Calvin Blogs :: twistie ties for my tree

{photo by calvin}

"First, you cut a really long string. Then you cut a really long string in another color. Or you can use the same color, but then it's hard to see. You put the two strings together, and one person holds one end and the other person holds the other end. And you start twisting, but in opposite directions. So if one person goes one way the other person goes the other way. And you twist for a really long time until it's tight. Then you very very carefully bring the two ends together, and the string will get all twisted up. Quick, you have to tie a knot on both ends of the string. And then it's done! A twistie tie! You can put it on your tree, or you can hang it on the walls, or you could keep it in your car for when you need rope to pull you out of the mud and snow and stuff. Just kidding. Bye!"

Comments

[Caterine]

Ha! super advise Calvin. I don't have a car but i'll keep a twistie tie in my pocket just in case...

[Christi]

Looks like a great idea, Calvin - I'm sure my boys will enjoy making some twisty ties!

[jen j-m]

:)

[Jessica Keith]

Great idea, Calvin! Your photo of the tree is wonderful as well. Maybe I'll let my boys make some twistie ties today. :)

[Jessica]

Wow Calvin! That is such a great idea! I am off to make one for myself! Thank you!

[jean]

very very wise. both for holiday cheer and in case of a mud/snow emergency. love that.

[qalballah]

An easier way to garland than finger knitting! Off to show it to my boys. Thanks Calvin!

[Stacey]

Wow, such clear instructions.

[Kristin La Flamme]

Hi Calvin! My daughter makes these with lots of long pieces of yarn so the twistie tie is pretty thick and then she uses them for handles for purses and bags and stuff.

[Mary Beth]

That is really cool, Calvin, and it looks like so much fun for two brothers. I'll have to wait until my little boys are a bit older to try this (right now they are only 1 and 2).

[Natalie]

Cool idea Calvin. Thanks for the good tutorial.

[cloth.paper.string]

fantastic how-to, calvin!

[Rachel]

A wonderful idea and so concise- thank you! :)

[Heather]

Calvin,
This is a great idea! I think I will try it this year for a new addition to our Christmas tree! Thanks for the idea!

[Elizabeth]

Calvin, I like the candy cane colors you chose. :>

[Kelly]

Thank you, so much, Calvin! What a great idea!

[asti]

Nice one - I like it!

[mary]

Thank you for such a great idea Calvin and I love Ezra's new haircut.

[Heather]

Calvin,
I'd also like to say that I'm glad to see your couch looking very well lived in! My 2 1/2 yr old son, Colin, loves to play on our couch! Using it for forts, making pretend cars with the pillows, and well I am afraid to say, he dives off the top onto a pile of pillows on the floor! All the while his mommy is getting gray hair!!

[brandie]

Calvin, this is such a great idea! We will definitely add a twistie tie to our tree.

(A -- can't even handle the cuteness of this:)

[Jen]

Thank you for making me smile today...

[Kristy]

We do that with our hair too except without the knots in the end!Oh yeh and you can only twist from one end!

[ames]

Calvin, those are just gorgeous! What a great idea, thank you for sharing! I'm going to put them all over my house this year!

[robin]

Wow Calvin- you are hilARIous!! I loved the part about the rope saving you from the mud or snow if you keep it in your car!! You made me laugh!! It's a wonderful idea for a decoration for the tree- good and clear instructions. Thank you for the neat idea!! Have a happy day:) <3

[C]

What a wonderful idea Calvin. I'm going to try this with my son today! Thank you :)

[camerashymomma]

what a grand idea, calvin! thanks for the helpful instructions too! enjoy your snow today (oh, and the tree!) :)

[equisetaceae]

Awesome tutorial Calvin!

I like to carry pieces of string in my pockets- just in case. This would be a much prettier/stronger version to carry around!

[Martha]

Very cool idea, Calvin, and it makes a great tree garland! Thanks!

[beki]

Ha! I love it!!

[Courtney]

Thanks Calvin, we call those twisty-twirlies and use them to carry lanterns made from old jars (tied on then glued).

[brianna]

Calvin you are brilliant! My son Nic is 6, he will be so excited to do this project today. Thanks for sharing.

[Mary]

Thanks for the tutorial, Calvin! Sounds like a fun project.

[julie]

Calvin... my kids will love this! Thanks for blogging about it!

[Village Vegan]

Calvin, I love your twistie tie. It looks very nice on the tree-- and it's quick, too!

[Emily]

Great craft, Calvin! I think I'll try to make some for our tree. Thanks!

[heather]

excellent directions, and a good tip from a northern guy about emergency preparedness.

your tree looks awesome!

[zoe]

thanks for sharing your idea calvin! my daughter loves making "twisty-twirlies" as she calls them, but we never thought of putting them on the tree. i think we'll do that.

[amanda]

Thanks Calvin. I used to use this technique to make friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss when I was about your age. Friendship bracelets were all the rage back then, have you ever heard of them? I never thought to make something really big in the same way. I will try this with my son for our tree. thanks again and have a nice day!!

[JaimeM]

Great job Calvin! Love it!

[julie]

Nice tutorial, Calvin!

[Jenna]

Great idea Calvin! My girls, who are 4 and 5, decorated our tree with yarn yesterday. How funny you kids are all doing the same thing.

[Heather]

Great idea!!

[Courtney]

Wow! I think you have a future photographer on your hands. I would never have guessed that someone his age took that picture (I never took anything that good at his age).

[joleen]

fantastic idea! i especially love your last line. ;)

[Liz]

What a cool idea! I'm going to run it by my 3 1/2 year old and see if she wants to do it for our tree. I'll let you know how it goes. Love your picture! Oh... and I also really love your advice to keep it in the car. Made me chuckle.

[Morgan]

Calvin, what a great idea! Maybe my husband and I will have to make some for our tree this year. And even if it wouldn't pull out my car, I bet it would pull out my bike! Thanks!

[katie]

calvin, what a great idea. i know my little ones will love this idea! you are such a creative guy!

[Eren]

Ian: "Cool, Calvin!" (screaming down the hall) "Mom, where is your green yarn???? You know the scratchy stuff?"

Looks like we'll be making some twisties today.

[Annie]

What a beautiful beautiful idea for your delicious tree. Those are lucky kids to have such a clever mummy. I must get cracking on christmas this weekend in the decorations department. (I've been very slack)

[Kim]

Ah Calvin, you're a nut! I love when you blog :)