Great tutorial! No offense, but your web string center seems like it’s incomplete and not symmetrical―like you stopped at step #5 in your diagram.
After writing this, I realized your instructable was written 5 years ago!
Step-by-Step Guide for Making a Stunning Dreamcatcher
This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A.. Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Dreamcatchers aren’t just aesthetic decorations for your bedroom, but are also believed to protect you from bad dreams by catching them in their intricately woven webs. And you can actually make one of these beautifully crafted objects yourself, adding your own personal touches along the way to make it all the more special. Follow this easy step-by-step guide and get started on this majestically dreamy craft.
Things You Should Know
- Start the dreamcatcher by tightly wrapping the hoop with suede lace so that the entire hoop is covered.
- Create the web by weaving the string along the frame of the hoop, starting from the outside and working inwards.
- Finish the dreamcatcher by decorating it with the accessories of your choice, such as feathers or beads.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 4:
Gathering Your Materials
Select a metal or wooden hoop. Pre-made metal or wooden hoops are easy and work great for dreamcatchers. The size of the hoop you buy really depends on how big you want your dreamcatcher to be. However, if this is your first time making a dreamcatcher, try a 5 to 8 inch (13 to 20 cm) hoop. These hoops are neither too big nor too small for beginners. [1] X Research source
- These hoops can be found at your local crafts store in the yarn and crocheting aisle.
- Embroidery hoops are another good option for dreamcatchers. [2] X Expert Source
Use suede lace or ribbon to wrap the hoop. Choose leather or buckskin suede lace. Use a length of lace that is 18 times greater than the diameter of the hoop you are using and with a width no larger than the width of a shoelace, which is about 0.5 in (1.27 cm). [3] X Expert Source
- For example, if you are using a 5 in (13 cm) hoop, use 2.5 yd (2.3 m) of lace.
- If you do not want to use suede lace, then you can also use ribbon.
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- For example, if you are using a 5 in (13 cm) hoop, then you will need 50 in (127 cm) of string.
Pick your decorative materials. How you decorate your dreamcatcher is completely up to you. You can use feathers, strips of fabric, beads, gemstones, and shells to decorate your dreamcatcher. Choose materials that have personal meaning for you. [5] X Research source
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:
Wrapping the Hoop
- Wrap the suede lace tight enough so that you can’t see the hoop underneath.
- Use regular craft glue.
- If you are using regular ribbon, tie a double or triple knot at the starting point instead of using glue to secure the ribbon.
- Make sure to use the small binder clips to hold the lace in place where the glue is.
- Tightly wrap the lace around the hoop so that each loop is touching but not overlapping one another.
- If you are using ribbon, use the same strategy to secure the ribbon around the hoop.
Stop wrapping the lace once you arrive back at the starting point. Before you get to the end, place a final line of glue on the hoop right next to the first loop. Finish wrapping the lace and secure it with a small binder clip where you placed the last line of glue. [8] X Research source
Let the glue finish drying for about 15 to 20 minutes. Set the rings aside and let the glue do its thing and dry for up to 20 minutes. After the time’s up, take off the clips and cut off any extra pieces of lace or ribbon. [9] X Research source
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Part 3
Part 3 of 4:
Weaving the Web
Tie the string securely to the top of the circle. Cut 2 yd (1.8 m) of string. Start by tying a knot at the top of the hoop. Tie a double or triple knot to ensure that the string is secure. [10] X Research source
- Pulling too hard on the string may warp the shape of the dreamcatcher.
- There will be an odd number of loops.
