Yarnbombing tips
with Queen Babs
You can knit or crochet... and you want to get started now!
Here's a few tips to get you going.
Here's a few tips to get you going.
Where should you yarnbomb?
I started with one outside our apartment so I could see it and learn from it. Most of mine are in my community so I can see them when I am out and about. Don't cover or interfere with safety signs or reflective striping. It is there for a reason.
Every now and then I just drive around via the yarnbombs to check up on them. I take down any that are wrecked or past their prime. I leave no rubbish or bits of yarn littering the street. The idea is to make the streets beautiful, not add to the litter!!
When should I yarnbomb?
Many do it overnight so it seems to just appear like magic. I do it during the day. Depends how visible you want to be. I am less visible in my neighbourhood during the day and it is much easier to see!
What should I take in my yarnbombing kit?
See what I get up to via Instagram or Facebook -
I started with one outside our apartment so I could see it and learn from it. Most of mine are in my community so I can see them when I am out and about. Don't cover or interfere with safety signs or reflective striping. It is there for a reason.
Every now and then I just drive around via the yarnbombs to check up on them. I take down any that are wrecked or past their prime. I leave no rubbish or bits of yarn littering the street. The idea is to make the streets beautiful, not add to the litter!!
When should I yarnbomb?
Many do it overnight so it seems to just appear like magic. I do it during the day. Depends how visible you want to be. I am less visible in my neighbourhood during the day and it is much easier to see!
What should I take in my yarnbombing kit?
- The yarnbomb - don't laugh! I forgot it once!!
- scissors
- tapestry needles threaded with yarn and ready to go! I take a pincushion too with pins, needles etc
- extra yarn
- cable/electrical ties
- tags, stickers and bits you want to add
- step stool or ladder if needed
- a camera!
- water and snacks
- a friend is good and makes it more fun
- a measuring tape in case you see something else you want to yarn bomb
- your details incase someone wants to contact you
- a smile and a a sense of adventure
- And if at night, a torch or even a helmet with a light!!
See what I get up to via Instagram or Facebook -
And now basic How-to Nuts-and-bolts useful info...
1. Measure the object you want to yarnbomb!
Do it accurately. You need the width and the length. I keep a tape measure in my handbag. Yes I do. And in my crochet bag and my yarnbombing bag and in my husband's photography bag. You never know when you need to measure a target. Write it down somewhere! When you become addicted you may want to replace it when it fades in a year.
2. What yarn should you use?
Whatever you like! But... I find acrylic lasts the longest in Aussie weather and keeps its colour well. I avoid FLURO yarn now (flurescent colour like in a highlighter pen) after experimenting because it fades very quickly and looks awful! I also do not use fluffy, eyelash or other delicate yarns because they break easily and get caught on bikes, etc and rip. I use 8ply acrylic because it is the most readily available in Australia. I have never had a pole complain about its jumper!! :D
Whether it is a $2 or $8 ball seems to have little bearing on how tough or colour fast it is. Experiment!
If you are in the USA use your basic acrylic like Red Heart Super Saver - that would be perfect.
Do it accurately. You need the width and the length. I keep a tape measure in my handbag. Yes I do. And in my crochet bag and my yarnbombing bag and in my husband's photography bag. You never know when you need to measure a target. Write it down somewhere! When you become addicted you may want to replace it when it fades in a year.
2. What yarn should you use?
Whatever you like! But... I find acrylic lasts the longest in Aussie weather and keeps its colour well. I avoid FLURO yarn now (flurescent colour like in a highlighter pen) after experimenting because it fades very quickly and looks awful! I also do not use fluffy, eyelash or other delicate yarns because they break easily and get caught on bikes, etc and rip. I use 8ply acrylic because it is the most readily available in Australia. I have never had a pole complain about its jumper!! :D
Whether it is a $2 or $8 ball seems to have little bearing on how tough or colour fast it is. Experiment!
If you are in the USA use your basic acrylic like Red Heart Super Saver - that would be perfect.
3. Start with something simple!
Look at designs you like and use it to inspire you. Make a rough plan. Make your first yarnbomb close to home so you can see how it survives the weather and your choice of yarn. Also you will find out if locals and government councils want to cut it down or admire it.
Permission to yarnbomb? You may want to seek permission from your local council or authority. If so, do it well ahead of time. I am still waiting after months for one project.
Look at designs you like and use it to inspire you. Make a rough plan. Make your first yarnbomb close to home so you can see how it survives the weather and your choice of yarn. Also you will find out if locals and government councils want to cut it down or admire it.
Permission to yarnbomb? You may want to seek permission from your local council or authority. If so, do it well ahead of time. I am still waiting after months for one project.
4. What stitches should I use?
CROCHET
For your first yarnbomb of a pole, bike rack or tree you might like to start simple...but if not go for it! If you want to make sure it is going to stay up, use single crochet (all terms in US terms) to do the first few rows before you move to half double crochets or double crochets. Avoid stretchy stitches like granny stitches or trebles at first. I use a larger hook to do the starting chain, then move to a smaller hook for the other stitching as I have very loose tension. As you get better you can experiment and mix up stitches, but it is important that you can sew it up and get it to stay up!
