Can you replace yarn with clay?

[@sambeawesome]

Pro-tip when painting with acrylics--add water! Just a little goes a long way, helps stretch out the paint, fill in gaps, and blend easier. This is definitely a super unique project idea though xD Always fun to see what ideas you come up with next, haha.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Good advice! I was nervous to do that because the clay I was using can be turned back into sludge when wet.

[@Labyrinth_Props]

@@ComplicatedKnotsapplying a base coat of white acrylic paint with minimal water added can help prevent the clay from turning back to mush if you’re worried. Acrylic paint is essentially plastic, and can add at least a thin barrier from moisture. I use air dry clay an acrylics a lot in my own sculpting, and the clay is more durable than you might expect though. It can handle some moisture as long you don’t drown it lol

[@nihauf]

everyone's giving you tips about the clay and what to do/don't do next time but.. can we just appreciate that derpy little yarn you made for comparison? It's so simple yet so cute, I'd definitely see myself make a ton of these during those difficult "I want to crochet but I don't know what" times. And gilbert, oh my.. I don't think I need to explain why I love that little guy

[@barbaraeckman2588]

Oh my, Gilbert is totally ADORABLE!!!!! He made it through the process like a little Champ!

[@ericawright9453]

I absolutely LOVE the way your brain works. Some people say to think outside the box. Then there are those of us that dont even have a box! Lol😂 Its a great for finding new and exciting ways to do the things we love.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

"Doesn't follow instructions" is my super power XD

[@BornOfBooks]

I love the "will it crochet" series!

[@wwjd248]

I love Gilbert 😂 He’s so cute but the bird is cute too! It’s an interesting idea!

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Gilbert stole the show for real XD

[@vaasu5068]

Damn it! Now I wanna try it, my partner's gonna come home to art gremlin today😆

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Do you have your crafting buddy? Always take your crafting buddy XD

[@vaasu5068]

@@ComplicatedKnots Of course, my sister and I always do these things together, and if our partners are home we make them feel included. Also, I didn't think you were going to reply, you are so lovely you made my day🥰❤

[@kadieshacraythorn1403]

As a crocheter who also hasn't used clay since high-school, and recently tried to make a clay creation... I forgot to dry it slow so it's all crumbly. I'm glad one of us remembered that! And the Rodger Rabbit reference was great!!

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I can't believe they all held together!

[@dees3179]

Oh is that why it sometimes crumbles? I gave mother some for Christmas and it is very crumbly. I’ve never had that happen but then I don’t turn my heating on so it takes ages to dry at mine. I had wondered it it was a bad batch or the brand. I knew speed could make it crack but this was straight up crumbling to nothing.

[@HuskyMama1009]

Best line: "avoid the fleshy pinks, for reasons." 😅😅😅😅😅

[@ComplicatedKnots]

You know, reasons. The good ones. XD

[@HuskyMama1009]

@@ComplicatedKnots had to admit I giggled before you took it off the spike

[@idlewildwind]

Oh, I bet something like fimo clay or polymer clay could be rolled into thin and stable enough strands to crochet with. Pros: more colours. Cons: less messy. You should totes try that next!

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I should! Is fimo the one that dries slightly rubbery/flexible? I think I saw Jazza use something like that...

[@NeedMoreYarn]

​​​@@ComplicatedKnotsFimo is oven-bake clay, or otherwise known as polymer clay (It bakes in the oven into a solid plastic). You may have seen jazza use "green stuff" which is an epoxy "clay" that solidifies on its own and has more of a rubbery/soft finished product. (It is not clay tho)

[@NeedMoreYarn]

Also when I saw the video mentioning crocheting and clay, I thought it was gunna be polymer clay xD so when you whipped out the air dry I was like.... interesting choice. Lol​

[@D3DBATZ_Art]

@@ComplicatedKnotsyes but not mega flexible. It durable ;).

[@emmykuna]

@@ComplicatedKnotsCosclay is a polymer clay that when baked correctly stays super flexible, but it is more expensive 👍

[@world1stage1]

Plaster could be interesting, it kind of cures as it dries (but also gets warm and dries quickly so probably best for dipping a finished piece. Anyways, love that you are experimenting with new materials! Keep having fun!

[@barbaraeckman2588]

The squishy sounds and CK dissolving into giggles were…pure Joy!!!!! That is what makes you so special, CK!

