how to make a dreamcatcher

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Making a dreamcatcher is a fun project you can do by yourself or with friends. You will need a hoop, suede lace, string, and decorative materials to create a basic dreamcatcher. Start the dreamcatcher by wrapping the hoop with suede lace. Then create the web by weaving the string along the frame of the hoop. Finish the dreamcatcher by decorating it with your favorite accessories.

1
Select a metal or wooden hoop. Pre-made metal or wooden hoops are easy and work great for dreamcatchers. The size of the hoop is really dependent 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]
- You can find these hoops at your local crafts store in the yarn and crocheting aisle.
- Embroidery hoops are another good option for dream catchers.^[2]
2
Use suede lace or ribbon to wrap the hoop. ^[3] Choose leather or buckskin suede lace. The width of the lace should be no larger than the width of a shoelace. The length of the lace should be 18 times greater than the diameter of the hoop you are using.
- For example, if you are using a 5-inch (13 cm) hoop, then 2.5 yards (2.3 meters) of lace should be enough.
- If you do not want to use suede lace, then you can also use ribbon.
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3
Choose string for the web. You want to use string that is strong, but flexible. Artificial sinew, hemp cord, waxed nylon string, or silk thread all work great. The length of the string should be 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-inch (13 cm) hoop, then you will need 50 inches or 2 yards (1.8 meters) of string.
4

Pick your decorative materials. How you decorate your dreamcatcher is 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]

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1
Place a half-inch (1.3 cm) line of glue on the top of the hoop. 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 until the glue dries, about five minutes.^[6]
- You should not be able to see the frame of the hoop underneath the suede lace.
- Use regular, craft glue.
- If you are using regular ribbon, then tie a double or triple knot at the starting point instead of using glue to secure the ribbon.
2
Continue wrapping the hoop with suede lace. Continue wrapping the lace around the hoop. At strategic spots, place more glue on the hoop before you wrap the lace around it. This will ensure that the lace stays in place. You should place glue on at least four, evenly spaced spots on the hoop.^[7]
- Make sure to use the small binder clips to hold the lace in place where the glue is.
- The lace should be tightly wrapped around the hoop and touching the adjacent loop of lace, but they should not overlap.
- If you are using ribbon, use the same strategy to secure the ribbon around the hoop.
3

Finish wrapping the lace. Wrap the lace all the way around the hoop, i.e., back to the starting point. Before you get to the end, place a final line of glue on the hoop. Finish wrapping the lace and secure it with a small binder clip.^[8]
4

Let the glue finish drying. Place the hoop aside for 15 to 20 minutes to let the glue finish drying. After 15 minutes, take off the clips. Cut off any extra pieces of lace or ribbon.^[9]

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1

Tie the string securely to the top of the circle. Cut 2 yards (1.8 meters) 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]
2
Loop the string around the hoop. Working clockwise, stretch the string to a spot about 2 inches (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.
3
Continue 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 should be an odd number of loops.
4

Create the second layer of web. Loop the string around the midpoint of the first line of thread. Using the same technique, loop it around the string and over itself to create a hitch. Continue weaving the thread this way until you reach the top of the hoop.^[13]
5

Continue the weaving until a small circle forms in the middle. ^[14] 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.^[15]
6

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 scissors.^[16]
7

Make a hanging loop. Cut a 5-inch (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.^[17]

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1

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.^[18]
2
Hang strips of fabric. Purchase different colors or patterns of fabric. Cut the fabric into strips. Fold the strips in half to create a loop. Place the loop underneath the bottom rim of the dreamcatcher. 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.
3

Thread beads onto the strips. Thread a bead onto your strip of fabric or string. Position the bead to where you want it on the string. Tie a small knot underneath the bead. The knot will hold the bead in place.^[19]
4
Hang feathers if you'd like. ^[20] Group four to five feathers together. Use a small binder clip to hold them together while you tie and knot a string around the tops of the feathers to secure them. Then tie and knot the string along the bottom of the dream catcher.
- You can also thread various beads onto the strings as well before you attach them to the dreamcatcher.
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Add New Question

Question

How do you make a bigger dream catcher?

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 BS in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and spent 15 years in the scientific field before switching careers. 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.
Question

If I put a peacock feather in a dream catcher, is that good or bad?

The placement of a peacock feather is not a bad thing because if it is of the earth and it is special to you. An odd superstition surrounds the peacock feather due to its looking like an eye (the evil eye), a superstition that arose in earlier times without any basis and of no relevance to dreamcatchers. Moreover, the dreamcatcher is a personal thing to you and what you choose to add to it reflects your meaning, not a bunch of superstitions created by others.
Question

What other feathers can I add besides the owl feather?

You can add different types of feathers from craft store, such as duck, goose, or peacock.
Question

I was wondering if using sea shells would be alright making a dream catcher?

Sea shells are fine to use, as long as you have made sure there are no little animals living inside them. You can drill a small hole in the spot you want in the shell and thread it through with the string you used to make the dream catcher. You can use them instead of feathers.
Question

Can I use natural feathers, like the feathers that I find in my backyard?

Yes, you can. It brings the same effect of chi air and also catches bad dreams and thoughts.
Question

Where is the best place to hang it up?

The best places to hang it up are above your bed (to catch the bad dreams straight from your mind) and on a window.
Question

Do I have to put beads on?

No, you can decorate your dreamcatcher with whatever you like!
Question

Can I use any color of beads, and if not, what are the best colors to use?

You can use any color of beads that you want. The best colors to use are earth tones, including different shades of brown, orange, and dark yellow.
Question

How does a dream catcher catch a bad dream when it is just hanging there?

Bad dreams would be caught in the web. As the first rays of the morning light hit the dream catcher, the bad dreams would disappear. Children sleeping under a dream catcher would thus be protected from nightmares.
Question

What type of bad dreams does the dreamcatcher catch?

If you believe that a dreamcatcher protects you from bad dreams, then one from the Ojibwa tribe is most suited to you. It should catch any and all bad dreams that you may have.

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Things You'll Need

Metal or wooden hoop
Suede lace (or ribbon)
Artificial sinew (or silk thread, wax nylon string, hemp thread)
Scissors
Small binder clips (4)
Liquid craft glue
Beads
Gemstones
Feathers
Fabric

About This Article

Article SummaryX

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!

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