How to Make a Yarn Sling
A sling is a weapon used to hurl stones or other projectiles using a pouch or cradle suspended between two cords held together in the hand. It is swung in a circle to build up momentum and centripetal force, at which point one of the two cords is released, allowing the projectile to leave the cradle at high speeds. With an understanding of some advanced knotting techniques, you can make your own sling at home using yarn from a craft supplier.
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Instructions
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Weaving the Pouch
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1
Cut a length of yarn measuring 6 feet long.
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2
Wrap it around your fifth finger and thumb of one hand 6 times.
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3
Insert the fingers of both hands into the coil to keep it wound taut and use the first finger and thumbs of both hands to tie the ends together.
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4
Take a scrap of yarn measuring only a few inches long and tie it in a lark's head or cow hitch around all six strands.
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5
Divide the strands into three groups of four each.
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6
Tie a length of yarn onto one of the outside groups with a clove hitch knot, forming a weft.
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7
Weave this weft back and forth between the other three groupings with a needle, pushing the weave together tightly as you go, for about 3/4-inches.
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8
Regroup the remaining strands into six pairs of strands, then weave for another 3/4-inches.
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9
Weave between each of the 12 individual strands for another 1/4-inch.
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10
Reverse the previous steps by pairing up the strands and weaving through them for 3/4-inches as you did in Step 8.
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11
Group the strands once more into three groups of four and weave for 3/4-inches.
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12
Tie off the weft with another clove hitch.
Braiding the Cords
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13
Cut eight pieces of heavy yarn, each measuring 8 feet long.
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14
Thread four of them onto a needle and pull them halfway through the loops at the end of the weave.
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15
Shift the weaving in your hands to center it between the ends.
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16
Untie the lark's head knot, but do not remove the yarn.
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17
Pull the remaining four strands through the coil as you pull the loop out by the scrap yarn.
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18
Thread the end of the weft yarn back through the weaving at the end you finished at earlier with a needle and trim off the end.
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19
Groups the eight strands at each end into four pairs, then braid them together using a four-strand braid to the desired length of cord.
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20
Tie off one of the braided cords in an overhand knot to complete the release cord.
Making the Finger Loop
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21
Lay aside half of the strands at the ends of the other cord (the retention cord) and continue braiding with the other four strands to make the desired length of the loop.
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22
Braid the other half of the strands to an equal length.
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23
Combine the strands into pairs and braid them into each other for 1/2 inch to 3/4 inches.
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24
Tie the ends of the braid in a constrictor knot.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When heavier yarn is not available, you can use ordinary knitting or crocheting yarn by doubling it up first. The finished ends can be frayed for decoration.
References
Resources
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