36 / 88
PAGE 36
BACK TO BLACK SEALCOATING " # $ # # # $ ! " %-- !2 *01 /05 ).04%- $ " " /03 30 &) '0.&,/)( 5,3+ %/6 03+)1 0**)1 732-968-3646 www.backtoblacksealcoating.com LICENSED INSURED backtoblacksealcoat ing@yahoo.com PING, PONG, POM-POM By: Carolyn Hanson By now you may have noticed that Pom-poms are everywhere this season. Real fur, faux-fur, and the wooly variety are the most common. It’s easy to update a scarf or hat by adding one or more pom-poms. Kids love wearing them and making them. It’s right up there with making cookies. Pom-poms are easy and fun to make. Gadgets are available, however, DIY (do-it- yourself) is my favorite. You probably have all the supplies needed on hand: yarn, cardboard (a cereal or pasta box will do), scissors, a drinking glass, a quarter, and a pen. Pom-poms use a lot of yarn, so have enough on hand. Here we go: • Step 1: Choose a drinking glass or other model with the circumference equal to the desired size of your finished pom-pom. • Step 2: Trace the rim of the glass onto the cardboard. Cut 2. • Step 3: Place the quarter in the center of the circles and trace. • Step 4: Imagine the circle is a face of a clock, mark where 2 and 4 would appear. Now cut out this segment plus the entire center outline from the quar- ter. Each circle now resembles a thick letter “C”. • Step 5: Cut a 10” length of yarn. Lay it onto one of the circles so it follows the curves of the “C.” Place the other circle on top. The yarn is now sandwiched between the circles. • Step 6: Leaving a 4” tail and without catching the center yarn from step 5, begin wrapping the yarn around the C-form from the inside circle to the out- side, evenly, until the center circle is filled and the entire form is completely cov- ered. The more yarn used, the denser the pom-pom. Cut the yarn. • Step 7: Carefully find the top/outer edge of the C-Form. Do not cut the center yarn from step 5. Guide the scissors between the two circles and cut through all thicknesses. • Step 8: Remove the paper C-form to use again. (I’ve reused mine a dozen times.) Using the long 10” center yarn, pull as tightly as possible and tie a knot to draw all the short cut ends closely together. • Step 9: Fluff out the pom-pom. Without cutting the 10” yarn, trim any stray lengths of yarn. Use the long remaining yarn to attach the pom-pom to your project. Then trim the long ends. Try making a pom-pom in 2 or more colors. - Hold all yarns together and wrap – This will make a multi-colored variety - Wrap each color in a set section of the C-Form – This will make a striped or color separated variety Pom-Poms can be added to manufactured pieces too. Use a small crochet hook or tapestry needle to pierce the fabric and draw one tie through the fabric and secure with a knot. Make mini pom-poms by using the tines of a fork. For details, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjxJFcm16r0 Have fun decorating! P.S. I was able to maintain my stash busting yarn diet for 2015, minus 2 necessary purchases for gifts. In total, 35 completed projects used 88 skeins. Despite this effort, my stash remains healthy and robust. Sigh. I think I’ll continue my journey in 2016, however, if I make it to Iceland, all bets are off! Carolyn Hanson is a local knitting and crochet designer, teacher and fiber artist. She can be contacted at cchanson3@gmail.com . www.theconnectionsnj.com 1 Mountain Blvd. Warren, N.J. rittenhouseagency@allstate.com David Rittenhouse 908-754-3263 104514 Insurance, discounts and savings subject to terms, qualifications and availability. Discount and availability varies by state and product line. Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Co., Life insurance issued by Allstate Life Insurance Co., Northbrook, IL, and Lincoln Benefit Life Co., Lincoln, NE. In New York, Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, Hauppauge, NY. © 2011 Allstate Insurance Co. I can help you save money and be better protected. With the Allstate® Auto/Life Discount, you can save on auto insurance when you protect your family with life insurance. I’ll make it easy to get the quality coverage you need at an affordable price. So why wait? Call me today to put your family in Good Hands®.