String Art String Art on Paper Cool but Easy

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String art is a fun, easy way to make a colorful picture by wrapping thread or embroidery floss around pins or nails. This is an inexpensive activity that's good for craft fans of all ages.

1. 1

   Choose string, nails, and a surface. When it comes to string art, you essentially need three things: string, nails, and some type of surface. Here are the details on all three:^[1]

   • String. The type you use depends on the look you want to create. Embroidery floss works well for more delicate pieces. Yarn and thicker strings work well for pieces that pack a punch.
   • Nails. Veneer pins work very well – they have small heads that let paper slide easily off (if you're using paper).^[2] You could also use small, regular nails from the hardware store. Colored nails can be a nice touch, too, especially if you use more than one for the juxtaposition.
   • A surface. Canvas or wood are the basic options. However, do know that if you're using canvas, the nails will likely be wobbly and harder to work with. You can use plain wood, or you can use wood covered in felt or cloth.

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   Choose a paper transfer or a stencil. Here you have two basic options: a paper transfer or a stencil. Let's weigh the pros and cons:

   • For a paper transfer, you simply find an image or word you like on your computer, and print it to size. You'd place it on the board and put nails into the paper. When you're done, you need to take off the paper up and over the head of the nail. If the nails allow this, it's a good, simple, cheap option.
   • A stencil transfer is easier to work with. You simply put the nails in the holes of the stencil and remove the stencil when you're done (it comes right off). That being said, it is more expensive and you are limited to what stencils you can find at your local craft stores.

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   Prep your board, if necessary. If you're using a block of wood (or cork floor tile), you may want to cover the surface with cloth or felt. Secure it on all sides with hot glue if you have it handy – if not, adhesive spray, double-sided tape, or white glue will do the job, too.

   • Whatever you're using (canvas, wood, or otherwise), you may want to paint the background beforehand. A solid pop of red or orange can turn an otherwise simple string art shape into something that makes more of an artistic statement.
   • Or you could just leave your surface bare. Simple can be quite striking, too.

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   Place on your design. You're probably using a piece of paper with a shape or word on it or a stencil, right? Whichever one you use, center it on your surface where you'd like the image to be. Secure the design to the surface with tape on the edges where it won't interfere with the string. This is important as you don't want the design to shift while you're pinning.^[3]

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   Hammer the nails or pins into your surface. Following the printed pattern, place nails as close together as you want – the more the nails are scrunched together, the more vibrant the piece will be. That being said, about 1/4" (6mm) apart is a good place to start.

   • Grip the pins with needle-nose pliers to make it easier to hammer the pins in. It also keeps you from slamming the hammer into your fingers.^[4]
   • Hammer each pin only until about 1/4" (6mm) protrudes from the surface. You want the nails to be very stable and not be going anywhere anytime soon.

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   Remove the paper pattern or stencil. Once all the pins or nails are in, un-tape each corner of the design. Then either slide off the stencil or pull the paper up through the nails. If you're working with paper, be patient – you don't want to take any of the nails with you. This may take a second – just pull up each section little by little if it's not easily coming off.

   • If applicable, place the pattern nearby, positioning it so the numbers on the pattern correlate to the pins you hammered into the floor tile.

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1. 1

   Unwrap your string and find the end. Determine your starting point and tie a knot around that pin (or nail). Dab a bit of clear-drying glue or clear nail polish on the knot and let it dry.

   • While it's drying, map out the design in your mind. Are you going to do it haphazardly (which does work) or incrementally, making the entire thing symmetric? Are you working with different layers of colors? Do you want to weave them in and out? How you go from nail to nail will greatly determine the look of your end product.

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   Begin weaving your string around the nails. There's no wrong way to thread and weave around the nails. You could do it immediately across from the current nail or weave up and down or side to side. And the beauty of string art? If you mess up, just un-weave and try again. This part is all about experimenting.

   • Have you ever thought about weaving outside of the pattern? You'll have to line the surface with nails, but the inverted version of your art (where the shape is exposed and its surroundings are woven with thread) can be a new take on an otherwise basic piece.
   • You could also use beads, especially if you want certain areas of your piece to pop. Just thread them on and secure them with glue.
   • If it turns out your string is too short, just take your new string and tie the ends together. You may want to put a dab of glue on this knot, too.

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   Continue weaving in and out of the nails until you're satisfied with the piece. Are you happy with just the one color? Do you want to create multicolored layers? Maybe a different pattern? This is up to you. When you like it, your work is done.

   • If you're interested in changing up patterns, some like to switch up the number of pins they leave between weaves. Start with 5 pins between each weave for one layer, 6 for the next, and so on.

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   When you're finished, knot the string to a nail. It'll probably make most sense if you can knot it in a corner. Then, cut off the string as close to the knot as possible and once more, secure it with a dab of glue. Your first piece of string art is completed!

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   Finished.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What's the difference between string art and macrame?

  

  Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.

  

  Crafts & DIY Specialist

  Expert Answer

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  String art involves stringing a design around nails that have been hammered into a piece of wood. Macrame involves weaving or braiding the yarn or string itself. They're both decorative, but macrame can also be used to create things like plant hangers and keychains.

• Question

  Can I use any type of string to make string art?

  

  It is best to use a string based on the type of pin you are using. If you are using pins similar to that in the video, then you might want to stick with a thinner/finer string, since it would be easier to weave. If you are using something thicker, then you may want to go for a thicker yarn, twine, etc.

• Question

  In this picture, you use straight common pins with pearl heads, not nails. Can I use the straight pins with pearl heads on canvas with just a wood frame?

  

  Yes. It will hold the string or wool in place at the top of the pin, and make it a bit harder to slide down. That's the only real difference between the types of pins.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

• Frame the string art in a picture frame to prevent the pins and embroidery floss from being pulled out.

• This craft is excellent for teaching math and geometry in school.

• Different pin placement patterns give you a different string art pattern.

Show More Tips

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• Don't pull pins out of the floor tile as you remove the pattern. Lift the paper straight up, working each pin's head through the paper.

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Things You'll Need

• Wood block, canvas, or cork floor tile
• Cloth or felt (optional)
• Glue, double-sided tape, or some method of adhering surfaces
• Printed string art pattern or stencil
• 5/8 inch (16mm) veneer pins (or small nails)
• Hammer
• Needle nose pliers (recommended)
• Embroidery floss or yarn, desired colors
• Clear nail polish or clear-drying glue

About This Article

Article Summary X

To make string art, first draw a design you want to create out of string on a piece of paper. Then, cut the design out with scissors. Tape the design to a piece of soft wood. Next, gently nail veneer pins into the wood around the edges of the paper so they're evenly spaced. Gently peel the tape and paper off of the wood so just the pins are left. Now, tie the end of a piece of string around one of the pins. Weave the string around the rest of the pins in whatever pattern you like. You can weave the string around the outside of your design to outline it, and you can weave it through the inside of the design to fill in the empty space. When you're satisified with your design, tie the end of the string around one of the pins. Clip the excess string off with scissors and enjoy your new piece of art! For tips on creating patterns with your string, read the article.

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