How to Weave a Rattan Ball

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Things You'll Need

  • One bottle fabric stiffener

  • One bowl

  • One balloon per hollow ball

  • Paper towels

  • Plastic bag

  • Needle or sharp knife

  • Scissors

  • Rattan, jute or thick yarn

Jute and rattan are similar in texture and appearance.

Rattan is the name of more than 600 species of palms that grow in Asia and Africa. Balls made of this thick fiber have been used as lightweight balls in games in these regions for thousands of years. They also function as decorative pieces, as their rustic appearance and simple design lends their appearance to many interior designer's ancient aesthetics. These balls can be woven solid or hollow using fabric stiffener and balloons. You can find the supplies at local craft and yarn stores and pull them together in an afternoon for use as gifts, game pieces, centerpieces or party decorations. If you cannot get your hands on authentic rattan, jute and thick yarn can mimic the look.

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Solid Balls

Step 1

Tie the end of one skein of rattan, jute or yarn in a small knot to form a center piece. Continue to tie knots around the original knot until the knot ball is 1 inch in diameter.

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Step 2

Wrap the fiber around the knot ball in the same direction until the knots are covered with a layer of fiber. Rotate the knot ball in a direction parallel to your position so that every part of the knot ball is evenly covered.

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Step 3

Rotate the covered knot ball 90 degrees and wrap the fiber around this ball again until every piece is covered. Continue to do this until the ball is close to the size you desire.

Step 4

Wrap the fiber denser in the area you desire a striped pattern to be, instead of wrapping the fiber evenly around the ball. Experiment with different striped designs by concentrating the wraps in different areas.

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Step 5

Cut the fiber with scissors when the ball is as large as you desire and tuck the end of the fiber under the most prominent layer of wrapped fiber. Secure the fiber with a dot of fabric stiffener.

Hollow Ball

Step 1

Wrap the fiber around an enlarged balloon until the desired size and aesthetic is achieved to measure out the required amount of jute, rattan or yarn. Cut the fiber to this length.

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Step 2

Soak the fiber in fabric stiffener in a bowl for a few minutes until every surface of the fiber is covered.

Step 3

Wrap the fiber around the enlarged balloon again, in the same manner as you preferred previously.

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Step 4

Set the covered balloon on the paper towels, which are sitting on top of the plastic bag on a counter, for 24 hours. Rotate the balls every few hours to ensure equal drying time over all surfaces.

Step 5

Pop the balloon with the needle or sharp knife once the fiber has stiffened sufficiently and remove it with tweezers. Now the hollow balls are ready for use.

Tip

Keep the fabric stiffener away from all fabric that is not the fiber you wish to use. It is difficult to wash out.

Warning

Be careful using sharp scissors, needles or knives.

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