This Large Balloon #008 with Triangles is cut and woven in the same way as explained for the smaller #008 Balloon. You may weave and make identical balloons in all patterns explained. The difference is that the balloons from the templates included in this post will be about 24 cm high. Because the balloon is so large you need heavier papers than for the smaller models.
In order to be able to make the balloon from paper size A4, the arms are cut individually and then fixed to a circular center piece.
First you prepare two circular pieces with 12 arms each and then you weave the two pieces together like the simple Balloon #001. Finally you add strip, basket, and hangers.
We introduce a new way of planning the pattern.
Balloon with black and white triangles
For the large black and white balloon you need the following pieces of paper in quality 80 – 190 g/m2.
- 4 sheets of white paper size A4 for arms
- 4 sheets of dyed black (same colour on both sides) paper size A4 for arms
- 1 sheet of the black paper size A4 for circular pieces, basket and hangers.
The arms for the balloon are made from a combination of two papers. For this size of balloon the total “weight” of the two papers should be 240 – 300 g/m2.
From the paper you need to cut:
- 12 arms from Part 1 in each of the colours black and white
- 12 arms from Part 2 in each of the colours black and white
- The 2 circular pieces, strip, basket, and hangers from Part 3.
Part 1 arms Part 2 arms
1. Sort out 6 of each of the 4 different types of arm and place them with the small triangles all pointing in the same direction – towards the left.
a) b)
Arm pieces for a) arms with a black triangle and vertical stripes when weaving and b) arms with a white triangle and vertical stripes when weaving
2. Pair the arm pieces as indicated. The purpose is to prepare 6 arms with a black triangle and vertical stripes when weaving and 6 arms with a white triangle and vertical stripes when weaving.
a) b)
Twirled arm with a) black triangle and vertical stripes when weaving and b) twirled arm with white triangle and vertical stripes when weaving
3. “Twirl” together the 2 x 6 arms for the large swirling Piece 1. Consider that the small triangles should all point to the left.
Piece 1
4. Fix the 12 arms – alternating triangle colour – to a small circular piece forming Piece 1.
Part 1 arms Part 2 arms
5. Take the remaining 24 arm pieces and place them with the small triangles all pointing in the same direction – towards the right.
a) b)
Arm pieces for a) arms with a black triangle and horizontal stripes when weaving and b) arms with a white triangle and horizontal stripes when weaving
6. Pair the remaining arm pieces as indicated. The purpose is to prepare 6 arms with a black triangle and horizontal stripes when weaving and 6 arms with a white triangle and horizontal stripes when weaving.
a) b)
Twirled arm a) with black triangle and horizontal stripes and b) twirled arm with white triangle and horizontal stripes.
7. “Twirl” together the 2 x 6 arms for the large swirling Piece 2. Consider that the small triangles should all point to the right.
Piece 2
8. Fix the 12 arms – alternating triangle colour – to a small circular piece forming Piece 2.
9. Place Piece 2 on top of Piece 1 arms swirling in opposite directions AND (this is important) the small black triangles of Piece 2 right above the small white triangles of Piece 1.
10, Weave the balloon from the two pieces prepared in the same way as you would weave Balloon #001. Consider that the vertical line between the two colours of a piece always splits the “square” in two equal sized sections. The longest edge of the small triangles shall 1) run as a vertical line from the top of the balloon to the lower edge or 2) run as a horizontal line from one corner of the square to the other.
11. Take the basket, cords and wide arched piece.
12. Fix the wide arched strip along the edge on the outside of the balloon. The longer edge should follow the longer side of the last row of triangles. Press down to make a tight fit.
13. Form the small basket. Fix the sides using the small notch as a guide. Smear glue on the small flaps of the bottom and press down inside the basket. Let it dry.
14. Smear glue along the upper edge outside the basket. Also smear glue on the inside of the open strip holding the cords. Roll the strip around the basket upper edges aligned. Tighten and press down.
15. Fix the horizontal bar at the end of the 6 cords to the inside of the balloon – equally spaced. The bar should go near the edge. Let them dry.
16. To hang the balloon make a small hole in the centre of the top and fix a piece of string tying a pearl or like to the end inside the balloon.
Here are pdf-files for cutting: Balloon twirled large cut 1 ; Balloon twirled large cut 2 ; Balloon twirled large cut 3
PaperMatrix 
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