Yarn Eggs

Day 146: First of all, I would like to thank my friend Kelli for posting the instructions for making these Easter eggs where I could see them. They sounded quite easy to make, so I picked up all the supplies last week and sat myself down to the task. Immediately, I found myself challenged by trying to insert a foil-covered chocolate egg into a water balloon (hints will follow at the end of this article). Once I'd got the candy into the neck of the balloon, I struggled with inflating it, but once it started to expand, the egg popped neatly into the enlarged form. The next part of the project involved wrapping yarn soaked in a mixture of glue and water around the slippery inflated balloon. At first, this proved to be rather difficult to accomplish without having it slide off, but in subsequent attempts, I learned to control the tension. Once the yarn was laid on, I looped a twist-tie around the mouth of the balloon and hung the eggs to dry. Surprisingly, when it came time to remove the balloon from the center, it peeled away from the yarn easily.

Now, if you're interested in making these, I'll expand on the original instructions. You will need yarn, water balloons (regular balloons will NOT do), quick-drying craft glue and chocolate eggs. The project will be a lot easier if you have an assistant, but it can be accomplished by one person.

Water balloons are VERY stretchy and tough. This was something I did not know when I began working. Stretch the neck as wide as you can manage, pulling it apart until you can maneuver a chocolate egg into the opening. It does not have to drop into the body of the balloon, but after you've done a few, you'll discover that it's possible. Now inflate the balloon to a nice size (don't fully inflate it) and tie off the neck. Mix one part craft glue with one part water (a tablespoon of each will be sufficient for three eggs). Soak a 6-yard length of yarn in the glue mixture while keeping the ends in your hand. Wring out as much of the glue as possible, returning it to the bowl. Separate the yarn ends and begin winding the yarn snugly but not tightly around the balloon. Make a conscious effort to keep the crossings from bulking up in any one spot. Always remember that you don't want the chocolate to fall out through one of the holes, so be mindful of spacing. You can manipulate the threads a little after wrapping is complete. When you're done wrapping, tuck the end of the yarn under one of the threads to conceal it. Wrap a twist-tie around the balloon neck and hang your masterpiece up to dry.

When the eggs are completely dry, poke a hole in the large end of the balloon and scissor an opening large enough for the chocolate to escape. You may have to make a couple of incisions. Pull the balloon pieces out of the egg with the point of your scissors or a pair of needlenosed pliers. Be careful not to pull any of the yarn intersections apart, but if you happen to do so, stick another candy inside and dab a little glue on the yarn to reseal it.

This honestly is a quick, cute project once you've worked out the fine points of construction. You have plenty of time between now and Easter to make them for your friends!