Make your own Dreamcatcher

Materials required to make a 5 inch diameter Dreamcatcher

1 - 5" ring
4 yds - Suede Lacing 1/8 inch
3 yds - Imitation sinew
1 - Small Concho
12 - Pony Beads Color 1
6 - Pony Beads Color 2
12 - Feathers

The color scheme is entirely up to you. You will also require: scissors, glue, a clothes peg.

If you cannot obtain the supplies, try making one using a flexible branch from a tree about 1cm in diameter and 1 meter long. Just bind the ends of the branch together and then make the web in the same way but using wool or string. I have done this myself and it looks very effective.

1. Cut 8 ft. of the suede lacing. Glue one end of the lacing to the ring. Use a clothespin to hold it in place until the glue dries. The clothespin is a really good way to hold the lacing and I have to admit that this was not my idea. Wrap the suede lacing around the ring until you reach the starting point again. Be careful not to twist the lacing. Glue the end of the lacing to the ring. Hold it in place with a clothespin until the glue dries (Figure 1).

2. To make the web, tie one end of the imitation sinew to the ring (Figure 2). Make nine half hitch knots around the ring spacing them about 1-1/2" apart (Figure 3). Make the last hitch a little closer to the first knot as this prevents a large gap from forming. Keep the thread pulled snug between the knots.

3. Begin the next row of the web by tying hitches in the middle of the thread that you have already woven on row 1.(Figure 4). Continue weaving in the same way until you have a small hole left in the center. Tie a double knot in the cord, add a tiny drop of glue to the knot and cut off remaining thread when dry.(Figure 5). (Figure 6).

4. To make the loop to hang your Dream Catcher use a 12" piece of suede lacing fold it in half and tie a knot in the open end. At the top of the ring, attach the lacing by slipping the loop end through the ring and then around the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in place.

5. To make the hanging sections, cut 3 8" pieces of suede Tie two 8" pieces of suede lacing about one third of the way up each side of the ring using a double knot. Slip a color 1 pony bead, then a color 2 pony bead, ending with a color 1 pony bead onto each piece of lacing and secure with a knot.

6. Using the last 8" piece of lacing to attach small concho to top middle of the ring. Slip three pony beads onto each piece of lacing: color 1, color 2, color 1.

7. Finally push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of lacing except the one hanging from the concho. Glue the feathers if they are loose. The last 4 feathers are attached 2 each side of the concho.

To make larger sizes

12 inch rings needs approx. 7 yds of 1/8 suede lacing to bind it
9 inch ring - 6 yds
6 inch ring - 4 yds
Remember that you will need extra suede for the laces and hanger.