When you wake up, do you remember your dreams? Even if we don't remember all of the specifics, we often remember enough to understand whether we had a pleasant or horrible dream. If you often get bad dreams, it's time to invest in a dreamcatcher.
What Is A Dreamcatcher?
The dreamcatcher is a protective talisman that is kept to guard against nightmares and bad dreams. The charm was commonly hung above the cradles or beds of small children. Both pleasant and evil dreams, according to Native American tribes, permeate the air at night.
History And Significance
Native American cultures are responsible for the meaning of dreamcatchers and the beliefs that surround their creation. The story of dreamcatchers begins with a grandmother intervening to save her child from killing a harmless spider. The spider expresses gratitude and offers to spin a web that will catch all of her unpleasant dreams, leaving her with just the nice ones. That web appears to be our dreamcatcher.
Do They Really Work?
Now comes the difficult part: showing that dreamcatchers function or that there is any scientific evidence that they do prevent negative dreams from happening. The short answer is that no one knows for sure if dreamcatchers perform.
Where Can You Hang Them?
Dreamcatchers look best when they're hungover or near the bed. Doors/windows: An alternate site for dreamcatchers is the entry point of the energies, such as the front door or windows. They can also be used for protection on porches and balconies, as well as in cars.
Make Your Own Dreamcatcher
Can you make your own dreamcatcher at home? The answer is a big YES! You can try your hands at a variety of designs to give it a personalised touch. Some types of dreamcatcher that you can work on are:
1. Pom-Pom Dreamcatcher
It's difficult to make a decision when there are so many options! But this dreamcatcher appealed to us the most, maybe because it's so bright—there's no place for bad dreams when everything is so bright! So go ahead and construct your own brightly coloured dream catcher, complete with pom-poms and yarns in every hue of the rainbow.
You Need:
• Craft wire or round hoop
• Colourful yarns
• Colourful pompoms
• Colourful craft feathers
• Colourful papers (if you want to add flowers)
• Marker
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
Method:
Step 1: For the dreamcatcher, make a hoop out of 16 gauge craft wire or use a store-bought hoop.
Step 2: Choose a yarn and tie a knot around the hoop without cutting it from the spool.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the hoop at random. When the yarn reaches the hoop band, wrap it around it once or twice to keep it from moving. Bring the yarn back to the band and tie two tight knots once you're satisfied with the random yarn pattern. Remove any excess yarn.
Step 4: Using a different coloured yarn, wrap it around the hoop in a similar manner. For random wrapping, use one or two extra different coloured yarns.
Step 5: Pick up some colourful pom-poms once the yarn wrapping is finished. Arrange them in a colour arrangement around the hoop of your choice.
Step 6: Using a hot glue gun, wrap the pom-poms around the hoop. When glueing the pom-poms together, keep a uniform space between them.
Step 7: Let's hang some yarn from the hoop now. Determine the length of the yarn that will dangle from the dream catcher and cut a yarn strand twice that length. Fold it in half and use a loop knot to secure it to the hoop.
Step 8: Using the same method, grab other coloured yarn strands and attach them to the hoop. Trim the yarn's bottom ends using scissors. You can cut them into a triangle form or maintain them straight.
Step 9: Now take the coloured craft feathers and place them on the yarn hanging's open bottom ends. You can add feathers to a few strands or all of them, depending on your preference.
Step 10: Make a loop of yarn at the top to hang your dream catcher once you're finished. Add further embellishments, such as sequins or gems, if desired.
2. CD Dream Catcher
If you have a ton of CDs that are of no use to you now (thanks, technology upgrades!), then recycling them for a dreamcatcher is a great way to find a purpose for them.
You Need:
• Yarn
• CDs
• Scissors
• Beads
• Sharpie Markers
• Needle
Method:
Step 1: We'll start by putting on our warp strings. Cut a piece of yarn (about 6 in) in half. After that, attach it to your CD. Then wrap your yarn around your CD an odd number of times. Make sure the warp strings are taut. Then secure your thread with a knot.
Step 2: You're about to begin weaving. Cut a piece of yarn (about 6 – in). Tie it to the back of your warp string. Then, thread the string through the hole and tie on your 'needle' on the front side.
Step 3: Now go ahead and weave. Simply go over one warp string and then under the other warp string to complete the pattern. Continue in this manner, making sure to tighten your string as you go.
Switching strings is as simple as tying the new yarn to the old yarn and trimming the strings, leaving a small portion of the ends. No one will be able to tell that the ends are hidden beneath your weaving. And remember to add one bead at a time when you're adding beads.
Step 4: Tie your string to a warp string and tuck any excess portions under your woven circle when you're done. Then, with a Sharpie, add the finishing touches.
Step 5: To turn it into a dreamcatcher, tie the threads through the woven bit to hang it.
3. Paper Plate Dreamcatcher
Every household has paper plates lying about in some corner. Well, if you're not using it, then it sure can be repurposed into a unique dream catcher design.
You Need:
• A paper plate
• Scissors
• String or wool (if wanted in different colours)
• Beads
• Feathers or felt
Method:
Step 1: To begin, cut a circle out of the centre of your paper plate. You can reuse part of the paper plate to cut out a heart or a star shape if you keep the piece you cut out 'whole.' Cut even holes on the rim of your paper plate dream catcher with a hole punch. Then equally fill the spaces in between.
Step 2: Cut a length of wool; it should be pretty long, about six to eight inches. Lace your wool through the heart and the next hole along after knotting it to one hole. Lace in the same direction every time. Don't yank on the thread too hard. Keep it loose (about 4-5cm), as it will naturally tighten as you get closer to the end.
Step 3: Repeat the previous step with a second or third colour if desired
Step 4: It's now time to create your 'dangly bits.' More wool should be inserted into the bottom three or four holes of the dreamcatcher. Tie a knot in the back. Tape the bottom of your wool for thread once again.
Step 5: Now, add the beads. If need be, add some little knots under the beads to keep them in place.
Step 6: For the bottom part of your paper plate dreamcatcher, either use natural feathers or build some out of felt.
Step 7: Make a little hole on the top of your feather using your scissors. Tie a knot at the rear after threading a bead and then your feather.
In Conclusion
Whether or not dreamcatchers work, they sure do add a dreamy touch to your decor. And now that you know of some unique and fun designs to try, personalise one of your own!
FAQs
Q. Do dreamcatchers work?
A. Despite all the folklore, there is, unfortunately, very little evidence to prove that dreamcatchers work.
Q. Where can I hang my dreamcatcher?
A. Dream catchers look best when they're hungover or near the bed. Doors/windows: An alternate site for dream catchers is the entry point of the energies, such as the front door or windows. They can also be used for protection on porches and balconies, as well as in cars.