How to Create a Voodoo Bear
Voodoo bears are toys or charms made from wool wound to a template. They can be designed and created in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. They make attractive gifts, can be modified to hang from a car mirror or key fob and are thought to have some spiritual significance, which can lead to controversy. If making a woolen bear for a child, it is advisable to limit the amount of discussion concerning "voodoo" as this is inappropriate for infants. Instead, treat the bear like any other toy -- as a simple plaything that might bring good luck.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Marker pen
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Knitting wool
- Beads or buttons
- Sewing needle
- Matching thread
- Fabric glue
Instructions
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1
Draw a bear shape onto a piece of cardboard using a marker pen. Make a standard voodoo bear 8 inches tall and 3 inches wide at the arms. Make sure you have drawn the head, two small ears, two arms and two legs and that the body is in proportion.
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2
Cut out the cardboard template using household scissors. Take care around the ears and neck, which can be narrow. Discard the excess cardboard. Flatten the bear template down to remove any bending or kinks. Punch a small hole through the center of the bear template using the tip of the scissors or a hole punch if you have one.
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3
Take your chosen color of wool and thread the end through the hole. Use 100 percent wool for best results, as explained by Make Baby Stuff. Tie the end off with two or three knots, so the wool is fixed to the bear template. Begin wrapping the wool around the template. Create a full single layer of wool before starting again on the second layer.
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4
Build the wool layers up slowly and carefully so you start to develop a bear shape. You will need more layers around the body, the face and the center of the legs. Create a simple design by concentrating on the head and keeping the rest of the bear thin, with only four or five layers of wool.
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5
Take two matching beads for eyes (jewelry-making beads work well) and sew them on with a sewing needle and thread. Add buttons to the front of the bear or its clothing and sew a small, pink bead to the face beneath the eyes to create a nose. Ensure the beads are glued (using strong fabric glue) and sewn onto the doll to prevent them falling off as, when loose, they can be a choking hazard to children.
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Tips & Warnings
Add extra colors for a more advanced design or knit additional items, such as a small jacket, for the bear. Alpaca fiber felt is an excellent craft material, according to Owning Alpaca.
Plan the design of the face carefully to make sure it looks sweet rather than sinister. Take care when using scissors and do not allow children to play with them. Keep small beads away from children as they present a choking hazard.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ball wool image by Sidoroff from Fotolia.com
