Lei
The fresh flower lei is probably one of the most definitive of all Hawaiian icons. A lei traditionally expresses love, reverence, respect congratulations and welcome. There are about as many different types of leis as there are reasons to give one. Ancient Hawaiians used braided human hair, bird feathers, shells and dog teeth, but the more modern version includes a vast assortment of fresh flowers, foliage and more. Read on to learn make a fresh flower lei.
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of dental floss, fishing line or crochet thread 50 inches long. This will give you a lei that is 40 inches long with 5 inches on each end that you can tie together. If you are using number 10 crochet thread cut it to 100 inches long and use a double strand.
2. Use the felt tip pen to mark the string 5 inches from each end.
3. Place a clip on the opposite end of the string from where you will be stringing the flowers.
4. If you are using a lei needle, pull the string through the hook of the needle and either hold it back to secure it or use pliers to squeeze the hook closed so it makes an eye. If you are using another type of needle, thread it. Use a single strand if you are using dental floss or fishing line and use a double strand if you are using number 10 crochet thread.
5. Remove the stem from each blossom before you string it.
6. Slide the needle through the center of each flower. Some lei makers prefer to not to string through the center, but instead prefer to make a new hole in the flower just below the center of the stem.
7. Nest each flower against the previous flower.
8. After stringing all the flowers nest the first and last flowers and tie the string in a square knot, leaving a tail so the lei can be carried without touching the flowers. Remove the tail before presenting the lei to someone.
9. Mist the lei lightly with water.
10. If you need to store the lei, place it loosely in a plastic bag after misting and store it in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator. If the lei gets too cold the flowers will be damaged.
Tags: crochet thread, inches long, crochet thread inches, dental floss, dental floss fishing, double strand, each flower