Today we are going to make a Yarn Bowl! Are you ready!?

One of my favorite things to make and one of my best-sellers is the humble Yarn Bowl. This article is all about how I make a Yarn Bowl.

Please note this post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you click them and make a purchase.  This is, of course, at no cost to you, and I only share products that I use and love myself.

 Cutting the swoop

When you are making a yarn bowl, the best time to cut the swoop is when the bowl has stiffened up to a firm leather hard. You want it to be stiff enough to not wiggle or distort when you are cutting it out. At the same time it still has to be soft enough for a craft knife to cleanly cut.

I have found that it is NOT necessary to have a sharp blade on the craft knife. In fact, I prefer my blade to be dull. It cuts through the clay really well and I don’t worry as much about it slipping and cutting me. I use an X-Acto knife but any craft type knife will do.

I always start with the Yarn Bowl hole.

For me, when I make my Yarn Bowls, I start by making the hole. I prefer the hole to be in the middle of the bowl but where you place it is your personal choice. To make the hole I use either a 23/64 Drill Bit or a Clay Hole Maker, whichever I can find in my studio the fastest.

The drill bit I like the most is a weird size. I don’t even know where I found it but it’s 23/64. This size is smaller than the larger of the clay hole maker.

Once I make the hole I use my craft knife to gently draw the lines in the clay where I want my swoop to be.  I am very gentle and barely scratch the surface when I am doing this so that I can “erase” the line if I don’t like it.

When I am pleased with my swoop I cut the swoop out.  If my clay is the perfect hard Leather dry, I will be able to cut all the way through the clay. If the clay is too soft and the walls move I do suggest waiting some more until the walls of the bowl are no longer soft and pliable but you can still score and cut it. Cutting the clay when its too soft may cause the bowl to deform in the kiln if the swoop moves when you are cutting it.

You can clean up your cut a bit if its not to your liking by gently shaving the swoop with your craft knife. Normally I don’t remove all the bits and pieces, nor do I smooth the edges, until the next day when the bowl is dried even more. I do my best to not handle the swoop too much to avoid kiln distortion.

Check out my video of the entire Process

I hope this article helps you in making Yarn Bowls!! Please feel free to ask questions, leave comments and share this post with anyone who you think would be interested

 

Follow Me

Dani Montoya - Potter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

My name is Dani and I am the potter behind this page! I am retired and having a ball being the artist I always wanted to be. My studio is located in NW Arkansas where I live a quiet life, on a lake with my husband, 3 dogs and two cats.

Have a look around!

Analog scale

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

This is the type of scale I use when weighing out clay. Its perfect for clay weighing, doesnt need batteries and cleans up easily

Check it out on Amazon

Skutt Kiln Vent

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

I have been using this Venting System on my L&L for years. It works great. Just because its a Skutt doesn't mean you can't use it with other kilns!
View on Amazon

Phone Arm for Overhead Videos

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

I bought this so that I could record video while I am making stuff. It works great.  The arm attaches to the table with a thumb screw. The part that holds your phone is spring loaded and almost too strong of a spring. I pinch my fingers a lot but I know the phone won't fall out into my clay water!!
View on Amazon

9 Comments

  1. Ruth Bass
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Thank you so much! The directions were well done. Can’t wait to get to my wheel. Retired teacher in NC enjoying my clay.

    Reply
  2. ERIC ROBERTS
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    I glaze my yarn bowls but fired right side up the pots frequently twist so the hanging piece sticks out. How should I correct this?

    Reply
    • Dani Montoya
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest

      Hi Eric…thats frustrating, isn’t it. I had that happen alot and occasionally still do, but rarely.
      There are two things I do to help stop that from happening.

      First, I am very careful when cutting the swoop. I want the clay firm enough to cut without it moving around on me. Clay has memory, as we know, and if the swoop moves while cutting it can revert to that in the kiln. My swoops are very simple, with lots of support as well.

      The second thing is when bisque firing I stack two yarn bowls rim to rim (see the last photo above). I feel this helps hold the rim steady. Since I started doing this my swoop has rarely popped out.

      I hope one of these suggestions helps figure out whats happening,

      Reply
      • Cheryl
        • Facebook
        • Pinterest

        Could bisquing on the rim (upside down directly on the kiln shelf or kiln cookie) achieve the same effect?

        Reply
        • Dani Montoya
          • Facebook
          • Pinterest
          • Facebook
          • Pinterest
          • Facebook
          • Pinterest
          • Facebook
          • Pinterest

          It absolutely would. I like to stack rim to rim to fit more in the kiln . Otherwise I would bisque fire upside down!

          Reply
  3. Brenda
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Hi as I do not have a kiln, would I be able to use air dried clay? Any tips on that?

    Reply
    • Dani Montoya
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest

      I wish I could help with air dry clay but I honestly know nothing about it. With that said, however, I dont see why you couldn’t make a yarn bowl out of one. Since its not for food, it would work fine.

      Reply
  4. Jill
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Thank you for your great video. What price range do you think works for these bowls in your experience?

    Reply
    • Dani Montoya
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest

      Hi Jill

      Glad you liked the video. Generally I get $38 for my yarn bowls. If i do artwork, like handpainting or sgrafitto i do charge more.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Glazes vs underglazes

When I was first learning about pottery one of the things that confused me the most was "what was the difference between glazes and underglazes". Most teachers focused on teaching you wheel throwing or hand building but very few actually teach you...

read more

Address

9306 Southshore Dr
Hackett AR

Call Me

918-413-2820

PRIVACY POLICY and TOS

© 2022 All Rights Reserved. Dani Montoya ~ Unauthorized use and duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dani Montoya and Yellow Cottage Studios with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Yellow Cottage Studios is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as other Affiliate Advertising programs. This is a way for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Become a VIP Studio Insider TODAY!

VIP STUDIO INSIDERS ALWAYS GET FREE SHIPPING!

I would love the opportunity to send you something in your email telling about new products, fun studio things, and upcoming shows.  Please allow me to come visit with you once or twice a month.


Wonderful. You are subscribed!! I will be in touch. Thank you

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This