KNIT
I can't knit. But I have a knitting machine. Do a swatch to test if it will fit around the pole. Knitting is totally different to crochet, but gain you want the beginning to be strong so you can sew it up to stay up. I start with plain stocking stitch before moving oonto anything fancy. I also end in stocking stitch. Unfortunately it rolls up into a tube making it a bit awkward when sewing my decorations. I enjoy mixing fair isle and plain together.
CROCHET
For your first yarnbomb of a pole, bike rack or tree you might like to start simple...but if not go for it! If you want to make sure it is going to stay up, use single crochet (all terms in US terms) to do the first few rows before you move to half double crochets or double crochets. Avoid stretchy stitches like granny stitches or trebles at first. I use a larger hook to do the starting chain, then move to a smaller hook for the other stitching as I have very loose tension. As you get better you can experiment and mix up stitches, but it is important that you can sew it up and get it to stay up!
KNIT
I can't knit. But I have a knitting machine. Do a swatch to test if it will fit around the pole. Knitting is totally different to crochet, but gain you want the beginning to be strong so you can sew it up to stay up. I start with plain stocking stitch before moving oonto anything fancy. I also end in stocking stitch. Unfortunately it rolls up into a tube making it a bit awkward when sewing my decorations. I enjoy mixing fair isle and plain together.
How do I get the size right?
Over time weather makes the yarnbomb stretch. If it is a big yarnbomb, its own weight makes the yarnbomb stretch too.
CROCHET & KNITTING
Make the base slightly smaller so it stretches firmly to fit. This makes it tighter and more likely to stay put. Rain makes it loosen.
In crochet, for example my pole is 19cm wide. My tension is medium and stretchy. I make it 17cm and it stretches firmly, but not too tightly out to 19cm. I have a ruler next to me and test it at first and for the first few rows. My Easter 2014 yarnbomb had granny stitches, but not at first and only for 6 rows at a time before going back to sc (US) or dc (US) . If you are still too stretchy try using a smaller hook.
When on the knitting machine, I make it 22cm wide for example, but it shrinks down below 19cm when I take it off the machine.
Do a sample. It is trial and eror.
Over time weather makes the yarnbomb stretch. If it is a big yarnbomb, its own weight makes the yarnbomb stretch too.
CROCHET & KNITTING
Make the base slightly smaller so it stretches firmly to fit. This makes it tighter and more likely to stay put. Rain makes it loosen.
In crochet, for example my pole is 19cm wide. My tension is medium and stretchy. I make it 17cm and it stretches firmly, but not too tightly out to 19cm. I have a ruler next to me and test it at first and for the first few rows. My Easter 2014 yarnbomb had granny stitches, but not at first and only for 6 rows at a time before going back to sc (US) or dc (US) . If you are still too stretchy try using a smaller hook.
When on the knitting machine, I make it 22cm wide for example, but it shrinks down below 19cm when I take it off the machine.
Do a sample. It is trial and eror.
5. Are you adding decorations?
I sew my decorations on so they can withstand heavy handling. The very nature of yarnbombs means people want to touch them. This is a compliment to you! Note that wherever you sew on decorations it will not stretch the same way as plain areas. Large decorations can be sewn on partly before adding to the pole etc and sewing finished when it is up. I try to avoid this as it is a pain!
I sew my decorations on so they can withstand heavy handling. The very nature of yarnbombs means people want to touch them. This is a compliment to you! Note that wherever you sew on decorations it will not stretch the same way as plain areas. Large decorations can be sewn on partly before adding to the pole etc and sewing finished when it is up. I try to avoid this as it is a pain!
Everyone has their own way of sewing on decorations.
I've though of sticking my pieces down with double-sided tape to keep things in position, but this would get nasty glue all over my sewing needles, but I probably will try it sometime!
I am sad to tell you I do sew them on one at a time. It takes ages, but I don't weave in the ends from sewing them on. No one will see them! This saves plenty of time.
- Use tapestry or wool needles.
- I like to lay it out, play and place things on. When I am happy, I take a photo to help me remember my placement.
- If it's small I leave it all pinned on. Things fall off easily so I pin really well. This leads to plenty of ouch moments! Things fall off anyway.
- If it's a big yarnbomb I try to think in layers so stems down first, sew, then flowers, sew, then leaves etc
- If there aren't really any layers, I use the photo to guide me and sew an area at a time or everything in the same colour or the same type of decoration, whatever I think will work best.
- Some whip stitch them on. I don't. I sew through the outside margin with running stitch of each object with matching yarn. If it's large I sew inside too.
I've though of sticking my pieces down with double-sided tape to keep things in position, but this would get nasty glue all over my sewing needles, but I probably will try it sometime!
