Make a Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatchers originated with the Ojibwe people, who wove these magical webs from willow hoops and sinew. The hoop represents the travel of giizis, the sun, through the sky. At night, the hole in the center only lets bawedjige, good dreams, pass. Bawedjigewin, bad dreams, are trapped in the web, and dispelled at the first light of morning. This article will teach you how to make one.
Contents
10 Second Summary
1. Wrap suede or leather around a metal hoop to cover it.
2. Add a hanging loop.
3. Weave string around the hoop.
4. Weave your next row through the first row.
5. Add beads to the string as you wave.
6. Tie the string off at the center of the web.
7. Add a hanging feather at the bottom of the dream catcher.
Steps
Gathering Materials for the Dreamcatcher
- Gather your materials for your dreamcatcher. Each is described below.
- Decide what material to use for the hoop. The hoop is the basis for a dreamcatcher's shape and structure. It is usually no larger than an adult's hand. Hoops are traditionally made from dried red willow or grapevine, which is sold at many craft stores. You could also use some twigs of an olive tree or any plant which is pliable. Thin wooden branches or local grapevines can be soaked in water until soft enough to form a hoop.
- Buy about 72 inches (2 meters) of willow or grapevine, which you will use to create and wrap the hoop.
- A wood or metal hoop may also be used. Choose one that is between 3 and 8 inches (7.5 and 20.5 centimeters) in diameter.
- Buy suede lacing. The lacing is used to wrap the hoop. Choose buckskin or another leather. The width should be no greater than the width of a shoelace, and the length should be eight times the diameter of the hoop you will make. However, if suede lacing is unavailable, any other natural looking ribbon or string will do (embroidery thread is recommended).
- Choose a type of string. String is woven onto the hoop to create the dreamcatcher's web. It should be strong, but thin. Choose waxed nylon string or simulated sinew.
- The string used is traditionally white or clear, but you could also choose a colored type of string.
- The length of the string should be ten times the length of the hoop will make. you need to loop the string around the wire to create the first part of the Dreamcatcher
- Choose decorative elements. The oldest dream catchers did not have decorative features, but in more recent years feathers and beads have been woven into the web to represent different elements of life.
- A hanging feather is a symbol of air, which we cannot live without. It is said that the stirring of a dream catcher's feather means that a dream has passed through the circle. Feathers from owls, which represent wisdom, and eagles, which represent courage, have been commonly used, but it is now illegal to use feathers from these endangered birds. Faux feathers may be used in their place.
- Gemstones, or faux gemstone beads, may be used to represent the four directions: north, south, east and west. These beads can be strung between the weaving.
- Choose colors and stones that have personal meaning to you.
Making the Hoop
- Shape the hoop. Place the willow or grapevine into a bowl of warm water. Allow it to soak for about half an hour, until it is supple and can bend without breaking. Shape the vine into a circle, making several loops so that your hoop will be strong. Use a twist tie to fasten the hoop in three places so that it keeps its shape, and let it dry completely.
- Press the hoop between two heavy books to ensure that it dries completely flat.
- If you're using a wooden or metal hoop, skip to the next step.
- Wrap the hoop. Paint some tacky glue along one tip of the suede thong. Press it against the hoop. Use one hand to hold the end in place as it dries, and use the other hand to start wrapping the thong around the hoop. Continue wrapping the hoop until the entire hoop is wrapped tightly in suede.
- Each loop of suede should be tightly wrapped and touching the adjacent loop of suede, but the loops should not overlap.
- The very last loop should slightly overlap the beginning piece of thong. Take the end of the suede and insert it under the second to last loop, forming a half-stitch to secure the thong in place.
- Make a hanging loop. Take the loose piece of the thong and shape it into a loop that juts out vertically from the top of the hoop. Keeping the loop in place, use the end of the thong to make a knot at the base of the loop. Pull it tight, then use a scissors to cut off the last dangling piece of thong.
Weaving the Web
- Weave the first row. Begin by tying one end of the string in a knot at the base of the hanging loop. Working clockwise, stretch the string to a spot a few inches down the hoop and loop it around the hoop. Stretch the string a few inches to the right and loop it around the hoop again. Continue making loops that are evenly spaced apart until you reach the beginning.
