Create your own golden yarn to weave into an easy and visually pleasing sun craft. This is a great craft to do along with younger children (ages 3-7).
Materials:
Light or white yarn (cotton is best for this as wool will react in hot and cold water)
- Turmeric
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Ribbon
Dying the Yarn:
1. Bring a pot of 3 quarts of water boil.
2. Meanwhile, make nice loops of your cotton yarn.
3. Tie a piece of extra yarn to the loop on the top and bottom to keep it from tangling.
4. Rinse yarn in with water.
5. Once boiled, add 3-4 tablespoons of ground turmeric to pot of water. Stir.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Dunk the wet yarn into the pot. Stir.
8. Let soak in turmeric bath for 1 hour or more.
9. Remove from pot and strain under water. (This can be slightly messy if you aren’t careful while rinsing).
10. Let your yarn dry in the sun.
11. Remove the ties and behold your golden yarn!
Making a Woven Sun:
Materials:
- Recycled Cardboard
- Scissors,
- Paint (watercolor or tempera)
- Yarn
- Ribbon
1. Use something round (such as a salad plate) to trace a circle onto your piece of cardboard.
2. Cut it out and then cut out little “v” shaped notches into your circle.
5. Once the pain is dry, show your child how to wrap the yarn around the sun by using the notches. Your child may do a pattern or design randomly (both options look great).
6. When done, tuck the end of the yarn into the back so it won’t come loose.
7. Tie warm-colored ribbons onto your sun for a finishing touch.