Introduction: String Easter Eggs

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About: I like sewing and crafts,and trying new things. I'm vegetarian and always looking for new recipes. My cat's name is Mirko and likes to be in the centre of things, so you will see him in several of my instruc…

I made some string (yarn) eggs for Easter but they are a little different, they have little treats inside.  I made several with small chocolate eggs in them.  You can also place little toys or notes in as well, perfect for giving as gifts for Easter.

I also made a real looking egg with yolk using the same technique.

Step 1: What You Will Need:

Material:
  • Small water balloons (I was lucky to find balloons that were roughly the same size and shape as real eggs)
  • Crochet thread/ embroidery thread/ yarn/string etc.
  • Chocolate, small toys or trinkets to place inside eggs                                                                      
  • Equal parts granulated sugar and water
Tools:
  • Pin, fine scissors and tweezers
  • Measuring cup, cooking pot, and spoon for stirring
  • Optional: pump for blowing up balloons

Step 2: Making the Sugar Mixture

The thread in this instructable is stiffened with sugar.  This may not work for everyone.  If you live in a humid climate or if you have little critters around (ants) this may not be for you.  Another option would be liquid fabric starch (used here), or glue and water (used here).

To make the sugar mixture:
  • Measure equal parts granulated sugar and water and place in a cooking pot on the stove. I used a quarter cup of each which was more than enough. Best to use refined sugar, I only had organic sugar at home which wasn't a pure white which may have coloured the yarn a bit darker.
  • Bring to a boil stirring constantly.
  • When sugar is completely dissolved remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • Pour into a shallow container.
I was able to use this mixture over several days, just cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature.

Step 3: Egg With Yolk: the Yolk

I thought it would be neat to make a white egg with yellow yolk inside.  The yolk is also made from stiffened string I will show you how to make that first.
  • Partially inflate a balloon so that it is a quarter (or smaller) of the size of the fully inflated balloon, knot tightly.
  • Gather some yellow thread, they can be different shades.
  • Cover your work surface with newspaper as this can get quite messy
  • Dredge the threads through the sugar mixture and place onto the balloon.
  • Cover the entire balloon with the thread, criss-crossing the surface well.
  • Hang from a string (or rig up some other device) and place in a warm dry spot to dry.
  • Place newspaper underneath to catch any drippings also you may need to dab the bottom of the balloon as it dries.

Step 4: Egg With Yolk: the Yolk Continued

  • It should take roughly 24hr to dry.  Make sure it is completely dry before you continue, the thread should be rigid.
  • Hold onto the end of the balloon and pop it with a pin.
  • Gently extract the balloon, use small tweezers if necessary.

Step 5: Egg With Yolk: Egg White

Getting the yolk inside the balloon can be a bit tricky and it is important that the yolk is completely dry and the thread is rigid, I was a bit impatient with mine and the yolk was squished a little when it was put inside the balloon.
  • Stretch the opening of the balloon so that it is wide enough to accommodate the yolk and gently stuff it in, I was using cheap dollar store balloon so I went through a few before I finally got the yolk in.
  • Inflate the balloon.
  • Proceed to wrap the balloon with white thread as you did in step 3.
  • Hang to dry with newspaper underneath.

Step 6: Egg With Yolk: Egg White Continued

  • Once the egg has dried, approximately 24hrs later.  Grab on to the end of the balloon and pop it with a pin.
  • First you will need to extract the yolk from the balloon, tweezers and small scissors are helpful here.  Be careful not to damage the yolk.
  • Once the yolk is out, proceed to remove the balloon from the egg.

Step 7: Chocolate Egg

I made some eggs with chocolate inside you can also place small toys in as well, these would be great as gifts.  Of course your probably thinking to get them out you need to destroy the egg, true.  If you don't want to do that you can place small decorative items or trinkets and leave them in permanently.  You can also write little messages or names on craft foam and place inside the balloon.

To make these, the directions are essentially the same as the egg with yolk:
  • Stretch the opening of the balloon and stuff you chocolate or item inside, I was able to fit two small chocolate eggs.  It is best to use solid chocolate (the hollow ones may get crushed) and don't use pointy toys or they will tear the balloon.
  • Inflate the balloon and tie the end tightly.
  • Proceed to wrap the balloon with sugared thread as in step 3.  I choose thread to complement the colour of the chocolate wrappers.
  • Hang from a string  and place in a warm (not too warm or you'll melt your chocolate) dry spot to dry.
  • Place newspaper underneath to catch any drippings also you may need to dab the bottom of the balloon as it dries.

Step 8: Chocolate Egg: When Dry

  • Once the egg has dried, approximately 24hrs later.  Grab on to the end of the balloon and pop it with a pin.
  • First you will need to extract the chocolate or other item from the balloon, tweezers and small scissors are helpful here. 
  • Once the chocolate or other item is out, proceed to remove the balloon from the egg.
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