Last week I ran across a post by Robin with the most ingenious use of novelty yarn I've ever seen. I dashed off a quick note to the girls and on Monday night Abbe, Amy, Kristin and I got together at a local pub to make our own yarn ornaments. The clear glass balls were about $2 a dozen and we pitched in and brought along whatever hideous sparkly yarns we had. The more horrifying the yarn, the prettier the ornament. The perfect way to combine fibre and Christmas without all the panic of knitting for everybody.
While at the pub, we drew attention as a group of beery knitters is apt to do. The bartender kept referring to us as the "sewing circle in the backroom," and myriad drunks that cruised past complimented us on the resurgence of quilting bees. We were a party to the weirdest exchange between boozers and knitters. After noticing the Husband Sweater laying on the table, "Wow, this stuff is gorgeous. You don't see quality stitching like this anywhere. Hey, are you on methamphetamines? No? That's why this is so beautiful, you're pure. Hey I gotta go! I might get arrested if they catch me here talking to y'all."
Knitting in public, always an adventure.
Genius idea! Too bad I just gave away all my novelty yarns to a scrappy scarf maker. Meaning, the scarves are scrappy, not the maker...
Where were you all knitting? Stay pure, Caro!
Posted by: gina | November 23, 2006 at 15:08
That IS a good idea!
Posted by: miss ewe | November 23, 2006 at 15:11
Those ROCK!
Posted by: Scoutj | November 23, 2006 at 15:17
I think I am gonna have to make some of those this year! That is such a great idea!
Posted by: Tamie Snow | November 23, 2006 at 16:02
Those are great!!! The girls were out knitting at a coffee place the other night and one of the employees said "well there's something I thought I'd never see in here...a sewing circle!"
Posted by: P-la | November 23, 2006 at 16:25
Very cute. I saw some like that at a Stitch booth.
Posted by: Elizabeth K | November 23, 2006 at 16:27
Those are pretty! What a cool idea.
Posted by: Zilya | November 23, 2006 at 17:02
Hm....Now I'm tempted to knit teeny tiny sockies, sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, gloves, vests...just about anything. And stick them inside of glass balls.
Posted by: Rodger | November 23, 2006 at 17:03
Those are just gorgeous!!!! I'm smitten!! And now the search begins for clear balls...
Posted by: allison | November 23, 2006 at 18:27
THIS is a *great idea* for all of those scraps! I am so inspired (yet again!) by you, Caro girl! :)
Posted by: Lolly | November 23, 2006 at 22:05
Positively brilliant idea and they look stunning! Alas, I have little to no novelty yarn - must I buy some? Sounds like you had fun too.
Posted by: Julia | November 23, 2006 at 22:58
although a knitter on crack does do fast work, the quailty and pride just isn't there...
fabulous idea for use of hideous yarn. I may have to go grab me some clear ornments and do this up!
Posted by: NessieNoodle | November 24, 2006 at 11:16
i have some godawful Bernat Disco that I got for free in the mail a while ago (didn't everybody?). now there's a use for it! ooh, or also, maybe as garland.
Posted by: Olga | November 24, 2006 at 13:41
Lovely idea! I did something like this several years back, with potpourri, beads and wire-edged ribbon -- wouldn't have thought to use yarn. I think I have a few candidates in the stash. :-)
Posted by: jesperanda | November 24, 2006 at 17:55
That has to be the neatest idea around. Yarn Ornaments. I'd have never thunk, that's for sure!
Posted by: Tamara | November 24, 2006 at 19:12
Great idea! I see some yarn ornaments in my future!
Posted by: sarah b. | November 24, 2006 at 20:19
Aren't they the greatest!?!! I told the group they were emergency yarn balls --- break glass if you run out of yarn!! For the last several years, I've put up a snowman tree. I bought some glass balls and some of that silver fuzzy yarn. Can't wait to make them and hang them on the tree!
Posted by: Robin | November 25, 2006 at 13:48
oh those are awesome. i may have to break my yarn diet just to buy some novelty stuff... hmm. maybe.
Posted by: maryse | November 26, 2006 at 10:49
Very pretty ornaments. I remember my Grandma making those with crepe paper or the shredded paper you'd put in a birthday bag. But the yarn ones are simply awesome! :)
Posted by: AJ | November 26, 2006 at 12:32
That is the best Idea Ever! I don't usually put up a tree, cause I do xmas at my parents, but this year I may have too! I love those ornaments!
Posted by: Julia | November 26, 2006 at 15:48
Hey- would you consider submitting this post to Yarnival!? There's a link on my blog. This is a a great idea, and I love the photos- and the story about the clearly intoxicated lurker.
Posted by: JulieFrick | November 26, 2006 at 19:43
I never thought I'd buy hairy yarn! Thank you for this post; I am making my pretty balls right now. They look awesome!!!!!
Posted by: isel | November 26, 2006 at 21:26
Your ornaments definitely came out the best! I can't wait to put my tree up. Oh and I hope you disinfected the husband sweater after dirty meth guy fondled it. yum
Posted by: Kristin | November 27, 2006 at 09:52
I want some. I've been buying the clear ones and swirling paint in them. Damn, I feel retarded now. I want some!!! I'm going to Wal-Mart after work. Lord knows I have enough eyelash yarn and fun fur for everyone.... Hugs!
Posted by: Stalker Angie | November 27, 2006 at 11:43
Oh My Lands! I am totally going to try these ornaments out. I have so much of that crap, er... "novelty" yarn, and can never figure out what to make with it all. Brilliant!
Tee hee - I love your KIP story. And as crazy as it sounds, I've had similar conversations/situations simply while at Half Price Books. And they're supposedly sober!
Posted by: Nanc | November 27, 2006 at 18:08