Patriotic Triple Whirligig
This picture should give you an idea as to how the Whirligig will look when finished

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Three(3) sheets of seven(7)count plastic canvas One(1)of each color - Blue, White, and Red.
A 24 inch peice of 16 gauge wire (A wire clothes hanger can be used as well. It is also much stronger!)
Craft Cord (You can also use sport or worsted weight yarn which I suggest you use or even embroiddery floss.
#1 Swivel (I get them in the Fishing Department at Walmart. They are a LOT cheaper!)
240 6 x 9 Pony Beads (80 Red - 75 White - 85 Blue )
#16 Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Beginning And Cutting Instructions

THE WIRE - Carefully bend the wire so that it is as straight as you can get it before you begin

PLASTIC CANVAS - The measurements here are in holes/squares instead of threads so that it makes it a lot easier to make counts. Carefully follow the cutting diagram below(see figure 1)to make sure you have plenty of canvas. First the three(3) 7 x 13 peices from the bottom of your canvas.. Next cut the rest of the canvas into strips in the lenghts shown below and be sure that each strip is five(5) squares wide.

Figure 1 - Cutting Guide
NOTE: Only cut one(1) 7 x 13 peice from each color.

Red Canvas Cutting Guide	White Canvas Cutting Guide
Blue Canvas Cutting Guide

Step 1. Start by threading the swivel on one end of the wire. Next bend the wire end into a loop about 3/8 in diameter. Now "thread" on a Red bead, then a White bead, and then a Blue Bead. Close the loop.

STEP 2. Start "threading" the strips of canvas and beads onto the wire.In the order given below. Make sure that you run the wire through the center hole of the third(3rd) row of each peice of canvas. Only use White beads down the center of the "body".

The "Triple" look is created by adding strips of canvas of each color between each White bead.(Three(3) strips total)
5x5 Red strip
White bead
7 x 5 Red strip
White bead
9 x 5 Red strip
9 x 5 White strip
White bead
13 x 5 Red strip
13 x 5 White strip
White bead
15 x 5 Red strip
15 x 5 White strip
White bead
17 x 5 Red strip
17 x 5 White strip
17 x 5 Blue strip
White bead, ect

STEP 3. Continue adding the next two longest strips of canvas and beads(As seen above) Onto the wire until you have "threaded" the 41 x 5 strips and a bead onto the wire.

STEP 4. Now you will start adding the strips of canvas in reverse order.(See Below)
41 x 5 Red strip
41 x 5 White strip
41 x 5 Blue strip
White bead
39 x 5 Red strip
39 x 5 White strip
39 x 5 Blue strip
White bead
37 x 5 Red strip
37 x 5 White stip
37 x 5 Blue strip
White bead, ect.

STEP 5. Continue adding the strips and beads until you put on the Red 5 x 5 strip.

STEP 6. Now add a Blue, White and a Red bead onto the wire. Next bend this end of the wire into about a 3/8 loop and make sure that the canvas and beads are tight/snug on the wire. Cut off the excess(if any) wire. Close the loop.

Adding The Side Beads And Finishing(See Figure 3)

Step 7. You now should have a "Diamond" shape with two(2) sides. Only work one side at a time. Start adding the Blue beads to the Red strips first from top to bottom. Then add the Red beads to the White strips on the same side. Next add the White beads to the Blue strips. Repeat this on the second side as well.

IMPORTANT All beads must be added on the right hand side of each strip. In other words the bead will be below the fifth(5th) hole of the strip above it and above the first(1st) corner/hole of the strip below it. This Is what will make the Whirligig Swirl.

STEP 8. Start by making a knot in the end of the cord.(or whatever your using) Now take it down throught the left hand corner/first(1st) hole of the top strip of canvas. Then bring it up and over the canvas and down through the right hand/fifth(5th) corner/hole of the strip. Now add a Blue bead and thread the cord through the left hand/first hole of the next strip. Once again bring it up and over the strip and through the left hand corner/hole. Be careful to make sure that you place a bead between each strip. Continue doing this until you get to the bottom strip. Once you have done this, thread the cord through the last corner/hole and make a knot and cut off excess. Be careful not to pull the cord/yarn to tight. You dont want to bend the canvas.

STEP 9. Repeat Step 8 for the White(use Red beads) and Blue(use White beads) strips on this side.

STEP 10. Repeat Step's 8 and 9 to complete the other side.

STEP 11. Cut One 7 x 13 peice in each color. On The Blue "flag" use the cord to string a White, Blue, and a Red bead on each side of the "flag" using the two holes shown in figure 3. On The White "flag" string a Red bead, a White bead, and a Blue bead on each side. On the Red "flag" string on a On Blue, a Red, and a White bead on each side.(see figure 2) Next tie a 18' piece of cord(Folded in half) to the bottom loop on the wire. Now tie one end to the top center hole of the Red "flag" and the other end to the top center hole of the White "flag. Tie another peice of cord onto the loop and run it between the other two "flags" so that you can hang the Blue "flag". The three(3) "flag's" should hang at different lengths.

"Flag" Diagram

Figure 3 - Side Bead Placement Guide