look
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these look great! I love how soft they looks, like a good pillow… but with a hole in them. I guess they make better wall art than pillows! I may borrow this one down the line.
It really does add some great texture to that wall, and that gray color is so soothing on the walls!
I like this project! It can be so versatile…as you have shown. And I vote for keeping the butterflies. They add a spark of color in anticipation of spring.
They are so soft and pretty. I like the butterflies !
I love the butterflies with the frames! I think the juxtaposition is really nice =) I also love the wrapped frame idea – such a cozy, soft idea for something that is usually hard and sharp.
I think it looks better without the butterflies, the frames make enough of a statement on their own. How much yarn did you end up using for this? I love it!!
I kind of liked the butterflies myself. I thought with their beautiful colors – the acrylic just sort of faded out.
How neat! I just saw a fabric wrapped one at an antique mall that was a bit country for my taste, but got my attention. These are fresh and pretty. Thanks for the diy!
What a great project, thanks for sharing. I quite liked it with the butterflies because they are so unusual and bright in colour. I am with the previous poster, you don’t really see the acrylic.
Love the look! And I like the look without the butterflies. It’s more elegant.
Wow! This one is definitely going in my idea files. Love it! Who woulda thunk it? Oh wait, you would! You always do, you crafty mama! You inspire me daily! Thanks.
Butterflies! Love them. Add them.
my question is this: how did you hang the butterflies such that you didn’t have holes in the wall when you took them down? Or do you fill in and retouch holes immediately?
I LOVE this idea!!! Definitely gonna try it!
how do you avoid having the yard all bulgy in the corners and from slipping?
I love these! Leaving the one frame empty I think helps to keep these looking fresh and modern rather than country-crafty. I vote no butterflies–I’m not sure about the acrylic frame, and anyway I like the simplicity of just the frames and print.
Oh, Kate! You could totally knit. I knit, for God’s sake. You, with your ridiculous talent, could knit your arse off, my friend.
You should totally try it.
I LOVE this!!! So cozy! Easy and so gorgeous!!
I like the simplicity look, personally.
I think this would be fun to do on a monogram!! I have so many, because I’m only slightly obsessed. *grins* this would be a fun way to change it up!!
So cute!! I love it with the butterflies, but either way is great! I may have to get some yarn this weekend and snuggle up with a movie.
I like the butterflies and with just the print. However, I think Alicia’s ideal would work as well…an initial in the center of the larger frame would be cute. BTW…I’m sure you have told us before, but what is the color on your walls. Everytime I see it, I fall in love with it again!
These are gorgeous! What a fun way to show-off yarn, I love it. I’ll be linking.
Great idea with the yearn around the frame! Found this via One Pretty Thing.
love this idea! i want to do this with a mirror i just found. check out my blog: meredithtuttle.blogspot.com
thanks for all the inspiration!
I like it better with the butterflies
I loved how this looked and wanted to try some frames wrapped with red yarn for Valentine’s, however, I can not get it to stay in the corners, it keeps sliding down and bunching too much on the inside corner. Any tips?
Thanks,
Bailey
I am so jealous of you crafty types! I’m an artist, but not so good at crafts and constructing things. I LOVE the bird print you have on that wall, could you tell me where you got that? I love your entire decor. Very jealous!
I love this idea! I don’t usually like frames, but these are so soft and airy. I might just make a few for my sister’s nursery!
wow.. this is so great.. even a kid can do it..
Love them! I tried wrapping yarn around a wooden letter “J” and can’t quite get the curve looking good. What are your tips for going around curved areas, like your corners? Thanks!
I love this project. It reminds me of something my grandma would have liked, yet it has a very modern feel to it. I also love to wander through the yarn section…