Even to scrapbookers, a simple ball of yarn conjures images ranging from a playful kitten tangled in colorful strands to a comfy winter sweater or soft pair of knitted booties. You can incorporate yarn's warm texture, colors, and homemade charm into your scrapbooking projects using the ideas and techniques found in these delightful layouts from our Creating Keepsakes contributors. Plus, check out the how to steps for hand-stitching on your scrapbook layout.

Stitched-yarn Borders

The soft, fuzzy texture of yarn makes it a perfect choice for a border or accent on your layouts. To scrapbook a once-in-a-lifetime swim with the dolphins, Katie Smith stitched yarn hearts over her photos to frame the special moment, while Stacy Cohen used yarn stitching around the border and frame of a layout celebrating her daughter's new kitten.

How to hand-stitch on your layout:

1. Sketch stitching line and punch holes.

TIP: Space holes 1/2" for hand-stitched look, or 1/4" for machine-stitched effect.

2. Thread yarn through holes.

3. Tie off yarn or use tail to create a decorative pattern.

A Furry Lining

Find inspiration for yarn accents from favorite outfits. Keri Babbitt used her daughter's fur-trimmed coat as a jumping-off point for her winter layout. She then framed the layout with a yarn border, adding a little fuzzy warmth to those chilly winter memories.

Add wintery trim to your layout

Wrap a short, single-crochet chain around a shiny circle accent to create a letter "O" that does double-duty as a snowball or smiling face in a fur-trimmed hood. Not handy with a crochet hook? Get a similar look by adhering a circle accent to a pre-made crocheted flower or snowflake.

Create a simple frame for your layout by drawing strands of yarn through punched holes at the corners and tying them off, or simply adhering lines of yarn into place. Add a chipboard snowflake at each corner, anchoring it with a brad to complete the look.

A Simple Celebration

Fresh Face designer Van Nguyen combined the simplicity of yarn and the charm of wreaths and banners to celebrate the special relationship between her husband and their young daughter. Van's layout is filled with wonderful layers and textures that pop off the page.

Van wrapped medium-weight yarn around a foam wreath to create a strong, three-dimensional element for her layout. For a flatter layout, wrap a cardboard wreath form with a lightweight yarn.

Create a three-dimensional banner

Punch diamond shapes from patterned paper, fold in half over a yarn string, and adhere points together. Tuck the ends of the yarn under another page element, or fasten to the page with brads.

TECHNIQUE TIP: Van ran her diamond shapes through a Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker before folding them over the yarn string.

Appeared in:

January/February 2013

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