Ballon-mobile

Contrary to what you might have in mind, this is not a vehicle made of balloons. Oddly enough it is a baby knitting project! During my 2 ways post due down time, in an attempt to maintain my sanity I came up with a pattern to create a mobile out of knitted balloons. This is a super quick and easy project

TOOLS

size US 2 DPN's
embroidery hoop
4 colors of sport weight yarn
poly stuffing

BALLOON PATTERN

Cast on 9 stitches using the long tail method and making sure to leave at least a 6" tail
Join stitches to knit in a round (add a stitch marker)
R1: K
R2: K1, K2tog to end of row
R3: K2tog
R4: K1, M1 (add a maker after each newly created stitch)
R5-12: K until makers and M1 at each stitch marker
You should have a total of 30 stitches at this point
R13: K
R14-23: K until markers and M1 at each stitch marker
You should have a total of 60 stitches at this point
R24-29: K
R30-33: K to markers and K2 tog
R34: Knit 3, K2tog (add maker)
R35- end K until you have 2 stitches left before your marker and K2tog
Once you are down to 3 stitches cut a long tail of yarn and run it through your stitches.
Use stuffing to fill the balloon. (I suggest using small bits of stuffing and shaping the balloon throughout the process to make sure it's nice and round)
Once the balloon is filled, pull the yarn tight to close up the hole.

MOBILE ASSEMBLY

Once you have created 4 balloons, drape them evenly spaced around the inside ring of your embroidery hoop making sure that each balloon is hanging at the desired length. (if you are having trouble you can use a small piece of tape to secure each balloon string where you want it). Place the outside ring onto the hoop and close it up. Take all four balloon tails and tie them together so that the hoop hangs level. Cut off your excess and you're all set to hang your new mobile!