[@fantasyocean4563]

This is....this is one of those types of partnerships I didn't know I needed, didn't think I would need, but am absolutely thrilled is now in my life. Yarn and clay! Who knew? This feels like the type of the craft (done outside of course) that would hold the attention of small children beautifully, and I also would love to watch the confusion of people if you tell them you crochet with clay. XD This was great and you look like you're having so much fun.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Crochet is a very clean craft; I had a great deal of fun getting very very messy. We are still finding clay all over everything. I don't even know how it go onto the honey jar.

[@MiaRadajewski]

You should make a crochet version of Gilbert!!!! That would be so cuteeeeee

[@meiloslyther]

The noises are so wrong and so right all at once. The pure joy!

[@ASquareGranny]

“Messy”….ooooooh! * settles in with project * 🧡 20:11 it reminds me of that pretty glowy “Venus flower(?)” thingy we can get when diving in ACNH!

[@evemoreno6883]

What a cool experiment!

[@craftynisse2443]

Out of the entire video which I loved all of it. my favorite part. "So it can enjoy a nice comfy retirement" said while wielding a large knife.😂 love you so much💖🤗

[@SoMagicalMichele]

The owl is adorable and of course, Gilbert is the best! I think your pen (hook) holder is adorable. I love both birds for different reasons.

[@kieraparry4008]

I would love to see this with a chunky yarn and the dip method! Making a vase or bowl or something cool like that. Someone else in the comments suggested using plaster as well which would be cool

[@susandaniels9733]

What creativity... 💕 everything..go Gilbert.

[@JoannThomson-s1f]

I love you and your videos. I stay up with you on Saturday nights. If this is for you, that's great, not for me.

[@oliiscat]

So excited i caught this early!! Super excited how you decide to crochet with clay haha

[@ComplicatedKnots]

You are SO early! Thanks for watching :)

[@oliiscat]

@@ComplicatedKnots Of course! :D

[@The7CallKidsRock]

i think that this was a very fun project for u ck! Gilbert and the Owl are obviously my favorites. I also loved the squeaking of the clay XD sounds like so much fun for you. always love the bloopers and I'm always ready to see what you come up with next! its always a surprise!

[@barbaraeckman2588]

I like your owl too! The clay/yarn one! (And the all yarn one too, of course)

[@R.M.MacFru]

Gilbert is definitely a show stealer. 🥰 I just love your enjoyment of the squelching of the wet clay. I have not used clay in...decades. I think I'll leave sculpting to my brother; he's much better at it than I ever was. Oh...and the Dip. Its not just kids who were mentally scarred by that scene in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I will never forget that poor shoe. *observes a moment of silence*

[@aknotstalecrochet]

CK, you're hilarious, and I always love watching your vids, cause whatever you're doing, it's always entertaining, and amazing watching you. I've never quite seen anyone like you before. lol

[@Daffodil302]

For some reason I really like the clay owl! Maybe more than the crocheted one!😅

[@raqualvanhuyssteen4493]

Gilbert made my day! Thank you

[@lyndzilla]

this right here is exactly why you're my favorite person on youtube. also, i thought i was fairly well versed in australian-isms after nearly 15 years with a small gaggle of aussie friends, but alfoil is a new one for me! i'm endlessly delighted by the australian refusal to say full nouns 😂

[@breeannacory1686]

I love all of them, but my favorite is the owl. And then the dragon Gilbert.👍🤪

[@jenny4444js]

Complicatedknots x jazza vibes! Definitely need a pattern for the miniature owl!

[@denatrybendis3141]

Love it all, especially Gilbert!

[@jinns9503]

Some ideas I have been thinking of are crochet with: Noodles, Ribbons, Thread, Wires(copper, silver, electrical. etc), Rope/cording(thinking like macrame or nylon), string lights, cables/jewelry wire, fishing line, etc. I keep coming up with different things but I am too busy these days (taking 15u at school and raising a family) to do it myself.

[@Elfxci]

I would definitely consider crocheting something like a little basket and then dipping it in clay! Maybe have it rest on a planter to keep the shape and then use it as a trinket bowl or even a yarn bowl? Definitely has my brain turning, thanks for sharing this creative experiment with us :)

[@sozias1]

Hi Gilbert!! You stole the show buddy!! *waves to CK and Mr. Bones*

[@ShainaMakesStuff]

The ‘Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?’ Reference!! 😂

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I promise it wasn't "dip". I'm not a monster.

