Crochet an Orb : A tutorial using a balloon

Yesterday for some reason those string covered balloon decorations popped into my head. I thought it might be interesting to try this with a crochet covered balloon. I decided to made a little tutorial out of it. All you need are basic crochet skills, a large crochet hook, yarn or string ( I used thrifted jute ) , watered down craft glue and a balloon of course.

First blow up the balloon to the desired size. Don't over inflate it because it may break when you are crocheting around it later.

Next make a crochet chain of about 5 stitiches and join into a circle.

Now you can follow the same basic pattern of increases used to make the rock babies and covered stones. After a while don't forget to try it on for size.

I honestly have no idea how my balloon turned into an artist from Paris . Continue rows of single crochet until you have a length about 2/3 's of the balloon length. Now place the balloon inside the crochet net and stretch as tight as possible being careful not to burst the balloon.

From this point on you continue your crocheting with the balloon in place. It sounds tricky but it was actually easier than crocheting with a stone inside because the balloon gives a little to allow you to place the hook in the next stitch. You will need to start to decrease as the balloon's circumference gets smaller. I did this by crocheting every second stitch every second row until I only had about 10 stitches and was near the top of the balloon. I then finished by cutting the jute and pulling the end through the last stitch.

I diluted some white craft glue with a little water and painted the entire surface a few times with this mixture. I left it to dry hanging on a tree in the sun and breeze.

I would recommend you dry it overnight before the next step but mine dried very quickly in the sun. Break the balloon with a needle and then remove it from the spheroid. I crocheted a chain from the top and joined it to the opposite side to make a handle or loop for hanging . I love how it turned out and it looks so natural and organic hanging from the magnolia tree. It kind of looks like the skeleton of a swallows nest. I am going to put a light inside it tonight because I think that might look magical.

If an idea pops into your head, run with it or at least write it down for the future or it may be gone forever. Hope you are all having a great weekend. Tomorrow I am going to post a tutorial on how to make one of those cute little snails I posted a picture of yesterday. They are really quick to make and they are so adorable, so find some fabric, felt and rope and check back tomorrow.

I placed a light in the spheroid this evening and we thought it looked like a magical orb. I just adored the pattern it made on the ceiling of the porch.

Comments

[Miss 376]

This is fantastic. Wish I could crochet so I could make a few

[Annie]

I have loved watching and reading about your journey with these crochet-covered objects. I like seeing how your creative process unfolds, thanks for sharing!

[Elsita :)]

What a GREAT idea Margie! The beauty is in how simple it is! This balloon must look so beautiful as a lamp in a little corner of the house. Thank you sooo much for the tutorial. My favorite step is when the balloon turns into an Artist from Paris. I think that that step is key :)
We are having a very fun weekend over here!!!!
Elsita :)

[sarah]

wow, I've been watching all of the little rocks and thimbles and such get covered in crochet over the last weeks (all very sweet) but this project takes the cake! i want a whole ceiling full of those little magical orbs. thanks for another wonderful idea.

[Andrea (noricum)]

Neat! (Don't leave it out in the rain, though!)

[Kirsten]

I've done something similar with papier mache over the balloon first, and then wrapped the yarn around it (I like a little softer light from my orbs), and I think it would work well with the crocheting too. I also leave mine outside, but I've sprayed it with about a dozen layers of clear coat.

[Jess in MA]

Oh, that's beautiful. The light was just gorgeous. I will have to try them, I will tuck this away for later. I am on a knitting kick right now.

Have you ever seen the work of George Oomen? He's an artist in Boston and he paints abstracts, and abstract landscapes that are inspired by the nature of his childhood home in India. They are very beautiful- maybe the art is in the name!

http://www.goommen.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=12816&Akey=22RVBF6S

[Berlinswhimsy]

GREAT idea!!

[Katie]

How lovely! Definitely adding this to my to-do list!

[rebekah]

beautiful... i would love a whole tree-full of them! ;)

[Elizabeth]

this is sweet! it looks like you lit up a honeycomb!

[cat]

I just love it!

[Molly]

How did I miss this the first time around(I read every day)?? Wowza!!

I was attempting to rock-crochet today and a friend asked what I was doing. I've directed her to your blog and I'm sure she's drooling over the goodness!

Molly, who has several 5 gallon buckets of river rock from North Carolina and a few that were too big to fit in the buckets.

[Chari]

Thank you so much for your clear instructions. I've got two porch lights and three indoor lights that need fitting up. I was going to do papier mache (with coloured tissue paper) over balloons, which gives lovely soft light - but after seeing your gorgeous orbs, I'll add a crocheted "frock" to each of them.

[RetroDawn]

I was having a blue day when I happend across this delight filled light. The fun, well it's just a smile to the heart.I LOVE it.THe rocks too, all of them. Thanks for the Leave it outside tip. My Husband is very cautious about the risk of fire, so ... I want to try this so much! Maybe light with little christmas tree lights? I don't know how to find the patterns to make the nets and " doily types". I can knit and crochet.

[Dom]

I just love it ! Thanks for the inspiration, I will have to try it.