Lamp Made of Yarn, Concrete and Wood

It’s very simple: I needed a lamp and I wanted to make it of my own design. I wanted to combine three materials: yarn, cement and wood. I started this project last year. Since I can crochet, I crocheted the lampshades. I made the base from cement, the stand from a branch. The only thing I didn't like was the visible wires. The problem of how to hide the wires made this project postponed. Since in this project I connected three materials, one of these materials should be used to hide the wires. In the end, I decided to crochet a tube that wraps around the stand-branch like a vine. I finally finished this project and I like the result.

P.S. I'm tired of fighting with sites that steal my instructables regardless of the license (which is indicated in the upper left corner). Sorry but I decided to add attribution to my photos. I know it looks a little annoying, but it annoys me even more to see my works under someone else's authorship or for sale.

You need:

• a dry branch about 1 m long,
• white cotton yarn 415 m / 100 g, two skeins,
• a piece of dry round brunch with a diameter of 7.5 cm,
• two lamp holders,
• two LED lamps,
• a plug,
• power cable white or light color,
• five-layers corrugated cardboard,
• simple cardboard,
• cement,
• sand,
• water,
• hot glue,
• glue PVA,
• fabric stiffener,
• primer and varnish for concrete and wood,
• oil,
• 6 screws,
• metal ring, diameter about 3 cm,
• a piece of tin,
• a switch,
• a piece of reinforcing mesh,
• a cardboard round insert left over from a large adhesive tape, inside diameter 7.5 cm,
• a duct tape,
• 2 sticks 12-15 cm long, if you have rectangular sticks like me, then round off the edge 10 cm long to get diameter 1 cm,
• wire 3.5-4 mm (I used hard aluminum wire),
• a plastic bag,
• film,
• a balloon,
• a saw,
• a crochet hook 3 mm,
• a knife,
• a mat,
• scissors,
• sandpaper,
• a drill,
• a screwdriver,
• pliers,
• wire cutters,
• a drill,
• files,
• scissors for metal,
• a big needle,
• a steel ruler,
• a triangle,
• a pencil,
• a felt-tip pen
• a brush,
• a mug,
• a stitch marker (I used round paper clip),
• a rope,
• a support,
• a piece of laminated board (to make the bottom of the mold),
• a container for mixing concrete,
• a spoon.

I came up with the crocheted lamp shades with a slightly complex pattern.

You will need to know how to make:

• chain (ch),
• slip stitch (sl st),
• single crochet (sc),
• double crochet (dc),
• front post treble/triple crochet (fp trc),
• double treble crochet (dtr),
• popcorn stitch (pc),
• finish off crochet.

Work in rounds, do not turn.

Crochet 60 chains (ch), 1 slip stitch (sl st) in first ch to form ring.

1st round (rnd): 3 ch (lift loops), 1 double crochet (dc), * 2 dc in one chain: crochet only the first loops of each dc, then crochet three loops on the hook together. Repeat (rep) from *. 1 sl st.

2nd rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 single crochet (sc), * 3 ch, 1 sc, 3 ch, 1 sc in the same chain, 2 sc. Rep from *. At the end 3 ch, 1 sc in the same loop, 3 ch, 1 sc in the same loop, 1 sc, 1 sl st.

3rd rnd: 4 sl st to move in the arc, 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc, 2 ch, * in the next arch: 1 sc, 2 ch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

4th rnd: 1 sl st to move in the arch, 1 ch (lift loop), 2 sc in the arch * 1 sc in the next arch, 3 sc in the next arch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

5th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc, 1 sc (on top of the arch) * 3 ch, 1 sc in the same loop (on top of the arch), 2 sc. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

6th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 3 ch (lift loops), 2 ds in the arch, 1 ch, skip one arch * 3 ds in the arch, 1 ch, skip one arch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

7th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same loop (in the arch) * 4 ch, 1 sc in the next arch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

8th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 3 ch (lift loops), 1 popcorn stitch with 4 dc (4 dc, then remove the hook from the loop and insert into the first dc, stretch the loop), 3 ch, * 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc in the next arch, 3 ch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

9th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * 5 sc in the each arch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

10th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * sc in the back loop. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

11th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * sc. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

12th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), sc. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

13th rnd: * 1 double treble crochet (dtr) in the 4th free front loop of the 9th rnd, 5 sc in the 13th rnd, skip the following 4 loops from the last connected dtr in the 9th rnd, dtr in the next free loop of the 9th rnd (see photo). Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

14th rnd: 3 ch (lift loops), 1 popcorn stitch with 4 dc, * 3 ch, skip 2 loops, 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc. Repeat from *. (60 popcorns). 1 sl st.