[@smallgoosey]

I love Gilbert!! 💖

[@muzzycosmos9400]

Confusing, but it looks like very funny to do!

[@SiennaPineDew]

Hi Gilbert!😂 The pen/hook holder was actually my fav! Idk what it is about it, but it just looks so cool! It almost looks factory made, like that type of look isn’t possible or something! Idk but i love ittt Also Gilbert is ridiculously adorable

[@hollymarieexe]

I really thought you were just either going to put the texture of yarn onto the clay (via stamping it) or just paint a crochet texture. This is so much more chaotic and fun! I think the dipping idea is very neat, and you can control how much of the texture is there by squeezing out the clay too.

[@arwenx7]

Love this experiment, very interesting/amusing! Also, thankyou for addressing calling it Dip. I was scared that some long lost cartoon was going to run away from you in terror at some point.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I'm not a monster XD he was going for A dip not into THE dip.

[@idlewildwind]

Absolutely the clay owl is the best (well, apart from Gilbert obviously!) It's just so Shaped. Love it! For the next time you want to make a perfectly serviceable pen holder, I'd suggest letting it dry around an empty toilet roll. You might need to give it a twist a few times in the process so it doesn't dry stuck, but that should allow more moisture dissipation from both sides maybe? Anyway, that was hilarious. Still not over 8:09 xD

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Toilet roll! Wish I'd thought of that.

[@Sharkeyscrochetcarnival]

I love this video ive been curious about this concept! I love all of them. The clay owl looks very judgy in a cute way.the pen holder is cool! Also the guest appearances by Mr bones is great XD

[@BIGJONNN559]

Good Job Knots 🍊

[@JordyCreates]

Gilbert is sooooooo cute❤❤

[@ruthiekaplan9556]

Baby duolingo birds 😂 love them!!

[@shelbygaekefranz2695]

My first thought upon seeing the colours you were painting the owl were "oh no, the Duolingo owl!" 😂😅 But seriously, they are all very cute (including the pen/hook holder), and it's a very inventive and creative way to incorporate two crafts/mediums.

[@CerexFlikex]

This was awesome and I appreciate you sharing your experiments! I'm sure you have more fun ideas to come. The owl is adorable, I like both versions. Gilbert is adorable. Pen holder needs a more sturdy base, but it's a fun design idea. Could try a thicker clay bottom to add weight to it. Which could be, if using yarn and clay, an additional circle piece that gets added on to the bottom. It could have a larger circumference as well, to help stabilize it. Anyway, fun stuff!

[@MuppetMissile]

I'm relieved to realize you're saying 'al foil' and not 'Alf oil' - I was afraid to find out what that might be 😂 What a fun idea, though! I just had my first pottery class and I may ask the teacher's opinion on best clays for this the next time I'm there

[@DaniTheET]

oh those little birds are both so cute, and Gilbert is precious! 💜 side note: because its painted with acrylic on the bottom, that pen holder might have a tendency to stick to your desk if left in one place for a while (guess how I know 😅)

[@purebloodferret]

this was charming and thoroughly amusing. i love your strange hook holder odd-sock thing! I have used sculpy clay a lot in the past to make beads, it would be interesting to see if it could be rolled out long enough and hooked up

[@TheReganasaur]

Love it and now I totally want to do it lol

[@ashleyevans9513]

i am extremely early and i have never been so happy to watch a video

[@WildwoodStudio]

What a fun project! I like to watch your videos while I work on my videos lol. I think you were definitely onto something with the little owl, maybe you could use the acrylics as a base coat and then dust it with chalk pastel. It would get caught in all the low points and pick up the texture and create shadows.

[@janisjoplin7586]

It looks like a little baby duo owl!

[@nicoles7652]

I really want to do this for trinket dishes now! I've been wanting to crochet one but I also want my trinket dishes to actually have structure. I'd probably just use a ceramic air dry clay rather than a paper one, but otherwise the dipping concept would be the same ❤

[@bethpappas9202]

I love Gilbert

[@alecjamescedric]

Ooh, I’ve been excited for this video! I’ve been trying to catch up on the pokemon lives and I know you mentioned this a while back.

[@Celia-jk9zs]

You are exploring the creative views of crochet I would never attempt 🤣 *Edit: also in the USA we call that alf foil aluminum foil ( pronounced uh-loo-muh-nuhm) it is so cool to see the differences between the USA and Australia!

[@kerravonsen2810]

Austrialians also call it Aluminium Foil (ah-loo-min-ee-um)...

