How to Make Hawaiian Ribbon Leis
Hawaiian ribbon leis are a special variety of Hawaiian leis that do not have the traditional tropical flowers. Instead, Hawaiian ribbon leis have ribbons, yarn or string. To make a Hawaiian ribbon lei, you must hand-braid or twist the material into a lei. There are many different styles of Hawaiian ribbon leis and they may be as intricate or simple as you desire. If you finger-knit a Hawaiian ribbon lei using a beautiful fuzzy yarn, the finished result will be striking and colorful. This technique is simple enough for young children to accomplish as well.
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Instructions
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1
Pull the end of the yarn out of the skein. Hold your non-dominant hand out with your palm facing up.
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2
Lay the end of the yarn over your middle finger so there is a six-inch tail extending down from your finger.
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3
Wrap the yarn around the back of your hand and bring it up around your index finger and over the middle three fingers. Keep the yarn taut around your fingers.
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4
Grasp the loop of yarn that is around your middle finger only and pull it over the other loop of yarn around this finger and off your middle finger.
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5
Wrap the yarn around all three middle fingers tightly again. Keep the wrapped yarn down near the base of your fingers.
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6
Take the first loop of yarn that is around your index finger and pull it up, over the other loop, and off your index finger. Repeat with the loops around your third finger and then your fourth finger.
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7
Pull the short yarn tail to tighten the yarn loops around your fingers.
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Repeat steps 5 through 7 repeatedly. Keep the yarn tight and as you continue to work you will see a chain begin to form that is the ribbon lei.
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Completing the lei. Pull the loops of yarn from your fingers when the lei is long enough to fit over your head easily. Cut the yarn from the skein so there is a six-inch tail. Tie the tails at each end of the lei together in a tight double knot and trim off the excess yarn to finish the ribbon lei.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of using yarn, you might also use 1/8-inch wide satin ribbon to make a Hawaiian ribbon lei.
