This article was co-authored by Nicole Bolin and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz. 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.
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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
Gathering Your Materials
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1Select 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]
- 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]
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2Use 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]
- 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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3Choose string for the web. Select a string that is both strong and flexible. Artificial sinew, hemp cord, waxed nylon string, or silk thread all work great. Cut the string so that its length is ten times the diameter of the hoop. Traditionally, natural-colored string is used, but you can use any color you want.[4]
- For example, if you are using a 5 in (13 cm) hoop, then you will need 50 in (127 cm) of string.
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4
Wrapping the Hoop
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1Place a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) line of glue on the top of the hoop and wrap the suede lace around it. Holding the end of the suede lace against the hoop, wrap it around the line of glue. When you are wrapping the suede lace, make sure there are no spaces between the pieces of lace. Once you have wrapped the glued section, use a small binder clip to hold the lace in place and wait for the glue to dry. This will take about five minutes.[6]
- 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.
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2Wrap the suede lace around the entire hoop tightly so there are no gaps. Place a thin line of glue on at least four evenly-spaced spots on the hoop as you continue to wind the lace around. This will ensure that the lace stays in place.[7]
- 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.
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3Stop 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]
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4Let 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]
Weaving the Web
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1Tie 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]
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2Loop the string around the hoop at 2 in (5 cm) intervals. Working clockwise, stretch the string to a spot about 2 in (5 cm) over on the hoop. Loop the string around the hoop and back over itself to create a hitch. Make sure to pull the string tight to secure it before moving on to the next loop.[11]
- Pulling too hard on the string may warp the shape of the dreamcatcher.
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3Continue looping the string around the hoop. Loop the string around the entire frame until you reach the top of the hoop where you started. As you do this, go slowly to make sure the loops are evenly spaced. Once you reach the top, loop the string around the hoop next to the starting knot.[12]
- There will be an odd number of loops.
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4Loop 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]
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5Continue 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]
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6Secure 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]
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7Make 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]
Decorating Your Dreamcatcher
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1Loop 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]
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2Hang strips of fabric. Purchase different colors or patterns of fabric. Cut the fabric into strips and fold the strips in half to create a loop. Place the loop underneath the bottom rim of the dreamcatcher, then thread the ends of the fabric through the loop and pull tight to secure it.
- You can also do this technique with suede lace, strips of leather, or any other type of string to create a dreamy hanging effect.
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3Thread 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]
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4Hang 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]
- You can also thread various beads onto the strings before you attach them to the dreamcatcher.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you make a bigger dream catcher?
Nicole BolinNicole 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 SpecialistYou can simply follow the same steps using a bigger hoop, like an embroidery hoop. -
QuestionDo I have to put feathers on my dream catcher?
wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou 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! -
QuestionWhat to do if I don't have hoop or ring?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerLots 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.
Things You'll Need
- Metal or wooden hoop
- Suede lace (or ribbon)
- Artificial sinew (or silk thread, waxed nylon string, hemp cord)
- Scissors
- Small binder clips (4)
- Liquid craft glue
- Beads
- Gemstones
- Feathers
- Fabric
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.
About This Article
To make your own dreamcatcher, start with a metal or wooden hoop that is the size you want your dreamcatcher to be. Apply a line of glue along a short section of the hoop, then wrap some ribbon or suede lace around the hoop and glue. Continue adding more glue and wrapping the ribbon around the hoop until the whole hoop is covered. Cut off the excess ribbon, then let the glue dry for 15 minutes. Next, tie the end of some string to the hoop. Loop the string around the hoop and down through the opening. Work your way around the hoop to make the first layer of the web. Now, pass the string up through each opening in the web, working your way around the whole hoop. Then, do the same thing again, this time going up through the new, smaller openings in the web. Continue working your way around the hoop and passing the string through the smallest openings in the web until the web reaches the center of the dreamcatcher. Cut off the excess string, leaving enough to tie a knot, and slide a bead onto the end of the string. Tie a knot so the bead stays in place at the center of the dreamcatcher. Snip off the excess string above the knot. Now, tie several long pieces of string to the bottom half of the hoop. Slide beads onto the strings to decorate them. Finally, attach a feather to the end of each string. Hang your dreamcatcher above your bed. If you want to learn how to decorate your dreamcatcher with other fabric and feathers, keep reading the article!