- If your hoop is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in diameter, the traditional method is to make 8 loops around the hoop.
- The thread between the looped peaks should be slightly loose. It will be pulled tight as you continue weaving.
- Continue weaving the web. Take the end of the string and weave it under the loop created between the first and second looped peaks. Make a "hitch" by using the thread to make a loop over the loose string. After making the first hitch, make another hitch at the thread between the second and third knots. Continue weaving the thread in this manner until you have made a hitch at the thread between every knot.
- Each hitch should fall at the exact midpoint of the thread between the knots.
- As you weave, pull the thread snug, but not too tight.
- After making the first row of hitches, continue weaving the thread between the new segments you have created and making a hitch in the middle of each one. The circle you weave will become smaller and smaller. As it becomes smaller, pull the thread tighter and tighter.
- If you desire, add a few beads or gemstones to the dreamcatcher as you weave. Space them out randomly or create a pattern.
Finishing the Dreamcatcher
- Secure the web. When you have woven the web down to a tiny circle in the middle, tie the end of the thread over the place where you would have made the final hitch. Make a double knot to ensure it won't come undone. Pull it tightly and snip off the end.
- Add a hanging feather. If you wish to add an ornamental feather or two, tie a new piece of string securely around the base of a feather. Tie the other end of the feather to the center of the dreamcatcher over one of the hitches in the center circle. Use a double knot to make sure it's secure. Snip off the dangle thread on either end.
- You can add beads to the string after one end has been tied to the base of the feather, before you secure it to the dreamcatcher.
- You can wrap the base of the feather in suede if you want to hide the knotted string. Brush the end of a piece of the suede thong with tacky glue. Hold it to the stem of the feather to let it dry for a minute. Wrap the stem of the feather, then trim the suede and glue the end to the base of the feather.
- Hang the dreamcatcher. Place the dreamcatcher near your bedroom window. With the first rays of sunlight, all bad thoughts that entered your mind during the night should disperse. Only good thoughts will be entering your mind for the day.
Tips
- Be sure to handle your dreamcatcher with care and it will last you many years.
- Add more feathers and beads to make the happy thoughts stronger.
- Experiment! Use vibrant colors and unique feathers and beads and you don't need to use natural resources.
- Make sure your string is strong so your dream catcher doesn't break.
- Try adding small bells in the web it is for good luck.
- If you can't find anything for a hoop, use and old bangle bracelet you don't want anymore. It doesn't matter what it looks like because you're going to cover it up anyways.
- Dream catchers can also be made in the shape of a heart, which represents love.
- At dawn, look for the miracle of the sunrise, as it is captured and sparkling in the morning dew of a web.
- Adults should use strong fibers to reflect their adult dreams and pursuits.
- The diameter should be around 3 to 8in. If there are 8 loops touching the hoop, it represents spider legs; if there are 7 loops on the knot, it represents the 7 prophecies.
- Decorate your dreamcatcher with your favorite beads so, when you look at it, you'll feel happy.
- Dreamcatchers made for children should be made with fibers that eventually disintegrate, symbolizing the fleeting quality of youth. A willow hoop, held together with sinew, will eventually dry and collapse.
- Some Native Americans consider the Dream Catcher to be sacred. Children and adults made them too sell to tourists for extra income. If you make them with children, you could read a book to them about their history and the heritage of the people who made them.
- Make your dream catcher funky and cool and use more than one type of coloured string.
- For the non-superstitious bunch- use curtain rail hoops for the outer.
- Make sure the morning rays can reach the dreamcatcher or else the catcher won't banish bad dreams it has caught during the night.
- Dreamcatchers may also be made in the shape of a teardrop, as is customary in Canada and the Northeastern US.
Things You'll Need
- Red willow reed, grapevine, twig from an olive tree, or a metal or wooden hoop
- Suede lacing
- Waxed nylon string, embroidery thread, or faux sinew
- Scissors
- Beads or gemstones
- Feathers