15th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same arch, * 3 ch,1 sc in the next arch. Repeat from *. 3 ch, 1 sl st.

16th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 1 dc in the previous arch, 1 dc in each arch so that they will be crossed: * skip one previous arch and make in next arch 1 dc, then 1 dc in previous arch - you will get crossed dc (see photo). Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

17th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same arch, * 3 ch, 1 sc between crossed dc, 3 ch, 1 sc in the next arch. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

18th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 3 ch (lift loops), 2 dc, skip 2 arches, * 3 ch, 2 dc in the next arch, skip 2 arches. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

19th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same arch, * 4 ch, 1 sc in the next arch (photo). Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

20th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 3 ch (lift loops), 1 popcorn stitch with 4 dc, 3 ch, * 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc in the next arch, 3 ch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

21st rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * 3 sc in the each arch. Rep from *. 1 sl st.

22nd rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * sc in the back loop. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

23rd rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), * sc. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

24th rnd: 1 dtr in the 4th free front loop of the 21st rnd, *3 sc in the 24th rnd, skip the following 2 loops from the last connected dtr in the 21st rnd, dtr in the next free loop of the the 21st rnd. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

25th rnd: 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc, * 8 ch, skip 3 loops, 5 sc. Repeat from * times. 8 ch, skip 3 loops, 4 sc, 1 sl st.

26th rnd: 2 ch (lift loops), 10 half double crochet (hdc) in the arch, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, * 11 hdc in next arch, skip 1 loop, 1 sc. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

27th rnd: 2 sl st on the arch, * 3 ch, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, 3 ch, 1 sc, 3 ch, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, skip 6 loops, 1 sc on the next arch. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

28th rnd: 2 sl st to move in the arch, 3 ch (lift loops), 1 popcorn stitch with 4 dc, * 3 ch, 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc in next arch, 3 ch, 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc in next arch, 1 popcorn stitch with 5 dc in next arch. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

29th rnd: 1 sl st to move in the arch, 1 ch (lift loop), 3 sc in the arch, * 3 sc in the next arch. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

30th rnd: 2 sl st, 1 ch (lift loop), * 3 sc, 4 ch, skip 3 loops. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

31st rnd: 1 sl st, 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same loop, * 6 dc in the arch, skip 1 loop, 1 sc. Repeat from *. 1 sl st.

32nd rnd: 2 sl st, 1 ch (lift loop), 1 sc in the same loop, * 1 front post treble/triple crochet (fp trc), 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 fp trc, 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 fp trc, 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 fp trc, 1 ch, 1 sc, skip 2 loops, 1 sc (see photo). Repeat from *. 1 sl st. Finish off crochet.

Crochet second lamp shade.

Cover the work area with film.

Using Commercial Stiffener cover (spray) the crocheted part of the lampshade until it is completely wet.

You can use another way - using PVA glue: mix equal parts of glue and water together in a bowl until glue and water are completely blended.

Shape the lampshade: inflate the balloon and insert it inside the crocheted part of the lampshade. Tie the balloon with rope and put on the mug. To make the balloon more stable you can pour some water into it before you blow the balloon up.

Cover the mug with film and put on it the balloon with crocheted lampshade. Allow it to dry completely.

Untie the balloon and pull through the hole.

You will get the lampshades with a width of about 13 cm, a height of 15.5 cm, a hole diameter at the top 8.5 cm, a hole diameter at the bottom 12.5 cm.

Find a curved dry branch 1 m long. Try to take a branch with a curved base - then the concrete base will hold firmly to the base of the branch.

Remove the bark. Saw off unnecessary small branches.

Process the branch surface with sandpaper.

At the base of the branch for more traction with cement, add 2 screws (drill a hole first, then screw the screws).

You have to make a mold - cardboard box. Using the knife, the mat, the steel ruler and the triangle cut rectangles out of five-layers corrugated cardboard: two rectangles 20 cm × 10 cm (for long side), two rectangles 14.5 cm × 10 cm (for short side), one rectangle 20 cm × 11 cm (for bottom).