[@Celia-jk9zs]

@@kerravonsen2810 yeah but it is pronounced differently

[@kerravonsen2810]

@@Celia-jk9zs Indeed it is. Spelt differently, pronounced differently.

[@Celia-jk9zs]

@@kerravonsen2810 indeed

[@ivygarcia6878]

I'm a polymer clay newbie and from what I've learned, some polymer clays stay flexible after baking if they are thin enough. I'm thinking that your first idea would have worked with this type of clay! Roll out a super thin snake of polymer clay and bake it. Then use that snake to crochet

[@Miru_Man]

You have a new technique for rock-type pokemon!

[@saylor2802]

Your creations are really cute, actually, and these were some good first attempts with clay! I do have an idea, though, for another attempt: I think it might be interesting to make basic pieces, like circles, squares, or swatches with more complex stitches, then press them into the clay to make "stamps", then use those to add texture to the clay bases you make. Also, you may not want to use too much water with air dry clay; it's best to add a little bit only when you're sticking pieces together or need to smooth the surfaces. But yeah, this was fun to watch!

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I hadn't though to stamp the clay, that could look really interesting!

[@Catmumcraftseverything]

I adore all the bits (especially gilbert) not a solid suggestion but it's worked in the past with fimo (don't ask, I was bored and playing) the solid piece of made then dunked may have dried slightly better in the oven on a very low heat for a little while, 20 mins. Because theoretically the foil will heat up and dry from the inside as well

[@amys3168]

Good start! I’m a potter and one thing I love to do is dye the clay itself. For this, I’m wondering if it could be dyed with water color paint or tempura maybe? I know you could with food coloring, but that would definitely call for gloves. It would be fun to see if you could do a striped piece like your hook holder. But, that is really getting away from crochet…

[@delicateghoul]

I don't remember her name, but there's a potter who knits doillies and soaks them in slip, shapes them into bowls and fires them in a kiln, which burns away the yarn leaving a ceramic knit bowl behind

[@barbaraeckman2588]

Yes…I remember seeing that! The results are totally awesome!

[@lauramartin2803]

you made the duolingo owl!!

[@shamelesslykristen]

I think foam clay could be a really interesting medium to try crocheting! I use it to make props and it dries to a carve-able but solid texture

[@barbied4473]

I feel like there was a missed opportunity to paint the retired hook display as a frog?? Or to make a retired hook holder that looks like a magic wand? Because magic comes from the hook you use! It took me a second to think about why you wouldn’t use pink on the pen/hook holder. I thought “why not? Ohhhhh”😂😂

[@deborahdoherty3823]

Great job. No I’m not going to try. I have enough trouble with keeping my yarn from knotting without clay. Besides the dogs would probably eat the stuff. But I love Gilbert, and I love the owl that you can hit with a hammer and he bounces right back!

[@draughtoflethe]

Hi Gilbert! This looks like such a fun experiment! If you're asking what we would've done differently/what to try if you attempt it again, I might've gone with polymer clay instead of air-dry, since the yarn wouldn't come to any harm by a trip in the oven. It would've admittedly been less messy, but I'm curious about the results you'd have gotten with yarn coated in polymer clay. If it reassures you, gluing the owl together before painting was definitely the right choice; you want the glue to bond to the pieces themselves, not to the coating of paint on them. Much stronger bond that way.

[@mikaylacartwright141]

You know this kina reminds me of paper-mache in a weird way with the second attempt

[@ponderosityjay8132]

#NerdyCrafter Not your normal, but totally your vibes. Please enjoy the chaos sillies

[@drawacrab]

Hi Gilbert!

[@tamikabilly4526]

My craft buddy, is my sister ❤

[@cckorn16]

You made Duolingo the owl 🤣

[@SuperMathsBeaver]

Hi Gilbert! Maybe a glass bead in the base of the crochet hook holder might help with its stability? Also, I think FIMO (polymer clay) might be interesting to try since it doesn't need to be dampened, so you could potentially crochet it as yarn... clarn.

[@helenm1085]

Something about the making clay soup bit had playschool vibes??

[@aluapvtar]

You could try doing yarn of polymer clay, then bake it so it doesn't break but it would still be stretchy.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Yeah, to do this again I would probably try either polymer clay, or that clay that is like, bendy rubber when dry!

[@ShainaMakesStuff]

I think I’ll try this with CosClay. It stays stretchy after baking. Could work??

