• 0 items$0.00
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

  • BLOG
    • Knitting
    • Crochet
    • Latch Hook
    • Macramé
    • Punch Needle
  • ABOUT
  • Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo

May 27, 2013 1 Comment

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

I was hanging out on Pinterest and found this awesome rainbow illusion fan – the blades are painted primary colors, so when the fan’s on, you see a rainbow of color. Suffering a bout of instant inspiration for applying the idea to other surfaces, I realized my newly rekindled interest in yo-yoing was the perfect place to take the rainbow concept for a spin. (Sorry. Puns. They’re just so tempting to use when you write about crafts.)

Supplies

  • white, red, yellow & blue paper, all 8.5 by 11 inches
  • computer printer
  • Mod Podge Super Gloss
  • paint brush
  • rubbing alcohol
  • scissors
  • this template

Directions

Measure the diameter of your yo-yo. If it’s 2 inches, you can use this template as-is, but if it’s a different size, you’ll need to adjust the template accordingly. Print the template with a regular computer printer onto one each of each of your four sheets of paper. Cut two slices of the red, blue and yellow papers from the template, leaving whole the white circle templates.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

Carefully cut out the two white circles from the template and set one aside. Grab one of each colored slice.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

With the black lines facing away from you, hold your white circle up to a light source.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

Paint a layer of Mod Podge onto three non-adjacent slices of the circle (leave a dry slice between each Mod-Podged slice).

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

With any visible template lines facing down, place a primary colored slice on each of the patches of Mod Podge.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

Wipe down your yo-yo with rubbing alcohol. Paint a thick layer of Mod Podge onto one side of the yo-yo, and place the paper circle on the center of it. There’s a convenient ridge on the yo-yo I used for this project that made centering the paper easy.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

Paint another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the placed paper circle. After letting the first side dry totally, repeat the process of creating and decoupaging a second paper circle onto the opposite side of the yo-yo.

How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo at HandsOccupied.com

 I first posted this project at Mod Podge Rocks last month. I write a monthly tutorial for Mod Podge Rocks, which you should check out on Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for tons of decoupage craft project instructions.

Filed Under: Decoupage, How-to, My Work Elsewhere Tagged With: crafts, diy, kids crafts, mod podge, optical illusion, rainbow, yo-yo

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

Previous Post: « Weekly Reader
Next Post: Wednesday Treat: Catching Fireflies Giveaway »

Reader Interactions

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?
Visit similar articles...

  • How-to: Dotted Parasol MakeoverHow-to: Dotted Parasol Makeover
  • Weekly ReaderWeekly Reader
  • How-to: Radioactive JarsHow-to: Radioactive Jars
  • How-to: Upholster Light Plate CoversHow-to: Upholster Light Plate Covers

DON’T MISS ANOTHER UPDATE

Trackbacks

  1. Science Meets Crafts Program Kit: Rainbow Illusion Yo-yos | Library as Incubator Project says:
    September 20, 2013 at 6:42 am

    […] out How to Make Rainbow Optical Illusion Yo-Yos for the step by step on making these one at a time. I encourage you to make one yourself before […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Never miss a tutorial with these short & sweet monthly updates.

Find Me on Social Media

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
Latch Hook by Heidi GustadDiscover Unique Items

Footer

INSTAGRAM

handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
.
Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or It’s been a hot second since I showed my face or reintroduced myself, so here goes! I’m Heidi Gustad, a craft book author, pattern designer, and tutorial creator who specializes in yarn crafts. Lately, I’ve been focused on releasing quality knitting videos and related blog posts to help teach things like the difference between provisional cast ons and how to fix common knitting mistakes. Next week I’m shooting requested crochet and latch hook videos, so h👀kers, your time is coming! And if you ever have tutorial requests, please let me know. ☺️
. 
TLDR: I’m Heidi. I design & teach yarn crafts. You can find tutorials on my blog (est. 2010) & You2be. I also have several knitting & crochet patterns + a book about latch hook available. / All of these can be found on my website, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
.
#handsoccupied #fridayintroduction #heidigustad #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #yarncrafts #latchhookbook
Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Contine Are you a picker or a thrower? Do you knit Continental or English Style? Here’s a quick overview of the differences between the two most common knitting styles, including a side by side comparison. (A good one to save for future reference. 👍🏻) 
.
There’s more on the differences between picking and throwing in my latest blog post & You 2ube video - the l1nk is where you’d think!
.
#handsoccupied #learntoknit #knittingstyles #howtoknit #knittersofinstagram #knitter
Spent time with family this weekend down South. Go Spent time with family this weekend down South. Got some stitching in & felt spring for a minute, which was lovely. ☀️ 
.
I’ll be catching up on comments, etc. tomorrow. 
.
#handsoccupied #travelknitting #planeknitting
Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portugue Which way do you knit? Picking, throwing, Portuguese, Shetland… how about lever style? 
.
Today on the blog, we’re defining & comparing the two most common knitting styles: continental and throwing. They’re each known by a few names, and odds are one of them really is your grandmother’s knitting style (if she’s a western knitter that is). There’s a new video to help demonstrate the differences too. Another good one to save & share! 😉 
.
#handsoccupied #continentalknitting #englishknitting #americanknitting #howtoknit
This past weekend, my husband and I visited family This past weekend, my husband and I visited family out of state. Here’s what I packed to keep my hands occupied for the drive. 😉 
.
I try my hardest to be realistic about how much knitting I’m going to get done vs. the effort of schlepping my WIP(s) and yarn around. I definitely almost brought double this amount of yarn, which would have been hilariously unnecessary for a weekend trip. Why am I like this? 😆 Do you also struggle with overpacking when it comes to crafts? 
.
#handsoccupied #travelknitting #knitting #knitter #knittersofinstagram #knitting_inspiration
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 / Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework / Branding by Ink + Mortar
All Site & Shop Policies / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy