Not many of you know, well in fact none of you probably know as I’ve never said it on here, but I was told by my Grandfather that I had American Indian blood in me. I have never formally pursued this and feel no need to. It is my believe that, in the end, we are all related and share the same blood. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that I have always had a great respect and love of the Native American tribes. The idea that I could share a bloodline with them makes no difference.

 

(Though I do admit I feel a great deal of pride when I think my line could be traced back to a tribe.)

 

Anyhoot, I’m getting slightly off topic.  This post really has very little to nothing to do with my family tree, but does have to do with the American Indians.  I’m about to show you how to make your very own “Dream Catcher“.  This “step-by-step” will allow you to create a basic style.  The beauty of it is that you can expand on it from there!

 

As far as I was taught, the dream catcher doesn’t in fact catch bad dreams.  More to the point, it entangles bad spirits who prey on you at night, when you’re most vulnerable.  Their best attack is to give you bad dreams.  The Dream Catcher is meant to “catch” the bad spirits while allowing the good ones (the ones who will give you a peaceful sleep) through.  The actual workings of a Dream Catcher varies depending on tribe though.  The results however are the same for them all.  So here’s to a restful night’s sleep.

 

What You’ll Need:

• Flexible Sturdy Wire  (traditionally, willow or grape vine was used)
• String/Twine  (traditionally, sinew was used)
• A bead (a natural stone bead of some kind)
• A small crystal

 

Take your wire and form a circle with it.  In this case I twisted the ends and formed a hook.

The wire you use will need to be flexible but strong enough to hold it’s shape and keep from warping once you start weaving.

For this Catcher I used a galvanized wire, similar to what is used in chain-link fences.

 

Take one end of your string and tie it to the top of the circle.

How much string/twine you need will depend on how large your circle is.  Whatever the size you will need a lot of string!

 

Take the loose end of string and bring it under your circle.  Then around, over the top, and through the hole you just made, coming out under the bottom portion of the “hole”.

 

This pattern will be repeated throughout the weaving process.  Continue this until you have your first row and reached the beginning of your circle again.

 

Now that you have reached your first loop again, take the string and go under, over, and around the first loop in your first row.  Continue this pattern around to complete your second row.  The same thing will be repeated for all remaining rows in the Dream Catcher.

 

Half way through the weave thread your bead onto the string.  Once the bead is attached, continue with the weaving.

This bead represents the “spider”, the weave itself is the “web”.  Both are symbols referring to the real things, and are representative of what the Dream Catcher does.

 

As your pattern reaches the middle the main hole in the “webbing” will get smaller.  You want this hole to be small but not closed!

This is the path the good spirits will be taking.  They need room to get through.  😉

Once you have your center hole at a size you like tie off the loose end of the string in line with your hook.

Cut your string, but leave several inches hanging.  This will be used to tie your crystal with.

 

Tad-ah!  You are done!  Last step is to hang this over the head of your bed.

I plan to one day make a completely traditional Catcher, but this is a good start for you, and will last quite long.

 

Have you ever made a Dream Catcher before?  How did yours turn out?  I’d love to see what you’ve made.