How to Make an Eye of the Future Dream Catcher

Make a dream catcher like this one to symbolize the legend of the spider who wove the first dream catcher.

A dream catcher is a Native American item that symbolizes one's ability to catch dreams and remember them in the morning. These dreams can help you see important truths or future plans as well. Make your own Native American dream catcher craft using items you have around the house, or more traditional objects. Legend has it that you should make your own dream catcher or make one for a close friend and family member, rather than simply making and selling them to strangers, as the care that goes into making the dream catcher makes it more effective.

Things You'll Need

• Willow branch or grapevine
• Sturdy, thin string
• Beads
• Feather
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Bend a length of willow tree branch or grapevine into the shape of a circle approximately the size of the palm of your hand. Twist and wrap the ends of the branches around the circle to secure them. If you find that the wood isn't pliable, soak it in water for 30 minutes and try again.

2. Cut a length of sturdy string that is approximately 15 feet long. Make a loop in one end and tie a knot; you will use this to hang the dream catcher.

3. Hold the loop at the top of the dream catcher and bring the length of string behind it. Tie the string around the dream catcher at this point to secure the loop, then bring the length of string around to the front of the dream catcher, up and over the branch to the back, then pulled back through its own loop to make the first knot or stitch.

4. Move clockwise around the dream catcher, stopping every 1 to 2 inches to make a loop. Pull the thread up and over the branches from front to back, then bring the tail back over itself to finish the loop. Stop when you reach the top of the dream catcher again.

5. Make a second round of knots or stitches. Bring the tail of string up in front of the length of string suspended between the first two knots around the circle. Pull the tail over this length of string and back around to the front, just as you made the knots around the branches before. Continue to make a round of stitches in the center of each pair of stitches from the last round, pulling tightly as you go to draw the stitches in toward the center.

6. Thread a bead onto your string and trap the bead inside one of the stitches you make in the second round; the bead symbolizes the spider in his web, since a spider web was the first dream catcher of legend.

7. Repeat step 5 to make more rounds of stitching toward the center of the dream catcher. Stop when it becomes difficult to make the stitches because of the small space remaining. Leave a hole in the center of the dream catcher to represent the shape of the eye of the future.

8. Bring the tail of the string straight down and out of the bottom of the dream catcher. Thread a bead onto this tail and then tie the tail around a feather and cut off the excess string. Hang the dream catcher in your bedroom doorway.

References

• Native American Technology and Art: Instructions for Making Dream Catchers
• That Artist Woman: How to Make a Dream Catcher

Resources

• Skyhawk Kits: The Legend of the Dream Catcher