Assemble the box gluing the cardboard rectangles. Bend the edges of the rectangles for the short side and glue it from the outside to the rectangles for the long side (see photo). In the result you will get the box with a flat surface inside. To strengthen the sides wrap the outside of it with duct tape.

Cut three rectangles 20 cm × 8 cm out of five-layers corrugated cardboard. Glue these rectangles together and put it in the middle of the cardboard box (see photo).

The mold is ready. Place the plastic bag in the mold. Spread the sides of the bag.

Place the branch (lamp stand) in the center of the mold with screws down. Fix it in the required position by tying it with a piece of rope or yarn to the support.

Prepare the sticks: if you have rectangular sticks like me, then round off the edge 10 cm long to get diameter 1 cm, cover the round part with duct tape.

Prepare concrete: mix cement and sand 1:2, add water, mix it good.

Pour the concrete into the mold. To make holes for the power cable insert sticks on the sides of the branch with the rounded part down (see photo).

Leave the concrete to harden and dry, covering it with a film.

Remove the sticks.

Remove the concrete base from the mold.

Using the files and sandpaper round the edges of the concrete base. Sand, rinse.

Coat it with a primer and varnish.

Varnish the lamp stand (branch) too.

You will need to know how to make:

• chain (ch),
• slip stitch (sl st),
• single crochet (sc),
• double treble crochet (dtr),
• increase (inc) (2 sc in 1 stitch),
• finish off crochet.

Work in rounds, do not turn. Use the stitch marker for the first stitch of each round.

Crochet 9 chains (ch), 1 slip stitch (sl st) in first ch to form a ring.

1st-10th rounds (rnds): * single crochet (sc). Repeat from *. (In total you will get 10 stitches in each row)

11th rnd: * sc in the back loop. Repeat from *.

12th-14th rnds: * sc. Repeat from *.

15th rnd: 1 double treble crochet (dtr) in the 5th previous (count back) free front loop of the 11th rnd, 5 sc in the 15th rnd, 1 dtr in the next last free loop of the 15th rnd (see photo).

16th-21st rnds: * sc. Repeat from *.

22nd rnd: * sc in the back loop. Repeat from *.

23rd-27th rnds: * sc. Repeat from *.

Repeat 11th-27th rnds 10 times.

Repeat 11th-22nd rnds. You will have crocheted tube about 78 cm long.

Now you have to split the tube into two (for two lampshades) and crochet the first branch tube:

1 increase (inc), 1 sc, 1 inc, 1 sc, 1 inc, 2 ch, sl st to connect the circle to form the first branch tube (see photo). In total you will get again 10 stitches in the row.

Crochet four rounds of sc.

Repeat 11th-27th rnds 2 times.

Repeat 11th-22nd rnds.

Then crochet the decorative end that will hide the metal ring of shade holder:

* 1 inc, 4 sc. Repeat from *. (In total you will get 12 stitches in the rnd)

* 1 inc, 3 sc. Repeat from *. (15)

* 1 inc, 4 sc. Repeat from *. (18)

* 1 dtr in the 5th previous (count back) free front loop in the rnd three rnds below (crochet like in the 15th rnd), 1 sc in the current rnd, 1 inc, 1 sc, 1 dtr in the free front loop like in the 15th rnd, but skipping only one stitch in the rnd three rnds below, 4 sc in the current rnd. Repeat from * 1 time. 1 dtr in the free front loop like in the 15th rnd, but skipping only one stitch in the rnd three rnds below, 4 sc in the current rnd (see photo) (20)

* 1 inc, 4 sc. Repeat from *. (24)

* 3 sc, 1 inc. Repeat from *. (30)

1 sc, *1 inc, 4 sc. Repeat from *. (36)

* 5 sc, 1 inc. Repeat from *. (41)

Finish off crochet.

Crochet the second branch tube:

Attach the end of yarn to the loop, 1 ch (lift), 2 sc, 1 inc, 3 sc, 2 sc in loops of ch in first rnd of the first tube, sl st to connect the circle to form the second branch tube (see photo). In total you will get again 10 stitches in the row. Then crochet four rounds of sc. Then repeat 11th-27th rnds 3 times. Then repeat 11th-22nd rnds.

