How to Make Dream Catchers

Dream catchers are one of the most recognizable elements of Native American culture.

Dream catchers are items that were originally created by the Ojibwe Native Americans from the Great Lakes Region, though they were later adopted by other Native American tribes. The dream catchers were traditionally hung where children slept and served as protective charms. The bad dreams would be caught in the protective net and die in the daylight, while the good dreams would be allowed to pass through to the sleeping child. Dream catchers are now used by Native Americans and non-Native Americans, adults and children alike, who hang them by their beds to promote good dreams and restful sleep.

Things You'll Need

• Dried grapevine
• Cutting tool
• Red-colored waxed thread or thin string
• Feathers
• Beads

Instructions

1. Take the dried grapevine and bend it to form a circle that is 3 to 6 inches in diameter, depending on how big you want the finished dream catcher to be. Then bend it twice around itself to give the circle extra sturdiness and strength. Cut off the excess length of grapevine.

2. Create a knot with the waxed thread on one side of the circle but do not cut the thread. Loosely take it in your hand and move it slightly to the right on the hoop. Loop the thread over the side of the circle and then pull it back up, very loosely. Then take the thread slightly to the right again and repeat the loops until you have loose loops all around the perimeter of the dream catcher. Aim for 10 loops in total. This is the base of the spiderweb pattern.

3. Create more loops in the same way but on top of the previous loops -- like a pyramid, one on top of two and so forth -- so they are no longer touching the outside perimeter. Do this until you have no more room to create the web. You should end up with a hole in the center. However, if you want to add some beads to the dream catcher, do so by adding them when you are mid-loop and about to create another loop.

4. Tie a few decorative feathers to the dream catcher with the excess thread. Tie a loop at the top of the dream catcher with a new piece of thread.

5. Hang up the dream catcher near your own bed or give it to someone else as a present. If you do, tell him what a dream catcher is and that he should hang it near his bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Dried grapevine is available at many craft stores, but if you can't find some, use a metal hoop and wrap small thin strips of leather around it to cover the metal. Hold the leather strips in place by gently wrapping waxed thread around it to hold it in place.

References

• Native American Technology and Art: Instructions for Making Dream Catchers; Tara Prindle; 1994
• New Web Group: 2D Dream Catchers and How to Make Them; Dr. Mariano Rodrigues; 1998
• Eagle Spirit Ministry: How to Make a Dream Catcher; Tsúnyöta Köhe't; 1996-2011
• Native American Technology and Art: Dream Catchers; Tara Prindle; 1994