Yarn spider web

Two crossed sticks, yarn wound from one arm to the next, and a little spider in the middle: a web to hang up for Halloween.

Age : age 5+

Materials

• 2 wooden sticks (lolly sticks, cut skewers, small twigs) : Twigs picked up on a walk: even prettier.
• White, grey or purple yarn
• A little glue or tape : To hold the cross at the start.
• Black paper or black pompom, and white marker : For the spider.

Steps

Weave

1. Cross the two sticks in an X and fix the centre with a dot of glue or a wrap of tape.
2. Tie the yarn at the centre, then wind it crisscross several times to hold the cross firmly.
3. Take the yarn to one arm, wrap it right round once, then move on to the next arm.
4. Keep going the same way round: arm, wrap, next arm. The web grows in a square.
5. Change colour whenever you like: just tie the new yarn to the old one.
6. Stop before the ends of the sticks and tie the yarn to an arm.

The spider

1. Cut a black circle and eight paper legs, or use a black pompom.
2. Draw the eyes in white marker.
3. Glue the spider onto the web, and tie a loop of yarn at the top to hang it.

Did you know? For its weight, spider silk is stronger than steel. And a spider doesn't get stuck in its own web: it walks on threads that aren't sticky.

With three crossed sticks the web has six arms and looks even more real.

If it goes wrong

• The cross twists : More crisscross wraps at the centre, or a dot of glue.
• Yarn slips along the arms : Pull a little harder on each wrap.
• Lost your way : Always go the same way round, arm after arm.

Safety

• Skewers cut with rounded ends for younger children.

Sources

• La Fée Biscotte, toile d'araignée d'Halloween
• Mes petits bonheurs, araignée pompon et sa toile de laine

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