Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Yarn Covered Hangers

Journaling reads: These hangers were part of my hope chest {or my "hopeless chest" as I referred}. I made them when I was a pre-teen. My Aunt Mary Frances saw my love of all things crafty, and she showed me how to make these by taking two wire hangers and yarn. The project was perfect for me and my small hands and even smaller budget. I love that she took the time out to teach me how to create these. I had big dreams of using them for my family someday, way back when. I love the daily reminder it serves, and they bring a wide smile to my face...

After getting several emails and comments on this layout, I thought I'd show a little tuitorial on how to make the yarn covered hangers I made as a child. You can see another tuitorial here.
I used two different colored yarns (you could easily use the same color for a solid colored hanger.) You'll want to make sure you have yarn balls and not full skein. Obtain a few wired hangers from your local dry cleaner (mine gave me several), and duct tape two together.
Starting on the tip of the hook, tie a knot and begin looping one of the yarn balls under the wire, making sure to come up through the "hole" you create with your hand, and pull tightly. In the above hanger, I repeated this process 5 times before changing colors.
When you do this, it is easiest to hold the product still by pinching it between your knees. I kept the dark colored yarn to my left, and the lighter blue yarn to my right at all times.
When you get to the neck of the hanger, branch off and go around the hanger. You will finish up back at the neck area, where you can easily tie it off.
Here is a photo of some of the hangers I made as a child:
They are about 30 years old, and haved served me and my family and our clothing well. They don't allow creases in your pants, and they grip a slippery blouse perfectly.
And I totally had a "hopeless chest"--I pinky swear (just ask my bff Kristin.) :)
Enjoy!!

14 comments:

Janelle said...

how neat, thanks for sharing :)

Valerie said...

HA! I've made these too...but totally forgot about them! Thanks for the reminder! Now I know what to do with all my left-over yarn!

pickmepam said...

you're so funny! obviously, not hopless. i made something similar in brownies, but it was out of some sort of foam...hummm....

TheresaK said...

gorgeous!!!!!

Debbi Tehrani said...

How clever and fun!

Nathalie said...

I have never seen yarn covered hangers before but I think yours look fabulous with their bright colors! It would make the experience of looking for something to wear much more enjoyable! :P

Unknown said...

Thanks glor. I'm using all my rolled scrap acrylic yarns - a mix of Red Heart, Bernat, Sayelle, Lion Brand and Vanna's.





Colored Regenerated Yarns

Angie said...

Thanks so much for posting this! I've been looking all over for instructions on how to do this. This was something that my great-grandfather used to do and give to everyone at Christmas. No one else knew how to make them when he died so the tradition died with him. I'm looking forward to reviving it this Christmas! THANK YOU!!!

Unknown said...

I used to make these with my grandmother and have a lot of them. Some I made myself and some she made. I have made more over the years and am looking to revive and update the tradition with newer yarns. They really are practical too. Thanks for sharing

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Northwest Lamp said...

Thank you for sharing this! I learned to do this many years ago and had since forgotten how to do it. :)

Northwest Lamp said...

Thank you for sharing this! I learned to do this many years ago and had since forgotten how to do it. :)

Unknown said...

Nice and interesting Blog! Your post really helped me for making hangers crochet cover by using different colors of yarns. Now my hangers are looking so beautiful. Thanks for sharing this innovative tutorial with us.

Satin Hangers

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this! To find the best quality yarn to make this kind of stuff get in touch with us.