How to Create a Native American Dream Catcher

According to ancient Native American beliefs, dream catchers "catch" our bad dreams as we sleep, from their perch over our beds. Dream catchers are beautiful and can be made at home with a few simple items. You may have to start over several times due to breaking sinew or tying loose knots, but the end result will be very satisfying. Every dream catcher will be different.

Things You'll Need

• Metal craft ring
• Suede lacing
• Sinew
• Colored beads
• Feathers
• Scissors
• Glue
• Clothes pin

Instructions

1. Glue one end of the suede lacing to the ring. Loop the suede lacing completely around the ring. Do not twist the lacing. Glue the other end of the lacing to the ring. Secure the lacing with the clothespin until it dries.

2. Tie one end of the sinew to the suede-covered ring. Make half hitch knots all the way around the ring, spacing the knots approximately 1 inch apart. Make the final hitch knot as close to the first knot as possible so that you won't leave a large gap. Keep your sinew pulled tight between the knots. When you have worked completely around the ring, loop your sinew through the first two knots that you made on the ring. Continue working through the center of each knot until you have come full circle. This is the first row of your web.

3. To make row two, continue to knot through the center of each loop of your first row until you have worked completely around row one. Keep your sinew pulled taut while you work. Continue this pattern to make row three of your web. Your rows will become smaller as you work. When you are left with a only a small hole in the middle of the web, tie a knot in the sinew, add a drop of glue and cut it short.

4. Cut a length of suede to make your hanging loop. At the top of the ring, tie a slip knot with the suede lacing. Pull the lacing tight.

5. Cut different lengths of suede lacing and tie them onto the dream catcher. Slip colored beads onto the lacing and tie the ends in a knot. Slip the ends of the feathers into the beads and glue them in place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use different sizes of metal rings.

• You can use fishing line in place of sinew.

• You can also use small tree branches bound together at the ends in place of a metal ring.

References

• Eagle Spirit Ministry: How to Make a Dream Catcher