Weaving an owl from gum is perhaps one of the most fascinating types of creativity. The process is much more complicated than the manufacture of patterned bracelets, and much more interesting: a large night bird weaves using the amigurumi technique and as a result will not be a plain-looking flat figure, but a real bright toy from everyone’s favorite multi-colored rubber bands.
To create a wonderful gift and just a beautiful toy you will need a whole set of rubber bands “Fanny Lum” (about 500 pieces, colors - to your taste), as well as a hook and a filler (hollofiber is suitable).
First stage
- Any pattern of weaving an owl from gum involves the initial production of a ring, for which you will need seven gum. Throw the first “Fanny Lum” onto the hook and wrap around it twice to make three rings. Pull the next gum through these loops without removing them from the hook.
- Throw the second side of the elastic onto the hook and make a knot by stretching the left half of the “Fanny Loom” through the right. Do not tighten.
- Again hook the hook through the three loops-ringlet and stretch the next rubber band. Throw the other half over the tool. Pull the first loop on the hook first through the second, then sequentially through the third.
- Again hook the hook through the three eyelets-ringlet. Pull another rubber band. Throw its second half onto the hook, then slide it into the first loop on the left.
- Repeat the previous steps until all the rubber bands are braided to the end. It will turn out a small ring with a chain of six loops. This is the initial weaving of an owl from gum. You are ready for the first row of canvas toys.
Second phase
The second row consists of a dozen Fanny Loom, each of which is looped twice. To figure out the sequence of actions you will help the scheme of weaving from gum. Owls on the machine are not so voluminous as on a simple hook, so to create a real big toy, continue to follow the instructions.
- First, connect the loops together, leading the hook into the first chain after the just thrown. Pull each rubber band in the same way as in the first step. When counting the gum on the second row, there should be twelve.
- Schematic: 2-2-2-2-2-2-2.
Third stage
- The third row consists of 18 gum. Weave according to the pattern: 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2. Twist the rubber band through the first link twice, through the next link only once.
- If you stretch the resulting weaving, you can check how many times the elastic is threaded into the loop, so you can figure out the number of elastic bands and loops if you suddenly become entangled in the pattern.
Fourth stage
- Weaving an owl from gum will soon come to an end. To start the fourth row, weave "Fanny Loom" according to the scheme 1-1-2 - this way you will increase the diameter of the circle. Take another 24 rubber bands and follow the diagram: 1-1-2-1-1-1-2-1-1-2-1-1-2-1-1-2-1-1-2. Next, braid the circle, leading the hook once into each of the links. Make as many rows as you need to make a toy of the size you need.
- Fill the owl with filler, then connect the edges of the upper side. To do this, pull the last remaining loop through the adjacent ones and make a knot, then repeat with the next row of loops.
How to make a beak
Take a rubber band in a contrasting color and wrap it around the hook so that you get three loops. Pass two new rubber bands through them. Take two more “Fanny Lum” and pull through the resulting ringlet on one side, and throw the other half of these rubber bands back onto the hook. Then return to the hook that pair of loops on which three rings are fixed. Weave two rubber bands through this pair of loops. Eight stitches should remain on the hook. Take an elastic band and throw all the loops on it. The beak can now be fixed on the toy.
Eyes and ears
The weaving of an owl from gum is almost complete - only eyes and ears remain. Black eyes are woven in the same way as the first ringlet for the bird itself (see the first stage). To make the outer white part, take two white “Fanny Loom” and weave them two at a time, in each loop of the black ringlet. Subsequently, bring the black loop to the wrong side - this will be a mount to the toy.
Ears do not need to be woven - just cut a few colored rubber bands and tie them with knots. Instead of rubber bands, you can use small pieces of serpentine or decorative tape made of synthetic material.
You’ve got a homemade toy from the rubber bands “Fanny Lum”. It can be presented to a loved one, or you can weave a whole collection of owls of different colors and sizes and make all friends happy with a pleasant surprise.