[@aliwilson4130]

I would have used Jonni’s paper mache recipe, but instead of paper used the yarn. Her channel is Ultimate Paper Mache.

[@lonelysupernova13]

Look like the Duolingo owl 😅 very cute though.

[@shannangibbins9660]

Hi Gilbert 👋 i kinda want to make my own hook holder 😂

[@ShintogaDeathAngel]

Have you seen any glass knitting sculptures? I don’t know the artist’s name but they’re beautiful pieces.

[@15ChocolateCupcake]

hi gilbert!

[@karingilje7797]

not sure if this would work, but instead of using aluminum, what about a balloon that you can pop and extract as a support?

[@ShainaMakesStuff]

That was my thought as well

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Balloons! I swear this comment section has the best ideas. I need to consult with yall before I go experimenting again.

[@helenm1085]

Or a more cursed thought... Paper that you could burn out?? You'd end up with blackened clay though. Or maybe the paper would soak up too much clay

[@pixeldragon5089]

I think the yarn and the clay might be stronger together than the clay alone, the technique reminds me of modroc (plaster bandages). I wonder if you could crochet modroc strips...

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Modroc strips you say? I'll have to look it up!

[@helenm1085]

This makes me wonder if you could try crocheting with other materials... Is there something edible you could try? I feel like fishing line could be interesting! Or you could make some plarn (plastic yarn) out of plastic bags. I also think it would be cool to use kiln fireable clay and find a local kiln who would be willing to fire an experiment

[@liltink8869]

Why does the stand look like a rainbow faced stewy with his eyes closed......lol😂😂😂

[@sunny1923gy]

cursed duolingo bird to haunt us for breaking our streak

[@deardegenerate8017]

Clay is a first ❤ I wonder how crochet would interact with resin? Probably too much air in it... Or if it's possible to crochet with vine plants.... and then have them grow leaves? Like a garden dragon. That sounds like a long project 😂

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I'm gonna try and grow crystals soon. I'm in my mad-science era and loving it.

[@JordyCreates]

Can you try to crochet with pasta!please❤

[@midwestanon1359]

I dunno why, but your videos tickle my ADHD brain in exact the right way lol. And now I want to try this with oven bake clay. I mean... Cosclay is flexible... or use paper mache instead of air dry clay lol Edit: Or plaster! 😅 too many ideas lol

[@eagleironic5815]

What a fantastic creative episode! CK do you have a glue gun? Would possibly make owl assembly quicker.

[@kateworkman921]

Check out cosclay. It's an oven bake clay that stays flexible. So I bet if you did roll it out really thin, then bake it, you actually could crochet with it.

[@ComplicatedKnots]

Thank you! This is the stuff I have been trying to remember the name of! Yes, I really want to see if this would work.

[@kateworkman921]

@@ComplicatedKnots I think you'd have to use a bigger hook than you usually do in your videos. Maybe a 6mm. But I'd love to see if it works, because if it does, I might give it a try. It could be good for pieces of jewelry, decorative accents, stuff like that.

[@whatkristymakes]

@@ComplicatedKnots you could get a clay extruder tool too so then it would make all the clay into nice, even long sausages.

[@justanotherstory3027]

There is a clay that dries to like an elastic texture. I'm kinda wondering if that'd work the same as yarn if it dried

[@ComplicatedKnots]

I'd be interested to find out!

[@justanotherstory3027]

@ComplicatedKnots a video showing it is on carys cuttlefish and the video is called "making weird tiny dinos" Hope this helps 😊 Sorry got my wires crossed and mixed up the clay videos 😅

[@TheSithAssassin134]

i loooooove your content but i hate the entire concept of this in particular 😆i mean no actual hate to YOU, only the clay itself. props to you for doing this and i agree cotton was the best choice for this as natural absorbs wet better. ps: no more pink fleshy colours after the last live with the mouth 😆

[@middlemuse]

The owl is about to yell at me for not doing my Spanish practice.

[@Koejj90]

Asmr squish the clay😂

[@lazycat66]

That one scene in Roger Rabbit that traumatized an entire generation. Yes. I'm glad it wasn't just me! I'm glad you enjoyed the wet clay mess. I would not enjoy it at all lol Hi, Gilbert!

[@OutoftheBarnCrochetCreations]

Oh girl I love your videos and I fully support your enthusiasm and creativity but you lost me at clay coated yarn. It sounds like a sensory nightmare for me. lol