Create a yarn wreath for your mantel, wall, or door with this easy tutorial. Yarn balls give this handmade Christmas decoration a cozy, playful look.
Christmas decorating is always more fun when I can add something handmade, and this yarn wreath was the perfect finishing touch for my mantel.
I love how the different yarn balls add cozy texture and color without requiring any knitting or crochet skills.
This is also a great project for using different yarn colors and textures to match your holiday decor.
It does take a little time to wrap all those yarn balls, but it's an easy project to work on while watching TV or hanging out with the family.
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Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $20-$30
Total Time: 2-3 hours
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You don't need to knit or crochet for this project. If you can wrap yarn and use a hot glue gun, you've got this!
Choosing Yarn for Your Wreath
One of my favorite things about this wreath is how easy it is to customize. I used red, off-white, and neutral tones for a Christmas look, then added twine to bring in a different texture.
You can use yarn you already have or choose a few coordinating colors specifically for your wreath. Mixing colors, thicknesses, and textures keeps all those little yarn balls from looking exactly the same and gives the finished wreath more personality.
The paper inside each ball also means you don't have to use an entire skein of yarn just to make one decoration. You're simply covering the paper until none of it shows, which makes this a great project for leftover yarn.
Making the Yarn Wreath
Start with the wreath form as the base for your project. Wrapping the form in yarn covers the foam and creates a finished background wherever you can see between the yarn balls.
For the yarn balls, I used wadded-up paper as the center instead of making solid yarn balls.
Masking paper works well because you can crumple and shape it until you have the size you want, then continue wrapping yarn around it until the paper is completely covered.
Don't worry about making every ball perfectly round or exactly the same size. A mix of larger and smaller yarn balls makes it easier to fill the wreath and gives the finished project a more interesting look.
Before attaching the yarn balls, decide how you want to hang the wreath. I added my hanging strap first so it would sit behind the yarn balls instead of covering them.
Then arrange the yarn balls around the wreath form until you like the placement. Mixing the colors, sizes, and textures as you go helps keep any one section from feeling too heavy.
Once you're happy with the arrangement, secure the yarn balls to the wreath form and to neighboring balls with hot glue. Filling smaller gaps with little yarn balls helps hide the wreath form and gives you that full, cozy look.
Fair warning, it is very easy to keep making yarn balls because you'll always find one more little gap that could use something. Eventually, you just have to decide you're done!
This project is a little time-consuming because of all the wrapping, but none of it is difficult.
I worked on mine here and there while watching TV with the kids and hubby, which made it feel much less like a marathon yarn-wrapping session.
It was totally worth it because I love how it looks on my mantel. I may be ready to leave this one up long after Christmas!
Ways to Customize Your Yarn Ball Wreath
You can completely change this wreath's look by switching the yarn colors. Traditional red and cream are perfect for Christmas, while pink and red would make a cute February wreath for Valentine's Day.
Neutral cream, tan, and gray could work throughout winter, or you could choose colors that coordinate with a bedroom, craft room, or other space and display the wreath year-round.
You can also play with texture by mixing smooth yarn with chunky yarn, twine, or other fibers. Just keep the overall color palette coordinated so all those different textures still feel like they belong together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crumpled masking paper or newspaper works well because it is lightweight and easy to shape. You can adjust the amount of paper to make several different sizes before wrapping each ball with yarn.
Nope! No knitting or crochet is involved. You simply wrap the yarn around the wreath form and paper balls.
The exact number will depend on the size of your wreath form and the size of the balls you make. I recommend making a variety of sizes so you can use the smaller ones to fill gaps as you arrange everything.
Absolutely. This is a great project for leftover yarn because you can mix coordinating colors and textures without needing a full skein of each one.
Yes, but I would keep it on an interior door or somewhere protected from moisture and harsh weather. The paper centers and yarn aren't designed to handle rain or snow.
Secure the end of the yarn when you finish wrapping each ball. Once you glue the balls into the wreath, neighboring pieces also help keep everything tucked neatly in place.
Need help with this project?
Click a button below to ask AI what to use instead of masking paper inside the yarn balls.
More Christmas Ideas
Handmade Christmas decorations are some of my favorites because they add personality to store-bought decor.
Here are a few more Christmas craft tutorials to help you add something handmade to your home this holiday season.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
{K}
Super cute wreath!! I haven't seen the yarn wreaths before... it's really unique.
Michelle@ourwonderfilledlife.com
yes I do love your blog design, so pretty!! As is the wreath, I love it and wanted to make one, thanks for the how-to!! 😉
Kerryanne English
Pretty blog design... always nice to have a little change.
Gorgeous wreath - I love that shade of cherry red too.
Festive hugs ~ Kerryanne
Anita @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Hi Katie, I sent you an email recently but am unsure if you got it. Please email me. I had a blogging opportunity for you if you are interested. 🙂
Jen
Well aren't you clever! I love that you used wadded up newspaper for the yarn ball fillers, so much cheaper than buying styrofoam balls! Thanks for linking up to the Head to Head Showdown! ~Jen
Cherished Bliss
Thanks for the shout-out Katie! I enjoyed working with you.Kim
Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano
I love this wreath! Great job!
Brooke @ www.Getouttamyheadplease.com
Thanks for linking up at my first Link Party! I love this <3 B
Elizabeth
Saw this on pinterest - on my list to make! Love how yours turned out 😉
Ann @ makethebestofthings
Balled up newspaper! You are a genius. Love how the colors work with the jute, too. Beautiful wreath!
Amy
Great idea to use newspaper, thanks! Yours looks really cute, I thinking of jumping on the bandwagon and making one too.
Comeca Jones
Its so pretty!!
Heather
I love it...it is very festive and classy.
AmieAnn
Love it.. so simple and beautiful! Can't wait to see the whole mantel!
Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. can't wait to see what you share next!
Crafty Mischief
I LOVE this! So cute!
Mom Daughter Style
so cute and so festive
Cori
This is adorable I love it! I am your newest follower and I hope you will follow me back!
Jessa
I love the colors you used!
Kari @ The Purple Quiltapotamus
What a cute idea - your wreath turned out adorable.
Rachel
Your wreath is so pretty!! I love the colors you chose.Rachel
Lianne
Very cute!!!
Allison {A Glimpse Inside}
Super cute! Very festive!
Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party. I'll be featuring this tomorrow.
Redo 101
Love the wreath - newspaper, what a great idea! The colors you chose work beautifully together. Thanks for sharing!
Mary
Melissa
That is a really cute idea! I can see how it would be hard to know when to stop adding yarn balls. 🙂
raising4princesses
So pretty! I love how the red color really makes it "pop".
Emily
I love this wreath!!!
Suzanne
Love this wreath! Mixing the yarn with the twine turned out perfectly. Thanks for sharing.
Alex
Hey, I was wondering... how sturdy are these yarn balls? Will they unwind? Do you use anything to seal them?
Ann @ Not Just Signs
Beautiful! I have a friend who knits and this would be a perfect gift!
Katie
Thank you Ann! They really do turn out beautifully! : ) I hope she enjoys her gift!
Shirley
I love your wreath! I want to make one now! Great idea with the newspaper, thanks for sharing!
Katie
Thanks Shirley! : )
Laura
Love this idea and that you can save money on the yarn by using the newspaper. Very cozy! I may do one this year. ????
Deborah
I absolutely love this! It is so pretty. The twine makes a great contrast and texture. I'm going to have to try it.........sometime............. 🙂
I made a pom-pom wreath the beginning of the year and I absolutely love it.