Then crochet the decorative end like in the first branch tube.

Finish off crochet.

As I said, the idea behind this lamp was to combine three materials: yarn, concrete and wood. For a long time I could not decide what material to use for the lamp shade holders - wood or cement. Since the lamp has two lampshades, so I decided to make one holder out of concrete and the other holder out of wood.

To make the concrete shade holder you need to make a mold. The mold will have several parts: outer part, bottom, shapes for the holes. The piece of laminated board will be the bottom. As the outer part, I decided to use a cardboard round insert left over from a large adhesive tape. Glue the inside with duct tape, but try not to wrinkle.

Make the shapes for the holes: cut the cardboard into 4 cm long and 3 cm wide strips. Screw the strips onto the felt-tip pen and wrap the outside with tape (see photo). Make 9 pieces.

Place the outer part of the mold on the board and trace the inside diameter. Then you need to mark the location of the molds for the holes. Using a ruler and a pencil, make the markings so that the shapes for the holes will be evenly distributed near the edges in the mold and in the middle of the cells of the reinforcing mesh.

Using hot glue, glue the hole forms in the marked places (see photo). The glue should only be inside the paper tubes.

Then glue the outer part of the mold (see photo). The glue should only be outside.

Cut the reinforcing mesh so that it can be easily placed between the outer mold and molds for holes. Put in the middle the metal ring.

The mold is ready. Lubricate its surfaces with oil.

Prepare a concrete: mix 1 part cement and 1 part sand well, then add water and mix well.

Use a spoon to pour some concrete in the mold (between the molds for holes).

Then place the prepared piece of reinforcing mesh with metal ring into the mold (see photo). Pour more concrete. Make sure the ring is vertically in the middle.

Leave the concrete to harden and dry for several days, covering it with a film.

Then carefully remove the concrete part of the frame from the mold. Use the screwdriver to push out the holes. I got concrete shape holder with a thickness 2 cm and diameter 7.5 cm (see photo).

Using the files and sandpaper round the edges. Sand, rinse, coat with a primer and varnish (see photo).

Now you have to make shape holder out of wooden but but the same shape.

Saw off from the thick branch a piece with a thickness equal to the thickness of the concrete shape holder (2 cm) (see photo).

Using files and sandpaper round the edges (see photo).

Mark the place for the holes and drill the holes: 9 big holes with 11 mm diameter; 2 small holes with 4 mm diameter and at a distance of about 3 cm - for wire ring (see photo).

Using wire cutters cut a piece of wire 11 cm long. Bend with pliers the wire in the middle in a semicircle and insert into small holes (see photo). Bend the ends of wire.

Coat with a primer and varnish (see photo).

First you have to crochet around shade holders.

You will need to know how to make:

• chain (ch),
• single crochet (sc),
• popcorn stitch (pc),
• finish off crochet.

For this you need two skeins of yarn. From the first skein, crochet a chain. Fasten the end of the chain. Crochet around the chain using the yarn of the second:

* pull the chain through the hole, 1 popcorn stitch from 5 dc (pc) around this chain, then around the chain on the side of the frame 1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc, then again 1 pc around the chain from the hole, then around the chain on the side of the frame 1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc, go to the next hole. Repeat from *. Finish off crochet.

Crochet this with around both shape holders.

Then using big needle and yarn sew lampshades to the crocheted part of the shade holders.

Cut two pieces of the power cable to the desired length 2-3 m and 1 m.

Cut two pieces of the wire.

Run the power cable through the the hole in the middle of the shade holder and the lampshade and connect to the lamp holder. Do the same with second lampshade (using second power cable).

Bend the ends of the wire around the rings of the shade holders.

Insert the power cable and wire into crocheted branch tubes, then through the tube and then through the hole in the concrete base.

Wrap the crocheted tube with power cable and wire around the branch. Using screws and a piece of tin fix the wire through the crocheted tube to the branch.

Pass the power cable and wire through the hole in the base of the lamp. Second hole in the concrete base is for the switch. Connect the power cable to the switch and to the socket. Glue switch to the hole in the concrete base.

Glue 4 small wooden blocks to the bottom of the base (the lamp will stand on them).

Screw in the LED lamps and enjoy the work done.