I am sad to tell you I do sew them on one at a time. It takes ages, but I don't weave in the ends from sewing them on. No one will see them! This saves plenty of time.
Here is a link for 4 methods of attaching squares or pieces together that may also be helpful. The invisible sewing method is one of my favourites.
6. Sewing up the yarnbomb to the pole, tree or bike rack.
For crochet, I sew the yarnbomb to the pole with double yarn. I also sew around the top and bottom of the pole a few times to make it very tight and to reinforce the sewing. I use strong 8ply acrylic to sew up. Another idea is to add cable or electrical ties to the top, middle and bottom to keep it from falling down. It will take at least 30 minutes to sew a yarnbomb of over 1.4 metres on a pole. It will take beginners longer.
For knitting, I use a single strand. the double strand stands out too much.
Joining techniques for yarnbombs?
For trees, bikeracks and poles - I use matching yarn and if the stripe sections are large I might change colours to match. Mostly I join using a shade of yarn within the yarnbomb that will show the least. I whipstitch the two sides neatly matching the rows and they do not show very much, if at all. If you are neat, this will make it even harder to see the join.
To keep the rows even I suggest big safety pins to hold the sides together as you work and so you are matching the sides evenly. Just space them out here and there. If you have stripes you can make sure the stripes match up as you are sewing. Yes, it makes a difference to do this well. I have had many people tell me they could not find how I attached my yarnbomb as they could not find a seam!! (This will make mum proud!)
For crochet, I sew the yarnbomb to the pole with double yarn. I also sew around the top and bottom of the pole a few times to make it very tight and to reinforce the sewing. I use strong 8ply acrylic to sew up. Another idea is to add cable or electrical ties to the top, middle and bottom to keep it from falling down. It will take at least 30 minutes to sew a yarnbomb of over 1.4 metres on a pole. It will take beginners longer.
For knitting, I use a single strand. the double strand stands out too much.
Joining techniques for yarnbombs?
For trees, bikeracks and poles - I use matching yarn and if the stripe sections are large I might change colours to match. Mostly I join using a shade of yarn within the yarnbomb that will show the least. I whipstitch the two sides neatly matching the rows and they do not show very much, if at all. If you are neat, this will make it even harder to see the join.
To keep the rows even I suggest big safety pins to hold the sides together as you work and so you are matching the sides evenly. Just space them out here and there. If you have stripes you can make sure the stripes match up as you are sewing. Yes, it makes a difference to do this well. I have had many people tell me they could not find how I attached my yarnbomb as they could not find a seam!! (This will make mum proud!)
7. Adding your name or yarnbomb name.
It is nice to have as people often wonder who has left the yarnbomb. A cardboard tag will be ruined by rain or snow unless you laminate it. Some add cloth tags. I have stickers with my name and details and a laminated tag.
For those of you who are involved in the Yarnified Love Bomb, for the hearts you could do the International #yarnifiedlovebomb as on Instagram. The lady who started it is Nallie Radloff. The tag she suggests is "You are loved. #yarnifiedlovebomb." She adds a drawn heart and so do I. I write on the back "Take me!" or "Yours to keep."
For my yarnbombs, I tag them with Queen Babs. That is my artist/yarnbomb name, so I have some privacy as it is not my real name. Tagging is up to you. It depends if you want people to know you or be able to contact you. I like to build the people involved and this is a good way to grow your team. I have 2-3 new yarnbombing pals this year alone from this.
My tag has my email, Instagram and Facebook information. This way people can find me, ask questions or get involved.
8. Take a photo!
The yarnbomb will not last forever, but a photo is a good record. Share it with your friends and on Facebook or Instagram. There is a thriving community of yarnbombers on Instagram, myself included!
It is nice to have as people often wonder who has left the yarnbomb. A cardboard tag will be ruined by rain or snow unless you laminate it. Some add cloth tags. I have stickers with my name and details and a laminated tag.
For those of you who are involved in the Yarnified Love Bomb, for the hearts you could do the International #yarnifiedlovebomb as on Instagram. The lady who started it is Nallie Radloff. The tag she suggests is "You are loved. #yarnifiedlovebomb." She adds a drawn heart and so do I. I write on the back "Take me!" or "Yours to keep."
For my yarnbombs, I tag them with Queen Babs. That is my artist/yarnbomb name, so I have some privacy as it is not my real name. Tagging is up to you. It depends if you want people to know you or be able to contact you. I like to build the people involved and this is a good way to grow your team. I have 2-3 new yarnbombing pals this year alone from this.
My tag has my email, Instagram and Facebook information. This way people can find me, ask questions or get involved.
8. Take a photo!
The yarnbomb will not last forever, but a photo is a good record. Share it with your friends and on Facebook or Instagram. There is a thriving community of yarnbombers on Instagram, myself included!
Wishing you good luck and happy adventures in your new yarnbombing project!
Cheers!
Queen Babs :D
Cheers!
Queen Babs :D