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Whirligig

"Single" Whirligig

This is a picture of a Whirligig made by the Bett's Company.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
3 sheets of seven(7) count plastic canvas. One of each color Peach, Teal, Ivory
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'd get them in the Fishing Department at Walmart/KMart, ect. They are a LOT cheaper!)
212 Green 6 x 9 Pony Beads
#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.

Figure 1 - Cutting Guide
Peach Canvas Cutting Guide
Teal & Ivory Canvas Cutting Guide

Intructions

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 three(3) Green beads.

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.

You should add the strips of canvas and the beads as follows...

13x5 Peach strip
Green bead
17 x 5 Ivory strip
Green bead
21 x 5 Teal strip
Green bead
25 x 5 Peach strip
29 x 5 Ivory strip
Green bead, ect.
NOTE Remember to keep alternating Peach, then Teal, then Ivory.

STEP 3. Continue adding the next longest strip of canvas and beads(As seen above) Onto the wire until you have "threaded" ALL 33 of the 57 x 5 strips onto the wire.

STEP 4. Now you will start adding the strips of canvas in reverse order.(See Below)

53 x 5 Ivory strip
Green bead
49 x 5 Peach strip
Green bead
39 x 5 Teal strip
Green bead, ect.

STEP 5. Continue adding the strips and beads until you put on the 13 x 5 Peach strip.

STEP 6. 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.

Adding The Side Beads And Finishing(See Figure 2)

Step 7You now should have a "Diamond" shape. Only work one side at a time. Start adding the Green beads to the Whirligig(See figure 2) from top to bottom. 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 Green 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.

STEP 9. Repeat Step 8 to complete the other side as well.

STEP 10. Tie two(2)20+ inch peices of cord/yarn(folded in half)to the loop using a larkshead knot. Make sure they are all at differnt lengths. Now on one strand at a time string on ten(10) Green beads then knot the end. Do this to all the strands and make sure the lenghts are staggered some. Feel free to add or subtract beads to suit your own taste. Also feel free to experiment with different colors. Have fun!

Figure 2 - Side Bead Placement Guide