Make an Autumn Raffia Wreath

In getting ready for Thanksgiving, I saw this Fall raffia wreath tutorial on Stone Gable blog and wanted to make it.  I loved the simplicity of the monochromatic look and it truly was simple to make.

The detailed tutorial on Stone Gable's blog are perfect, but here is what you need:
MATERIALS
Straw wreath wrapped in plastic
Large bag raffia
U-Pins (approximately 65)
Glue gun
Scissors

With the plastic still on the wreath form, grab a small bunch of raffia.  Grab a bunch of raffia (I used approximately 6 to 10 strands for each miniature bundle), and pinch in the middle after wrapping in loops.


I forgot to take a progressive picture, but make 3 - 4 loops with the raffia (see Stone Gable blog for thorough tutorial pictures)

You pinch the raffia loops in the middle, slip the U-Pin around the middle and hot glue the ends of the U-Pin before pushing it into the middle of the top of the wreath.  Alternating a bunch of raffia horizontally with the next bunch vertical and so-on.  It is not an exact science, but it was key to pin each bunch closely to the previous bunch of raffia, to not have a lot of gaps in the end.  Also, DO cut the loops as you go.  I failed to do that and trying to cut all the loops "After" the wreath was quite tedious.

My sister and I each made a wreath Saturday afternoon while watching a college football game.  It was fun to make and I loved the free-style results!