Loop the string around the midpoint of the first line of thread to start the second layer. Using the same technique, loop the string around the center of the string in the first layer and then back over itself to create a hitch. Continue weaving the thread this way until you reach the top of the hoop. [13] X Research source
Continue weaving layers until a small circle forms in the middle. As you weave the web, the circle in the middle will get smaller and smaller. Weave the string until only a small circle is left in the middle of the dreamcatcher. Make sure to pull the string tight to secure the web. [14] X Expert Source
Secure the web with a knot. Once the circle is small—about the size of a penny or dime—tie a knot around the next string instead of hitching it. Tie a double or triple knot to make sure the string is secure and will not come undone. Then trim off any extra string with a pair of scissors. [15] X Research source
Make a hanging loop. Cut a 5 in (13 cm) piece of suede lace. Tie the loose ends into a knot to make a circle. Secure the lace around the top of the hoop by pushing the knot through the loop. Then pull tight to create the hanging loop. [16] X Research source
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:
Decorating Your Dreamcatcher
Loop beads into the web. You will need to do this as you make the web. Place a bead on the string before you loop and hitch it to the next string. You can either space them out randomly, or create a pattern by placing a bead on every other string. [17] X Research source
- You can also do this technique with suede lace, strips of leather, or any other type of string to create a dreamy hanging effect.
Thread beads onto the strips of fabric. Position the bead to where you want it on the string, then tie a small knot underneath the bead. The knot will hold the bead in place. You can string multiple beads on one strip of fabric in all kinds of fun and colorful patterns. [18] X Research source
Hang feathers from the bottom of the dreamcatcher. Group four to five feathers together and use a small binder clip to hold them together. Then, tie and knot a string around the tops of the feathers to secure them. Finally, tie and knot the string along the bottom of the dreamcatcher. [19] X Expert Source
- You can also thread various beads onto the strings before you attach them to the dreamcatcher.
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Expert Q&A
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Question
How do you make a bigger dream catcher?
Nicole Bolin
Crafts & DIY Specialist
Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.
Crafts & DIY Specialist
Expert Answer
You can simply follow the same steps using a bigger hoop, like an embroidery hoop.
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Question
Do I have to put feathers on my dream catcher?
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
You can choose whatever decorations you want to put on your dreamcatcher. Feathers are just one idea, but you can also use beads, strips of fabric or leather, or shells. You also don’t have to use any decorations at all, and can just have the frame and web!
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Question
What to do if I don’t have hoop or ring?
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
Lots of different things can be used to make the frame of a dreamcatcher! For example, you can cut out the center of a paper plate and use that. Or you can even find a flimsy branch outside and bend it into a circular shape. You can also cut out a ring shape from a piece of cardboard.
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References
- ↑https://youtu.be/sD7ZtoyWH5Q?t=91
- ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
- ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgZ-uDAmAM&feature=youtu.be&t=75
- ↑https://youtu.be/sD7ZtoyWH5Q?t=91
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgZ-uDAmAM&feature=youtu.be&t=102
- ↑https://youtu.be/BT7uRAWN4No?t=66
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgZ-uDAmAM&feature=youtu.be&t=128
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgZ-uDAmAM&feature=youtu.be&t=139
- ↑http://www.nativetech.org/dreamcat/dreminst.html
- ↑https://youtu.be/BT7uRAWN4No?t=121
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT7uRAWN4No
- ↑http://www.nativetech.org/dreamcat/dreminst.html
- ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
- ↑http://www.nativetech.org/dreamcat/dreminst.html
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgZ-uDAmAM&feature=youtu.be&t=245
- ↑http://www.nativetech.org/dreamcat/dreminst.html
- ↑https://youtu.be/PGpiHzxooTo?t=269
- ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 9 September 2020.
Crochet around the hoop with your yarn and crochet hook. Alternatively, you could simply wrap the yarn around the hoop, but this method is much quicker.
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There are many methods of stringing the web center, but I chose this one. Follow the diagram or search for YouTube videos if the diagram isn’t clear enough. I felt reading how to do it would be much more confusing than a diagram.
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Step 4: Step 3
Now grab a jewelry bail and glue it to the back of a flat rock. E6000 would probably work better, but I opted for hot glue because that’s what I had. I attached it to the middle of the web with a couple of jump rings, using my jewelry pliers to assist me.
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Step 5: Step 4
I added my feathers in a similar way, by using jump rings, again using my jewelry pliers to assist me. The feathers I bought already had little plastic hoops at the top, so it was pretty easy.
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