Floating Christmas Tree

This is a relatively quick project to put together. I have done a couple of iterations so some versions show outdated materials. After the holiday was over, I wasn't quite ready to take it down so I made a modification to turn it into a photo mobile.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials

Latch hook canvas

Rigid framed wreath or other rigid frame

zip ties

String for mounting wreath to ceiling (heavy duty enough to handle the final weight ) Alternatively one could use decorative chain as I did in one iteration

thread, preferably light colored (others have suggested using fishing line, but this requires additional material to make loops such as jewelery crimping beads)

plastic unbreakable ornaments

ornament hooks

tools

knife or scissors

Step 2: Preparing the Wreath

Cut the latch hook canvas to fit in the wreath. Use 8-10 zip ties to anchor it in place all around the edge. Then use string or chain to hang the wreath from the ceiling. In mine I have added eye hooks to make mounting easier.

Step 3: Preparing and Hanging the Ornaments

For the spirals it is important to ensure the lengths of thread increase linearly and in a regular fashion. I found that extending the thread by the length of my ornament hooks produced ascetically pleasing spirals. I cut and hung the ornaments on a single wire to ensure the lengths were the same for all three colors and grew linearly.

The more free form model requires less precision and goes faster.

Tie a loop on either end of piece of thread. Attach an ornament with a hook to one loop and on the other loop use a hook to attach the thread to the latch hook canvas. My loops were simple overhand knots on a folded over piece of thread.

The most recent iteration was hung over a set of steps so it would not be in the way but still easy to see. This also allowed us to see it from the bottom which looks cool in a very different way

Step 4: Storage

The fishing line version did not store well because the lines entangle easily and the crimp beads allowed the lines to snag each other when I was trying to separate them.

To store the threads grab a rectangular piece of cardboard. Place a hole in it and using the ornament hook connect the first thread. Wind it around the cardboard, when the end is reached attach the next thread via another ornament hook and continue winding. This gives a spool that has been much easier to disentangle.