GEOMETRIC BEAR

DIFFICULTY:

I found the geometric fox to be such a fun string project that I had to jump into another. The bear, being such a large creature, is the perfect silhouette canvas for another faceted string technique. Similar to the fox project, you can follow the string examples in the pattern or go wild with your own designs. Just keep drawing polygons inside your shape and it will all come together nicely. I find this fill technique so relaxing.

Materials

Pine board: 1" × 12" (2.5cm × 30.5cm), cut to 16" (41.5cm) long and stained (Shown: Minwax Wood Finish in Red Chestnut)

5⁄8" (1.6cm) silver nails

Embroidery floss in 1 color (Shown: DMC 718/Plum)

Photocopy of pattern (page 72)

Picture-hanging hardware

2 felt furniture pads

Tools: Hammer, needle-nose pliers

Basic supplies: Superglue, scissors, transparent tape

Techniques Used

Preparing a board (page 8)

Applying a nail pattern (page 9)

Stringing basics (pages 10–11)

Double-wrap technique (page 13)

Finished Size (h × w)

11.5" × 16" (29cm × 41.5cm)

  1. Trim your pattern from the paper and position it on your board. I thought placing it on the bottom left looked nice with this shape. Secure your pattern with tape.
  2. For the nails on the interior of the bear, you can follow the marks suggested on the pattern or do your own design. These interior nails help when you are stringing the angular shapes. The more of them you have, the more shapes you can draw with your string. Remove the pattern and debris.
  3. Tie on to a nail (sealing your knot) and string the outline of the shape first. Using the same technique as the fox pattern, stretch your string across the shape. Connect to random nails and “draw” triangles, rectangles, and other polygons. Overlap as you see fit, adding more shapes as needed. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this step freestyle, refer to the pattern shown for suggested string placement. Remember, on a pattern the lines represent where strings should go.
  4. The bear shown was completed using the double-wrap technique, for added emphasis. Once you’ve finished, tie off your string and seal with superglue. Attach your picture-hanging hardware and felt pads. Sign and date your work. That’s one unique bear!

GEOMETRIC BEAR PATTERN

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