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Hands Occupied

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

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Yarn Swatch Wall Art

August 4, 2014 3 Comments

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® Elmer’s and Wet Ones, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CraftandCleanUp http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

Since I apparently can’t get yarn off my brain at any given time, today’s DIY wall art idea is inspired by the yarn swatches you’d knit to test the gauge of your yarn before casting on a new project. This would make a great gift for any knitting lover in your life – it’s back to school time, does your kid’s teacher have a yarn addiction? Or maybe their librarian… ;)

I am a Librarian at a public library, and I work with teens. Of course, I do a lot of craft projects with my teens, but there’s not always a ton of time for prep and cleanup before and after DIY nights. When I discovered this Elmer’s/Wet Ones combo pack at Target, I immediately felt like someone had teachers and other professional folks like me in mind.

Elmer's / Wet Ones Combo Pack, Available at Select Target Stores | handsoccupied.com

PS: You can find this Wet Ones and Elmer’s combo pack in select Target stores’ back to school sections. 

Before every library program I do, I take the time to wipe off the dirty handprints from our program room tables. A lot of the littler kids stop by the library in the middle of playing outside and/or eating hot cheetos, so the tables are usually a bit gray when I get to them. Then I gather the supplies for the project we’re doing.

Supplies

cardboard or art canvas(es)
paint brush
acrylic craft paint
cotton swabs
Elmer’s School Glue
Wet Ones for cleanup
hair dryer (optional)

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com Directions

Double-checking that your canvas or cardboard is dust-free, draw a series of V’s that look like knit stitches, making sure to have the same number of stitches every row. If I were working with the teens right now, I’d show them my yarn swatch example, but let them do whatever design excited them the most. I’m sure I’d get lots of logos or hashtags or their favorite bands. :)

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

Next, you’ll let your glue dry for several hours (or use a hair dryer on low if you’re in a rush like we’d be at the library). When all of the Elmer’s is completely dry, it will be clear instead of white. Then you’ll paint over the whole canvas/cardboard with a layer of acrylic paint. The trick to get this to look like a knitting swatch is to not use too much paint. Too much paint coverage will flatten the 3D effect of the glue, rather than giving it depth and texture like a swatch would have. The darker canvas and brown of a piece of cardboard are good here because they’re harder to cover in a single coat of paint, causing more depth.

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

See the difference the paint’s thickness makes?

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

After your paint dries (again use the hair dryer if necessary), all that’s left is the cleanup. When I do DIY nights for teens at the library, we usually finish somewhere within 30 minutes of closing time. Since we have a small staff at my branch, that means that many of us are rushing around getting ready to close, and I’m on my own (and on a tight time frame) for craft cleanup. That’s where Wet Ones become a necessity in my professional life. Just a few swipes on my program room tables, and I’m good to go without holding up my coworkers!

Yarn Swatch Wall Art at handsoccupied.com

Filed Under: Back to School, Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored, Home Decor, How-to, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: back-to-school, canvas, elmer's, knitting art, wall art, wet ones, yarn swatch wall art

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Comments

  1. Rebecca

    August 4, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    This is super cute! What a neat idea, I love the texture the glue gives. It could be used so many different ways too for different patterns. I can’t help but think cross stitch!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      August 6, 2014 at 8:39 am

      Oh totally! I love that idea!

      Reply
  2. Alyssa

    August 11, 2014 at 10:23 pm

    Correction: “Hot chips” :)

    Love the simplicity of this. Might even become a first grade project this year!

    Reply

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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.

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If you look closely, you’ll see I’m casually k If you look closely, you’ll see I’m casually knitting from one sweater into another here, no big deal. (What can I say, I lost a game of yarn chicken. 😂) I almost didn’t post this because I was worried someone might have some nonsense to say about my ability to knit. Then I remembered I can’t care about that. Silly me, I almost forgot myself! 
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Just divided the sleeves on this quick sweater, wh Just divided the sleeves on this quick sweater, which has unsurprisingly turned into a love letter to primary colors. ❤️💛💙 The heart stripe is a wee tweak I incorporated, and I don’t regret it! 
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