An easy way to make rakhi strings

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It's the time of the year again to tie rakhi for our brothers.  I have always enjoyed this special occasion thanks to Sahaja Yoga.  Being born a Chinese, I have never known such auspicious and beautiful occasion about Raksha Bandhan.  And being the first born in the family and having no brothers, I have always wanted to feel a brother's love.  So thankful for Sahaja Yoga to introduce me to this wonderful event of tying rakhi for your brother and getting your brother's love and affection.

Having being confined in the house due to virus infections in the family, I missed collective for few weeks.  In fact, I wanted to teach to some yoginis how to make these rakhis and was informed to teach them too.  Unfortunately, the virus has isolated me and my family.  So last Saturday, while going deep into meditation (after having lost my voice completely), suddenly this idea came to me on how to make this special rakhi and with all the materials that I already have.  So immediately got to work.  Let me show you the final product before I continue.

Ta-da!!!

For the top design:

Materials:

White cotton macrame wax cord (Got the name from Google, but this is how it looks like below)

Mounting board

Fabric glue

Scissors

Nail polish (any colour you like)

Step 1: Use the nail polish to paint the cord.  You can use any colour you like.  But I only have red and some gold dusted ones at home, so I only used these 2 and it turned out quite well.  I tried several combinations.  The one I like the best is paint the base red and then after it has dried, paint the gold dusted on it.  It stood out quite beautifully.  You can also paint the mounting board with the nail polish.  Didn't realise nail polish has such good effect.

Step 2: Cut the mounting board to small circles.  I didn't measure exactly but just make sure it is not too big and won't look nice on your brother's wrist.  You can paint the mounting board if you like.

Step 3: Once the cord has dried, you can start designing.  For Kundalini, roll the cord until it is 3 and half coil.  And then cut the ends and glue to the circle mounting board.  For AUM, cut the desired length and stick it to the mounting board.  Same goes for Swastika.  I find the easiet to do is the Kundalini and Swastika.  AUM was a little tricky but not too difficult.

And you are done!

For the bottom thread base:

Materials:

Embroidery thread (got from Daiso)

Toothbrush

Fabric glue

Scissors

Mounting board cut into a thick strip, say about 5-6cm width x 21cm length.  The size should be slightly bigger than the earlier circle mounting board design.

Step 1: Take the thread and go around the mounting board strip many, many times.  I find that if you go around it neatly, say next to each other, then it will turn out neatly.  But if you overlap it many times, it will turn out messy, threads will be long and short, but still not too bad.  As for how many times to go around it, if you go many times, then your base will be thick.  If too little, then the base will be a bit bald and scattered.  Up to you to try and experiment.

Step 2: Once you are comfortable with the quantity of rounds, cut the end.  Then cut a short thread, say about your palm size to use to tie around the middle of the thread ball that are already rolled on the mounting board before you remove it from the mounting board.  Make sure it is very tight or else it will come loose.

This is what I mean...

Step 3: Remove the thread ball from the mounting board.  This is what I like about the mounting board compared to the fork method that I used earlier, is that you can gently fold the mounting board to release the thread.  

Step 4: Using the same thread that you tied earlier, round it behind and tie the whole thing together in the middle, and make into to look like a ribbon.  Make sure the knot is very tight as you don't want it to come loose later.

Step 5: Cut all the loop ends (except for the long thread that you tie in the middle.

Step 6: Use a toothbrush to spread out the threads evenly into a big circle.

Step 7: Use fabric glue and stick the design you did earlier onto the thread.  Make sure you stick it on the top surface not bottom where the knot is.  Then cut the edges to make it neat.  And you are done!

You can stick anything onto the thread base as design

And finally for rakhi strings, you can follow my instructions here last year.  But if you are not clear, here it is below:

Materials:

2 different coloured embroidery thread

Scissors

Step 1: Cut the thread to length of 30cm or lesser.  If too short, very hard to tie around the wrist.  Better longer than shorter.  You should have 4 threads, 2 of the same colour.

Step 2: Tie a knot at one end.  Cut the other end open.  

Step 3: Separate into 2 threads each.  I like to separate 2 threads of the same colour one side.  

Step 4: Hold the threads at each end and start twisting at clockwise direction.  If you have a partner, this part will be faster.  If not, you hold with each hands at each end and left hand start twisting to the right and right hand start twisting to the right.  Twist until it is tight.  Then join both ends together by holding it with 1 hand.  And let go the other hand.  The strings will be twisted and entwine with each other now.  Smooth it and then tie a knot at the end.  And you are done!

Step 5: Attached the earlier design to the rakhi string by using the extra long thread on the cotton ball and tie in the middle (in between the entwined threads of the rakhi so that the design can't move up or down).

Happy Raksha Bandhan!!!!