Weaving

Become a Weaving Whiz with these great weaving ideas - perfect for teaching fine motor skills!

Spring Yarn Popstick Critters

Spring is here! Create colourful woven insects to add to your decorations for Spring!
  • Step 1Grab two popsticks and lay one on top of the other to create a cross. Use a glue dot in the middle of the cross to secure.
  • Step 2Choose a coloured chenille stem for the body of your critter. Thread two beads on to one end of the chenille steam and push them into the middle. Thread the stem back through the beads so a small loop is hanging out at the bottom. Twist the bottom section of the stem to close the loop.
  • Step 3Wrap each end of the chenille stem once around the middle of your popstick cross, so the ends are pointing up and away from the beads.
  • Step 4Thread a large bead onto the two ends of the chenille stem to give your critter a head. Use a black marker or pen to draw on a face if you wish.
  • Step 5Bend the ends of the chenille stem into curly antennae.
  • Step 6Choose two colours of yarn and cut eight 40cm lengths of each colour. Adult supervision is recommended while using scissors.
  • Step 7Take one of your yarn lengths and tie to one side of the popsticks. Ensure the knot sits next to the body. Flip the popsticks over so the knot is at the back.
  • Step 8Weave the yarn under and over the two popsticks until you reach the end of the length. Push the yarn into the middle of the popsticks as you go to ensure a tight weave with no gaps. Tie on the next colour and continue weaving. Repeat another two times with one length of each colour.
  • Step 9Once you reach the end of the wing, tie the yarn with double knots to the end of each popstick and trim the excess. Repeat steps 7 to 9 for the other wing.
  • Step 10Create a hanger by threading a small length of yarn through the chenille stem at the top of your critter. Tie a knot to create a loop.
  • Step 11Your Popstick Critter is now ready to display!

Materials used in this activity

Chenille Stems - Bright - Pack of 1,000
Optional
Product Code: 10823
EACH $27.49 (inc GST) $24.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $21.99 (inc GST) $19.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Wooden Coloured Beads - 450g Pack
Optional
Product Code: 10838
EACH $21.99 (inc GST) $19.99 (ex GST)
6 or more $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Popsticks - Natural - Pack of 1,000
Optional
Product Code: 10864
EACH $19.24 (inc GST) $17.49 (ex GST)
6 or more $14.29 (inc GST) $12.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 10897
EACH Was: $43.99 Now: $27.50 (inc GST) Was: $39.99 Now: $25.00 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
Soft Yarn - 100g - Set of 10 Colours
Optional
Product Code: 12257
EACH $49.38 (inc GST) $44.89 (ex GST)
4 or more $38.38 (inc GST) $34.89 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 15173
EACH Was: $16.49 Now: $8.80 (inc GST) Was: $14.99 Now: $8.00 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
EverZart Permanent Pens - Black - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 19810
EACH $36.29 (inc GST) $32.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $27.16 (inc GST) $24.69 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value