What’s not to love about artist Katie Runnels, also known as the author of the Constant Gatherer blog and creator behind the lovely shop under the same name? Katie attended SCAD in Savannah and lives in South Carolina now where she works from her home-based studio. She’s so dedicated to her craft, very talented, a true craft goddess and source of creative inspiration which is exactly why I asked her to pretty please visit us to share a fun DIY project to dress up all those candelabras out there — crafty style! Katie will demonstrate how to whip up a yarn candelabra in no time. Go grab your favorite skein and your trusty glue gun, it’s time to start a-craftin’. But first, Katie would like to share a quick glimpse of her home studio for inspiration — you can see where all the DIY magic begins!

Now it’s project time!

*Safety Note: Be very careful to use candelabras in excellent working condition – no frayed or exposed wiring. Never leave yarn wrapped candelabras unattended and follow the recommendations for safe decorating!

* Materials: Vintage (With Wiring in Good Condition) or New Electric Candelabra (photo candlebases), Yarn: Wool, Polyester, Acrylic or blends of these are recommended. Hot Glue Gun. Scissors. Millinery or Other Embellishments

1. Begin by tying the loose end of your skein of yarn in a knot around the cord and snug against the candelabra base.
2. Keep working the Yarn around in a spiral. Eventually it will begin to wind around the base. Dab glue in small bits where you need help keeping the rows tight.
3. Wrap right up to the first candle-add some glue to both sides-and working quickly draw the yarn up and down again and then directly wind the yarn under again and up on the other side in the very same manner. Repeat until you have cleared the candle and continue wrapping normally until the next candle.
4. As you near the end of the candelabra you’ll need to add more glue to keep the yarn from slipping. When you reach the end and no more yarn can fit under the base begin to spiral the yarn around until you’ve covered the entire end of the piece.
5. When your base is finished begin wrapping the candles. Tie a knot at the base in the back of your candelabra, secure it with a little glue, and wrap your way to the top.
6. If you haven’t already- Remove the light bulb and as your wrapping nears the top, add a few dabs of glue to the outside edge (near the top-Not on The Top! Keep yarn & glue away from candle interior and bulb!). Cut yarn loose from the skein and press the end down into the glue.

7. Finish by embellishing with vintage millinery leaves & flowers!

I hope that you had fun and that you’re able to try this at home. Thank you Katie for joining us today and sharing your crafty project. :)

(images: katie runnels)

32 Responses to “DIY Yarn Candelabras”

1 juliette commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 6:49 am

that’s amazing – and I spotted several other strokes of DIY genius in her photos!

Esp loving the loose and lovely yarn garlands!
juliette´s last blog ..2 wreaths and a dose of perspective
2 tara - scoutie girl commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:05 am

These are scary cool! Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial!
tara – scoutie girl´s last blog ..Tiny Works of Art from Tush Tush
3 Danielle commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:22 am

How adorable! Very vintage inspired!!
Danielle´s last blog ..Getting the Pets into the Season
4 Lori commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:32 am

What a great idea! I’m pretty sure that I would somehow accidentally strangle myself with so much yarn. :)
Lori´s last blog ..Pet Wishes
5 laura trevey commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:07 am

what a fun DIY project!!
laura trevey´s last blog ..Inspire, Original Watercolor Painting, 5 by 7
6 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:42 am

Oh. my. I love this SO much! Katie, you are just amazing! This is so incredibly beautiful and I love your whole color scheme and all of the decoration around it as well! Magical, your home looks so beautiful hun. Thank you so much for sharing this with us ladies! So special…
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Monday: inspired by Miss Capricho
7 Pigscuits commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 8:48 am

Love Katie’s work. She is always inspirational to my wife and I just heard we were attempting this in our guestroom.
8 rkdsign88 commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:33 am

Lovely tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful craft.
9 Bonnie Runnels commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am

Let me be the first to say WOW!! So glad to see the Christmas spirit alive and well in Columbia, SC. I am impressed and inspired. Keep on going, girl.
xoxo
10 amy zurcher commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am

So this is what you have been up to!!! The new studio is divine just like you! What a transformation from the previous Rooms-to-Go teenage boy room. So fun to see your magic touch bouncing off each wall and surface! Of course the candelabras are clever and now I must have one. I can’t wait to see what you do to the rest of the house! When is your book coming out? I would like to reserve at least a dozen copies.

