This Week: Make a Yarn Ball!

Spring is coming! A great way to decorate for the spring season is with colorful yarn balls. Yarn balls are simply yarn that is in the shape of a sphere. They’re fun to make with endless possibilities of color and use of materials that are easily available.

Materials: Yarn Glue Balloons Bowl Pencil Vaseline (Optional)

Step 1 - Balloon The size of your balloon will determine how big your yarn ball will be. A 5-inch balloon is a good size to start. Do not inflate the balloon to full size – this helps keep the shape a sphere and it also leaves some wiggle room to press and separate the yarn in later steps.

Step 2 – Cut Cut a long length of yarn.  f needed, practice wrap your balloon to help determine your length.

Step 3 - Mix In a small bowl, combine 2 parts glue and 1 part water and mix well.

Step 4 – Dip Submerge and soak your length of yarn in the glue mixture. Make sure the yarn is covered and wet, then remove and squeeze out any excess.

Step 5 – Wrap Beginning at the knotted end of your balloon, wrap your balloon with the yarn! Wrap in all directions, both top to bottom and side to side. The more you wrap, the denser your final yarn ball will be. When you have wrapped enough, cut the excess length of yarn, and tuck the cut end under your wrapped yarn to hide it.

Step 6 – Dry Hang your balloon to dry. Allow at least 24 hours to fully dry. The yarn should be completely stiff – however it is still very delicate.

Step 7 – Separate To prevent the yarn ball from collapsing, gently separate the balloon from the yarn. Take the eraser end of a pencil and gently push the balloon inwards, away from the yarn. Do this gently in as many places as you can.

Step 8 – Pop When the balloon has been separated from the yarn, it is time to pop it! Use a needle or scissors and pop the balloon. Remove the balloon from the yarn ball. Your yarn ball is finished!

Step 9 – Notes for success! If your yarn ball collapses at the end, you can inflate a new balloon inside the ball to push the collapsed spot out. Then, just let the air of the balloon to remove it. If you have issues separating the yarn from the balloon, try coating the balloon with Vaseline before wrapping. You can also dry wrap the balloon with yarn and directly paint on glue to the top of the yarn, trying to avoid gluing the yarn to the balloon.

MARCH CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CLASSES One of the most important aspects of plant growth is soil. Learn all about soil, including structure and what lives in soil that helps plants grow! Learn how soil is created, through geologic processes. Take home a crystallization experiment! Each class is limited to 10 participants per group. Only one group per session. Cost: $50/group Classes held rain/shine/snow & include outdoor educational walk. Days: Thursday or Friday option Times: 10:00 am or 1:00 pm option. Masks and social distancing required!

March Adult Education Terrarium Make-at-home Kit Learn about and make a beautiful terrarium at home. All supplies provided for a healthy plantscape, including miniature plants, gravel, soil, soil amendments, and a container! Cost: $20/members $25 non-members

TAKE-HOME KIT PICK UP TIMES ON OUR WEBSITE MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED Registration/information for all walks and drive through kits here, or by calling 414-525-5653 or 414-525-5659

FBBG Memberships: Great All Year Round! All FBBG members receive: Unlimited access to the Gardens A 10% discount in Nell's Garden Cafe' Discounts on FBBG classes, special events and in our Gift Shop on select stock items. Free admission to over 300 AHS gardens nationwide... Including Chicago Botanic, Arizona's Desert Botanical Garden, Illinois' Morton Arboretum and the Florida Botanical Gardens! FBBG's In Season Newsletter Membership Appreciation Event...and more! MEMBER LEVELS: Individual $35 One Membership Admission Card & (1) One-time Guest Pass Individual +1 $50 Two Membership Admission Cards & (2) One-time Guest Passes Family $65 Two Membership Admission Cards - Good for two adults and three children under 17 & (3) One-time Guest Passes Donor level memberships are also available starting at $100. For more information, please call the FBBG office at 414-525-5653. Become a Member Now!

BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are currently closed, but we look forward to announcing the Spring opening date soon! The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced.