Native American Leg Rattle

Materials Needed:

• Lightweight Cardboard (from a cereal box)
• Paint, Crayons, or Markers
• Fabric Scraps
• Beads

Instructions:
Cut the cardboard into 4 inch wide strips that are long enough to fit around the ankle fairly snug so it does not slip down. Decorate the plain side of the the cardboard with geometric designs (or whatever you prefer) using the paint, markers, or crayons.

Use a hole puncher to punch holes along the bottom edge about one inch apart along the bottom edge of the cardboard. Punch one hole in each top corner also. (See picture below)>

Now, you want to cut fabric strips about 1 inch wide and about 8 - 10 inches long. The number of fabric strips you cut depends on the number of holes you punched along the bottom edge of the cardboard. For example, with the picture above, you would want 11 fabric strips.

Starting with the second hole in from the edge, string the fabric strips through each hole so you have the same amount hanging over on each side. Leave both end holes on the bottom empty, and also both holes along the top edge. You now want to string 2-4 beads on each piece of fabric, making sure you string them on both strands. Tie the end to hold the beads in place, and trim off any extra fabric.

Your leg rattle is now done and you can tie it to your ankle. Take your two extra fabric strips, string them through the empty top and bottom holes and them tie it to your leg!

If you want, you can use yarn or string instead of the fabric scraps, but you won't get quite the same effect. Also, you can use some home-made Native American Clay Beads instead of home-made beads.