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Everything old is new again! Today’s teenage crafters will fall in love with this updated version of an old craft. Retro String Art Decorations also make great ornaments for the Christmas Tree. It’s never to early or late to get started.

Teachers: Think about adding this project to your STEM discussions.

Trivia: String art has its origins in the ‘curve stitch’ activities invented by Mary Everest Boole at the end of the 19th century to make mathematical ideas more accessible to children. It was popularised as a decorative craft in the late 1960s through kits and books. Source: Wikipedia – String Art

Supplies

• 4 colored skill sticks (skill sticks are popsicle sticks with grooves in them)
• Coats and Clark ½ skein embroidery floss or 4 yards yarn
• Glass or plastic beads
• Elmer’s® Glue-All®
• 24” clear fishing line

Instructions

1. Tie one end of embroidery floss to one corner of frame with a square knot. Dot knot with glue. Wrap floss around sticks according to numbered chart. Wrap floss down at corner, then up under stick. Continue wrapping the next section. Wrap two remaining sections. Knot floss end with starting thread.
2. Cut a 24” length of clear fishing line. Thread beads on string end. Wrap end 3-4” tail around last bead and tie a knot. Thread remaining tail through beads. Tie a knot above beads. Cut tail. Center beads in string art ornament. Tie fishing line to top corner. Tie a hanging loop in fishing line end.

String Art Using Yarn
Use yarn instead of embroidery floss for another interesting effect. Beads can be added to the ending string and used as the hanging loop.

Patterns

Click on a pattern to open it in a new window to print

Contributor

HANDS ON Crafts for Kids
Remember what we all say at Hands On Crafts for Kids, ”there’s no right or wrong way to crafting…only our way!” We hope that you will join us for Hands On Crafts for Kids – Back to Basics.