A Sparkly Wreath

Saturday 3^rd November 2012

Today we had a Christmas workshop here at Court Cottage, the last workshop of the year at home, though I have four to teach elsewhere before I shut up shop for Christmas.  It was a full house, we had the best fun and everyone knitted some sparkly decorations. For the event, I also made a knitter’s Christmas wreath:   This was very easy and such fun.  It’s far from an original idea, there are many such wreaths out there, but this one is extra-sparkly.  Here is the tutorial: You will need:

• A base-wreath;  mine was a twiggy one, unpainted and it is small
• Polystyrene balls – small and medium, available from most habi or craft stores – I used 11, mixed sizes
• Some flexible but sturdy garden wire – mine was green, plastic coated
• Cheap DK woollen or acrylic yarn, white
• A pair of knitting needles you are prepared to sacrifice
• Length of ribbon to hang the wreath
• A can of silver craft spray paint
• Loose silver glitter.

Step 1:  wrap the balls with yarn.  I secured the yarn to start with a small ‘U’ shaped piece of wire dug into the ball, trapping the end of yarn.  Secure the other end in the same way once the ball is covered Step 2:  if the wreath is polystyrene, wrap it with yarn and/or ribbon to completely cover it Step 3:  secure the balls to the wreath as you like them arranged, using the garden wire Step 4:  stick the needles through a ball, crossed Step 5:  secure your hanging ribbon Step 6:  go outside, put on an old coat and spray the wreath, making sure you disguise any wires and get effective coverage of the balls, the needles and the wreath. Step 7:  while the spray is wet, sprinkle on the glitter.  Once it is all dry, bring it back inside.  Voila!  A Knitter’s Christmas!