XO
Amy Z
Your biggest fan
11 katie runnels commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am

I am so extremely grateful to you Holly… and for all of the kind comments here! You all know how to make a girl feel like a million bucks!! Happy Holidays Everyone! xoxo
12 My Owl Barn commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 10:23 am

I am regular visitor of Constant Gatherer blog. Love it! Thanks for the DIY project. Seems simple for me to try.
My Owl Barn´s last blog ..Inkjet Designs
13 Nina commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am

Such a simple thing but it can completely change a space. I love it.
Nina´s last blog ..Us
14 Lisa commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 11:21 am

What a fun idea! Katie is so talented & I love what she’s done with her studio & holiday decor!
Lisa´s last blog ..It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
15 Kara commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

Cute! Go Katie!!!!
Kara´s last blog ..Illustration friday, "frozen" {birdsicles}
16 jenny commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Off to the Hobby Lobby I go! I’m totally going to steal the colors and the flower garnish too! It’s nice to see a new twist on dated holiday decor.
In addition to showing us how to live “artfully,” we can also celebrate artfully. Very clever. Thanks for sharing!
17 Tif commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

what a lovely creative studio space Katie has… truly lovely, one i would be most happy to play in for hours
and the yarn candelabra is simple stunning. a perfect example of homecrafted ‘glee’ for the holidays, that i would be most happy to see in my shed :)
Tif´s last blog ..for the sake of his sanity…
18 Jill Anthes commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

I love the pom-pons on the little pine swag.
19 Lydia, Clueless Crafter commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Do I remember the plastic candles that every year my mother made me untangle and which I promptly cracked when I stuffed them between the inner and outer windows. Wrapping them in yarn will make those that have somehow survived look so much better!
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Don’t Be Tardy for the Party
20 michelle@bluemoss commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

so, so fun!!!
love katie, and i love her studio…thanks for the peek :)
michelle@bluemoss´s last blog ..add a little sparkle…
21 Jen B commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

What a great project! Love the color inspiration in the project and in your studio Katie! Would love to see more of your space (hint, hint)…
22 Tiffani Taylor commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

Awe-inspiring! Beautiful!! So proud to know you, Katie! Your Art studio is magical!!
23 Kris commented:
December 15th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

this is absolutely amazing!! Cannot wait to try it!
24 Ursula Graham commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 12:01 am

Oh this is awesome! Now I have ideas spinning like what else could I wrap in yarn and make it look fabulous. Beautiful ideas!
Ursula Graham´s last blog ..The Biggest Project Yet
25 Christy commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 12:55 am

where is that white tissue garland from? it’s exactly what i have been searching for for my wedding!
26 Rosie commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 2:32 am

Really loving that desk arangement – chair, table and computer. Looks really good and heaps of room!
Rosie´s last blog ..Guess Where I am Going Tonight?
27 Etincelle commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:19 am

Stunning interior! I am gonna jump into her blog immediately! Thanks for sharing…
Etincelle´s last blog ..FREE SHIPPING – READY TO SHIP – UNIQUE linen dress with sequins and vintage lace – Size 9-12 months ONLY
28 Etincelle commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 3:21 am

Stunning interior! it makes me want to discover more about her… thanks for sharing…
Etincelle´s last blog ..FREE SHIPPING – READY TO SHIP – UNIQUE linen dress with sequins and vintage lace – Size 9-12 months ONLY
29 katie runnels commented:
December 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am

Thanks for all the kind comments, friends!! Christy- that white garland is really old and I can’t even remember where I found it-but most likely at an estate sale in Savannah, GA! Maybe try ebay for vintage paper garland, accordian garland, or honeycomb garland. xo
30 Jessica commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

What a GORGEOUS studio! I’m in love. And I noticed Shanon’s Buttons wallpaper on Katie’s computer, who I recently profiled on my blog. Love it all!
Jessica´s last blog ..Sweet Links
31 Shanon commented:
December 17th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Love your bookcase decor, Katie! (I have a collection of Floraline too.) And I’m honored to see that you use my Buttons desktop. =)
Shanon´s last blog ..*yawn*
32 hannah commented:
December 31st, 2009 at 11:30 am

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR FURNITURE?!?!!? i love love LOVE the first pic :)

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